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Saturday 18. June at 8 a.m. sees the start of the 8. WMRA Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge in Podrdo, Slovenia, where the a great number of lovers of Mountain running will assemble to compete for this prestigious title over a distance of 38km (with 2500m uphill and 2800m downhill).
After memorable World Mountain Running Championships last year in Kamnik, Slovenia is going to host other WMRA international event this year.
The course is unusual because there is more descending than uphill running with a net drop of 300m (2500m uphill and 2800m downhill).

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500 runners from 18 Countries will be represented, with 12 official national teams (Scotland, Poland, Czech rep., Wales, Australia, England, Ireland, Switzerland, Russia, USA, Croatia and Slovenia).
The USA team return to defend their Men’s and Women’s titles from 2010.
The race is sure to be a highlight for many of the competitors in the Slovenian mountains around Podbrdo.
Men team favourites – in addition to the USA – will include Scotland who boast several in form athletes with 2008 winner Jethrow Lennox and Tom Owens who won the trial race ahead of the top British runners. Just behind was 19 year old, Robbie Simpson who is another international winner form Scotland adding youthful strength to an impressive Scottish team.
Host Country, Slovenia also boast a strong team and will pin their hopes on Mitia Kosovelj who won the junior title in 2003 and finished 3rd in this event in 2008. Kosovelj is joined by Toni Vencelj and Peter Lamovec who have made the World podium previously.
The ladies race is a more open affair although Slovenia again have a team that could top the podium.
Slovenia is always a welcoming host and Podrdo should see some great racing as the world’s best long distance mountain runners literally descent from Podbrdo in Slovenia on Saturday 18. June 2011.
LOC together AZS (Slovenian Athletic Federation) worked very hard to organise a great event and WMRA – present with Bruno Gozzelino, WMRA President, and Tomo Sarf, WMRA Council member – is sure that it will be a great competition, thanking all were involved in this organisation.

News by Bruno Gozzelino, Tomo Sarf and Bashir Hussain

Photos by Janko Humar (LOC)
In front page: image of race 2010
Second page: joy at the finish!

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