Most ranking positions still to be decided at Smarna Gora WMRA Grand Prix – Preview.

The fourth and final Mountain Running Grand Prix race takes place in Slovenia on Saturday 6th October.
The 9km course involving an ascent of 710m and descent of 350m takes place on the Smarna Gora, just outside Ljubljana.

With the mens overall winner already decided (Marco Gaiardo – ITA), the competition for the minor prizes is the main interest. Four athletes, Gabriele Abate (ITA), Jan Havlicek (CZE), Markus Kroell (AUT) and Joe Symonds (GBR) will share the top places, but favourite for runner up position will be Symonds after showing that he is in fine form with a 4th position in the recent World Trophy race in Switzerland.

All is still to be fought for in the womens final rankings.
Victoria Wilkinson (GBR) the current leader will probably find World Champion Anna Pichrtova (CZE) too difficult to beat. Anna is favourite to win this race and take the overall winners position. After that, a second placing is possible for Victoria,
but Marina Straehl (SUI), Iva Milasova (CZE), Maria Roberti (ITA) and Pavla Havlova (CZE) will all battle it out with her for the minor placings.

A total prize fund of 12,000€ will be shared by the leading 15 men and 9 women in the final ranking.

Danny Hughes