The two-day Championships at the Sierra Nevada Ski and Mountain Resort will also include titles for the vertical, the classic and combined categories.

SkySnow is a new skyrunning discipline set exclusively in snow that embraces the traditional concept of running at a high altitude.

The discipline requires athletes to use micro crampons, specialised running shoes, while they are racing.

Marino Giacometti, the founder of skyrunning and President of the International Skyrunning Federation (ISF), is pleased with the number of countries ready to participate in the SkySnow World Championships.

"We’re really excited to put this new discipline on the international stage so fast and are proud to see 15 countries participate in the first World Championship, despite COVID restrictions," he said.

"The relatively short distances and minimal vertical climb in SkySnow are a great incentive for winter running and a recipe for the fast expansion of this sport worldwide."

The Championships are due to begin with the SkySnow Sierra Nevada Vertical at dawn tomorrow.

Participants must cover 4.3 kilometres by heading up to an altitude of 3,050 metres, which has a 950 metres vertical climb in the process.

The SkySnow Sierra Nevada Classic event is scheduled to start on Sunday (February 5) at dusk.

Using only headlamps and warm clothing in freezing temperatures, competitors must perform a 925m vertical climb during the 12.5km course.

Rafael Aquino Leal, Brazil’s team leader of skyrunning, Andorra’s Oscar Casal Mir, Sweden’s skyrunning twins Sanna and Lina El Kott Helander, and the US’ Mike Popejoy are among the athletes to take on Sierra Nevada’s mountains.

Each participating ISF member was required to select a maximum of 12 competitors for their team and six per team.

Germany have nominated nine athletes to lead the country.

Other participating countries include Bolivia, Chile, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Peru, Portugal, Russia, and Spain.