Tag: Canfranc

Get Ready for Canfranc-Canfranc

Written by Hector Rubio on 06/09/2023. Posted in Latest News.

Our next World Cup races take place in Canfranc-Estación, a small mountain town in the province of Huesca in the Aragonese Pyrenees. The town is at 1,200 metres and all around are peaks of over 2,500 metres. The weather is pretty perfect for running in the summer, normally between 20 and 30 Celcius, and the Winter enjoys heavy snowfall. It also boasts hundreds of miles of trails marked out as part of their impressive Trail Space Project. An outstanding location for the next two Valsir Mountain Running World Cup races.

Firstly, on the evening of Friday 8^th September it’s the next vertical uphill race. This 4k route will take the runners from 1455m at the Seta River all the way up to the summit of Tuca Blanca at 2313m. The path is good most of the way up, but it’s very steep in places, kicking up right at the end for the final push.

On Sunday 10^th September it’s time for the next classic mountain race, a 16km circuit. This race takes place on more rugged terrain and takes in 1600m of ascent along the way. The highlight for the runners is summiting La Moleta (2572m) which has stunning views across the mountain range. The route is essentially one brutal climb of 1400m over the course of just 5.8k, then a long descent back down to the finish.

Valsir World Cup standings

The competition is really hotting up for the World Cup with points available in two races this weekend and then just three gold label races at Sky Gran Canaria to go. Joyce Muthoni (KEN), who is leading the women’s competition could add some important points to her tally here, possibly putting the competition out of raech for the women. Joe Steward (GBR), currently in fourth in the men’s competition could creep into the top three with a strong performance in the vertical uphill race, as could Remi Leroux (CAN). Lucy Murigi (KEN), currently in fifth position, could well improve her position this weekend and Camilla Magliano (ITA) could also see her ranking boosted strongly here. See the full World Cup standings: Current_World_Cup_Results.pdf (wmra.info)

Vertical Uphill race

In the women’s race there are some very in-form athletes. Muthoni has won Fletta Trail and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle this season, as well as a second place at Sierre Zinal. She won both races here last year and she will definitely be out to defend those titles. She will certainly face strong competition from fellow Kenyan Murigi, who has finished in the top ten for races consistently this year, as well as winning Giir di Mont. Magliano too is always a strong performer in big races and she finished fourth in the vertical race and second in the classic race here last year.

Other women to watch include Olivia Magnone (FRA) who was runner-up in the long mountain race here last year, and Maitane Melero (ESP).

For the men there are a host of very strong Spanish athletes as well as some familiar contenders from the World Cup. Daniel Osanz (ESP) is the defending champion for the vertical race and Raul Criado (ESP) was third in the long race here last year, and sixth in the vertical race. He could well improve on that if his strong showing at Broken Arrow was any indication. Steward is having a very strong season with podiums at Vertical Nasego and Piz Tri Vertical. Leroux has also had success at Montemuro this World Cup and could also do well here.

Other men to watch include Vincent Loustau (FRA) and Ricardo Cherta (ESP).

16k classic mountain race

We will see many of the athletes from the vertical uphill race back to race at the longer distance on Sunday. And they get a rest day on Saturday, unlike at many other events where they race on consecutive days if they choose to double up.

For the women the favourites are Muthoni, our bronze medallist from the World Championships at the classic distance, Murigi and Magliano. But they will certainly be pushed by Charlotte Cotton (BEL), who finished in the top ten in both the vertical and longer race here last year, and Anna Guirado (ESP) and Bel Calero (ESP).

In the men’s race Criado will be amongst the favourites but there is a deep field of talent too. Like Criado, Ondrej Fejfar (CZE) had a successful trip to Broken Arrow, with two top ten placings. Adil Moussaoui (MOR) could also place well, as could Loustau. The depth of Spanish talent on show here will include Cherta, Marcos Villamuera, Eduard Hernandez, Toni Banos, Alberto Lasobras and Jose Luis Pujadas.

How to follow the race

The vertical uphill race starts at 6pm CET on Friday 8^th September

The classic mountain race starts at 8am CET on Sunday 10^th September

Live streaming will be available at: https://canfranccanfranc.com/seguimiento.html

Find out more information about the races at the event’s website: CC | Inicio (canfranccanfranc.com)

We will be following the races on our social media:

WMRA Instagram

WMRA Facebook

World Cup Preview: Canfranc-Canfranc

Written by Tomo Sarf on 09/09/2021. Posted in Latest News.

Canfranc-Canfranc celebrates its 15^th edition this year, and it’s a race whose reputation has been growing over the last few years. There are many elements which make it an incredibly special event and we are very happy to be including it in the World Cup for the first time this year.

It is also the very first time in the 22 years of World Cup history that a Spanish event will host the series, soon to be followed by Zumaia Flysch Trail on 0CT3.

Canfranc-Canfranc takes place in the famous belle epoque alpine village of Canfran-Estación. A small mountain town in the province of Huesca in the Aragonese Pyrenees. The town is at 1,200 metres but all around are peaks of over 2,500 metres.

The weather is usually comfortable for running in the summer, normally between 20 and 30 Celcius, and the winter enjoys heavy snowfall. The area is perfect for running, with over 500km of trails marked out as part of their impressive ESPACIO TRAIL CANFRANC Project. The weather, the trails and the prestige of the already successful mountain races here make it a perfect location for a World Cup event.

THE COURSES: WILD AND TECHNICAL IN THE CENTRAL PYRENEES

The 2021 program for Canfranc includes five races: 5k (juniors) 16k, 45k, 75k and 100k, Among them, Canfranc will host two World Cup races this weekend: The Long wmra world cup 2021 canfranc canfranc photos canfranc canfranc 2 Distance to be held at the 45k long mountain race on Saturday. Plus the 16k classic mountain race on Sunday. These will form stage 9 and 10 (out of 16) of this year’s World Cup.

·CANFRANC CANFRANC MARATHON: The long-distance event, the 45k race, has an incredible 4,000m of ascent, which is packed into 4 climbs. The runners are faced with a climb of 1400m right from the gun, which should help to create some early gaps. They will then face 3 more climbs of 800m, 600, and finally 250m.

·CANFRANC CANFRANC CLASSIC 16K: In the 16k race the runners will also be faced with a huge climb of 1400m from the start right to the summit of “La Moleta”. It is a wild up and down. They ascend over 6k, then it’s a long, rugged 10k of descent back down to the finish, including the final home stretch over a section of the famous “Camino de Santiago”.

THE FAVOURITES: WORLD CHAMPIONS TAKE ON THE PYRENEES TRAILS AND TALENT

There are some really exciting local and international athletes taking part, which will surely shake up the World Cup rankings even further.

LONG DISTANCE: In the men’s 45k race we have Peter Frano (SVK), winner of Tatra SkyMarathon this year, and Raul Criado (ESP), who was 3^rd at Tatra SkyMarathon and was 12^th here last year. Ugaitz Artola (ESP) will head the always talented field of basque runners at this race.

In the women’s race we’ll be seeing Charlotte Morgan (GBR). The 2018 WMRA Long Distance World Champion is currently lying 3^rd in our World Cup standings, with her highlights being winning Tatra Race Run and coming 3^rd in Tatra SkyMarathon. She will face the 2020 runner-up here, Eva Mesado (ESP) as her key rival, with Olivia Magnone (FRA) likely to feature too.

CLASSIC: In the 16k we’re really excited to see 2019 world champion Grayson Murphy (USA) back for more European action, after her win at Trofeo Nasego (and 2^nd place at Vertical Nasego) last weekend. This year she was also crowned USA National Champion and can seemingly master any distance. However, Canfranc-Canfranc will be her first experience of racing in Spain, facing the wild vertical climbs and technical descents on which locals thrive. She will face the 2020 winner of the race and course record holder Servant Nadege (FRA), who has also had strong runs at La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and Grossglockner this year.

Other local challengers include Spain´s current gold and silver at National Championship 2021, Nuria Gil (ESP) and Yolanda Martín (ESP).

In the men’s race, 2020 winner Antonio Martinez (ESP) comes back to attempt the double. He will face international talents such as Sandor Szabo (HUN), 4^th in the World Cup at the moment. But they will face very strong competition from local athletes who have already proved themselves in this region, including Iñigo Aranzamendi, Roger Comellas, and specially a motivated Ion Sola, who was 4^th in the 2020 Canfranc Classic, besting the 2021 Skyrunning Vertical World Champ Daniel Osanz himself.

