Tag: Grossglockner Berglauf

Grossglockner Berglauf Race Report

Written by Tomo Sarf on 11/07/2021. Posted in Latest News.

Mountain weather is an unpredictable beast, which often adds an extra challenge to our sport. Despite blue skies the day before, the runners woke up to grey, rainy skies and chilly temperatures in Heiligenblut. But nothing could dampen their enthusiasm for one of the most famous and revered mountain races in the world. This is Grossglockner Berglauf.

An uphill-only race of 13km with 1,265m of ascent along the way, this was our second event in the 2021 World Cup. Its prestige always attracts some of the best mountain runners in the world and this year there were deep, high quality fields, with former podium finishers such as Filimon Abraham (GER), Purity Kajuja Gitonga (KEN), and Geoffrey Gikuni Ndungu (KEN) on the start line, as well as runners like Charlotte Morgan (GBR), Henri Aymonod (ITA) and Alice Gaggi (ITA), who were fresh from success at our first World Cup race of the season at Tatra Race Run.

The first kilometre is flat along the river, so the early pace is always fast, and then the route begins its long, relentless ascent towards the finish at the Kaiser-Franz-Josefs hut. In the final kilometre the route gets steeper still, so this is a tough mountain race which gives runners little respite along the way.

60936891 57d4 42e7 8425 35750d7888fb The elite field set off at 8.30am in cool, drizzly conditions. In the women’s race Purity Kajuja Gitonga opened up a small, early lead of around 20 seconds over Lucy Murigi and Joyce Muthoni Njeru in the first section. Around a minute behind the leading three runners was a group including Lorenza Beccaria (ITA), Gaggi and Susanna Saapunki of Finland.

In the next section of the race Gitonga and Njeru went through the timing point neck and neck, with Murigi just behind. Behind Murigi a gap had opened up back to Saapunki, Beccaria, Mojca Koligar (SLO) and Gaggi. Going into the final, deciding section of the race, with the cruel kick up to the finish line, the podium places looked like they would be going to the Kenyan runners, but in what order? And the top 10 was still fairly open for an exciting finish. cfb5f759 070f 45f1 b544 e6fc81a9c5fc

In this final section Njeru managed to pull away from Gitonga a little and Murigi wasn’t able to stay in touch with these two runners, though she kept a good gap from the chasing runners. It was a Kenyan 1 – 2 – 3 with Njeru winning in 1.23.46, Gitonga second in 1.24.10 and Murigi third in 1.28.00. Saapunki took fourth place in 1.31.46 and Beccaria fifth in 1.32.22. Places six to ten went to Koligar, Gaggi, Camilla Magliano (ITA), Adela Stranska (CZE) and Morgan. See full women’s results.

The men’s race was just as close and exciting and also came down to that final section. In the early stages Lengen Lolkurraru (KEN) ran together in the lead with last year’s winner, Abraham. Just behind them were Geoffrey Gikuni Ndunga (KEN), and a big group all within a few seconds of each other including Manuel Innerhofer (AUT), Cesare Maestri (ITA), Alex Baldaccini (ITA), Zak Hanna (IRE), Lorenzo Cagnati (ITA) and Timotej Becan (SLO). This was shaping up to be a very competitive race.

54a79cd1 f2f1 43b8 b741 2f2760fb02b7 In the next section Lolkurraru and Abraham were still neck and neck but they had managed to open a small gap of around 45 seconds from Innerhofer, Maestri and Ndunga. A group of about six runners continued to chase them down and it was still anybody’s race with the final, nail-biting section to go.

By the finish Lolkurraru had finally managed to pull away from Abraham, winning in 1.11.48, with Abraham just behind in 1.12.34. In a sprint finish Innerhofer took third place in 1.13.44, with Ndunga just three seconds behind. Maestri rounded out the top five in 1.14.17. Places six to ten went to Becan, Baldaccini, Hanna, Cagnati and Aymonod. See the full men’s results.

So it was a double victory for Kenya and a spectacular Kenyan 1 – 2 – 3 in the women’s race. The first two events of our 2021 World Cup have certainly delivered some exciting racing and we don’t have long to wait until the next one! Next stop St Gervais in France on Saturday 17^th July for La Montee Du Nid d’Aigle! Bring on round three!

fe61d944 c2c8 4489 bbd0 8442c6faaaf8

397b19dc 37ae 4d72 acf4 968b1a153cfb

World Cup Stage Two: Grossglockner Berglauf

Written by Tomo Sarf on 04/07/2021. Posted in Latest News.

On Sunday 11^th July we head to Austria for the next stage of the 2021 World Cup with Grossglockner Berglauf. This race has provided some epic mountain running races over the years and excitement is high for this year’s race, which features some of the best in-form athletes of the moment. We take a look at this historic race and the athletes who are expected to feature.

Grossglockner Berglauf takes place in Heiligenblut, under the shadow of Austria’s highest mountain (at 3,798m), Grossglockner. It’s the 22^nd edition of the race, so it’s an event with a rich history, and it’s seen the very best mountain runners in the world taking part over the years. Previous winners include Jonathan Wyatt, Anna Pichrtova, Andrea Mayr, Antonella Confortola, Filimon Abraham, Petro Mamu and Sarah Tunstall. sarahT

This race, our second stage of the 2021 World Cup, is classed as a classic mountain race at 13km in distance and 1265m of ascent (see the full line-up of our short uphill, classic and long distance races in the World Cup here: https://www.wmra.info/calendar/2021-major-events). It follows on from our first World Cup race, Tatra Race Run, on 27^th June. Catch up on the news from that race here: https://www.wmra.info/news/latest-news-from-the-wmra/875-world-cup-stage-one-tatra-race-run.

