Tag: worldcup

The World Cup Heads to Portugal for Montemuro Vertical Run

Written by Tomo Sarf on 28/06/2023. Posted in Latest News.

The next Gold Label event in this year’s Valsir Mountain Running World Cup takes place on Sunday 2nd July in Castro Daire, Portugal, and it’s a classic mountain race.

The second Gold Label race of this year’s Valsir Mountain Running World Cup will take place on the 2^nd of July at the Montemuro Vertical Run in the municipality of Castro Daire, Portugal. It’s just the third edition of this race and its second inclusion in the World Cup, but it has already revealed itself to be a classic in the making.

Our first World Cup visit to Castro Daire was in 2022 and it was also the World Cup’s first visit to Portugal. The course and the race didn’t disappoint and it was a Kenyan double for Joyce Njeru and Patrick Kipngeno. Unfortunately Kipngeno will not return this year, but Njeru will, off the back of a successful World Championships. Let’s take a look at the race and who we can expect to see on the start line this year.

The region of Castro Daire is developing something of a reputation for mountain sports, having worked hard to develop its potential for running and cycling in recent years. There is a local circuit of 8 mountain running races and the Montemuro Vertical Run has hosted the Portuguese mountain running championships for the last two years.

The Montemuro Vertical Run starts at 434m in Parada de Ester, just above the Paiva River. The opening kilometre takes the runners through the streets before they turn left, heading north toward the summit of Montemuro. This where the climbing really begins in earnest and athletes get little or no respite as it goes on more or less continuously to the finish, after a cruelly steep final climb, at 1,317m.

All in all it is 10.2km, 980m+ and 106m-, putting the race in the Classic Mountain category. A lot of the course is on decent paths and runnable, with some downhill sections where decisive moves could be made. Last year’s event showed that it is a course where we will see some fast racing.

Joyce Njeru (KEN) will be back as the returning champion and, after her third placed finish in the recent classic race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, she could be hard to beat. The whole of last year’s women’s podium will be back again this year, with Susanna Saapunki (FIN) and Camilla Magliano (ITA) both returning too.

But they will face even more competition this year if they want to get on the podium again. Scout Adkin (GBR), fresh from achieving 8^th place in the uphill race and 12^th in the classic race at the World Championships, will be expected to feature. Lucy Wambui (KEN) is always one to watch, and she will toe the line alongside Charlotte Cotton (BEL), who was 9^th here last year, as well as a whole host of strong Portuguese athletes, including Joana Soares, 6^th last year and the course record holder.

Kipngeno may not be there, but the second placed male runner from 2022 will. Zak Hanna (IRL) was 4^th at the Broken Arrow Vertical Race two weeks ago and will be a strong contender again here. But he will face competition from a highly international men’s field.

Marek Chrascina (CZE), last year’s 4^th place finisher and the 2019 bronze medallist at the World Championships, will return. Raul Criado (ESP) is fast becoming a familiar name in World Cup races and he will arrive in Castro Daire on the back of two 11^th place finishes at Broken Arrow. Alex Baldaccini (ITA) is another big name on the start list, having been our 2017 men’s World Cup overall winner. Alexandre Ricard and Remi Leroux of Canada, Pablo Camescasse (ESP), Alric Petit (FRA), a group of young British athletes including Matthew Knowles, and a host of strong local athletes will make it an interesting World Cup battle.

We may even see some exciting new talent emerging in both the men’s and women’s races, just as we did at Broken Arrow.

The women’s race will start at 10am on Sunday, followed by the men’s race at 10.10am. We look forward to bringing you the action as it happens via our social media channels.

‘I Still Get Goosebumps’: Interview With Lucija Krkoč

Written by Tomo Sarf on 12/06/2020. Posted in Latest News.

As part of our ‘greatest mountain runners of all time‘ feature we’ve been speaking to some of the great athletes from the last 20+ years. Here, Tomo Šarf speaks to Lucija Krkoč of Slovenia, who achieved some great results between 2003 and 2016.

Lucija, you first appeared on the international stage as a junior – in the years 2003-2005 you finished the World Championships races in 4th, 2nd and 4th place, helping your team win gold in all 3 years. Your memories?

Indeed, that was an exciting time. Everything was happening fast. I became aware of the situation after a few years. In September 2002 Mateja (Kosovelj) and I started training under the guidance of Edvin Kosovelj. After a year we have already won a gold medal in Alaska. Joining the national team and flying to Alaska was a great pleasure and experience and success for a 15-year-old teenager. Mateja and I were unbeatable team, a dream team. We did all our training together. Even more, we hung out together a lot. I had great time and I am grateful to both Edvin and Mateja. The most beautiful memory of the junior category is the individual victory at the European Championship in 2007 in Cauterets, France.

Some runners are experts at ascending, the others at technical descents. In your senior period, you were excellent in both disciplines, but it is obvious that you really excelled at the European Championships. Did you plan your season so that you were better in July than in September?

I have always had bad luck at the World Championships. In 2008 and 2009 I was still unexperienced as those were my first years competing as a senior. The following two years I was very well prepared but unfortunately, I got food poisoning (Tirana). And I always had an injury during autumn time later on.

Mateja and Lucija – ‘the dream team’

Your best season was 2011 – bronze medal at World Ch in Bursa, you won 3 World Cup races plus first position in the final standings. How did you feel that year?

In winter 2010-11, I started preparing myself for the Padova marathon. Later, I moved from road to mountain races. I clearly remember all the competitions. I gained my first victory in GP in Arco, Italy. After so many years I still remember every piece of the race. I am not specialized for extreme, steep uphill races, but Grintovec was covered with snow that year and the organizers were forced to shorten the track. Anyhow, I won that race too. Šmarna gora is still my favorite race. There has always been the best atmosphere along the track and at the finish. Moreover, the track suited me.

The second peak of your career was at the end – in 2016 you won the bronze medal at the World Long Distance Championships, I can say, in front of your house. Is this medal your favorite?

Indeed. That medal is my favorite. The world championship took place in Slovenia. I won the third place at the marathon distance. I was cheered on by my relatives and friends. I still get goosebumps when I remember the parts of the race where I had problems, the finish and the medal ceremony. Not only my third place, but the girls and I also won a silver medal in a team category. That result is the most precious to me and I still remember it with a great pleasure.

World Cup win in 2011

Is there any race that you like more than the others?

My competitive puzzle consists of different races. Each of them is special for me and has contributed to my personal and running development. I have always felt and still feel very good when competing in Italy.

What did you prefer – steep uphills or technical descents or maybe fast running parts, shorter or longer courses?

Medium distance courses, with technically demanding descents, are my favorite.

What about domestic races? Do you remember how many National champion titles did you win?

I like taking part in all domestic races. In recent years the competition among women has become stronger and consequently more interesting.

I do not remember how many national titles I have won in Slovenia. Being honest I have never paid much attention to home races as I have always been focused more on international races.

What about road races – did you ever test your potential at the marathon distance?

During the springtime I normally carried out marathon preparations and the race. Yes, I had some ambitions, but I realized I was simply not made for top results on flat tracks. My best result is 2:46:13.

And a standard question: What are you doing now?

I work as a running coach for children and adults. I have a family, a two-year-old daughter Meta and a three-month-old son Leon.

Another standard question: Do you still »feel the need« to put on a start number?

Of course, I hope I am still on the crest of a wave!

All images by Tomo Šarf

Amazing Places, Community and Family: What Drives Andrew Douglas

Written by Tomo Sarf on 14/04/2020. Posted in Latest News.

Andrew Douglas has been a regular feature on the mountain running circuit for the last 6 years. He made his mark instantly on the World Cup, winning it in 2015, then again in 2019, finishing 2nd and 3rd in the intervening years. In 2019 he decided to take a sabbatical from his job and it certainly paid off, with wins at Snowdon and Broken Arrow and impressive positions in other World Cup races with stellar fields. We spoke to him about his journey in running, what he learned from his year of focussing on his running and what he thinks the future holds for mountain running.

Firstly, how are you and how are you coping with the current COVID-19 situation?

I am doing ok, safe and healthy most importantly, and adjusting in the best way I can in the circumstances. There’s much I can be grateful for in my own personal circumstances in that I’m still able to do my day job and train outdoors once a day, so just trying to keep a grounded perspective on things and keep in frequent contact with family and friends.

Can you tell us a bit about how you got into running initially?

My Mum tells me when I started going to primary school she had to buy a bike because I wanted to run all the way to school and she could no longer keep up with me, so I guess from a very early age! I joined the local athletics club in Caithness when I was around 10/11 years old, but it wasn’t until I started university where I properly began to focus on middle to long distance running. I think I always knew deep-down that distance running was my forte, but I didn’t really show any notable talent for it during my school-years so it was just something I participated in alongside other sports like swimming, football and badminton. I loved the social aspect of being in the Athletics and Running clubs at University so by wanting to become more involved in that way also got me to focus a bit more on training and developing as an athlete. Towards the end of University and starting working life, distance running then became the only sport I wanted to do and had the time for, so around that period was when I started working with my coach Sophie Dunnett on a more structured training plan and having targets to aim for.

And how did you get into hill/mountain running specifically?

I dabbled a little in hill running when I was at University and the first few years of working life, but that was just the odd occasion at a Highland Games when I wanted to pocket an extra bit cash! I was primarily a road and cross country runner, and with the 2014 Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow, it was my main aim to qualify for that. But when things didn’t work out in that respect, I was desperate for a new challenge and something that would take the focus off roads and aiming for specific times. In the summer of 2014, I planned for a season of hill and trail racing. I made the GB team for the European and World Championships, as well as winning the British Mountain Running Title, so the transition couldn’t have gone any better! But it was no fluke, and much of the credit needs to go to my coach Sophie who put in place the kind of training that got me well prepared for competing in the hills/mountains. Those experiences really got me hooked on mountain running, and notwithstanding the abundance of amazing places I have been to race in, meeting a whole new community of athletes that have become great friends is something that has made the switch such a worthwhile decision!

How did you come to the decision to take a year off work to focus on running in 2019?

There were a few factors that influenced my decision to take a year’s sabbatical from my job. From a career perspective, after having been working in finance for almost 10 years I felt like I was ready for a proper break but without wanting to leave my job. In terms of running, over the past couple of years I had been beginning to feel a tinge of frustration in finishing just outside the podium places in the big races, and the thought of how much of a difference being a full-time athlete would make always lingered at the back of my mind. I had experimented with training at altitude and other types of training camps, but often felt that the gains made were soon lost when returning to work. Another factor that was important to me was wanting to spend more time with family, in particular my young nephew and nieces living in the far north of Scotland. It’s not the easiest of places to get to, and with the limitation of annual leave that’s mostly being consumed with racing, I felt I was not seeing them as much as I should be. My parents make a tremendous effort to come and watch me racing as much as they can, but after my Dad underwent a hip operation in 2018, I knew after that I wouldn’t see them nearly as often unless I made the effort to visit them. So having that freedom away from working life made those trips a lot easier to make.

What advantages did you find being a full-time runner gave you? What did you learn from it that you apply to your training now?

It’s funny because when I was getting ready to go back to work towards the end of last year, I felt like I should be dreading going back to the office. But it wasn’t the case, and I was looking forward to seeing everyone that I worked with and having that degree of separation again from my life as a runner and my career. I never really viewed being a professional athlete as a sustainable lifestyle and a way to make a living independently. There were times during the year I did feel a void in my life that should have been filled with work. But the obvious advantage to being a full-time athlete was the ability to train more, recover longer, have the freedom to pick and choose races, and when I could go abroad to train. More specifically though it helped identify the areas that I needed to be more disciplined with, like drills to help running economy and the strength and conditioning aspects that I thought less about whilst I was in full-time work. In terms of my training now, the whole experience has really emphasised the importance of optimising recovery; so whilst you’re balancing that with work its best achieved through sleeping well and going to bed early. I focus more of my S&C sessions on the glute muscles and core stability, setting aside other exercises that seem less relevant. And quality training weeks are better defined by the hard sessions I’m able to do rather than hitting high mileage.

I understand that you are aiming to step up to the longer distance at this year’s world championships (assuming it goes ahead). Why did you think it was time for you to compete over a longer distance?

I must admit, at the time of writing, I am still deciding on that one! It was my target this year to step up to the longer distance, but with the racing calendar somewhat decimated for at least the next couple of months, it has forced me to reconsider my targets. I have had two really positive experiences at Sierre-Zinal over the past couple years so that’s given me some confidence in my ability over long distances, which has in turn helped me get over my not-so-positive experiences on the road with the marathon. But I was hoping to test the water in a couple of the Golden Trail WS races over the summer, and the trial race for the GB team for the WLD champs was due to take place in July which would have allowed me time to switch back to the classic distance should it have not gone to plan. However, it appears at this moment in time that we may not even get back to racing until late summer so I’m not going to rush into committing to anything just yet and instead take some time to consider my options.

What are the key global races that you’d love to take on in the future?

There’s certainly a few on my bucket list, but most of them I’ll need to keep under wraps for now so I don’t panic my coach! I’d love to do one of the UTMB races, probably the OCC to begin with; don’t want to dive into the deep end straight away! The atmosphere that surrounds that event just seems so special. In all honesty though, the most exciting races for me are the European and World Championships and having that opportunity to be part of a team and represent your country. So wherever they are held, I just want to keep trying to qualify for those for as long as I can.

Why did you decide to volunteer to go on the athletes’ commission?

It was a no-brainer for me, I fell in love with the sport back in 2014 and if I can play any small part in helping it evolve and grow into something better than it already is, then that’s something I’m not going to think twice about doing. It’s fantastic that the WMRA value the opinions of current athletes and want to utilise our experiences of how things are in the current climate. Whilst there’s not going to be agreement on every initiative or plan, it’s important that we facilitate dialogue and debate so views can be heard from across the spectrum.

What developments would you like to see in mountain running in the future?

One of my favourite races to be a part of is the Trofeo Vanoni relays, and it’s a format that I want to see more of in mountain running. It’s such an exciting event, and for spectators its great because they get to see more action than what they would do when athletes are competing individually. From an athletes perspective it’s a different kind of experience in racing and a rare opportunity in feeling like you’re playing a team sport. I think introducing mixed-gender relays would be a great initiative; determining which nation is the best all-round at mountain running.

I think one of the big challenges we face is how to market mountain running to a mainstream audience, whilst still respecting its traditions and all the things that make this discipline of athletics special. I would like to see more coverage across various media outlets, because from a visual perspective there’s so much going for it. I think if we’re aiming high then ultimately becoming an Olympic sport would be the pinnacle, but to even get close to that stage we have to see how we can appeal to more athletics federations and increase the representation of countries at regional and global championships.

Overall, I’m feeling positive in the direction that mountain running seems to be taken in. There are so many things that make this sport special and with the will of those involved to keep moving things forwards, I can see a bright future ahead.

‘Know And Trust What Works For You’ – Interview with Sarah Tunstall

Written by Tomo Sarf on 30/03/2020. Posted in Latest News.

We spoke to Sarah Tunstall, GB mountain runner who bases herself in France for periods throughout the season. Sarah has had considerable success on the mountain running circuit over more than a decade. She finished 3rd in the European Championships back in 2008 and, more recently, has finished 2nd and 3rd at the World Championships and won the World Cup. In 2019 she won Grossglockner and Drei Zinnen. However, despite achieving great success over a number of years she has suffered from injuries which have forced her to rethink her approach to training. Here she tells us what she’s learned from her setbacks and how she’s found the right balance.

Can you tell us a bit about your running background? Did you start running as a kid?

I started running at an early age but not in any serious fashion. I always loved sport and being active and played netball at Primary School and walked up fells with the family which often resulted in a race to the summit against my sister! As long as I can remember I’ve been quite (!!) competitive and my earliest running memory is from my last year in Primary School doing some practice laps with my Dad on the local rugby pitches for the district sports 400m race…which I won!

You had success as a junior and then you’ve also had huge success as a senior. What advice would you give to junior runners who want to make that jump successfully?

In hindsight I think I was maybe just lucky that I wasn’t a very good junior! I would make County XC and England Fell teams but my best result (which I was delighted with) was finishing 10^th at the English National XC in my final year. It sounds like a cliché but I think that enjoying the sport is the main factor that will ensure a good transition. Luckily this should be more likely in the fell/mountain scene as it can be less regimented or monotonous compared to track or road training. I think the key for juniors is not being pushed in any way and the less pressure on kids the better. The pressure of winning can be hard to deal with as an adult so as a junior it must be really tough, and I think that shows during the transitioning period. If you’re still enjoying running, that can be a big part of making the jump up to senior as running becomes more of a personal choice and if you enjoy it you will choose to keep running.

How did you make the transition from fell running to mountain running?

There was never a conscious transition but looking back the link for me was cross country. I would race XC in the Winter, fells in the summer so I always had relative speed. Hills and speed are essential on the European style courses, which are often on harder packed tracks, and it seemingly makes a mountain runner! I have always maintained that speed is vital in Mountain running. I would gladly run uphill every day but you get found out if you’re not fast and if you look at the profile of the best mountain runners their pbs are usually quite surprising. I’ve never been naturally quick or had any interest in the track but speed is always something I try to work on.

You’ve been regularly spending time in the Alps for a while now. Did you do that mostly for your running?

Yes. I had injury issues 2010-12 and suppose I stubbornly felt I wasn’t running how I wanted, and knew I could, so I decided to do a few months in the Alps to try and get back to that level. That was Summer 2015 and I was citing the World Champs in Wales as my main excuse to be there (which it was) but having spent so much time there it became very difficult to return to the UK. We’ve been spending time in the Alps regularly ever since and will try to make it last as long as we can!

You’ve been incredibly consistent for so many years now (with World and Euro podiums and a World Cup title spanning 2008 – 2017) though I know you’ve had injury setbacks along the way. What have you learned from your setbacks and what advice would you give to athletes who want to be consistent and have long careers?

It’s quite scary that 2008 seems like only yesterday! Between 2010-2012 I couldn’t really string any running together without injury problems. Unfortunately it is common amongst athletes that when everything is going well and you’re fit and flying you can suddenly get injured. It’s a fine line and when you’re young you just try and plough on but I think as you experience adversity through injuries you become a bit more sensible. I have never actually gone back to training as hard as I did pre-2010. I keep a relative low mileage, only run once a day and supplement training with biking or hiking. I find that the key is knowing your own body and its limitations. I would far rather run consistently at any level than be inactive especially in the Alps! I’ve had some ongoing heel problems over the past two years and took this winter largely off running to get on top of them. I’ve enjoyed other activities and feel happier that I’m not limping around so much in daily life.

It’s really important to know and trust what works for you, even if you are coached this should be a two-way relationship and not in any way dictated in terms of training. The same with injuries, don’t rely solely on physios, spoken as a physio we do not know everything! Regular physiotherapy treatment or screening can be very effective for maintaining a healthy body and consistent training, but again it should be a two-way relationship and ultimately you should know your own weaknesses or imbalances and work on them to minimise injury risk.

Why did you decide to volunteer for the WMRA athletes’ commission?

It was something I was asked to do a couple of years ago. I’m passionate about all aspects of mountain running and its future so I didn’t hesitate in saying yes.

What developments would you like to see in mountain running in the future?

I am a big fan of mountain running and in particular the classic distances and races. I’ve been lucky to have so many great experiences through the sport, I’ve travelled to amazing places and met some of my best friends through mountain running so in an era where trail and ultra races are becoming ever more commercialised I’d love to help preserve and promote what makes mountain running special. The classic races have often been going for 30-50 years, are relatively low key and no frills, but in beautiful settings. Unfortunately that means we’re often on the back foot in terms of social media, so they get hidden amongst the big flashy races.

On a selfish front I’d love them to stay that way so I can enjoy the simplicity of the beautiful races but I don’t want them to die out or get lost amongst the big brands or long, gnarly and overhyped races. I may be a traditionalist, but I find it quite conflicting to the understated sport of mountain running and think that the mountains should be able to sell themselves without excessive marketing.

What races will you be targeting in 2020 (COVID-19 situation permitting)?

2020 looks like it is going to be a strange and stilted season. Many races I would run have already been cancelled throughout France, Italy and Switzerland, and rightly so. I’d love to think we could be racing towards the end of the Summer but after having the winter off I was in no rush to race anyway and I was already playing the early season by ear. With the Coronavirus outbreak I have not even been thinking about racing or training, there’s way more important things right now than the 2020 mountain running season. I’d gladly take having the freedom of outside over racing at the moment and it makes you appreciate the capacity to just get up a hill whenever you want!

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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.

Highlights From the 2019 Mountain Running Season

Written by Tomo Sarf on 10/12/2019. Posted in Latest News.

As 2019 draws to a close we wanted to reminisce about some of the amazing racing we’ve seen in the mountain running season. From a sensational World Cup series, to the 40^th Smarna Gora race, to the World Championships in Argentina, what a year it’s been.

It was a difficult job narrowing them down but we’ve collected together the highlights of the year from the WMRA Council.

Sergio Mayayo goes for this year’s historic race at Sierre Zinal in August.

Two long-standing records fell in one of the most exciting races of the year. While Maude Mathys absolutely dominated the women’s race and smashed the record by an incredible five minutes, Jornet had to fight to keep ahead of Mamu and, in a nail-biting finale, broke Jonathan Wyatt’s record by just 20 seconds.

For Sarah Rowell her highlight of the year was the European Mountain Running Championships in Zermatt in July. With a finish line featuring the iconic Matterhorn in the background and some fantastic individual and team performances, races don’t come much better than this one.

Tomo Sarf picked out a couple of particular highlights. Firstly, the World Championships in Argentina. This was the first time the championships took place in South America and even the first time a Spanish speaking country hosted a major WMRA event. This was a historic moment for World Mountain Running.

Secondly Tomo picked a race close to his heart – the Smarna Gora Race. This year marked its 40^th edition and this was the race that led Tomo to become heavily involved in mountain running, initially as part of the Slovenian Mountain Running Association and then as its president from 1992 – 2017. It also led him to sit on the Slovenian Athletic Federation Council and, of course, the WMRA. A new team will take on the organisation of the Smarna Gora Race from 2020.

For Nancy Hobbs the highlights of 2019 have been more general. She’s really enjoyed seeing the growth of the sport and participation from youth to masters level. She’s also proud to have witnessed the opportunities for athletes of all nations to compete at events at the world level.

Lastly, Jonathan Wyatt found it impossible to pick a single highlight so we allowed him a few! Here’s what he said: “Others have already given some good highlights and I agree with them all. It is always exciting to see the U18 runners race so hard and make friends with all the other teams, with most running for their country for the first time. We walked together on the Sunday morning to attend the memorial service on top of the mountain, remembering the fallen youth fighting in the war. That was a poignant and special ceremony for all the young athletes.

“I enjoyed seeing the opening ceremony in Argentina with the combined Long and Short race teams all marching together and seeing the hundreds of athletes ready to race – very impressive. Bringing the event to South America was tremendous for the visibility of Mountain Running in the region and being able to network there and keep these contacts is a great opportunity for us.

“The Masters was amazing with the huge number of participants we had in a place that doesn’t even have big mountains! but was still a testing mountainous trail.

“I would like to add the World Cup coming together with 7 mountain races that were really all of a high level and coming to America with the Cup and they were all races that are iconic in one way or another showing the diversity and beauty of mountain running.”

World Cup Finals this weekend in Slovenia

Written by Tomo Sarf on 09/10/2019. Posted in Latest News.

St. Mary’s Hill overlooking the capital of Slovenia, Ljubljana plays host once again to the final round (#7) of the World Cup of Mountain Running. Everything is ready for the Smarna Gora Race celebrating its 40 year anniversary. Once again it will be this great classic of the Slovenian mountain running scene that defines the final World Cup ranking.

Even if the final World Cup titles are already mathmatically assigned to Scottish international Andrew Douglas and the talented Irish Mountain Runner Sarah McCormack, it’s still completely open to define the top three positions of the final ranking for the podium. It’s these podium places that will still be the goal for many of the athletes arriving in Ljiubljana for the race on Saturday.

The Smarna Gora Race was born in 1979, driven by the popularity of the paths that climb the beautiful hill of Saint Mary, overlooking the Slovenian capital with the medievil church crowning the summit. The race was immediately very popular, changing the course over the years to reach today’s format with 10 km with 700 meters of positive elevation gain and 350 of descent. The course records belong to the Austrian Andrea Mayr with 47’40 ” for women (established in 2017) and Italian Alex Baldaccini with 41’32” for the men (established in 2012 at the end of an historic sprint against the Eritrean Teklai Weldemariam).

Andy Douglas and Sarah McCormack will be present at the race, ready to lift the coveted World Cup crystal trophies that will be given to them after the race. But first there will be a battle to decide who will be the winner of the 40th edition of the Smarna Gora Race. So let’s talk about the race favorites! On the start line we find two strong Eritrean runners; Petro Mamu and Filimon Abraham. They are also here looking for points to get closer to the final podium of the World Cup. Abraham has 265 points and is in 2nd place in the general classification, chased by the Italian twins Martin and Bernard Dematteis, who both have been announced in Ljubljana but Martin is in great doubt with a tendonitis that hit him in the last few weeks.

The young Irish runner Zak Hannah will be at the race as well, he is 5th in the standings and represents one of the surprising but great revelations of this edition of the World Cup with strong and consistent results throughout the season. Locally the Slovenian Tmotej Beçan will be looking for a big points haul in his local race that he knows so well. He is in 8th position but with a good performance he can break into one of the first 5 places in the final ranking of the Cup.

The great news in the women’s race is the return of Kenyan, and back to back defending World Cup Champion, Lucy Wambui Murigi. She returns to competition after the stop she suffered in August at the Sierre-Zinal where she picked up an injury. The final victory of the Cup is out of her reach but she will want to take the race win as a good consolation prize. English runner Emma Clayton and Scottish talent Louise Mercer will try to make the final podium for the World Cup, they are today respectively 4th and 5th. Sarah Tunstall and Alexandra Hauser, currently 2nd and 3rd behind Sarah McCormack, are not yet sure to race on Saturday so chances are that there will be big changes following saturday’s race on the small Slovenian mountain.

Link to the 2019 World Cup Ranking : http://www.wmra.info/files/world_cup/drei_zinnenlauf/WCup_2019_-_RESULTS_after_race6.pdf
Link to the World Cup web site : http://www.wmra.info/world-cup
Photo: corsainmontagna.it from edition 2018

The World Cup finals always brings a top class field to this historic race (now 40 years old)

Lucy Murigi (KEN) after illness back for the World Cup Finals

Andrew Douglas (SCO) Men’s leader and just needs to finish to secure the title

Sarah McCormack (IRL) Women’s World Cup Leader

A day for new race records at the DreiZinnen Alpine Run : World Cup #6

Written by Tomo Sarf on 14/09/2019. Posted in Latest News.

The Drei Zinnen Alpine Run exceeded all expectations today. 900 runners and 2 new race records and perfect weather provided an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Italian Dolomite mountains for everyone involved. It was Sarah Tunstall (ENG) and Petro Mamu (ERI) who took the wins and provided some additional spice in the race to the World Cup title.

17 km and 1300 meters of uphill climbing, the race course is a big challenge but the reward at the finish is some absolute picture postcard views such as the “Forcella Pian di Cengia” and the “Piani lakes” and of course the majestic “Tre Cime di Lavaredo” towering above the arrival at the Locatelli Refuge in the background. Sun and blue sky over the wonderful Dolomite peaks welcomed the runners who had this unique chance to race along the paths of this UNESCO heritage site.

It was a decisive stage in the race for podium positions in the World Cup 2019 even if Cup leaders Sarah McCormack (IRL) and Andy Douglas (SCO) have raced away with a big points advantage. Spots two and three are still completely open however and the winners here in Sesto (Italy) have brought themselves into contention.

The race unfolded with a fast starting lap around the town of Sesto and the favorites did not wait too long to give a strong signal of intent. The existing records were going to be in jeopardy with such a fast start. At the first checkpoint after 7km, at Fondovalle Hut, it was the Eritrean Petro Mamu who made the first move attacking the race before the climbing began in earnest. Running with him was Joe Gray (USA) and compatriot Filimon Abraham, while the Cup ranking leader Andy Douglas held a position just behind with the Italians Francesco Puppi and Hannes Perkmann who were slightly detached at that point.

And it was the same story in the women’s race where there was an attack from the start by Sarah Tunstall, who had already put one minute into the Irish athlete and World Cup leader Sarah McCormack by 7km. Tunstall had an additional one minute on the group following formed by Kenyan Wanja Nganga, Czech runner Lucie Marsanova, Timea Merenyi from Hungary and the Swiss ski mountaineering athlete Victoria Kreuzer.

From that point it was steep climbing that faced the runners and at km 12, the runners touched the Comici Refuge where the race had another jolt in the top positions as this long climb started to take its toll. Out front, Petro Mamu and Joseph Gray remained alone in the lead but were battling it out between them where neither one or the other could break free. Just behind it was Abraham who slowed slightly while Puppi gained on him to race for the 3rd position.

But out front on her own at the 12km mark, Sarah Tunstall continued to gain and was climbing stongly focusing on a race record possibility that seemed more like a certainty at that point as long as she didn’t blow up as the high altitude started to make its effect where runners pass the 2000m level and continue climbing higher to the peak of the race. She was increasing her advantage over McCormack to more than 2 minutes by this point.

The short but steep descent from the Forcella of Piani di Cengia (Cima Coppa) has changed the complexion of the race in previous editiona and this section leads on to the final climb to the Locatelli Refuge and the finish. Mamu and Gray were watching each other and Gray had a small stumble allowing the diminuitive Eritrean to take advantage and he surged away. In the last 600 meters he was nearing his limit though and Gray fought back but the win went to Mamu in the end setting the new course record with 1h22’37” improving the previous record he set some years ago that was 1h22 ’44”.

Joseph Gray was 2nd in 1h23’09”, confirming his great form at the moment backing up from last weeks performance also at a race in Dolomite mountains. The podium of the day was completed with Filimon Abraham, 3rd in 1h25’55 “. The rest of the men’s top ten were evenly spaced, where the positions were unchanged following the descent off the Forcella in the final 2.5km with Francesco Puppi 4th, Andy Douglas 5th, Hannes Perkmann 6th, Zak Hannah 7th, Bernard Dematteis 8th, Tiziano Moia 9th and Francis Njoroge 10th

For the women’s finish there were no problems for Sarah Tunstall who won convincingly her first Drei Zinnen race with the addition of the new course record. The Brit crossed the finish line in 1h41’45”, and there were impressive gaps back to her rivals. Sarah Mccormack was 2nd in 1h46’21 “, third place went to Victoria Kreuzer in 1h47’40”.

In the ranking of the World Cup for the men; Andy Douglas takes home enough points so that the Scotsman now has a big leading margin with 525 points and he is out of reach by the rest going into the final event. Following him is Filimon Abraham and with today’s 3rd position he rises to 320 points. It’s getting exciting for the 3rd step of the final World Cup podium which is possible for at least 5 athletes. Bernard Dematteis climbs to 215 points chased by Zak Hannah with 195, Mamu with 190, Puppi with 175 and then Beçan from Slovenia with 165 prove that everything is still open and still to be decided at Smarna Gora in Slovenia where the finals take place in October!

It’s mission accomplished for Sarah Mccormack who with the 2nd place today flies to 395 points and is now unreachable. Sarah Tunstall jumps into 2nd place with today’s victory. She has 200 points and now has overtaken her compatriots Emma Clayton and Charlotte Morgan. Kenyan Lucy Murigi has also been distanced and due to illness could not race this weekend. Austrian runner Alexandra Hauser rises up to 160 points and is now 3rd overall. Louise Mercer from Scotland was 16th at the Drei Zinnen. She reaches 115 points in the general classification and she is now 5th overall.

The updated and complete World Cup overall rankings available on the official WMRA website. Next stop for the World Cup is planned for the final in Ljubljana, 12th October 2019. The 40th Smarna Gora Race.

See WORLD CUP #6 page for more Drei Zinnen Alpine Run details.

TOP 10 – Drei Zinnen Alpine Run 2019 : WOMEN’s RACE

Sarah Tunstall (GBR) 1h41’45”

Sarah Mccormack (IRL) 1h46’21”

Victoria Kreuzer (SUI) 1h47’40”

Lucie Marsanova (CZE) 1h50’56”

Alexandra Hauser (AUT) 1h52’19”

Jane Wanja Nganga (KEN) 1h53’31”

Monika Pletzer (GER) 1h54’47”

Timea Merenyi (HUN) 1h55’10”

Petra Pircher (ITA) 1h56’31”

Dimitra Teocharis (ITA) 1h56’36”

TOP 10 – Drei Zinnen Alpine Run 2019 : MEN’s RACE

Petro Mamu (ERI) 1h22’37

Joe Gray (USA) 1h23’04”

Filimon Abraham (ERI) 1h25’55”

Francesco Puppi (ITA) 1h27’29”

Andrew Douglas (SCO) 1h27’48”

Hannes Perkmann (ITA) 1h28’42”

Zak Hannah (IRL) 1h29’20”

Bernard Dematteis (ITA) 1h31’00”

Tiziano Moia (ITA) 1h32’30”

Francis Maina Njiore (KEN) 1h33’22”

Photos: By Marco Gulberti / Corsa in Montagna

Tre Cime di Laveredo from the finsh area of the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run

Rifugio di Locatelli and the finish of the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run

Sarah Tunstall (GBR) in 1h41’45” makes her the fastest ever.

Sarah Mccormack (IRL)

Victoria Kreuzer (SUI) comes through strongly in the final half and completes the women’s podium

Petro Mamu (ERI) men’s winner and new record.

Joe Gray (USA) finishes less than 30 seconds behind.

Filamon Abraham (ERI) in 3rd

Francesco Puppi (ITA) 4th place.

Andrew Douglas (SCO) finishes in 5th and still leads the 2019 World Cup classification

Hannes Perkmann (ITA) in 6th

Zak Hannah (IRL) arrives in 7th place

Bernard Dematteis (ITA) in 8th

Bernard shows it’s a real privaledge to run next to such amazing mountains.

Tiziano Moia (ITA) 9th and recovered from a fall on the course

Francis Maina Njiore (KEN) rounds out the top 10 in the men’s field.

Luca Cagnati (ITA)

The final 150 metres

Lucie Marsanova (CZE)

Alexandra Hauser (AUT)

Petra Pircher (ITA)

Japan represented with Fujio Miyachi

Women’s top three, (Left to Right) McCormack, Tunstall, Kreuzer

Men’s top 3 (Left to right) Gray, Mamu, Abraham

DREI ZINNEN: two races to go for the 2019 World Cup, it’s now or never!

Written by Tomo Sarf on 12/09/2019. Posted in Latest News.

It’s time for the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run in the heart of the Dolomiti mountains in northern Italy. With the end of summer fast approaching and the first signs of autumn in the air it’s also a decisive time for the World Cup. With the final two races taking place in the next month for the 2019 World Cup season it will be time to see who the new champions will be even if the top two positions in women and men’s categories are looking difficult to reach given the top performances and in particular their level of participation in the race events. It goes to show that by participating you can reach a high position in the overall ranking.

Sara Botterelli (ITA) last years winner at the DreiZinnen Alpine Run finishing

The Dreizinnen Alpine run takes place in Sexten (Sesto) Italy and with a great race in a beautiful and famous location it is a fitting penultimate round for the World Cup and if readers want to do one beautiful mountain race in their life then this one would certainly be a good course to recommend.

But it is also now the time to focus on the competition, because with two races still to be disputed there are many top athletes who will try to re-enter the top positions of the World Cup ranking by running this Drei Zinnen race and the big final in Slovenia on October 12th when it will be time for the Smarna Gora Race. The cup is now firmly in the hands of Andrew Douglas. The Scotsman from Team Hoka One One maintained an impressive run away win this season winning all the first 4 tests and finishing in an excellent 6th place at the majestic Sierre Zinal last August. He really has shown the way and a clean pair of heels to all other mountain runners.

Interesting too is that Andy will just need to start in the next two races to receive the 50-point bonus reserved for those who have run all the events, and this would only be an extra guarantee to fend off any challengers. The great attention is behind Douglas, to reach the podium positions and it’s a tough challenge that has been created between many of the athletes on the world mountain running circuit that still have a chance to arrive on one of the top places.

Martin Dematteis, his twin-brother Bernard, the Eritreans Petro Mamu and Filimon Abraham, the Irishman Zak Hannah, the Slovenian Timotej Beçan, the Italian Francesco Puppi, all have the chance to enter the top 3 of the 2019 world cup. It’s a fascinating scenario shaping up where anyone of them can do it. But to do it, they will need to be in the top positions Saturday at the Drei Zinnen Alpine run, which will represent a sort of “last-call” for those who want to dream big. They must bring their A-game out in the Dolomites this weekend!

In the women’s ranking everything is ready to celebrate a new winner of the World Cup in 2019. Irish athlete Sarah McCormack of team INOV-8 will just need to finish in the points at one of the next two races to be sure of the victory. It’s a great achievement for this strong athlete who brought a universal approach to mountain running, showing that with her ability to be competitive on all terrains and distances and competing regularly at World Cup races it would put her in a commanding position. The Drei Zinnen Alpine Run will be the final test for other top athletes such as Sarah Tunstall (GBR) and Lucy Marsanova (CZE) who are looking for a victory in Sexten, or like the Scottish runner Louise Mercer, a good placing here can bring her closer to her season-target: the world cup overall podium.

The Drei Zinnen will be covered by the WMRA MEDIA team, follow the social media channels for live tweets on Twitter and Facebook posting, fun stories as well as background stories on WMRA instagram with profiles, photos, videos and much more.

Here you can see the World Cup ranking after 5 races of 7: Current World Cup Ranking

Photos credit WMRA and DreiZinnenlauf

Sarah Tunstall (GBR) trying to reach a World Cup overall podium

Andy Douglas (GBR) has a solid grip on the 2019 World Cup title

World Cup Round 6 – Italy hosts at the famous Tre Cime di Lavaredo

Written by Tomo Sarf on 04/09/2019. Posted in Latest News.

A chance to run and race in a UNESCO World Heritage site welcomes all participants at the Drei Zinnen Alpine run that finishes beneath the iconic dolomite peaks of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo starting in the region of Alto Adige in Italy.

This year the race will take place for the twenty-second time and will make its debut on the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup calendar. From the first edition in 1998 the athletes and athletes from Italy dominated the race, with 14 successes leading the ranking by nations.

Nine times an “Azzurra” has risen to the top step of the podium, while so far there have been five victories for an Italian athlete. Among the winning athletes there are also two South Tyrolean athletes: Nathalie Santer, the former biathlete from Dobbiaco, won the first edition in Sesto Pusteria, and the Sarentinese runner Renate Rungger triumphed 15 years later. The organizers of the ALV Sextner Dolomiten association are still waiting for a South Tyrolean victory in the men’s field. Perhaps this barrier could be broken by Hannes Perkmann; the Sarentino athlete wants to participate in its debut World Cup appearance. The last Italian victory in the men’s field dates back to 2012 with Gabriele Abate. Among women, however, in 2016 Sara Bottarelli established herself as a local Italian winner on a shortened track due to weather.

Behind Italy, New Zealand ranks as the second nation in the South Tyrol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run with eight victories. Only Jonathan Wyatt, living legend of the mountain race and current president of the WMRA (World Mountain Running Association), reached the finish line at the Locatelli refuge six times with what is still the best time. In this way the former World Mountain running champion also holds the record of victories at the renowned South Tyrolean event. His fellow country woman Anna Frost, on the other hand, has two successes.

After 20 years a Germanic winner
Six victories have gone in the past two decades to athletes and athletes from the Czech Republic, to which Anna Pichrtova, who boasts the record of victories with four races won, contributed greatly. Immediately behind this, with four first places, is Germany, winners of the last edition, with Anton Palzer and Michelle Maier completing a double for the country last year. With her triumph last year, Maier also set a new course record with a time of 1h42’34 “

With three victories it’s Poland in fifth place, ahead of Eritrea, which has two, in addition to France, Great Britain and Switzerland (each a victory). The record of the route in the men’s field is held by the former mountain running world champion Petro Mamu: in 2013 the Eritrean athlete reached the finish line in 1h22’44 ‘‘. It may be that this record is broken on September 14th with the debut of the World Cup race bringing a very competitive line up.

Anyone wishing to compete with the international elite of mountain running on one of the most beautiful routes in the world can do so: until 8.00 pm on 11 September registration is open for the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run on the official website.

Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run – albo d‘oro (winners circle)
1998:Marco Gaiardo ITA 1:23.25 / Nathalie Santer ITA 1:49.18**
1999:Marco Gaiardo ITA 1:23.46 / Izabela Zatorska POL 1:38.20**
2000:Emanuele Manzi ITA 1:23.22 / Izabela Zatorska POL 1:35.17**
2001:Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:19.58 / Anna Pichrtova CZE 1:31.47**
2002:Jan Blaha CZE 1:46.11 / Anna Pichrtova CZE 2:00.54***
2003:Thierry Icart FRA 1:47.58 / Ruth Pickvance CZE 2:11.43***
2004:Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:40.17 / Anna Pichrtova CZE 1:57.54***
2005:Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:40.35 / Anna Pichrtova CZE 1:56.14***
2006:Martin Ashley Cox GBR 1:45.27 / Anna Frost NZL 2:06.01***
2007:Antonio Molinari ITA 1:28.54 / Antonella Confortola ITA 1:46.44
2008:Helmut Schiessl GER 44.50 / Antonella Confortola ITA 53.52*
2009:Helmut Schiessl GER 1:28.51 / Anna Frost NZL 1:42.59
2010:Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:26.23 / Mariagrazia Roberti ITA 1:44.45
2011:Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:29.02 / Mariagrazia Roberti ITA 1:51.00
2012:Gabriele Abate ITA 1:26.16 / Mariagrazia Roberti ITA 1:47.36
2013:Petro Mamu ERI 1:22.44 / Renate Rungger ITA 1:49.28
2014:Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:27.58 / Victoria Kreuzer SUI 1:48.10
2015:Andrzej Dlugosz POL 1:31.01 / Antonella Confortola ITA 1:48.06
2016:Petro Mamu ERI 1:02.06 / Sara Bottarelli ITA 1:16.24*
2017:annullata/cancelled due to weather
2018:Anton Palzer GER 1:29.31 / Michelle Maier GER 1:42.34
* tracciato abbreviato
**variante
***mezza maratona

Ufficio stampa Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run:

Hannes Kröss
HK Media

Photos: www.dreizinnenlauf.com

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION

Tag: worldcup