Tag: WMRA

CELEBRATING 40 YEARS OF THE WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION

Written by Hector Rubio on 16/10/2024. Posted in Latest News - Feature Home Slide, WMRA - NA.

The weekend 12^th-13^th October was one for the history books, as the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) celebrated its 40th anniversary in Chiavenna, alongside the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup Final event. The occasion marked a significant milestone in the journey of mountain running, highlighting its growth from a niche sport to a globally recognized discipline.

The WMRA, originally founded as the “International Committee Mountain Running,” was established on 29th September 1984 in Zogno, Italy. Its founding members represented five European countries: Great Britain (GBR), Switzerland (SUI), San Marino (SMR), Austria (AUT), and Italy (ITA). Italian mountain running pioneer Angelo De Biassi (ITA) was elected as the first president, with Danny Hughes (GBR) appointed as secretary. Following De Biassi’s retirement in 1999, Hughes took over the leadership role as president, guiding the organization into a new era.

During the anniversary event in Chiavenna, the current WMRA president, Tomo Šarf (SLO) gave an inspiring speech reflecting on the progress made over the past 40 years. He highlighted the evolution of mountain running from its humble beginnings to the dynamic sport it is today, underscoring the organization’s ongoing mission to further develop the discipline on a global scale. The president also emphasized the goal of bringing mountain running to the Olympic Games, a dream that continues to drive the association’s future vision.

Tomo Šarf, President of the World Mountain Running Association, with the reference document of the WMRA foundation. Photo: Marco Gulberti

Mountain Running, as defined by World Athletics (WA), remains a unique test of endurance and skill, where athletes face natural terrains that challenge their strength and agility. Over the last five years, the WMRA has seen remarkable growth, significantly boosted by the 2019 Mountain Running World Championships in Patagonia. This growth has been further accelerated by its collaboration with ITRA (International Trail Running Association) and IAU (International Association of Ultrarunners) in organizing the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, in partnership with World Athletics.

Alessio Punzi (Head of Running and Mass Participation at World Athletics) and Tomo Šarf, President of the WMRA. Photo: Marco Gulberti

The 40th-anniversary celebration in Chiavenna also served as a reunion of past and present leaders of the WMRA. It was a proud moment for the organization as three presidents came together: current president Tomo Šarf, ex-presidents Bruno Gozzelino (ITA) and Jonathan Wyatt (NZL). Joining them were partners, friends, and key figures in the mountain running community, including Hilary Walker (GBR) from the IAU, Enrico Pollini from ITRA and Alessio Punzi, Head of Running and Mass Participation at World Athletics. The gathering was a tribute to the dedicated community that has supported and driven the sport forward, including the families and athletes who continue to be its heart and soul.

This special event in Chiavenna was not just a celebration of the WMRA’s past but a look ahead to a promising future. As mountain running continues to expand its global reach, the association remains committed to working with its partners to elevate the sport to new heights, aspiring to one day see it represented on the Olympic stage.

On this occasion, we interviewed three generations of mountain runners to learn about their views on the development of our sport and the potential for it to become an Olympic sport.

CANFRANC 2024 CLASSIC DISTANCE WMMRC: TRUE GRIT – AGE IS JUST A NUMBER.

Written by Hector Rubio on 15/09/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

The final day of the Canfranc 2024 World Masters Mountain Running Championship concluded in thrilling fashion this morning with the Classic Up&Down race, featuring 17 km and 1050 meters of elevation gained, where competitors braved the cold at the 8:30 am start.

With around 450 runners on the starting line and an impressive 439 crossing the finish, today was a celebration of true sportsmanship and perseverance, proving once again that age is just a number in mountain running.

By the time the first winners crossed the finish line at Canfranc’s international station, the temperatures had become more forgiving, but the grit and determination displayed by the athletes throughout the course remained a constant.

Canfranc International Station at the Classic Distance WMMRC- Canfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

THE COURSE:

The course itself was a true test of endurance and technical ability. Following a similar layout to the long-distance race from the day before, runners first tackled a tough ascent, climbing steadily to Refugio Buenavista, the highest point of the course.

Upon reaching this summit, runners were rewarded with one of the best views of the Canfranc Valley – a moment aptly named “Buenavista.” From there, the race shifted into an exhilarating, fast-paced descent through the forest, with narrow, winding trails demanding both speed and precision. The rugged and demanding terrain provided a spectacular setting for the final race, with the Pyrenean peaks adding to the drama. The finish line, set against the imposing backdrop of Canfranc’s iconic international railway station, marked a perfect conclusion to a weekend filled with determination and passion.

