WMRA and World Masters Athletics Extend Agreement to 2026
Contract signed in Monaco sees continued collaboration on World Master Mountain Running Championship.
Representatives of the World Mountain Running Association and World Masters Athletics met in Monaco this week to sign a contract extending their co-operation in the organisation of the World Masters Mountain Running Championships until 2026.
The first WMRA championship for Masters athletes took place in Kitzbuhel, Austria in 1998, with the 2006 championship in Sauze D'Oulx, Italy the first arranged under the partnership with WMA.
The most recent WMMRC, the 21st edition, was held in Clonmel, Ireland in September, with 677 athletes representing 25 countries racing over a net uphill course in 9 age categories from 35 to 79 years old.
Ireland Shines at World Masters Mountain Running Championships
This year's championship will take place on the island of Madeira on 16th and 17th of September. It is a year of firsts; not only will this be the W.M.M.R.C.'s first trip to Portugal, it will also be the first time that it incorporates 2 races, the traditional uphill race of 9km and 800m+, and a new Long Distance race covering 32.4km and 1,160m+.
Looking further ahead, in 2024 the World Masters Mountain Running Championship will take place for the first time on Spanish soil, with the town of Canfranc in the Aragon Pyrenees hosting the 23rd edition.