The World Mountain Running Association have now opened applications for the 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup. The World Mountain Running Association invites applications from race events to join the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup in 2024.  We have recently concluded a hugely successful 2023 season where 17 races in 8 countries joined forces to provide athletes with racing opportunities. 

Interested race directors can find the World Cup Regulations, updated for 2024 below. The World Cup Application Form can be found here. Applications will close on Friday 30th November 2023.

In 2024 we will continue the momentum and build on the visibility of the series and support athletes and events to race hard and fair from June until October.  

The Valsir Mountain Running World Cup is an unparalleled platform that unites elite athletes and mountain running enthusiasts. It serves as an opportunity for race directors to present their courses, celebrate their local landscapes, and contribute to the rich tapestry of international mountain running.

he WMRA acknowledge the support from our partner Valsir who have renewed their commitment to the organisation of this circuit bringing World class races together for the benefit of all participants.

Application form can all be found HERE

World Cup regulations can be found HERE

All photo © WMRA- MArco Gulberti

Rémi European Mountain Running Adventures, as he call them in his youtube channel, started with a 25° position in the Uphill race at the Mountain Running World Championship in Stubai.

LET’S TALK MOUNTAIN RUNNING EPISODE 2: RÉMI LEROUX (CAN)
THE CANADIAN DETERMINATION

Rémi European Mountain Running Adventures, as he call them in his youtube channel, started with a 25° position in the Uphill race at the Mountain Running World Championship in Stubai. Soon after took part in a few other races across Europe where Rémi showcased his prowess by securing the second position in the esteemed Mont-Blanc KV. Alongside his fellow Canadian teammate, Alexandre Richard, Rémi headed to Castro Daire, Portugal, for the Montemuro Vertical Race, Golden Label Valsir Mountain Running World Cup. The duo dominated the event, proudly claiming the podium, with Rémi achieving an impressive second-place finish at the pinnacle of the race.

After a hiatus of two months back in Canada, Rémi made a triumphant return to Europe, firstly finishing 12° at the WMRA Asscoiated Race Challenge Stellina and  for the first time forming a Canadian Team. Short after Stellina, Rémi Leroux (CAN) claimed the 7° place at Vertical  Nasego, Golden Label Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, from where he travelled to the Spanish Pyrenees first for a training camp in the beautiful Ordesa Valley and them another obtaining a remarkable 2° at the Canfranc Uphill,Golden Label Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, and an impressive 4°in the CanfrancCanfranc Classic distance just the day after the Uphill. His determination propelled him steadily upward in the final World Cup classification, showcasing his unwavering determination and steady climb through the ranks.

By the end of September he was fighting for the podium with the fellow World Cup runner, Joe Steward (GBR), and Rémi played his cards by running at the Silver Label race, Primiero Dolomiti,a nd placing 2°. With short time to recover and together with some other World Cup runners travelled to Slovenia for the to the Classic Šmarna Gora, Valsir Mountain Running World Cup Silver Label race, where we saw Rémi again in the podium by finishing 3°.

Once again on the road, October was the month for the Valsir Mountain Running Wolrd Cup Finlaissima in Gran Canaria, Spain, and Rémi was really having a fight for the podium with Joe Steward (GBR), with very little points separating each other,  which was only solved by Joe winning the Uphill race at the Finlaissima in Gran Canaria, where Rémi finished 6° and just two days later, Joe finished 4° and Rémi  6° at the Finalissima Sky Gran Canaria Classic distance.

At the end of the season, Rémi Leroux (CAN) has finished 4° in the Men’s overall Valsir Mountain Running World Cup during his inaugural participation in the World Cup, Rémi exhibited exceptional competitiveness and unwavering athlete determination, consistently striving to conquer higher positions with each subsequent challenge.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM, WHAT IS YOUR HOMETOWN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

  I grew up and currently live in the province of Quebec, in Canada.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING IN THE VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP 2023?