Classic Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Today’s Classic Up&Down race offered a fitting conclusion to the championship, with athletes of all ages and nationalities showcasing the essence of mountain running: resilience, skill, and a deep love for the mountains.

The World Masters Mountain Running Championship in Canfranc will be remembered not only for its fierce competition but also for the spirit of camaraderie and determination that defined the entire weekend. For those who competed, it was a true test of their abilities, and for the spectators, an inspiring display of what can be achieved at any age.

WOMEN’S RACE: MAGLIANO’S VINI, VEDI, VICI

In the women’s race, the familiar pattern from the past two days unfolded once more, with Camilla Magliano (ITA) taking an early lead and holding it all the way to the finish. Her victory completed a clean sweep of the weekend’s events, making her one of the undisputed stars of this championship.

The star of the day was Italy’s Camilla Magliano (ITA), who clinched her third victory of the weekend. After dominating the long-distance and uphill races, Magliano completed her “vini, vedi, vici” cementing her status as one of the standout performers of this championship.

Her consistency and strength over the challenging Canfranc terrain were unmatched, and she crossed the finish line in first place, securing the overall women’s title once more. It was a fitting conclusion to a weekend that saw her crowned champion in every event she entered.

Camilla Magliano (ITA) wins at the Classic Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Spain’s Margarita Fullana, who famously won the bronze medal in cross-country mountain biking at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, claimed 4th overall women and 1st in the W50 category similarely as she did in th Uphill race on Friday.

There was also a strong showing of international talent, with women from seven different nationalities in the overall top 10 of the race, and five different nationalities crowned as World Champions.

MEN’S RACE: DON’T STOP ME NOW.

The men’s overall race offered one of the day’s most intense battles, as Andrew Douglas (GBR) faced off against Eduard Hernández (ESP). The race began with a gruelling ascent, winding through the forested slopes and rocky technical sections that challenged even the most seasoned runners.

Douglas showcased his mastery on the mountain’s technical terrain, particularly excelling in the descents. The 7th place ranked in the World Mountain Running Championships in Patagonia 2019 showed his downhill speed and skill allowed him to gain crucial ground on Hernández, creating enough of a gap to claim the overall victory as well as the M35 gold medal. Hernández fought valiantly but could not close the gap, settling for silver. This reversed the positions from Friday’s Uphill race, where Hernández took the win and Douglas finished third.

Andrew Douglas (GBR) win at the Classic Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Italy’s success didn’t stop at the women’s race, with Veteran runner Franco Torressani (ITA) added another gold to his extensive collection of championship victories. Having claimed titles in nearly all age categories over the years, the priest, Torressani, proved once again that experience and resilience are the keys to success, securing first place in his age group and further bolstering Italy’s medal haul.

CLASSIC UP&DOWN DISTANCE RACE RESULTS

HERE

Teams HERE

GALLERY PHOTOS WMRA BY MARCO GULBERTI

All photo credits WMRA by Marco Gulberti

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDUNO 2025

The 2025 World Masters Mountain Running Championship will be held in Meduno, Italy, organised by the Meduno 2025 LOC, FIDAL, Atletica San Martino, and Polisportiva Val Meduna.

Meduno is a village in the northeast of Italy, not far from Venice, and is well connected by three airports (Venice, Treviso, and Trieste) and major roads.

Known as the regional capital of paragliding, Meduno offers stunning natural landscapes at the foot of the Dolomites, along with experienced and welcoming organisers (having hosted the 2022 National Masters Mountain Running Championships and the 2021 European Off-Road Running Championships).

The event will feature three different courses for Masters from around the globe: an uphill race to Monte Valinis, a classic up&down course, and a long-distance race.

https://www.meduno2025wmmrc.org

CANFRANC 2024 WMMRC UPHILL RACE: FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON GREETS MASTER ATHLETES

Written by Hector Rubio on 13/09/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

In a remarkable display of endurance and fortitude, the Canfranc 2024 World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Spain, commenced with the uphill race amidst extreme weather conditions.

Camilla Magliano (ITA) at the Canfranc 2024 Uphill WMMRC- Photo Ó WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Overnight, the first snow of the season blanketed the highlands, creating a wintry landscape that greeted athletes with temperatures of 3°C at the start line, dropping to around zero at the summit. Windchills of -10°C made the race a gruelling challenge for even the toughest competitors.

Despite these harsh conditions, the athletes demonstrated exceptional competitiveness and determination. Italy’s Camilla Magliano delivered a standout performance, clinching victory in the women’s race, while Belgium’s Charlotte Cotton continued her dominance by securing her third consecutive title in the W40 category, in the uphill race.

THE COURSE

The race began on the outskirts of Canfranc, with a 500-meter stretch of asphalt that quickly funneled athletes into the heart of the forest. The challenging terrain immediately tested the runners’ stamina, as they climbed towards the mountains.

By kilometer 3, the athletes reached the first aid station, where the weather, which had been snowy and cold earlier, began to clear. Both runners and spectators were treated to breathtaking views of the Spanish Pyrenees, whose majestic peaks were finally visible as the clouds lifted.

As the athletes continued their ascent, the course wound through forested paths and rugged terrain, eventually leading to the summit of La Raca at the Astún ski resort, standing at an altitude of 2300 meters. This final climb, through snow-covered trails and with biting winds, was a true test of endurance and mental strength, making each finish all the more impressive.

MEN’S RACE

The men’s race saw a thrilling battle at the front, with Eduar Hernández (ESP) M40 taking the victory on home soil. Hernández’s win was hard-fought, as he was closely followed by the British duo of Thomas Roach and Andrew Douglas, with all three finishing within a minute of each other. This intense battle for the podium was one of the highlights of the day, as the athletes tackled the challenging conditions head-on.

Eduard Hernández (ESP) overall winner and also M40 winner at the Uphill WMMRC- Photo Ó WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Just behind the top three, Ian Conroy (IRL) delivered a strong performance to secure fourth place overall and third in the M40 category, showing the depth of talent in the field.

The race also showcased the continued strength of the M40 category, with two of the top four finishers still competing in the Elite WMRA World Cup, underscoring the high calibre of competition in this age group.

Eduard Hernández (ESP) overall winner and also M40 winner at the Uphill WMMRC- Photo Ó WMRA by Marco Gulberti

In the M50 category, Tofol Castanyer put in an impressive run, finishing just four minutes behind the race leaders, further proving his remarkable fitness and endurance. Fernando Bojarro of Spain also had a standout performance as the first M60 athlete, highlighting the exceptional level of competition across multiple age groups.

Tofol Castanyer, M50 winner at the Uphill WMMRC- Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

This year’s race also featured a remarkable showing in the M75 category, with six athletes braving the course, further demonstrating the diversity and competitiveness of the field. Their participation, along with that of 10 athletes in the M/W75 categories overall, added to the inspiring atmosphere of the event.

WOMEN’S RACE

Despite these harsh conditions, all athletes demonstrated exceptional competitiveness and determination. Italy’s Camilla Magliano delivered a standout performance, clinching victory in the women’s race, while Belgium’s Charlotte Cotton continued her dominance by securing her third consecutive title in the W40 category.

Charlotte Cotton (BEL) W40 winner at the Uphill WMMRC- Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

The women’s race saw further remarkable performances, particularly in the W50+ category. Two athletes from this age groups finished in the top 10 overall, showcasing the incredible fitness of all competitors.

Nives Carobbio (ITA), competing in the W55 category, finished 6th overall, while Spain’s Margarita Fullana, who famously won the bronze medal in cross-country mountain biking at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, claimed 8th overall and 1st in the W50 category. Fullana’s continued prowess in endurance sports is a testament to her athletic longevity and versatility.

“This was not just about speed, but survival,” commented one participant. “The wind, snow, and cold really pushed us to our limits, but it’s what makes mountain running so unique and challenging.”

The opening day of the Championships has set a thrilling tone for the weekend, with athletes from across the globe delivering inspiring performances under extreme conditions. This year’s competition, framed by the early snowfall, promises to be remembered as one of the toughest yet in the World Masters Mountain Running history.

UPHILL RACE RESULTS

Individual HERE

Teams HERE

PHOTO GALLERY WMRA BY MARCO GULBERTI

All photo credits WMRA by Marco Gulberti

The 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup Opens at Broken Arrow

Written by Hector Rubio on 18/06/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

The 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup kicks off in style on Friday 21^st June at Broken Arrow in Palisades Tahoe, California. We will launch this year’s competition with the Broken Arrow VK, our first short uphill gold label race, then follow that up swiftly with the 23k Broken Arrow Skyrace, our first long gold label race, on Sunday 23^rd.

It’s a fitting venue to set the standard for this year’s World Cup, the 25^th edition, as it’s an area rich in sporting history. Primarily known as a ski resort, it hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, and in recent years Broken Arrow has grown both in size and reputation and is a hugely prestigious event, attracting elite runners from around the world across its five races. With a base elevation of 1,890 metres and stunning peaks all around, including the prominent 2,700 metre Washeshu Peak, it has the perfect credentials for mountain racing.

Broken Arrow has previously been a highlight of the World Cup in 2019, 2021 and 2023, and every edition gets more and more competitive. And while it takes place in the US, the event very much adheres to strong traditions of European mountain running, with steep terrain, scrambling and huge amounts of vertical gain and loss at altitude.

THE COURSES

First up is our short uphill race, the Broken Arrow VK on Friday 21^st June at 9.30am local time (UTC -7). The race starts on the valley floor and climbs its way up 914m (3,000 feet) over 4.8km (3 miles) to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708m (8885 feet). Despite some changes to the course this year, along the way it still takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading up to the iconic Headwall Ridge and the ‘stairway to heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak. Runners will experience steep rock slabs, snow and scree, which is guaranteed to deliver an exciting race.

On Sunday 23^rd at 8am it’s time for the long mountain race, the Broken Arrow Skyrace. This is a loop which climbs 1,533m over the course of 23km (or 5,033 feet over 14.25 miles). It starts in Palisades Tahoe Village and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of Granite Chief Wilderness and they will experience Emigrant Pass, KT-22 and, like the VK runners, the ‘stairway to heaven’ ladder to Washeshu Peak.

Please note that the courses are liable to slight changes each year depending on snow conditions.

THE FAVOURITES

With registration still open for elites, there could still be changes to the final start lists, but there’s no doubt at all that we’ll see some highly competitive racing. Many of the runners from last year’s podiums are back this year, along with others who could well challenge them.

In the women’s VK last year’s winner, Anna Gibson (Brooks), will be back to defend her title. 2023 runner up, Jade Belzberg (Topo), will also be back, as will Annie Dube and Anna Mae Flynn (Mountain Endurance Team), who finished fourth and fifth respectively last year. But they will face stiff competition in the form of Allie McLaughlin (HOKA), Tabor Hemming (Adidas Terrex) and others.

The men’s VK is also looking incredibly competitive. Darren Thomas (Salomon), second last year, is back, as is last year’s fifth place finisher, Abraham Hernandez Cruz. Joining them will be some big names to watch, including Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Run2gether), Jim Walmsley (HOKA), Eli Hemming (Adidas Terrex) and Christian Allen.

Many of the runners are racing both the VK and the Skyrace, with a day in between to recover. Last year the Skyrace was severely affected by snow but we understand the snowline isn’t as low this year. Memorably Allie McLaughlin battled with Anna Gibson last year, taking the lead and stretching it out to win. McLaughlin is doing the double here, as are Tabor Hemming, who was third last year, and Annie Dube. Janelle Lincks, fourth last year, also returns. Sophia Laukli (Salomon), a breakout star in last year’s World Cup, also looks to be toeing the line and will be one to watch.

In the men’s Skyrace defending champion, Eli Hemming, returns, along with the rest of last year’s podium, Chad Hall and Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau (Brooks). Allen, Kipngeno and Thomas will double up, which should make things interesting. To shake things up even further former world champion Joe Gray (HOKA) is on the start list. Zak Hanna (New Balance), who finished fourth in last year’s VK here, is just taking on the Skyrace this year.

Follow all the action on our on Facebook and Instagram and via Broken Arrow’s Livestream.

THE WMRA AND ITS COMMITMENT TO CLEAN SPORTMANSHIP

Since its inception, the WMRA has adhered to strict anti-doping regulations, complying with World Athletics protocols. The 2024 series will feature WADA-accredited anti-doping measures in every race, continuing the tradition of rigorous testing implemented since 2007.

In 2023 alone, 70 tests were conducted in the 18 races of the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup series, with more than 72 planned for this season and its 12 races, all of them by independent and accredited local entities, always recognized by the respective athletics local federation and the WADA.

First WMRA Virtual Congress

Written by Tomo Sarf on 28/11/2020. Posted in Latest News.

In the first ever virtual WMRA Congress there was a very pleasing turnout of 25 delegates and participation from honorary president and council members Bruno Gozzelino and Pierre Weiss. Also present was World Athletics Road Competitions Manager Alessio Punzi, who informed the Congress about developments of the first edition of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships due to take place in November 2021, with an announcement on the venue to be made in the next 2-3 weeks.

News about the current year and future competitions was well received by the delegates including the launch of the 2021 World Cup venues with a record number of applications and the World Mountain Running Ranking due to be launched before the end of the year.

Also unveiled was the 4 year strategic plan for mountain running taking into account a new vision by the WMRA to have more people from all backgrounds positively benefiting from running in the mountains in an environmentally responsible way.

We established 3 key strategic directions. The first is enhancing the athlete experience through competition events, the Mountain Running World ranking, social media and high quality news items as well as delivering the World Championships in partnership with World Athletics. The second is to make education and promotion to further develop the sport and increase knowledge about Mountain Running a priority. And the third is to use our technical expertise to add value to race events.

It was a very productive session and the WMRA members were able to both interact and learn about these and other future plans for Mountain Running. A pleasing result in a year of difficult times!

Jonathan Wyatt

here is a list of the participants today…

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WMRA World Cup 2020 Announcement

Written by Tomo Sarf on 09/01/2020. Posted in Latest News.

The World Mountain Running Association is proud to present its 22^nd edition of the original and most prestigious mountain running circuit in the world, which now expands to 12 races held at 9 iconic venues spread across Austria, the Czech Republic, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and the USA.

(Spanish language version of news article below this one)

WMRA MOUNTAIN RACES HISTORY: 1985-2020

WMRA created the first Mountain Running World Championship in the history of the sport, back in 1985 with the Vertical Mountain Race held at the Italian village of San Viglio di Marebbe over a 14k/D+1.080m route. Ever since, the WMRA World Champs have been the annual highlight for mountain runners with the 35^th edition held last November at the iconic k42 Patagonia. Haria Extreme Lanzarote will host the 2020 edition on November 14-15.

Following the World Championship development, the need for a circuit for the best mountain runners to race each other over the year became evident and thus in 1999 the WMRA WORLD CUP was born.

Ever since, the best mountain runners in the world have always been in the top echelons of the WMRA World Cup. From the legendary 8-time winner Jonathan Wyatt from New Zealand (current WMRA President) to icons such as Italians Marco de Gasperi, Kenyan Lucy Murigi, Austria’s Andrea Mayr or Eritrean Petro Mamu.

Highlights of the 2019 season included the World Cup wins from Scotland’s Andrew Douglas and Ireland’s Sarah McCormack, plus the historic duel at Sierre Zinal between Spaniard Kilian Jornet and Eritrean Petro Mamu, which resulted in victory for Kilian and a new record to replace Wyatt´s legendary mark from 2003.

Now, the 22^nd edition is growing further and wider than ever: Not only will Spain host WMRA world cup events for the first time in history, but there will now be three types of race to choose from: the vertical uphill, classic mountain race and long mountain race. Runners amass points to compete for the overall title.

THE 2020 CALENDAR:

After considering all the applications, we are proud to announce a unique combination of races which will make up the 2020 World Cup, allowing not only for the best mountain runners of the world to race together, but also for the popular runner to follow in their footsteps and enjoy some of the greatest mountain views and events in the world.

Zumaia Flysch (copyright Mayayo)

Spain kicks off the series in grand style, with the unique Basque passion for mountain running to welcome mountain runners from all over the world at Zumaia Flysch Trail Mendi Maratoia on the 3^rd of May. There will be a long mountain race, with 42k with 3000m of ascent, and also a classic mountain race of 14k with 425m of ascent. http://www.zumaiaflyschtrail.com/

Next we travel to northern Italy for Vertical Nasego and Trofeo Nasego. On the 16^th May the vertical uphill race will take place, over a distance of 4.2k and the following day the classic mountain race will be contested over a 21.5k course with 1336m of climbing. http://www.trofeonasegocorsainmontagna.com/

After making its debut in 2019 we will again return to the Broken Arrow Skyrace in Squaw Valley, California. The series of races span 3 days, from 19^th to 21^st June, but it’s the 26km race, with 1700m of ascent, which will form part of the World Cup Series as a long mountain race. The race describes itself as ‘European-inspired mountain running characterized by off-trail scrambling, steep terrain, and massive amounts of vertical gain and loss’ and the majority of it takes place at over 6000 feet. https://www.brokenarrowskyrace.com/

Grosslglockner

The next couple of races look quite familiar. We return to Grossglockner Berglauf in Heilenblut, Austria on the 12^th of July for the next classic mountain race. Runners will take on the 13k race with 1265m of uphill (no down) against the stunning backdrop. http://www.grossglocknerberglauf.at/berglauf.html Then it’s back to the iconic Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland, which provided such an incredible race in 2019. It takes place on the 9^th August in 2020 and consists of 31km, making it our next long mountain race, with 2200m of ascent. Will we see records tumble again? https://www.sierre-zinal.com/

Then it’s on to the most northern part of the Czech Republic for the Krkonossky Half Marathon. This race is just a week after Sierre-Zinal and it will be our next classic mountain race, at 21k with 1200m of climbing. http://www.maratonstav.cz/

The rugged Canfranc-Canfranc course (copyright Mayayo)

And for the final long mountain race in our series we go to Canfranc in north eastern Spain in the Pyrenees for Canfranc-Canfranc. This rugged race will take place on the 12^th and 13^th of September and the runners will have a choice between the 45k (and +3910m) long mountain race or the classic mountain distance with 1195m of ascent. https://canfranccanfranc.com/

Then just a week later the World Cup is off to Nordkette Vertical in Innsbruck, Austria, which is described as ‘the jewel in the Alps’. This vertical uphill race takes place on the 19^th of September and actually has 1400m of ascent over its 6k route.

