Milly Young Breaks Women's Speed Record on Matterhorn

Australian climber Milly Young set a new women's speed record on the Matterhorn (Cervin) on 22 July 2026. She ran the round‑trip from Breuil‑Cervinia up the Lion ridge to the 4,478‑metre summit and back in 5 hours 17 minutes 43 seconds, shaving 33 minutes 51 seconds off Emelie Forsberg’s 2013 mark of 5 hours 51 minutes 35 seconds.

Young started from the church in Breuil‑Cervinia just after 11:30, reached the summit in about 3 hours 22 minutes, and descended in under two hours despite limited water and carbs. She reported near‑ideal conditions and noted the route required precise alpine skill and decision‑making. The absolute (men’s) record on the same route remains at 2 hours 52 minutes 02 seconds, set by Kilian Jornet in 2013. Young now resides in Chamonix and continues to pursue alpine climbing, trail running, and skiing.