NATIONAL MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR U18 AND MASTERS.

Canfranc Canfranc 2021 will also hold the National Championships organized by Real Federacion Española de Atletismo (RFEA). The 7^th edition for Masters will be run on the 45km course. The 1^st edition for the U18 will be held on a specific 5km course.

CANFRANC CANFRANC: A RACE WHICH LOVES AND PROTECTS THE MOUNTAINS

As ever in this part of the world, there is strong local support for this race. Fernando Sánchez, Mayor of Canfranc says, “In Canfranc we are happy to continue seeing wmra world cup 2021 canfranc canfranc photos canfranc canfranc 1 our Canfranc-Canfranc mountain races grow, with enthusiasm and affection, year after year. 2021 brings us once again an occasion where the Aragonese Pyrenees will not only break records for popular participation yet again, but also host the national and world elite of mountain racing.

Our Jacetania region will thus host for the first time in its history the WMRA World Cup, where Collarada, Aspe or La Moleta will see the absolute world elite compete in Classic and Long Distance. In addition, we also host the RFEA 2021 Spanish Mountain Championships for Youth and Veterans. Because sport is for everyone, of all ages and that is how we have always wanted to promote it in Canfranc.

A double achievement, at the level of popular sports and sports elite that we have to thank for the work and affection of all the residents of Canfranc and Jacetania. Without their support as volunteers, collaborators and organization of the event year after year, it would never have been possible to make this corner of the Pyrenees the world reference event this weekend for mountain sports.”

Schedule SEP 10-12

SEP11 Saturday 8am: WORLD CUP WMRA LONG DISTANCE 45k race starts (+ National Champs Masters)

SEP12 Sunday 9am: WORLD CUP WMRA CLASSIC 16k race starts

SEP12. Sunday 9.30 5k National Championship U18 STARTS.

Follow live at CANFRANC CANFRANC SOCIAL NETWORKS.

Find out more at https://canfranccanfranc.com/

Canfranc Mountain Races Kick Off Tomorrow

Written by Tomo Sarf on 11/09/2020. Posted in Latest News.

The runners in the ultra distance races at Canfranc Canfranc will head out into the mountains tonight, then tomorrow it’s the turn of the 45k and 16k mountain races.

Canfranc Canfranc has been a fast-growing race. In 2019 it surpassed previous records, reaching almost 900 runners, after starting with just 150 runners five years before. Although the demand for bibs for 2020 would have increased the number of runners to 1,200, the organization decided months ago to give up almost 33% of them due to Covid-19 restrictions. So this year there are just over 800 registered between the four races, in order to prioritize attention to detail for each runner and volunteer.

The starts will be staggered for each race over three days: The Ultra 100k will start tonight at 11pm. It will be followed by the Ultra 75k at 5AM on Saturday, the 45k Marathon will start at 8AM on Saturday and finally the Canfranc 16km will close the event starting a day later, on Sunday at 8AM. In this way, the 200 runners of each race will not have any contact with those in any other race. The technical race briefings were already given virtually online by Canfranc and they have an exhaustive Covid-19 protocol at aid stations and start and finish areas to ensure social distancing.

Past winners at Canfranc include great names of the trail such as Salvador Calvo, Manuel Merillas, Jokin Lizeaga, Pablo Villalobos, Maxime Cazajous, Javier Domínguez-Ledo and of course the three-time world champion Luis Alberto Hernando, who is based in Jaca, who will be back this year in the 16km.

This year, some of the names planned include Luis Hernando, Daniel Osanz, Maite Maiora, Gisela Carrión, Didier Zago, Olivia Magnone and Denise Carrera in the CANFRANC CANFRANC 16KM. The CANFRANC CANFRANC MARATHON features veteran Miguel Heras, canfranero Raul Criado, Alpinultras leader Abel Carretero and another French star, Thibaut Baronian. Oihana Kortazar, María Irigoyen and Alpinultras leader Belén Pérez Riveiro will be in the women’s marathon.

Canfranc-Canfranc 2020 is a WMRA affiliate race (and would have been part of the WMRA World Cup), and part of Alpinultras, RFEA National Circuit and GR4 Pirineo Trails.

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION