This morning, the second day of the Canfranc 2024 World Masters Mountain Running Championships (WMMRC), featured the Long Distance race, offering a formidable 34 km course with 2000 meters of elevation gain.

Starting at the historic Canfranc International Station, athletes faced early temperatures of around 6°C, with the heat rising to 20-22°C by the time the first competitors crossed the finish line. The dramatic shift in conditions added another layer of challenge to an already demanding course. Around 400 athletes lined up at the start, and despite the tough terrain, an impressive 90% of participants successfully completed the race, showcasing the resilience and preparation of the field.

Canfranc International Station at the Long Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo  WMRA by Marco Gulberti

THE COURSE: THE SPIRIT OF CANFRANC

The 34 km course featured a combination of steep ascents and descents, featuring a series of technical zigzags, testing the athletes’ endurance and skill. Much of the route followed ancient paths constructed decades ago to protect Canfranc from avalanches and falling rocks. The protective mountains of Los Arañones shield Canfranc-Estación and the valley floor from natural hazards, with the paths still standing as a testament to the area’s rich history.

Today’s race was run under a clear, sunny sky, in stark contrast to yesterday’s wintry conditions. As the athletes moved through the rugged rocky terrain, they were treated to the incredible beauty of the pure Pyrenees landscape, a sharp departure from the previous day’s snow and freezing temperatures.

The course, lined with jagged rocks and steep cliffs, showcased the dramatic scenery of the region. With crystal-clear views of the surrounding peaks, runners had to balance their admiration of the stunning environment with the intense focus required to navigate the technical sections safely. These rocky paths, combined with the rising temperatures, tested the athletes’ endurance in a different but equally challenging way compared to yesterday’s snow-packed trails.

MEN’S RACE: THOMAS ROACH (GBR) TAKES CONTROL.

In the men’s race, Thomas Roach (GBR), who had already shown his strength with a second-place finish in the previous day’s uphill race, took charge from the very start. Leading from the first meters, Roach demonstrated his mastery of both the technical terrain and the long-distance format. By the time he crossed the finish line, he had pulled an astonishing 10-minute lead over his nearest competitor, showcasing both his tactical intelligence and physical resilience.

Roach, as well as the other participants, had to carefully navigate the switchbacks, not just during the ascents but also during the descents, where concentration was essential to avoid losing precious time or making a misstep on the rocky terrain. Every single uphill meter gained was hard-fought, with the runners weaving through narrow paths that were designed to protect Canfranc’s historic International Station from avalanches and falling rocks.

Despite the sunnier, warmer weather, the difficulty of the course did not wane, and Roach’s ability to dominate this technical terrain was a testament to his exceptional skill in mountain running.

Thomas Roach (GBR) at the Long Distance Canfranc 2024 WMMRC- Photo  WMRA by Marco Gulberti

WOMEN’S RACE: MAGLIANO’S DOUBLE GOLD.

In the women’s race, Camilla Magliano (ITA) followed a similar script to her performance yesterday. The Italian athlete, fresh off her victory in the uphill race, took control from the start and never looked back. Her pace and endurance were unmatched, and she crossed the finish line in a Top 25 overall position, an extraordinary feat given that the men started 20 minutes earlier.

Camilla Magliano, winner at the Long Distance Canfranc 2024 WMMRC- Photo  WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Magliano’s consistency and strength over the weekend were remarkable, earning her back-to-back gold medals in both the uphill and long-distance events. Her victory today solidified her status as one of the top competitors in the W35 category, and she finished ahead of a highly diverse field, with over seven nationalities represented in the women’s overall top 10.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES ACROSS AGE CATEGORIES

The competition across the age groups was as fierce as ever, with many familiar names delivering strong performances after yesterday’s uphill race. In the W50 category, Angela Mudge (GBR), the 2000 World Champion, added another silver medal to her collection, following her second-place finish in the uphill event.

Another standout performance came from the USA’s Anita Ortiz in the W60 category. After claiming silver in the uphill race yesterday, Ortiz ran an outstanding race today, earning gold in the long distance event. Her performance highlights the continued competitiveness and endurance of these veteran athletes.

Anita Ortiz (USA ) W60 at the Long Distance Canfranc 2024 WMMRC- Photo  WMRA by Marco Gulberti

LONG DISTANCE RACE RESULTS

HERE

Teams HERE

PHOTO GALLERY WMRA BY MARCO GULBERTI

All photo credits WMRA by Marco Gulberti