In the last 5 years, I’ve mainly competed in ultra trail races. In 2022 I realized that I much more prefer racing shorter mountain running races, so I decided to focus mainly on the World Cup this year. It’s been a long season for me competing in 9 world cup races + 8 other mountain running races!

MOUNTAIN RUNNING IS A PHYSICALLY DEMANDING SPORT. COULD YOU SHARE SOME INSIGHTS INTO YOUR TRAINING AND PREPARATION LEADING UP TO THE WORLD CUP? HOW DO YOU TRAIN IN WINTER? DO YOU COMBINE DISCIPLINES SKI, BIKE, RUNNING?

Transitioning from ultra to mountain running, I’ve significantly increased the amount of intensity in my training. In my preparation phase, 3-4 days per week are ‘intensity days’ where I do intervals at a fast pace. I do most of these sessions running uphill since it is less risky for injury and is in my opinion more fun. The rest of the days I still train but at an easy effort, most of the time still in the mountains.

Winters are tough and unpredictable in Quebec, so I constantly must be ready to change my training depending on the conditions. If running is not an option, I do skimo or stay indoors Zwifting on my bike.

SPONSORSHIP PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN AN ATHLETE’S SUCCESS. COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR SPONSORS/TEAM?

I am sponsored by Merrell. I used their Skyfire 2 shoes at all my races this year which I think are great, especially for the vertical events.

WITH 16 RACES IN 8 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, EACH COURSE HAD ITS UNIQUE CHALLENGES. CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT

THE BEST LANDSCAPE RACE-  NASEGO VERTICAL

THE FASTEST- PRIMIERO DOLOMITI TRAIL

THE MOST DIFFCIULT/TECHNICAL  CANFRANCCANFRANC CLASSIC

THE COMPETITION IN THE MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP IS FIERCE. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE AND STAY MOTIVATED THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?

Doing so many races this season, I had to be careful to not create excuses for myself and not let my brain convince my legs to go easy to preserve energy for another race. For me, there’s no point of racing if I’m not going to give it my 100% so I approached each race as if it was my last of the season (which could’ve realistically happened with injury). 

CAN YOU SHARE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS OR MENTAL TECHNIQUES YOU RELY ON TO KEEP YOUR PERFORMANCE CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD CUP?

It is easy to get intimidated and slow down when you see that you are running with so many fast athletes, so I reminded myself before every race that I belonged there. The first step to reaching the level of the top athletes is believing that you are at their level.

FINALLY, WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE RACE/MOMENT DURING THE VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP, AND WHAT MADE IT SPECIAL TO YOU?

Impossible to limit myself to a single moment, but I’d say my favourite thing was getting to know and appreciating the mountain running culture. Everyone implicated in the sport; from runners to organizers to media people; everyone shares the same value of authenticity, and everyone is truly passionate by the sport. I can’t wait to be back next year ?

More about Rémi Leroux (CAN) at the athlete profile in the WMRA or you can follow Rémi Leroux (CAN) on his social media here:

Instagram 

Youtube

Welcome to our exclusive series highlighting the outstanding mountain running athletes of the 2023 season! Today, we embark on a journey delving into the fascinating world of the season’s top mountain runners were we will learn and explore where the top Mountain Runners of the world live, train, run and what do they do when they are not running. 

Kicking off with today’s  interview with Andrea Mayr, the seven-time Mountain Running World Champion from Austria. 

LET’S TALK MOUNTAIN RUNNING EPISODE 1: ANDREA MAYR (AUT)

 
Anrdea Mayr (AUT) started this season winning her 7th Mountain Running World Championship in Stubai, her home land Austria. After wining the Uphill World Championships at “home”, we also had the pleasure to see her winning for the fith time at the Piz Tri Vertical (Golden Label race at the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup) in Malonnno (ITA) in 37.14, breaking her own course record! 

Just the day after she finished second in the Classic distance at the Fletta Trail (Golden Label race at the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup) , only taken by Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN), who at the end of this season was the World Cup winner.