The Grossglockner Berglauf route starts in Heiligenblut and follows the river initially, before climbing up to the famous Briccius Chapel, past the quaint Trogalm hut, then the ‘Pasterze’, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, before the final lung-busting climb of 900m to the summit. The summit finish is at the famous Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe, with (hopefully) stunning views all around – a great reward for all who run the race.

Who are the favourites this year?

In the women’s race Charlotte Morgan of the UK, who is fresh from winning our first World Cup at Tatra, will be looking to increase her lead in the women’s competition. She finished 7^th at Grossglockner in 2019. Also fresh from success at Tatra are 2^nd placed Alice Gaggi (ITA), who also finished 3^rd at the recent Italian National Championship – up and down, 4^th placed Lorenza Beccaria (ITA), (4^th at the National Championship) and Lucie Marsanova (CZE), who was 5^th at Tatra and also finished 5^th in the 2019 World Cup. All are clearly in-form athletes. Former World Champion from 2017, 2^nd placed athlete in the 2019 World Cup and winner of the recent (ChieseRun) Italian National Championship race, Lucy Murigi (KEN), will always be an athlete to watch. She’ll also be joined by strong compatriot Purity Kajuja Gitonga, who finished 2^nd in the 2019 Grossglockner Berglauf.

Other women expected to be in contention include: Louise Mercer (UK); Timea Merenyi (HUN); Camilla Magliano (ITA); Charlotte Cotton (UK); Susanne Mair (AUT); Annika Seedorf (NED); Cecilia Basso (ITA); Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN); and Susanna Saapunki (FIN).

The men’s race looks equally exciting, with 2019 winner (and our 2^nd placed athlete in the 2019 World Cup) Filimon Abraham (GER), returning. Henri Aymonod of Italy, fresh from his 3^rd place at Tatra, will be one to watch, and with a lot of success at vertical kilometres he’s always strong at uphill-only races. Cesare Maestri, also of Italy, was 2^nd in the World Championships in 2019 and 2^nd in the recent National Mountain Running Championship (up and down), and could be in contention. Sylvain Cachard (FRA) had a very successful 2020 with wins at Smarna Gora, Trofeo Nasego and the French National Championships. The local Manual Innerhofer (AUT) was 3^rd in the 2019 Grossglockner Berglauf and recently won the Austrian National Championships. Zak Hanna (IRE) is definitely an athlete to watch this year, having just won the Marathon du Mont Blanc VK and finished 5^th at ChieseRun, the Italian National Championships. Geoffrey Gikuni Ndungu (KEN), who finished 2^nd at Grossglockner in 2019 must also be a favourite.

Other men expected to be in contention include: Ondrey Fejfar (CZE); Alex Jodidio (SUI); Alex Baldaccini (ITA); Eric Muthomi Riungu (KEN); Timotej Becan (SLO); Isaac Kipkemboi (KEN); Lengen Lolkurraru (KEN); Giovanni Tacchini (ITA); Luca Merli (ITA); Lorenzo Cagnati (ITA); and Massimo Fracoz (ITA).

GB aerial web

Follow the race

We will be bringing you the latest news and results on our social media:

www.instagram.com/wmramountainrun

www.facebook.com/worldmountainrunningassociation

www.twitter.com/wmramountainrun

#WMRAWorldCup

Race website: http://www.grossglocknerberglauf.at/

World Cup Preview Part Four: Grossglockner Berglauf

Written by Tomo Sarf on 27/02/2021. Posted in Latest News.

Another old favourite that we’re excited to welcome back to the World Cup this year is Grossglockner Berglauf! We visit some stunning locations in the World Cup, but this race must be one of the finest! Let’s take a look at what else makes this race so special.

The race takes place in Heiligenblut, Austria and the language spoken there is German. The area is just a dream for mountain athletes, with incredible skiing, mountaineering, hiking and cycling. And, of course, mountain running.

Grossglockner itself is the highest mountain in Austria at 3798 metres and there are a large number of peaks over 3000 metres in the Hohe Tauern Range. If you like your runs steep, you’ll be in heaven here. It’s a very popular area for tourism, so there are plenty of great places to stay too.

As well as the incredible mountainous area there are so many other aspects which make this race special. The whole town comes out to support the race, with over 300 volunteers. And it’s a town that really values its traditions and customs, giving the runners a real flavour of the history and culture of the area. It has a rich and interesting history of transalpine trade and gold mining and you can visit the iconic pilgrimage church, dating back to the 1200s. And as well as the ancient history there’s a deep tradition of mountaineering, with some fascinating stories of first ascents and incredible adventures in the area.

As far as the route itself goes, it’s the gift that just keeps on giving. Runners follow the river initially, before climbing up to the famous Briccius Chapel, past the quaint Trogalm hut, then the ‘Pasterze’, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, before the final lung-busting climb of 900m to the summit. The summit finish at the famous Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe, with (hopefully) clear views all around is a great reward for all who run the race.

Previous winners of Grossglockner Berglauf include Jonathan Wyatt, Anna Pichrtova, Andrea Mayr, Antonella Confortola, Filimon Abraham, Petro Mamu and Sarah Tunstall.

The date for the race this year is 11^th July and we look forward to bringing you all the news. Find out more about the race here http://www.grossglocknerberglauf.at/