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WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION

Arslan and Krkoc win Smarna Gora 2011 and WMRA Grand Prix 2011.

04/10/2011

On 1. October 2011, the steeply slopes on the Ljubljana suburbs once again hosted the Smarna gora race that was this year organized for the 32. time and was also WMRA Grand Prix Finals.
In ideal weather conditions more than 200 competitors from 12 countries competed on 10 kilometers long course which has been changed last year making it a bit longer and less dangerous.
This year’s novelties were prizes for the best in children competition. The organizer decided to cheer them up with giant chocolates weighting 7 kilograms/more then 15 pounds – some of the children were even to small to carry the sweet prize from the stage!


“The final race in the 2011 WMRA Grand Prix was represented by many of the best Mountain runners in the world in this event in Slovenia under the expert direction of Tomo Sarf and the support of the LOC.
Turkish Ahmet Arslan started fast and persisted in pushing his way to the top of the podium on the day and to the Overall title of WMRA Grand prix winner for 2011.
There was an exciting tussle for the minor medals on the podium, but at the same time competitors were calculating their likely overall placings’ in the Grand Prix event.
Second on the day and second overall was Switzerland’s David Schneider who was just 9 seconds ahead of Gabriele Abate (ITA) who also took overall third. With Slovenia World title holder Mitja Kosovelj taking fifth place just behind Adam Kovacs (HUN) on the day there was ample high quality racing for the spectators to enjoy.
However it was in the women’s race that Slovenia had much more to celebrate on the day as Lucija Krko&#269, (SLO) took a comfortable 26 second victory from Antonella Confortola (ITA) with Pavla Schorna&nbsp, (CZE) in third place.
The overall standings were similar as Lucija Krko&#269, (SLO) took the title of 2011 WMRA Grand Prix Winner, over 70 points ahead of Antonela Confortola (ITA) with Emma Clayton (GBR) in third place.
2012 looks like an exciting year for World Mountain running with Junior world Champion Lea Einfalt (SLO) mixing with the best seniors to take sixth place overall and many of the top 10 women being close to the age of 23.

News by Bashir Hussain and Tomo Sarf.

Photos by LOC:
– in front page: Arslan and Krkoc G.P. winners 2011,
in second page:
– Arslan,
– Krkoc.”