Later in the season, she run and won the Challenge Stellina and in September, we also saw Andrea running  again in Italy, this time at the Trofeo Nasego. She is also a legend in Casto, where she won the Vertical Nasego race in 2019, setting the course record of 38.39, and in 2021 and 2022. She is also the only woman to have run under 40 minutes there and this 2023 edition was not exception where she Mayr took the win in 38.06, a new course record!

The day after of winning the Vertical  Nasego, Andrea Mayr (AUT) successfully defended her title and won also the Trofeo Nasego, Gold Label Long Distance Race of the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup.

At the end of the season, Andrea has finished 4° in the Women’s overall Valsir Mountain Running World Cup.

WHERE ARE YOU FROM, WHAT IS YOUR HOMETOWN AND WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW?

I am from Austria, I grew up in Linz, moved to Vienna to study medicine and finally moved to Gmunden in 2012.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE COMPETING IN THE VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP 2023?

The Valsir worldcup gets bigger and more professional every year.

MOUNTAIN RUNNING IS A PHYSICALLY DEMANDING SPORT. COULD YOU SHARE SOME INSIGHTS INTO YOUR TRAINING AND PREPARATION LEADING UP TO THE WORLD CUP? HOW DO YOU TRAIN IN WINTER? DO YOU COMBINE DISCIPLINES SKI, BIKE, RUNNING?

Some years ago, I started doing skimountainiering in winter when there was enough snow; it took away some pressure from me, because before I was always worried about the snow. Now I don not mind: if there is snow I go with the ski, if there is no snow, I take my runningshoes.

And all year long I do about 40 % of my training on the bike.

SPONSORSHIP PLAYS A SIGNIFICANT ROLE IN AN ATHLETE’S SUCCESS. COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR SPONSORS/TEAM?

I think that not being in a team made it possible for me to be successful for so many years, because I was never told which races to run. I could always decide for my own.

WITH 16 RACES IN 8 DIFFERENT COUNTRIES, EACH COURSE HAD ITS UNIQUE CHALLENGES. CAN YOU HIGHLIGHT

THE BEST LANDSCAPE RACE- TROFEO NASEGO

Andrea Mayr (AUT) wins the Trofeo Nasego 2023. Photo © WMRA- Marco Gulberti

THE FASTEST- ŠMARNA GORA 

Andrea Mayr (AUT) wins the Šmarna Gora 2022. Photo © WMRA- Richard Bolt

THE MOST DIFFCIULT/TECHNICAL  ?

THE COMPETITION IN THE MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP IS FIERCE. HOW DO YOU MAINTAIN A COMPETITIVE EDGE AND STAY MOTIVATED THROUGHOUT THE SEASON?

I just think about the race next to come.

CAN YOU SHARE ANY PRE-RACE RITUALS OR MENTAL TECHNIQUES YOU RELY ON TO KEEP YOUR PERFORMANCE CONSISTENT THROUGHOUT THE WORLD CUP?

I realized that I always had my best races when I just felt comfortable and happy at the warming up so I always have my family with me.

FINALLY, WHAT WAS YOUR FAVORITE RACE/MOMENT DURING THE VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP, AND WHAT MADE IT SPECIAL TO YOU?

The victory with the new course record at  the Piz Tri Vertical, because I never thought I could run so fast again.

Andrea Mayr (AUT) wins the Piz Tri 2023 with 37.14, breaking her own course record. Photo © WMRA- Marco Gulberti

WOULD LIKE TO ADD ANYTHING ELSE

Being part of the Valsir Mountain Running athletes really fells good: there is always a warm wellcome; it is like a big family.

Further statistics and results from Andrea Mayr can be found here: https://wmra.ch/results/statistics

The World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) recently visited the venue for the 17th International U18 Mountain Running Cup, which will take place from June 19th to 23rd, 2024 in Aguilar de Campoo, Spain, as preparations are underway to ensure everything is ready.

The WMRA members were accompanied by members of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC), the Sport Coordinator of the Palencia Region, Sport Councillor of Aguilar de Campoo and the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA).

The International U18 Mountain Running Cup is an annual event bringing together the best under 18 runners from a broad range of countries, and as such it is an important steppingstone for many in the sport. The first edition of the event was held in Susa, Italy in 2006, and since then, it has been held in various countries around the world.

Next year’s event will be hosted in June 2024, with the accreditation for teams starting by Wednesday 19^th and the races taking place on Saturday 22^nd in Aguilar de Campoo and Barruelo de Santullán, both situated within the Palencia region. The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) has designated these two primary sites: Aguilar de Campoo will host all institutional events, while Barruelo de Santullán has been chosen as the race venue.

Both locations are part of the area known as “Montaña Palentina”, with its deep-rooted history and breathtaking scenery, promises to offer participants and visitors an unforgettable experience beyond the race itself.

Athletes from many countries are expected like Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Poland, Switzerland, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, England, and USA. Each country can field four women and four men and the first three finishers for each country will count towards the team competition. So there are individual and team podiums up for grabs and over 100 athletes will contest them.

Full regulations about the U18 Cup can be found here

The course for the race will be approximately 5.4km long with an elevation gain of around 250m

The website for the event will be available in the coming weeks under U18Cup2024.ESP.

The WMRA and the LOC are working hard to ensure that the event is a success and that all participants have a memorable experience. We look forward to welcoming the world’s best youth mountain runners to Aguilar de Campoo in June 2024.

On October 20th, the WMRA received the resignation of Julius Rupitsch (AUT) from his position as a WMRA Council member, citing personal reasons. Julius has been a member of our council since the spring of 2022.

Following his decision, Julius promptly notified the Austrian Athletics Federation  www.olv.at , and he also communicated his resignation to WMRA President Tomo Sarf, who subsequently conveyed Julius’s decision to the Council.

The WMRA expresses its gratitude to Julius for his dedicated service on the council and wishes him the best in his future endeavors.

The WMRA Council after Julius resignation stays as following:

More information about the WMRA Council here.

The French Team (Orhlac, Petit, Meyssat)took the victory in the men’s category (three men teams) for the eighth time in 10 years, in the 66th edition of Trofeo Vanoni. while in the women’s 40th edition of the Italian race, this year in a 2-piece relay version, the victory after an evening with pouring rain wnet for the duo Sortini and Compagnoni, Sortini won for the second time (individual time 22’43” and relay final 47’05”).

WOMEN’S CATEGORY

The sun came to kiss the 40th edition of the Vanoni women’s race, this year in a 2-piece relay version, after an eve with pouring rain. As many as 57 relays took part in the race, a long, colourful snake on the 5 km orbital track with an altitude difference of 248 metres. Recordwoman Sarah McCormack (Ireland) got off to a flying start in the first stage, immediately gaining an advantage of 31″ at the Dosso, where the GPM is located, over Slovenian Varineja Drasler and 50″ over Britain’s Caroline Lambert (Snowdon Race Team). Elisa Compagnoni (Atl. Alta Valtellina) and Beatrice Bianchi (La Recastello Radici Group) finished fourth and fifth. In the downhill, McCormack increased her advantage and passed the baton first to Aine Gosling with the best time of the day (22’34”), but behind her, the situation evolved positively for Beatrice Bianchi (La Recastello Radici Group), who put the turbo and passed the baton to Samantha Galassi with a gap of 45″.

Slovenia changed to third, and Elisa Sortini started fifth behind the Snowdon Race Team. The Irish Aine’s breakaway did not last long: at the “Dosso”, the lead dropped to 9″, with Samantha Galassi in second and Sortini already up to third place. When the thunderous cheering makes it clear that the finish line is not far away at the Tempietto, the overtaking occurs: Sortini leaps into the lead, followed by the Irishwoman and the Recastello Radici Group. In St. Anthony square, it is the apotheosis for the Talamonese Sortini, but the surprise comes from the expert Galassi, who overtakes Gosling and conquers the second place. Behind the first three, the Scottish Catriona MacDonald and Slovenia hold the position.

On the red carpet in Vanoni Street, amidst a delirious crowd, Sortini won for the second time (individual time 22’43” and relay final 47’05”). The records do not waver, but for Sortini and Compagnoni, the absolute regional title also arrives. To Galassi and Bianchi the place of honour in 47’35”, a well-matched duo that made the difference on the downhill. Ireland settled for the bronze medal in 47’50”, while further back were Scotland at 49’31” and Slovenia at 49’54”. Completing the top ten were the Snowdon Race Team, Wales, Poland, Castelraider and GP Valchiavenna; a total of four Italian and six foreign relay teams.

The winners were enthusiastic: ‘I did my best not to get too far behind, especially because the downhill is not my favourite part,’ said Compagnoni, ‘then Elisa made the difference. “The Vanoni is my race,’ Sortini declared, ‘I wanted to do well, and the public charged me up. To win in two is beautiful”.

“I had a great run,” echoed Beatrice Bianchi, “the Vanoni has a course that suits my characteristics. To finish second with Samantha, a great example for me, is something special”. “Years and situations change,’ Galassi concludes, ‘but today I managed to run fast, and this result achieved in front of my son and my partner is a great emotion.

Emotions also ran high at the floral prize-giving with a rose for all 114 protagonists, amid applause from the Morbegno public, which always lives up to expectations, as do the organisational skills of the GS CSI Morbegno.

MEN’S CATEGORY

In the first stage, Alberto Vender (SA Valchiese) set off at full speed on a course that was definitely in his favour and climbed to the top of the Arzo GPM with a 50-second lead over Michael Galassi (US Aldo Moro), Frenchman Boris Orlhac and Briton Matt Knowles. On the descent, things changed behind the outriders. If at the change Vender is the fastest of the day at 29’32”, behind him we find the English Ben Rothery (Snowdon Race Team) who with a great descent (he is the best time of the day with 8’59”) is second, followed by Knowles (best under 23), the Malenco Alessandro Rossi and Galassi. In the second leg, Luca Merli was held by the Scotsman Any Douglas, but the Frenchman Arlic Petit began to close the gap.

In the third fraction, coach Jean Claude Louison relied on the experienced Manu Meyssat and did not make a mistake. With the best time on the climb (19’50”), he climbed to the GPM of Arzo in the lead, overtaking the British Ross Gollan and the young Devid Caresani of Valchiese. On the descent, the captain of the bleu took no risks. He secured the victory and collected the crowd’s applause in Via Vanoni.

For France, it is the eighth victory in the last ten years, the third consecutive one that means the definitive triumph of the Vanoni Trophy, a wooden work of art by the sculptor Ivan Fabani, a gift of the Municipality of Morbegno, with a time of 1h32’00”.  At 36″ the Great Britain of Knowles, Douglas and Gollan, while the students of Ennio Colò, after two-second places, had to settle for the lowest step of the podium with a time of 1h34’10”, but with the certainty of having given their best. Also in the top five were the Snowdon Race Team (Ben Rothery, Grant Cunliffee, Chris Holdsworth) and the excellent US Aldo Moro (Michael Galassi, Rok Bratina, Nicola D’Andrea).

For the red devils of the GS CSI Morbegno (Francesco Bongio, Diego Rossi, Marco Leoni with a time of 1h38’10”) came an excellent sixth place, which meant the conquest of the overall regional relay title. The fastest of the hosts was junior Francesco Bongio, already a national champion in Innsbruck, with a time of 31’47”. The top ten were GS Orobie of recordman Alex Baldaccini, the US Malonno of icon Emanuela Manzi (team record holder with Rinaldi and De Gasperi), Scotland, Wales and Poland. The emotion of the transalpine was great, who dedicated the victory to Gianpietro Bottà. A considerable crowd supported all the athletes on the course, creating that magical atmosphere that only the Vanoni Trophy can provide.

