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Athletics Canada says one of its members went missing while trying to break a mountain running record in the Alps along the Swiss-Italian border.
The sport’s national governing body said in a statement that Kalie McCrystal was last seen on Tuesday.
It is said that the runner and mountain climber was climbing the Matterhorn in Italy, a horn-shaped peak about 4,481 meters high that overlooks the Swiss city of Zermatt.
The statement said McCrystal has years of experience in technical, high-altitude environments and has climbed the Matterhorn before.
“Therefore, this is not his first mountain climb,” he said.
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The statement did not provide details about the record he hopes to break.
“Kalie is a highly respected athlete and member of the worldwide skyruning community,” he said.
“Our thoughts are with Kalie, her family and everyone close to her at this very difficult time. We wish her a safe return and thank those involved in the ongoing search.”
Riley Webb, a close friend from McCrystal’s hometown of Squamish, B.C., said he had known him for about five years and described him as an accomplished mountain runner, lawyer and very caring friend.
“He was so wise and loving. Always there for you. Really always there for you,” she told Global News.
Webb said McCrystal’s disappearance and the uncertainty surrounding the search has been difficult for those close to him.
“As a friend and someone who was very close to him, it was almost unbearable,” he said.
The two started mountain chasing and trail running at the same time, training and heading to the mountains together.
Webb said McCrystal’s passion and dedication to the sport stands out, as does her desire to champion women in mountain running.
“I think he is a very inspiring person.”
– With files from The Canadian Press
© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
