International U18 Mountain Running CUP to Feature 29 National Teams and a Total of 120 World-Class Athletes

This June 21st and 22nd weekend, the XVII edition of the International Mountain Running U18 Cup will take place in Spain in the area known as Montaña Palentina, hosting the world's finest young talents in mountain running. Organized by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), the event will welcome a total of 29 national teams from 17 countries, comprising 120 athletes - 61 men and 59 women - vying for podium positions and a place on the medal standings.

Organized by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) together with the Diputación de Palencia and the Real Federación Española de Atletismo the event will welcome a total of 29 national teams from 17 countries (France, Switzerland, Spain, Wales, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Slovenia, Cape Verde, Hungary, United States, Bulgaria, England, Scotland, Sierra Leone, Poland.), comprising 120 athletes - 61 men and 59 women - vying for podium positions and a place on the medal standings.

The course for the International U18 Mountain Running  Cup, already mapped out, spans 5.4 kilometers with a 225-meter positive elevation gain. It features a circular route, starting and ending at the Barruelo de Santullán football field, with a gentle incline in the first half and a more favorable descent in the latter part. The terrain predominantly consists of wooded areas, with well-maintained trails posing no technical challenges, setting the stage for a highly competitive race with anticipated fast-paced action.

Additionally, the International U18 Mountain Running Cup will have three main venues across the province of Palencia: Aguilar de Campoo, Barruelo de Santullán, and Brañosera. These locations will provide accommodation for athletes and technical teams from various national selections, serving as the starting and finishing points for the two races included in the program. In addition to the official WMRA event, there will be an open race for the public following the same route.

The Montaña Palentina: Spain's Hidden Gem

The Montaña Palentina, boasting more than 20,000 inhabitants with its urban nucleus in Aguilar de Campoo, is a natural landscape of significant aesthetic value. Characterized by its rugged terrain, featuring iconic peaks such as Peña Prieta, Curavacas, and Espigüete, it forms part of a mountainous system renowned for its scenic beauty.

"Events like the International Mountain Running U18 Cup highlight the Palentina Mountain Range as a natural playground for outdoor sports, particularly mountain running, which has seen a growing interest across the province of Palencia. Our region's landscapes remain a hidden gem for many nature enthusiasts," remarked Fran Caballero, one of the event's organizers.

Ángeles Armisen, the president of the Palencia Provincial Council, who recently visited the area during the Training Camp led by athlete Malen Osa, emphasized the council's commitment to promoting the Palentina Mountain Range as a tourist destination. "We are fortunate to have one of Spain's most important natural environments, relatively untouched by human intervention. Visitors to the Palentina Mountain Range will encounter a pristine, unspoiled landscape cared for by the local community," she stated.

For more information, visit https://u18cup2024.com.

 The International Mountain Running U18 Cup has a long traidtion among the young monutain runners as you can see in the videos of the previous editions