Results: https://www.fidal.it/risultati/2023/COD10524/Index.htm

Photo Credits: Davide Vaninetti, Roberto Ganassa, Angelo Testa

Valsir Mountain Running World Cup champions crowned.

Day three of the Valsir Mountain World Cup Finalissima at Sky Gran Canaria proved to a be dramatic and fitting end to what has been a superb season. It all started in mid-June, in Broken Arrow, Lake Tahoe, USA and ended on this demanding, rugged coastal route. There’s been a long list of winners in that time that includes runners all over the world, but always there’s been underlying theme – watch out the Kenyans are ready to pounce.

And so it proved once more on super Sunday, the final race of a fabulous Valsir Mountain Running World Cup and overall mountain running year. Originally billed as super fast race with lots of downhill, the race was a much quicker 22km, reduced in altitude because of local conditions and the danger of forest fires, which, however resulted in a fantastic fast Classic Mountain Running course.

Kenya’s Philemon Kiriago and countrywoman Joyce Njeru continued the theme they had been enjoying all season and quite simply dominated proceedings from the gun. Run over two laps, both Kiriago and Njeru employed similar tactics on what was another hot Canarian day and seized control as early as the first 5km. 

For Kiriago that meant keeping things moving as he had countryman Patrick Kipngeno, the World Mountain Running Champion and multiple winner of World Cup races this year tracking his every stride, in fact leading the first kilometers, all the way to the final fast downhill 5km. 

For Njeru, however, it was a case of simply running away from her opposition. She established a 40-second gap on Philaries Kisang, also from Kenya and a podium finisher on five occasions in 2023, and maintained that gap all the way to the finish. 

While the victory was of course important, it also meant something far more significant for Kiriago. Victory confirmed he had secured enough points to become overall World Cup champion. “I’m excited today as I hoped I win the World Cup and it all went well,” he said afterwards, pleased to have seen his race plans fall into place so successfully. It has been a great year with wins at Fletta Trail, Sierre Zinal and Trofeo Nasego.

Behind him, Kipngeno was also pleased with the way things unfolded in Gran Canaria and the season as a whole. “I’m very happy to finish second in the World Cup series. It’s been a very long season,” he said, summing up perfectly the thoughts of everybody racing in the mountains this year.

Like Kiriago, the win also confirmed Njeru’s status as World No.1 in the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup rankings. “I just feel good; the race was good. It was a nice feeling to finish and defend the World Cup trophy. It really well worked well for me,” the winner of Fletta Trail, La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and Canfranc, as well as the Canfranc vertical race said.

Winner of the vertical race on day one, Britain’s Joe Steward move from fourth to third. Behind him, his season-long rival, Canada’s Remi Leroux switched positions – third to fourth – because of his sixth place in the vertical 4km. 

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VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP MEN’S OVERALL TOP 10:

1 Philemon Kiriago (KEN) 285

2 Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) 280

3 Joe Steward (GBR) 211

4 Remi Leroux (CAN) 168

5 Christian Allen (USA) 160

6 Andrea Rostan (ITA) 139

7 Henri Aymonod (ITA) 135

8 Alex Baldaccini (ITA) 102

9 Ondrej Fejfar (CZE) 98

10 Alric Petit (FRA) 91

As it had been all season long, Njeru never looked like losing her crown, but behind her the competition was intense for a podium position. Four or possibly five were battle for that spot, and in the end it was Britain’s Scout Adkin who enjoyed a rewarding weekend in Gran Canaria. She won the vertical race on Friday and doubled back with a bronze in the 22km to move up from fifth to second overall. 

VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP WOMEN’S OVERALL TOP 10
1 Joyce Njeru (KEN) 295

2 Sout Adkin (GBR) 230

3 Philaries Kisang (KEN) 215

4 Andrea Mayr (AUT) 190

5 Lucy Murigi (KEN) 190

6 Camilla Magliano (ITA) 173

7 Susanna Saapunki (FIN) 166

8 Sara Willhoit (GBR) 160

9 Anna Gibson (USA)111

10 Madalina Florea (ROM) 109

For more information on the Sky Gran Canaria races visit the website here. And for more information on the World Cup visit here.

