Author: Tomo Sarf

Victory for Aymonod and Belotti at Vertical Nasego

Written by Tomo Sarf on 03/10/2020. Posted in Latest News.

In a really tough day due to very bad weather, Henri Aymonod (Ita) and Valentina Belotti (Ita) are the 2020 winners of Vertical Nasego in Casto in north Italy.

Belotti started the women’s competition head-to-head with Mojica Koligar (Slo) for a great duel along uphill to the Nasego mountains. In the middle of the course, Belotti gave a kick and the gap over the Slovenian gradually increased to 50sec around 450mD+ left to go. After winning in 2016 and 2017, Belotti confirmed her dominance in Nasego, going on to win today in 43.12. Second place went to Mojica Koligar (Slo ) who clocked 44.14 . Third position went to Dimitra Theocharis who ran 47.14, followed by Chiara Fumagalli and Angela Serena to complete the top five. It was a good day for Belotti, who said, “I’ve been dealing with an injury all this season so every race needs a different plan. During the week I can only train two days and for the rest it’s just bike. So, winning today gave me a big satisfaction and confidence in my strength for the next competition.”

Henri Aymonod (Ita) was one of the favourites at the start of the men’s race and, after a battle with Zak Hanna (Irl), he won on Corna del Savallo. When he got to 500D+, Aymonod pushed hard and overtook Hanna with Facchini (Ita), Becan (Slo) and Moia (Ita) following very close. In the last 300m D+, the Italian continued to push and went on to win in 35.47. Zak Hanna (Irl) got the silver medal in 36.22 with Patrick Facchini (Ita) in third place in 37.01 overcoming Tiziano Moia ( Ita) in a sprint finish 37.06. Timotej Becan (Slo) completed an excellent top five in the men in 37.26. A very happy Aymonod said: “What a race, what a battle! Zak Hanna was an extraordinary contender and I am very satisfied to have won also in Nasego where the atmosphere of mountain running is so exciting. Running faster was difficult in this weather, so I knew it could be a real good day for me.”

Here are the women’s top 10 results and the men’s top 10 results

Nasego International Under 20 Mountain Running Match

Written by Tomo Sarf on 29/09/2020. Posted in Latest News.

In this season disrupted by the global Covid-19 pandemic, some young mountain runners will still have an opportunity to compete internationally. Thanks to the support of the organizing committee of Trofeo Nasego, on Sunday 4 October there will be a small international meeting consisting of Italy A, Italy B, Slovenia and the Czech Republic in Casto, in the province of Brescia. The Nasego International Under 20 Mountain Running Match Trophy will take place in compliance with the current federal safety protocols and will involve two male juniors and as many female juniors for each representative team.

The race will take place on a challenging course, 6.7 km mainly uphill, and beyond the international match the test will still be open to the participation of other under 20s, who can register through their own clubs. In the Italian representative team, on the recommendation of the technical manager of mountain running, trail and ultra-distances Paolo Germanetto, in agreement with the federal technical management, the best four juniors for men and women of the single round of the Italian Championship were selected in Susa in late August. HERE the rules of the event (in Italian)

These are the teams competing:

MEN

Italy A
Alain Cavagna (Atl. Brembana Valley)
Alessandro Crippa (Atl. Alta Valtellina)

Italy B
Alessandro Rossi (As Lanzada)
Marco Zoldan (Atl. Rodengo Saiano Mico)

Czech republic
Adam Jirku
Roman Pazdera

Slovenia
Klemen Spanring
Aljaz Luznar

WOMEN

Italy A
Carlotta Uber (Lagarina Crus Team)
Elisa Pastorelli (Atl. Lecco Colombo Construction)

Italy B
Chiara Sclavo (Asd Dragonero)
Irene Aschieris (Atl. Susa Adriano Aschieris)

Czech republic
Adela Kolackova
Sona Kourilova

Slovenia
Nusa Mali
Spela Gonza

Šmarna Gora Races 2020

Written by Tomo Sarf on 29/09/2020. Posted in Latest News.

We announced at the start of September that the 25th Smarna Gora Record and the 41st Smarna Gora Race would be taking place on Friday 9th October and Saturday 10th October. We are happy to say that these events are still going ahead as planned and the organisers have made a further announcement about the Covid situation in Slovenia (see below).

Interested runners shall contact the local organising committee to agree their participation. They can find the details on the updated web page: http://smarnogorski-teki.smarnogorska-naveza.si/
The organisers will offer special, stimulating arrangements to the runners who will participate both races. Smarna gora race hosted 18 the final race of the World Cup and in 2020 it was declared as “WMRA Greatest race all times”, which could be understood as the highest international recognition for the organisers.

COVID situation – 29. Sept. 2020

Please note:

“People who comes to Slovenia from an EU Member State or a Member State of the Schengen area, which is included in the green and orange list, may enter Slovenia list without quarantine and a negative COVID test.”

https://www.gov.si/teme/koronavirus-sars-cov-2/prehajanje-meja/

Šmarna gora Races 2020

The year 2020 was undoubtedly marked by the Covid19 virus. In March, the world began to turn a little differently. Thus, the implementation of running events in October will take place according to a customized
program.

In August, the organizers submitted a proposal for measures to the National Health Institute, which was approved. The confirmation was undoubtedly significantly influenced by the assurance that we will adapt the measures to the current situation, which may still change significantly between now and the day of the event.

In both events, the Friday Record and the Saturday Run, we will take into account the recommendations and requirements of the profession as much as possible. All phases of both events will take place according to a customized program – registration, start, the course, finish and of course the announcement of results. We will provide the necessary quantities of appropriate masks and disinfectants for hands and work surfaces, and we will manage the events in such a
way as to prevent physical contact and contact as much as possible. As we defined in the study, we will adjust the specific conditions to the currently valid rules.

The organisers

Countdown to Trofeo Vanoni – 30 Days to Go!

Written by Tomo Sarf on 24/09/2020. Posted in Latest News.

Trofeo Vanoni, edition number 63, the iconic mountain race, punctual as always on the fourth Sunday of October, is preparing to write another page of its history.

This year is even more important given this moment in time we are living in. “An edition which isn’t easy to organize”, comments the LOC Giovanni Ruffoni, “because respecting all the COVID protocols, which may vary even at the last moment, is not easy, but we are doing our best, confident that everything will go well”.

“We are finishing the booklet for the event” continues Ruffoni, “which represents the showcase of our sponsors and supporters. I have to thank them all because despite the lockdown and the economic crisis they have not backed down. A huge thank you because without their support we could do very little”.

The 2020 edition already brings some exciting news: “Being the Italian Mountain Running Relay Race Championship”, explains Ruffoni, “there will also be a women’s relay race with 2 runners, as well as the junior and master C categories, moreover, the start of the Minivanoni, reserved to the youth categories, is anticipated at 8.30 am. The prize-giving ceremony will then take place outdoors in Piazza S. Antonio, differentiating the times for the 37th Vanoni women’s race (at 5.00 pm) and the 63rd Vanoni Trophy (at 5.40 pm)”.

The event organizers must respect the regulations of the Italian Athletics Federation: “The athletes on the first leg will be able to start all together, but they will have to wear a mask for the first 500 meters, moreover, the changeover can’t be made by touching hands. Needless to add that before and after the race it will be necessary to wear the mask or to respect the interpersonal distance”.

The details are being established day by day with continuous alignment by the organizers with FIDAL and local authorities, so things could change from now until the end of October. Despite the restrictions on travel, some foreign teams have already made it known that, barring unforeseen circumstances, they will not fail to participate.

International GOLD race, WMRA associated race and Italian Mountain Relay Race Championship, after last year’s spectacular edition, with the victories of Lucy Murigi, Atletica Valle Brembana and the best time of Cesare Maestri, on October 25th in Morbegno the show is guaranteed.

Records Fall at Canfranc Canfranc

Written by Tomo Sarf on 13/09/2020. Posted in Latest News.

Canfranc Canfranc held the 14th edition of its mountain races in the Aragonese Pyrenees this weekend. The COVID-19 protocol was especially strict, and that, combined with the event’s reputation for beautiful courses, attracted the greatest runners from both sides of the Pyrenees. The result was a succession of records in the four races contested and a very memorable first event as a WMRA partner event.

Great runners such Luis Hernando, Thibaut Baronian, Oihana Kortazar, Miguel Heras, Maite Maiora, Daniel Osanz, Didier Zago, Gisela Carrión, Antonio Martínez, Jordi Gamito and many more contested the events over the course of the weekend. Veterans and young talents from Spain and France have competed all weekend to the fullest. The Aragonese fans enjoyed a fantastic show uniting sport and mountains, which makes everyone aware of the possibilities offered by the Jacetania region with thousands of km of marked trails.

The departures were staggered over three days: The Ultra 100k started on Friday at 11pm. The Ultra 75k at 5AM on Saturday, the 45k Marathon at 8AM the same day and finally the Canfranc 16km started today (Sunday) at 8AM. In this way, the 200 runners in each race did not have any contact with those of any other race, minimising risk of the spread of infection. In addition, the start of each race was in a time trial format, with runners every 30 seconds and wearing a mask until the test started.

CANFRANC CANFRANC MARATHON: Thibaut Baronian and Oihana Kortazar won big. The race that started it all remains unique due to the combination of the alpine spectacle and the physical and technical demands of its 45k / D + 4,000m. After fourteen years, the record set by Maxime Cazajous in 2018 with 5h38m seemed solid, but the level of this 2020 event blew it to pieces. The race, along with the 16k event, should have been part of this year’s WMRA World Cup and it proved itself worthy.

Victory in the men’s race and a new record went to the Frenchman Thibaut Baronian who gave an exhibition with 5h15m, lowering the previous mark by 23 minutes! He was accompanied on the podium by the Venezuelan Samuel Dávila (2019 Champion) with 5:21 and the veteran Miguel Heras with 5h23. In the women’s race, Oihana Kortazar won with enormous authority, clocking in at 6h37m despite a spectacular fall. María Ordoñez was second in 7:37 and Eva Mesado third in 7:53.

CANFRANC CANFRANC 16KM: Two seconds decided the men’s win, between Antonio Martínez and Luis Hernando. Canfranc’s “little” sister is nevertheless a great test in its own right, with a spectacular 16k / D + 1600m that crown La Moleta (2,572m) and a dizzying descent. The event also brought together a contrasted Hispanic-French elite. The duel for the victory between Antonio Martínez and Luis Hernando was alive until the last metre, falling to Antonio by just 2 seconds. The winning time of 1h47m35s beat the previous record of 1h59m by 12 minutes! The bronze went to the veteran French runner Didier Zago, with 1h52m10s.

In the women’s race Nadege also smashed the record in 2h0818, leaving her rivals behind for more than five minutes. Silver went to the promising young athlete Sara Alonso in 2h13m58 and bronze went to Gisela Carrión, of the Spanish team with 2h14m21s.

Photos by Jose Miguel Munoz

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.

Announcing The 41st Smarna Gora Race

Written by Tomo Sarf on 04/09/2020. Posted in Latest News.

The organizers are happy to announce that the 41st edition of the Smarna Gora Race will be held on Saturday, October 10th 2020 in Ljubljana, Slovenia.

After a period when the organization of any kind of sporting event was not possible in Slovenia due to the unpredictable Covid-19 situation, the traditional mountain running race has got the green light from the authorities to host the event.

Because the Smarna Gora Record was delayed in June, there will now 2 races in October:

– on Friday, 9th October, in the afternoon the 25th Šmarna gora Record (1,8km; +360m) will take place. This is a very short uphill race, with a course record of 11:08
– the traditional 41st Šmarna gora Race will take place on Saturday 10th October, starting at 10:10.

International class runners are welcome, of course respecting the Covid-19 restrictions. Only runners from so called ‘green’ countries are allowed to enter Slovenia without any limitations (see link to the web page at the bottom of the article for more information).

As in the past, interested runners should contact the local organising committee to agree their participation. They can find the details on the updated web page.

The organizer will offer special, exciting arrangements to the runners who participate in both races.

Smarna Gora Race has hosted the final race of the World Cup 18 times. In 2020 it was declared the “WMRA Greatest race of all time”, which is the highest international recognition for the organizers.

You can find the details of the ‘green countries’ HERE and on the map below.

Cancellation of 2020 World Championships

Written by Tomo Sarf on 02/09/2020. Posted in Latest News.

We are sad to bring you the following announcement from WMRA President Jonathan Wyatt about this year’s World Mountain Running Championships and World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships in Lanzarote.

“It is of course a difficult thing to take away the World Championships this year but in the end the decision to do it was not difficult. We have to make sure that our sports event does not contribute to any sort of worsening of the global pandemic we are facing and we have not seen a big enough improvement to take away these doubts. Therefore, together with our friends in the organisation team (Arista events), the local Haria government on Lanzarote and the Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) we have decided that this is the best action to take.

We do feel sorry we can not provide a competition in 2020 for our athletes and their chance to shine on a world stage. It is regrettable that our Mountain Running community and family can not meet and share the experiences together that we have grown to love over the past 36 years of WMRA competitions.

I would like to thank everyone on the team who have worked so hard during the past 12 months on this event including WMRA’s own technical delegates to the event Tomo Sarf and Sergio Mayayo. We encourage every mountain runner to enjoy running while respecting safe social distancing practices and the regulations in your area.”

K42 Argentina Rescheduled to 2021

Written by Tomo Sarf on 27/08/2020. Posted in Latest News.

K42 Argentina, the race which provided such a fantastic setting for last year’s World Mountain Running Championships and finished second in our recent ‘greatest mountain race of all time‘ vote, will unfortunately not take place this November. Due to the ongoing global pandemic the organisers have decided to reschedule the race to November 4th and 5th 2021.

Diego Zarba, organiser of K42 Argentina, said of the issues they have been facing: “This is not only about the difficulty of guaranteeing social distancing, but also about how the arrival of 6,000 tourists from different regions could impact Villa la Angostura, about the impossibility of ensuring isolation if cases or outbreaks are detected between visitors and also about protecting the staff working at the event. Ultimately, it is about protecting the health of all those involved.”

“This represents a hard blow, not only for those who hoped to be able to participate in the competition, but also for Villa la Angostura and for our organization that is inherent in the creation and execution of projects. The impossibility of securing the event affects us severely and we need to start planning again as soon as possible. However, as we have indicated, we do not believe it appropriate to overlap dates with other events or affect the calendar. That is why today we turn the page and start working for 2021, as always in November”.

El Paso to host Spanish Trail Running Championships

Written by Tomo Sarf on 27/08/2020. Posted in Latest News.

The Royal Spanish Athletics Federation (RFEA) has announced that their Spanish Trail Running Championships and Masters Championship will take place in El Paso on La Palma in the Canary Islands on October 3rd. This championship will serve as the Spanish trial for the World Mountain Running Championships in Lanzarote on November 13th and 14th.

The participating athletes will compete in the marathon distance with a route of 44 kilometers, with 3,000m of ascent. The runners will pass through some of the most beautiful places on La Palma, such as the mountain of Bejenao, the hard ascent of Reventón, the Cumbre Vieja, the Llano de los Jables or the emblematic Pino de la Virgen, always having as a reference the natural jewel of the Caldera de Taburiente, where part of the route passes.

This will be the third time that the championship will be held in the Canary Islands and the second in El Paso as it hosted the second Spanish Championship in 2016. It has already demonstrated very good organisational capability, which was highly valued both by the participating athletes, as well as by the RFEA itself, which has closely followed the impressive evolution of its annual test, Reventón Trail El Paso (cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

So, how do the organisers plan to keep the runners safe?

The Mayor of El Paso, Sergio Rodríguez, said “in these difficult times and so much uncertainty, the ability to celebrate the Trail Running Championship of Spain means that we are able to meet organizational and health requirements, sports and logistics required by the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation ”.

Raúl Chapado, president of the RFEA, said: “For the RFEA it is a priority to protect the health of the participants and people involved in the organization, El Paso offers us all the guarantees to celebrate this event safely and successfully. Undoubtedly this is a highly relevant event in sports, but we are also aware of the need to strictly apply all the protocols and guidelines of the competent public authorities and those of the RFEA for this discipline. It will also be a decisive competition to make the Spanish Athletics team that will compete in the World Mountain Running Association World Championship in mid-November in Haría (Lanzarote) ”.

In addition to the application of health protocols, each participant must prove by means of a PCR test, with a maximum age of 96 hours before their trip to La Palma, their state of health against COVID 19. In addition, upon arrival on the Island All athletes will be given a rapid test to detect possible positive cases of COVID 19 with the aim of minimizing any risk of contagion

The Reventon Trail Marathon El Paso race, which would have taken place on the 24th October but is cancelled due to Covid-19, would have been a WMRA partner race. But we will look forward to experiencing it in 2021.

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION

Author: Tomo Sarf