Lastly, we round out the 2020 World Cup with one more vertical uphill race on the 4^th October – the Kilometro Verticale Chiavenna-Lagunac in Italy. This classic of Italian mountain running has already been a WMRA affiliated race and it’s known as the ‘vertical race of the records’. We’re sure it will live up to that name now it’s part of the World Cup! http://www.kilometroverticalelagunc.it/

So there are 9 events with 12 possible races to choose from – 3 vertical uphill, 5 classic mountain and 4 long mountain. We will update the World Cup website http://www.wmra.info/world-cup with full information so please keep checking back and follow our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts to keep up-to-date.

Spanish language version:

Copa del Mundo Carreras de Montaña WMRA 2020. (22ª edición)
España será protagonista, acogiendo 4 de sus 12 pruebas en Zumaia Flysch y Canfranc-Canfranc.

La World Mountain Running Association ha presentado hoy la 22ª edición del circuito original y más prestigioso de carreras de montaña del mundo. En 2020 la competición crece hasta acoger 12 carreras que se celebrarán en 9 lugares icónicos, sedes repartidas en Austria, la República Checa, Italia, Suiza, España y EE.UU. La Copa del Mundo WMRA 2020 cuenta con tres modalidades: Vertical Mountain Race (3 citas); Classic Mountain Race (5 citas) y Long Distance Mountain Race (4 citas)

HISTORIA CARRERAS DE MONTAÑA WMRA: 1985-2020

La WMRA creó el primer Mundial Carreras de Montaña en la historia del deporte. Fue en 1985, con la Vertical Mountain Race celebrada en el pueblo italiano de San Viglio di Marebbe sobre un trazado de 14k/D+1.080m. Desde entonces, cada Mundial WMRA ha supuesto el punto culminante anual para los corredores de montaña. La 35ª edición celebrada el pasado noviembre en la icónica K42 Patagonia supuso tambien el debut de la selección española RFEA que logró tres medallas en la modalidad Long Distance (22-42km), con oro para equipo masculino, plata para equipo femenino y bronce individual para Oriol Cardona. Para este 2020, España acogerá la sede del 36º Mundial, a celebrar en la Haria Extreme Lanzarote del 14 al 15 de noviembre con las modalidades Vertical y Long Distance.

A medida que avanzaba el desarrollo del Campeonato Mundial, se hizo evidente la necesidad de un circuito estable para que los mejores corredores de montaña compitieran entre sí durante el año. Para dar respuesta a esta necesidad nació en 1999 nació la Copa Mundial de la WMRA. Desde entonces, los mejores corredores de montaña del mundo siempre luchad por ganar esta competición. Desde el legendario Jonathan Wyatt de Nueva Zelanda, que sumó nada menos que 8 títulos (y es hoy día el actual presidente de WMRA) hasta íconos como los italianos Marco de Gasperi, la keniata Lucy Murigi, austríaca Andrea Mayr de Austria o el eritreo Petro Mamu.

Lo más destacado de la temporada 2019 incluyó las victorias en la Copa Mundial del escocés Andrew Douglas y la irlandesa Sarah McCormack, así como el histórico duelo en la prueba suiza de Sierre Zinal entre el español Kilian Jornet y Petro Mamu, que terminó en victoria de Kilian y nos dejó por fin un nuevo récord que mejoró la legendaria marca del propio Wyatt en 2003.

Esta 22ª edición de la Copa del Mundo llegará más lejos que nunca: Por primera vez tendrá parada en España. Y también por primera vez pondrá en juego títulos para las tres modalidades habituales del Mundial WMRA: Vertical Mountain Race, Classic Mountain Race y Long Distance Mountain Race. El gran título final será la Combinada, donde puntún los resultados logrados en las tres modalidades, con el fin de coronar al corredor de montaña más completo del mundo.

EL CALENDARIO COPA DEL MUNDO 2020:
Después de considerar todas las candidaturas, WMRA se siente orgullosa de lograr una combinación única de carreras de montaña que formarán la Copa Mundial 2020, permitiendo no solo que los mejores corredores de montaña del mundo compitan juntos, sino también que los corredores populares sigan sus pasos y disfruten de algunas de las mejores vistas y eventos de montaña del mundo.