*The WMRA would like to thank the LOC once more for creating an exciting weekend full of action-packed drama. No easy task given the need to change all the routes at the 11th hour because of the severe weather warning the area received. The possibility of forest fires as a result of the intense heat was very high, so brilliant job!

VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP WOMEN’S UPHILL TOP 3

1 Scout Adkin (GBR) 120

2 Andrea Mayr (AUT) 100

3 Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) 100

VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP MEN’S UPHILL TOP 3

1 Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) 140

2 Joe Steward (GBR) 130

3 Andrea Rostan (ITA) 93

VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP WOMEN’S CLASSIC TOP 3

1 Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) 150

2 Philaries Kisang (KEN) 110

3 Scout Adkin (GBR) 100

VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP MEN’S CLASSIC TOP 3

1 Philemon Kiriago (KEN) 140

2 Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) 90

3 Remi Leroux (CAN) 83

VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP WOMEN’S LONG TOP 3

1 Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN) 70

2 Allie McLaughlin (USA) 64

3 Madalina Florea (ROM) 56

VALSIR MOUNTAIN RUNNING WORLD CUP MEN’S LONG TOP 3

1 Philemon Kiriago (KEN) 100

2 Christian Allen (USA) 80

3 Patrick Kipngeno (KEN) 80

USA and Spain lead the way at the Valsir Mountain World Cup Finalissima at Sky Gran Canaria.

Day two of the Valsir Mountain World Cup Finalissima at Sky Gran Canaria featured the longest race of the weekend, the Sky TPT38 Long. 

It was a demanding 38km which had to be changed from the original 2736m of ascent and the sections of steep, technical ground due to    the weather alert issued by the government. In any case, it was a great course, that saw runners start down on the coast of Maspalomas before traversing a series of volcanic canyons.

And if day one and the uphill-only race over 4km was all about flat-out power, this was very much a story of tactics, endurance, fuelling strategies and good old fashioned true grit, not to mention superb the descending skills required for the final 12km. 

Fortunately for the competitors, conditions cooled slightly – the islands have been enduring a heat wave – and the canyon walls provided much-needed shade, so it was possible to really push hard from the gun.

It was the USA’s Christian Allen who did just that to seize the early initiative to open up a commanding lead of more than three minutes by 22km. Allen has been in great form this year as his 2023 race programme demonstrates. The 28-minute 10k track runner has posted a string of impressive results all over the world, highlighted by a seven-minute victory in the Speedgoat 50k in the Wasatch Mountains, USA, or the impressive second place at Vertical Nasego or the third place at the Trofeo Nasego this Valsir Mountain Running World Cup season.

Allen, who is also a member of a newly formed Trail Team created to help athletes progress in the world of off-road running, crossed the line in 2:29:29, comfortably ahead of countryman Andrew Wacker who clocked 2:35:52. 

“I’m tired but I’m glad to be done. I was a little tired after yesterday and didn’t get much sleep because of the caffeine I’d taken (he finished third in uphill only 4km) but competing is all about adapting and going out there and having fun,” said Allen, who flew the final downhill 12km in a shade under 40 minutes.

A great race from the American this Sunday (tomorrow) over the Classic Distance Finalissima race, could see him move to as high as third in the overall rankings. But talking after this race, he’s not so sure he’ll be on the start line for the third race of a packed weekend. “But you never know,” he laughed. “We’ll see how I sleep tonight.”

In the women’s race, a superb final 12km from Spain’s Ikram Rharsalla Laktab saw her haul back a four-minute deficit to win by more than more than a minute. At first glance it appeared to be down solely to her sensational running over the closing stages given Italy’s Camilla Magliano has passed 22km more than four minutes to the good over Laktab, the Spanish representative in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck earlier this season. 

Unfortunately, however for Magliano, the Italian had taken a wrong – and costly – turn in the final canyon and it was Laktab who crossed the line first in 2:27:26 with Magliano close behind in 2:59:01.

“I’m happy with the win,” said Laktab, the surprised winner, who was understandably happy with the way things turned out. “It was a very runnable course, although I do like a bit more of a technical course with a touch more climbing,” she continued. 

Now it’s all about Sunday and the Sky A21 Classic which starts and finishes at the Muelle Viejo de Agaete. Initially, this race was going to be over 50km, but the extreme weather conditions in Gran Canaria means this will now be a shorter two-lap race over 22km.

The races in Gran Canaria form the final round of the 2023 World Cup rankings. Full results of Saturday’s races can be found here, while reports from Friday, Saturday and tomorrow’s race on Sunday can be found here. 

GB’s Joe Steward and Scout Adkin open the Valsir Mountain World Cup Finalissima at Sky Gran Canaria with victories in the uphill race.

Adjusting at pace is the key to successful mountain running as conditions, terrain and as it turned out, even distances can change in the blink of an eye. 

A weather alert was issued for the heat and possibility of forest fires. And this meant the 6km uphill race at the Sky Gran Canaria Finalissima of the Valsir Mountain World Cup – traditionally the opening event on this action-packed weekend – was reduced to 4km on a significantly altered route. Not only was the race shorter, it also didn’t climb above 400m as a result of the restrictions.

In the brutally hot conditions (36 degrees at the start) it was Britain’s Joe Steward who quickly made the best of a tough situation for the organisers and world’s best athletes alike as he raced to victory in the Sky A4Uphill event in 17:42. Steward was a top 10 finisher, placing eighth at the  World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck earlier this summer, but recent form included a win at races like Canfranc, earlier September or Challenge Stellina mountain race in Italy in August so he lined up as the man to beat. 

Adjusting at pace is the key to successful mountain running as conditions, terrain and as it turned out, even distances can change in the blink of an eye. 

A weather alert was issued for the heat and possibility of forest fires. And this meant the 6km uphill race at the Sky Gran Canaria Finalissima of the Valsir Mountain World Cup – traditionally the opening event on this action-packed weekend – was reduced to 4km on a significantly altered route. Not only was the race shorter, it also didn’t climb above 400m as a result of the restrictions.

In the brutally hot conditions (36 degrees at the start) it was Britain’s Joe Steward who quickly made the best of a tough situation for the organisers and world’s best athletes alike as he raced to victory in the Sky A4Uphill event in 17:42. Steward was a top 10 finisher, placing eighth at the  World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck earlier this summer, but recent form included a win at races like Canfranc, earlier September or Challenge Stellina mountain race in Italy in August so he lined up as the man to beat. 

The women’s race was equally exciting as Scottish Scout Adkin once again demonstrated the superb form she is currently enjoying. She was a winner Portugal, early July at Montemuro vertical run. Indeed, she was also an early starter in the race that spanned 40 minutes from the first gun and had to watch as the field tried – and failed – to match her 21:17 finish time. Looking incredibly strong on the technical section going into the final climb, it would clearly take something special to beat the Scot, bronze medallist in last year’s European Off-road running champs on neighbouring island, La Palma. 

As for the race in Gran Canaria, it featured a fast opening kilometre as the runners eased out of the coastal village of Agaete, climbed steadily before the tough final ascent to Lomo del Manco on the volcanic rock paths the Canary Islands are so well known for. 

And to make it fascinating, the race also featured athletes starting every 30 seconds. This created a superb spectacle with the result in doubt all the way to the finish line not unlike the time trials the Tour de France cycle race is so well known for. With no specific order, it was a case of hitting the climbs flat out; tactics were for another day and the two longer races (35km and 22km) on Saturday and Sunday. The full result of day one can be found here. 

Friday’s race really was a test of the highest order with the field combining speed, strength, and endurance, not to mention technical skills to discover who really is the best mountain runner in the world. And it was also the perfect scene setter for what promises to be a weekend full of drama and excitement. You’ll be able to read Saturday and Sunday’s reports, with the final rankings for 2023 here.