España arranca la serie con la pasión vasca por las carreras de montaña por bandera. Así darña la bienvenida a los corredores de montaña de todo el mundo en Zumaia Flysch Trail Mendi Maratoia el 3 de mayo. Habrá una Long Distance con 42k/D+3000m, y también una Classic con 14k/D+425m de ascenso. http://www.zumaiaflyschtrail.com

Luego viajamos al norte de Italia para vivir la Vertical Nasego y Trofeo Nasego. El 16 de mayo tendrá lugar la carrera Vertical, sobre 4.2k/D+1000m y al día siguiente la Classic sobre 21.5k/D+1.336m. http://www.trofeonasegocorsainmontagna.com/

Después de hacer su debut en 2019, volveremos a Broken Arrow Skyrace en Squaw Valley, California. Un gran evento que abarca 3 días, del 19 al 21 de junio, pero es la carrera Long Distance 26k/D+1700 m de ascenso, que formará parte de la Serie de la Copa Mundial, a la vez que acogerá el Campeaonato Nacional de Estados Unidos. La carrera se describe a sí misma como “una carrera de montaña de inspiración alpina, caracterizada por una lucha fuera del sendero, por terreno técnico y grandes neveros”. La mayoría del trazado discurre a más de 2.000m de altitud en lo fuera la estación de esquí olímpica de Squaw Valley. https://www.brokenarrowskyrace.com

Las siguientes dos carreras son ya veteranas del circuito: Regresamos a Grossglockner Berglauf en Heilenblut, Austria, el 12 de julio para la próxima carrera Classic. Los corredores se enfrentarán a la carrera de 13 km con 1265 m de subida (sin descenso) contra el impresionante telón de fondo de la ascensión a la montaña más alta de Austria. http://www.grossglocknerberglauf.at/berglauf.html/

La carrera de montaña con más nivel del mundo será la siguiente cita: La icónico carrera de Sierre-Zinal en Suiza, celebra su 47 edición con más de 4.000 dorsales en juego. La edición 2019 será recordada muchos años por el doble record lografo por Jornet y Mahtys. Este 2020 se correrá el 9 de agosto de 2020 sobre su clásico trazado de 31k/D+2.200m. https://www.sierre-zinal.com

Luego viajaremos al norte de la República Checa para el Medio Maratón de Krkonossky. Esta carrera es solo una semana después de Sierre-Zinal y será la siguiente Classic, sobre una traza de 21k/D+1.200m http://www.maratonstav.cz

La última carrera de montaña Long Distance y Classic del circuito tendrán lugar de vuelta a Espàña, en el espectacular marco del Alto Aragón que ofrece la Canfranc Canfranc con sus dos pruebas trepando hasta casi tres mil metros de altitud en pleno Pirineo Central. Las pruebas tendrán lugar los días 12 y 13 de septiembre y los corredores podrán elegir entre la carrera de montaña Long Distance de 45k/D+3910m o la Classic sober 16k/D+1195m. https://canfranccanfranc.com

Tan solo una semana después, la Copa del Mundo se dirige a Nordkette Vertical en Innsbruck, Austria, que se describe como “la joya de los Alpes”. Esta carrera Vertical cuesta arriba se lleva a cabo el 19 de septiembre y en realidad tiene un espectacular ascenso de 6k/D+1400m

Por último, completamos la Copa Mundial 2020 con la prueba final Vertical el 4 de octubre: el Kilometro Verticale Chiavenna-Lagunac en Italia. Este clásico de las carreras de montaña italianas ya ha sido una carrera afiliada a WMRA y se conoce como la “carrera vertical de los récords” Con una traza de 3,2k/D+1.000m sus condiciones son perfectas para batir el mismísimo record del mundo. http://www.kilometroverticalelagunc.it

Por lo tanto, esta 22ª edición será más dura y amplia que nunca, con España cumpliendo un papel clave al acoger 4 de las 12 posibles carreras para elegir. Actualizaremos el sitio web de la Copa Mundial http://www.wmra.info/world-cup con información completa, así que por favor revise y siga nuestras cuentas de Facebook, Twitter e Instagram para mantenerse actualizado.

Italy nearly sweeps gold at Long Distance Mountain Running Championships

Written by Tomo Sarf on 06/08/2017. Posted in Latest News.

Of the four gold medals awarded at today’s 14^th World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships in Premana, Italy, the host country earned three along with one silver medal. The lone gold medal not awarded to Italy was earned by Giir di Mont course record holder Petro Mamu (ERI), who repeated his winning ways on the legendary 32-kilometer course finishing in a time of 3:12:52.

Second in the men’s field was Italy’s Francesco Puppi, followed by Pascal Egli (SUI).

With Puppi’s silver medal performance, and two more of his teammates finishing in the top ten, Italy was assured the senior men’s gold medal with a score of 14. USA followed for silver achieving a score of 39, led by Tayte Pollman in fourth, who at 21 was one of the younger athletes in the field. In bronze medal position was Czech Republic with 53 points just three points ahead of Romania.

This was the first year team place was used for scoring as opposed to cumulative finish time.

On the women’s side, it was a close competition between course record holder Kasie Enman (USA), who led through much of the race, and Italy’s Silvia Rampazzo. At the finish line, it was Rampazzo, who passed Enman after the 20-kilometer mark to take the lead and then broke the tape with a time of 3:56:45, less than one minute ahead of Enman. In third, Denisa Dragomir (ROM), posted a time of 3:59:34 to take the bronze.

With Italians Antonella Confortola and Stephanie Christel Jimenez finishing in 10^th and 11^th position respectively, Italy scored an impressive 22 points for gold. USA again saw silver on the podium with a score of 28, followed by Romania with 39 points.

In the few days leading up to the competition, the weather was incredibly hot for Premana, however, the preliminary weather forecast for Sunday indicated a storm was in the offing, thereby forcing organizers to create a plan B with a shortened course on race day if need be. The skies held for the 8:00 a.m. start, but the rains came less than 30 minutes into the race. Fortunately, the distant thunder and lightning never became a threat and the rains were intermittent, though sometimes heavy throughout the race.

The rain did not dampen the athlete’s spirits, or those of the spectators who could be found lining the course, not only at the finish line, but throughout the entire route.

At the awards ceremony, the top 10 men and women from the open race (which started five minutes after the World Championships division and included nearly 400 runners), received their prizes prior to the awarding of the World Championship medals and trophies. Following the prize giving, the WMRA flag was presented to next year’s host country, Poland, by WMRA president Jonathan Wyatt.

Complete results from the championships be found here.

The World returns to Premana this weekend for the Long Distance Championships

Written by Tomo Sarf on 04/08/2017. Posted in Latest News.

In an effort to highlight our sport in a unique way, this year Italy hosts the World Mountain Running Championships on back-to-back weekends. The first championship was held on July 30, over the traditional shorter distances of 6.5 kilometers for juniors and 13 kilometers for seniors. On August 6, the longer of the two championships will be held, and the competition is sure to be equally as exciting as that of last weekend.

The 14^th WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships will be hosted by the Giir Di Mont, a classic Italian race over a challenging 32-kilometer course. Nearly 150 athletes representing 23 countries will be on the start line Sunday morning. The field includes past winners and multi-time finishers of the race, the defending champions from last year’s World Long Distance Championships, and a host of talented first-timers on this course.

On the men’s side, the home team of Italy looks to be a favorite featuring Alessandro Rambaldini and Marco De Gasperi, first and second place respectively at last year’s long distance championships. Add to the mix a fit Francesco Puppi, Luca Cagnati, and Nicola Spada, and the team is solid. They will face a challenge from the experienced Robert Krupicka (CZE), course record holder Petro Mamu (ERI), veteran of the course Tom Owens (GBR), the young and promising Luka Mihelic (SLO), Julie Rancon (FRA) and Andy Wacker (USA) who both ran strong at last weekend’s championships. Expected to give the Italians the biggest challenge on the team podium are France, USA, Great Britain and the Czech Republic.

On the women’s side, course record holder Kasie Enman (USA) will be on the start line after running last weekend’s championships along with her teammate Addie Bracy. The pair was part of the gold-medal winning senior women’s squad. Team USA could again be on the podium at these championships, but will face a field equally talented as that of the men. Last year’s long distance champion Annie Conway (GBR) will hope to defend her title, and runner-up from last year Antonella Confortola (ITA) will also be in the hunt for a repeat medal. Denisa Dragomir (ROU) a past winner at Giir Di Mont, knows the course and will be a formidable competitor along with her teammate and last year’s winner at Giir Di Mont Ingrid Mutter. Italy, Great Britain, Romania and USA look to be the top teams in the hunt for a team podium position.

In his first official duties as the recently elected president of the WMRA, Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) will be on hand to welcome all of the teams to Premana at the opening ceremony on Saturday, August 5. In advance of the competition, Wyatt says, “It’s great to be back in Premana at the legendary Giir Di Mont. It’s going to be a true test of mountain running ability on this awesome and challenging course. I look forward to a successful competition and wish all of the athletes good luck.”

Competition gets underway at 8:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 6 and will be followed by an open race over the same course.

Written by Nancy Hobbs for the WMRA

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION