Author: Tomo Sarf

Contract signed for 2018 World Mountain Running Championships

Written by Tomo Sarf on 16/10/2017. Posted in Latest News.

This past weekend, WMRA Secretary Tomo Sarf visited Andorra to meet with the Local Organizing Committee and the Andorra Federation to review the proposed course for the 2018 World Mountain Running Championships and to sign the contract. With these details in place, planning is well underway to celebrate the 34^th running of the championships on September 15, 2018 in Canillo, Andorra.

Located in the Pyrenees, Andorra boast more than 300 days of sunshine per year with 90 percent of the country in natural areas making it an ideal venue to host the championships.

Signing the contract on site in Canillo, was a representative from the LOC as well as the Andorra Federation president Bernat Vilella.

Details will soon be available on the entire program. In the interim, plan for Barcelona as the arrival airport for teams, and see below for some basic information about the course. The inset photo is in the middle section of the course.

Andorra 2018 middle part Senior men and women: 11,7km; +1110m, -200m

Junior men and women: 7,7km; + 610m, -170m

Report and photos provided by Tomo Sarf

Newcomer Bugge and Veteran Mayr victorious at Smarna Gora

Written by Tomo Sarf on 09/10/2017. Posted in Latest News.

DSC 4224 What an amazing finale to the World Cup of Mountain Running season! The last race of the seven-event series was held on the Smarna Gora Mountain close to Slovenia’s capital city Ljubljana, on Saturday, October 7. The traditional autumn fog shrouded the start line and the forest trails were wet and slippery guaranteeing that the most-confident and best technical runners would excel. Conversely, the finish at the mountain’s summit was above the clouds in bright sunshine flanked by a medieval castle and a good crowd was on hand to cheer the near-record number of race participants.

In the men’s race it was the young up-and-coming mountain runners that were too strong for the more experienced in the field. As predicted, the new Norwegian star Johan Bugge was in the first group and made a strong start. He broke away after 3km, just before the first climb taking Eritrean Filimon Abraham with him. Out of all the top Italians racing only the young talented Ceseae Maestri could stay in touch, but he was still unable to close the gap on Bugge who looked in control on the downhill and recovered enough strength to power away up the second climb.

Bugge was fearless and spectators marveled at how he seemingly flew over the course, so easy and relaxed to win in a great time for this challenging 10km track of 42min 27seconds almost a minute in front of Maestri, who in the end, had a good battle to hold off the fast-finishing Abraham.

It was Czech runner Jan Janu who almost made the podium missing out by a mere four seconds to the Eritrean. The final 500metres of the race has a steep long straight climb through the last trees of the forest before the summit and it is here that the crowd shouts and encourages the runners as they give their last ounce of energy.

Two of the top Italians expected to be podium contenders (Bernard Dematteis and Alex Baldaccini) followed these top four showing that after a long season fatigue was starting to have an effect after so many hard races. Then it was the first local runner Miran Cvet had a fine race coming home in seventh. Rounding out the top ten was Martin Dematteis, followed by fellow Italian Alberto Vender from Trentino, and Scotland’s Ross Gollan.

DSC 4398 The women’s race unfolded as expected with Andrea Mayr (Austria) powering away by almost two minutes to take the win. It was another course record for her by 24seconds. She told the media afterwards that this year’s run made up for last year where she took a nasty fall during the race. If anything, the conditions were more challenging for her this year given the wet and slippery surface, some mud and the falling autumn leaves. Mayr followed it up on Sunday with an incredible run at the Vertical Kilometre of Chiavenna (Italy) breaking the race record of Valantina Belotti there by two minutes in 35m54s and finishing with the 10th best time overall!

But back at the Smarna Gora, second place in the women’s race went to Norwegian Karoline Kyte Holsen. She also had a comfortable advantage over third placed Pavla Shorna. To many it was a surprise to see the Norwegians racing so strongly on the up and down and technical course. Seeing the talent of these two runners, we hope the Norwegian Federation will once again bring teams to the World Championship Mountain Running events as it is clear they have the talent to be podium contenders at World events. Alice Gaggi (Italy) was solid in fourth position, and this meant of course that the overall World Cup win was hers. Consistency over the season is the key and she had enough points to take the advantage such that Mayr could not close the gap.

Thus, the overall title of World Cup Mountain Running Champion goes to Alice Gaggi with Andrea Mayr in second. Pavla Shorna finished in third, with fourth going once again to Italy with Valentina Belotti. Although Great Britain’s Sarah Tunstall amassed the same score as Belotti, the Italian won one of the races giving her the higher finish. thumbnail1

In the men’s division, Italian Alex Baldacini takes the World Cup title with fellow countryman Francesco Puppi finishing second giving him a fine 2017 season after his win at the World Mountain Running Long Distance Championships. Third position goes to Simon Lechleitner of Austria who narrowly edged out Bernard Dematteis who finished fourth.

After Cesare and Filimon’s excellent run at the Smarna Gora, they move into 6th and 7th respectively in the World Cup ranking.

Another Mountain Running season draws to a close, and resting out in the sun above the clouds in a castle in Slovenia was a fine way for the runners and all the supporters to enjoy the festivities and memories of a beautiful mountain running year… as well as make plans for the next!

Smarna Race Results and Final Rankings of the World Cup will soon be available HERE.

Article prepared and edited by Jonathan Wyatt, Tomo Sarf and Pika Sarf

Photos: Smarna Gora Race LOC

Smarna Gora to host final World Cup race October 7

Written by Tomo Sarf on 03/10/2017. Posted in Latest News.

The crisp fall air and leaves changing to gold signals the time for the final World Cup race for Mountain Running at the Smarna Gora. 02 Teklay ALES1240

The race is held just a few kilometres from Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana, and winds through fast and beautiful forest trails with a finish inside a castle at the summit! The race has a long history where it was first held in 1979 and the course now covers 10km around and up to two summit peaks. Steep ascents along with technical descents mean that this is a solid test of all-around mountain running ability and this years lineup taking on the challenge is one of the strongest in the race’s history.

When we talk about form, if consistency is anything to go by then it’s going to be hard to look past Andrea Mayr (Austria) for the win on the women’s A1 Mayr Andrea winner

side. Her five appearances at Smarna Gora have resulted in five wins and in her past three editions after the course was lengthened to 10km she has raced within 44 seconds each time. However, when it comes to the World Cup, Mayr starts 50 points behind Alice Gaggi (Italy) and if Mayr were to win then Gaggi would have to finish in the top 10 to secure the overall 2017 World Cup title – something that she would normally do comfortably given her strong and consistent form this year. Pavla Shorna Matyasova looks safe in third for the World Cup, but if Gaggi or Mayr falter, she could move up given her consistencyh this year.

Every year a strong contingent comes out from the UK with junior and senior runners making the trip to the Smarna Gora. This is a track that suits them and so watch out for some new names in the top-15 positions. For the first time at the race, Norway has two runners registered and they are two very talented runners. Karoline Holson and Johan Bugge have the form to shoot all the way for a podium place with Holson’s 4th and Bugge’s 5th place at this years European Championships (also held in Slovenia). Holson is strong on downhills and Bugge is a runner who will go hard right from the start to shake up the men’s race so they are welcome additions to the event.

The nation bringing the most runners from outside Slovenia however will be Italy, and they are packing a strong punch. Alex Baldacini has experience and form on this track. With six top six results in past years, it will mean he will be one to watch for judging a good pace. He has also won the race in 2012, and enjoys the fast flowing technical nature of the course. The Italians are stacked full of talent and Cesare Maestri and Luca Cagnati are two that know how to run well on this style of course and with the season coming to a close, there will be no holding back from these two. Max Di Gioia, like Baldacini has plenty of kilometres under his belt through the forested slopes of the Smarna Gora. A top-15 finish for him would be an excellent result but don’t be surprised to see a total of up to six Italians in the top 10 on the men’s side because multiple Italian and European Champs, Bernard and Martin Dematteis will also be racing on Saturday. The depth and talent is going to make this edition one of the best and the Italian twins are looking to cap off another strong season. Eritrea loses Petro Mamu to a doping ban but will be represented by Abraham Filimon. He has had some solid results recently including a fourth place at the previous World Cup race in Germany.

Let’s not forget the local Slovenian runners. They might be missing the Kosovelj’s, Mateja and Mitja as well as Lucija Krkoc, but Miran Cvet has been running well recently and he will be wanting to nail a top-10 finish as well.

Alex Baldacini is looking pretty safe on the top of the men’s World Cup rankings, but two runners who could move on to the podium after Saturday are Austria’s Simon Lechleitner and Bernard Dematteis. With the top-15 placed men and women receiving prize money, this year’s World Cup will be the most well-paid in the history of Mountain Running.

Races are all held on Saturday, October 7, and temperatures and weather are predicted to be perfect for the fast and exciting mountain running action. The local website page can be found HERE.

Current World Cup rankings can be found HERE.

Article by Jonathan Wyatt for the WMRA

Photos courtesy of the LOC

Positive drug test changes World Championships results

Written by Tomo Sarf on 28/09/2017. Posted in Latest News.

It is with much disappointment from the WMRA that on Wednesday 27 September the IAAF announced that Petro Mamu (ERI) tested positive at the doping control in Premana after both the World Mountain Running Championships and the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships. (IAAF Doping sanctions info No. 186)

Mamu has received a nine-month ban starting on 19 September 2017 after admitting to the findings and co-operating with the IAAF (reduced from 2 years). All results of his following 30 July 2017 shall be cancelled. The substance being a medication normally used to assist with Asthma.

It is the feeling of the WMRA, that while we appreciate Mamu’s cooperation regarding this case, the sentence does not act as enough of a deterrent. As the ban now stands, Mamu will be eligible to compete at the World Championships and World Cup in 2018.

The medalists from the World Long Distance Championships are now confirmed as:

Francesco PUPPI (ITA) – WORLD CHAMPION and GOLD MEDALIST

Pascal EGLI (SUI) – SILVER

Tayte POLLMANN (USA) – BRONZE

The WMRA congratulates these athletes on their performance and a new medal ceremony will be prepared for the World Long Distance Championships in Poland next June should these runners be able to attend.

Results for both of the World Championships from Premana will be updated. The World Cup standings will also be updated to exclude Mamu from the results and an updated ranking list will be published.

Jonathan Wyatt and WMRA Council

Bavarian Mountains Provide a Challenging Course: Toninelli and Mayr Victorious at the Hochfelln Berglauf

Written by Tomo Sarf on 25/09/2017. Posted in Latest News.

The sixth race in the seven-race WMRA Mountain Running World Cup took place on Sunday, September 24, in the Bavarian mountains of Southern Germany where the Hochfelln Berglauf hosted its 44^th edition. The competition didn’t disappoint at this historic race, nor did the excellent cakes at the finish area!

It was hard a fought win in the men’s race for Antonio Toninelli (Italy) who proved once again that focus and specific training for a key objective brings the best result. He had set the Hochfelln Berglauf as one of his major targets for 2017, and he took the title, comfortable in the end, with 45 seconds over local mountain runner and ski mountaineering athlete Anton Palzer from Germany. Alex Baldacini (Italy) took the bronze medal and was a further 45 seconds back.

The race unfolded with a large group of 10 runners accelerating strongly up the first climb led by Eritreans Filmon Abraham and Yossief Tekle. A second group of eight was in pursuit, a group which included eventual women’s winner Austrian Andrea Mayr, who immediately took a clear advantage from the start. Toninelli applied consistent pressure up through the forest and eventually the field strung out behind him in single file. The Italian never weakened and ran through for a great time of 42min 58s on this 8.9km 1074m+ course.

It was very exciting to see nine different countries represented in the top 16 positions and there was an excellent crowd cheering everyone on the track that zig zags up the steep mountain face. Spectators could see most of the last half of the 9km track and watch the race unfold.

Mayr made a bold attempt to break her own race record coming up short by a mere four seconds timed in 47min 32s. Sarah Kistner and Michelle Mayr took the second and third places for Germany separated by about 30 seconds with a gap back to Pavla Schorna Matyasova in fourth.

World Cup standings for the women still sees Alice Gaggi (Italy) on the top going into the final race in the series to be held on Smarna Gora in Slovenia on October 7. Mayr closed the gap, but is still 50 points behind with her win at Bergen, and Pavla, after finishing fourth in Bergen, is in a secure third position. All three are on the start list for the final World Cup race in two weeks’ time. The men’s World Cup rankings will update later this week.

The local organisers put on a great event in Bergen and it is well worth having a holiday in the Bavarian mountains to enjoy over a weekend. Runners travelled from as far away as Norway to join the race to experience a beautiful course and a true mountain challenge. The hospitality that Bibi Anfang, who created the race 44 years ago, Jurgen Schmid and the LOC team makes the Hochfelln Berglauf one of the must-do off-road running events.

We look forward to the action at the finals on the Smarna Gora (Slovenia), where, for the first time, men’s and women’s prize money in the World Cup will be equal. This is an exciting and fast course looping around the Smarna Gora Mountain finishing alongside a medieval castle. It will be another exciting Mountain Race to enjoy.

Full results: Here

Story by Jonathan Wyatt; Photos by Weitz / SC Bergen Hochfelnberglauf

Mixed terrain in Canada results in fast times at NACAC Mountain Running Championships

Written by Tomo Sarf on 25/09/2017. Posted in Latest News.

In previewing the course for this year’s 14^th NACAC Mountain Running Championships, it was clear the times would be fast. With a start and finish in downtown Golden, BC, Canada, five kilometers of the 10.5K course was on pavement, or crushed limestone pathways. Throwing in sections of grass and a 5-kilometer loop on rolling and single track, the elevation gain was less than 400 meters.

On race day, Sunday, September 24, teams from Mexico, USA, and host country Canada, battled for podium honors. The course did not disappoint and coupled with temperatures in the 40s under cloudy skies, the conditions were excellent for producing record times on the route.

“The course was good,” said men’s champion Juan Carlos Caiera Casas (MEX) timed in 35:18. “It was not a like a typical mountain race, it was very fast.”

A group of five men including Casas, three Americans and a Canadian, took the race out and jockeyed for position through the streets of Golden. With 1.5 kilometers to go, Casas took the lead with Americans Mike Popejoy and Josh Eberly in pursuit just 10 meters back.

“We were trying to close, but Juan was very strong,” said Popejoy who finished just three seconds behind Casas in 35:21. Just three seconds later, Eberly crossed the line.

“I’m very happy to defend my title,” said Casas, who hopes to return in 2018 and earn a third consecutive NACAC title.

On the women’s side, there was intense competition up front with defending NACAC Champion Megan Roche (USA), leading for much of the race, while eventual winner Susana Bautista Villegas (MEX) waited patiently until taking the lead with four kilometers to go. “She went by me on the downhill like I was standing still,” said Roche.

In only her second NACAC event, the 25-year-old Villegas, bettered her finish from 2014 when she finished fifth. “I’m happy with the win,” said Villegas, who trains in the near her home in Aporo, Michoacan elevation 2000 meters. “I knew I would be a strong descender. I was alone from about four kilometers to the finish.” Her favorite part was the section of single track in the woods.

Villegas posted a time of 40:50 to Roche’s 41:39. Rounding out the top three was Colleen Wilson (CAN) who finished in 42:41.

Scoring the top two women Canada won gold, followed by USA’s squad for silver, and Mexico finishing in bronze position. On the men’s side, it was three to score with USA finishing atop the podium, followed by Mexico for silver, and Canada for bronze.

Prize money was awarded to the top three men and women with first earning $200, second $150, and third $100 (Canadian dollars).

Complete results from the Golden Ultra, host of the competition, HERE.

Article by Nancy Hobbs (WMRA Treasurer), with photos by Richard Bolt (USA Team leader).

Canada to host NACAC Mountain Running Championships

Written by Tomo Sarf on 23/09/2017. Posted in Latest News.

On Sunday, September 24, three nations will toe the line in Golden, BC, Canada for the 14th annual North American, Central American Caribbean (NACAC) Mountain Running Championships.

“Golden is both excited and honored to be hosting this championship. This year there are more than 500 runners coming to town for the three-day mountain running festival and the NACAC will be the highlight event on the final day of festivities,” said Golden Ultra race director Magi Scallion.

Hosted for the first time in Golden, and held in conjunction with the Golden Ultra, championship runners will compete on a hilly, yet fast 10.5K course with a start and finish downtown. There are sections of pavement, crushed limestone, and single track terrain on the keyhole-style route, which has 387 meters of ascent and descent.

Champions from last year’s NACAC event, Juan Carlos Carera Casas (MEX) and Megan Roche (USA), are back to defend their titles. They will face a competitive field led by a strong team from the host nation. Team USA and Team Mexico also have depth on their squads and it will be a battle for the top spot on the podium. Team Rosters can be viewed HERE.

Delegations are led by Adrian Lambert (CAN), Miguel Angel Lopez Navarro (MEX), and Richard Bolt (USA).

The NACAC Mountain Running Championships rotate between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This is the fifth time for Canada to host, having been the venue for the Championships in 2007 (Canmore, Alberta), 2010 (Canmore, Alberta), 2012 (West Vancouver, BC) and 2015 (West Vancouver, BC).

Article and photos by WMRA Treasuer Nancy Hobbs who is on site in Canada for the championships.

World Cup Racing Resumes Sunday with the Sixth Event in the Series

Written by Tomo Sarf on 21/09/2017. Posted in Latest News.

On Sunday 24 September, the 44^th edition of the Hochfellnberglauf takes place in the Bergen/Chiemgau region of Germany. It is the penultimate round of the World Cup of Mountain Running and every year the race welcomes a strong group of Mountain Running talent and this year is no exception with World Cup points on the line.

Top action in the race is sure to come from Italians Francesco Puppi, who hopes to post a top-10 finish on the mountain, and fellow countryman Antonio Toninelli, a perennial favorite in this race shooting for yet another podium finish. On the women’s side, Austrian Andrea Mayr is always tough to beat, but has only a few starts on the World Cup series, so it will be more difficult to follow her World Cup victory in 2016 with another this year.

Bergen will of course attract strong local German mountain runners including Michelle Maier. With top international results in 2016 and 2017, Maier will vie with Mayr for the top spot on the podium. Other contenders include Toni Palzer and Jonas Lehmann, both with top results in 2016 and 2017, hoping to achieve a top-10 finish.

Former race winner and course record-holder Jonathan Wyatt will be back again to race as well as support the event in his new role as the President of the World Mountain Running Association. His wife, Antonella Confortola, also a former winner and Olympic cross country skier will also compete.

The race always includes former and current World and/or European Champions and is a great chance for every runner to join one of the most iconic and scenic mountain courses held at the foot of the Bavarian alps offering superb views over the surrounding mountains and countryside. With easy travel connections to and from Salzburg airport it is also an accessible mountain race for all.

A big incentive at the finish line awaits – the best cakes made by locals. Enjoy these treats once the 8.9km course boasting 1074 meters of ascending is completed. Plenty motivation to put this race on every mountain runner’s list as one of the most beautiful trails to run!

Photos and story courtesty of the LOC.

Rainy conditions greet runners at Jungfrau Marathon

Written by Tomo Sarf on 13/09/2017. Posted in Latest News.

The 25th Jungfrau Marathon was held on September 9. Interlaken, Switzerland, is the venue for this well-known mountain race, which lies in the Bernese Oberland region. The promotion logo of the race refers to, “the World’s most beautiful Marathon course,” which might be true.

However this year the runners had no chance to enjoy beautiful views to the surrounding mountains Jungfrau, Eiger and Monch as all the peaks were covered in rainy clouds. But there is no doubt that the Jungfrau Marathon is one of the best organized mountain races in Europe, comparable to the top road marathons. Global organization including all competition and logistic aspects is perfect – every aspect runs like clockwork and side events like the children races and “one-mile run” make the event atmosphere even more interesting for the runners and spectators. This year organizers introduced “VIP relay” with Suisse top sportsmen. This inclusion in the race program was also well accepted.

When looking at “bucket list” events, runners should include Jungfrau Marathon on this list. Jungfrau Marathon already hosted the World Long Distance Championships in 2007 and 2012 when they celebrated 15 and 20 anniversaries.

This year the top field was not so strong, but still more than comparable to any other year and any other race. In the men’s race Columbian Cardona Jose was the strongest on the steep upper sections of the 42km-long course, which included 1600 meters of elevation gain. The fastest woman on the day was Suisse runner Mathys Maude who set a new course record. Read more HERE

Story: Tomo Sarf, Secretary, WMRA

Photos: swiss-image.ch

Fifteen Countries represented on the podium at World Masters

Written by Tomo Sarf on 02/09/2017. Posted in Latest News.

At today’s 17^th WMRA/WMA Masters Mountain Running Championships in Pruske, Slovak Republic, 12 different national anthems were played during the awards ceremony. The most played was that of Italy totaling 10 times, followed by Great Britain, Slovakia, and Germany four times each.

Leading the medal count on the men’s individual side was Italy with six followed by Great Britain/Northern Ireland with four. Men’s team competition saw the host country garnering the most medals with seven followed by GBR/NIR with 5.

For the women, it was Italy again leading the medal count in the women’s individual category with 8, followed by GBR/NIR, Germany, Czech Republic, and Slovak Republic with 3 each. The women’s teams were led on the podium by Czech Republic with 8, followed by the host country with 5.

As expected, the category of 35 posted the fastest time over the 9.6-kilometer course with the women led by Silvia Schwaiger (SVK) in 44:10 and the men led by Zachary Freudenburg (NED) in 38:42.

Races began at 11:00 in the morning with the start line adjacent to the town’s church steeple on a large brick pathway. The next section of approximately 1 kilometer was on pavement through the village. The course then turned up a gravel pathway with the first steady climb.

IMGP7889 Large edited Over the 600 meters of climbing, the terrain included forested path, meadows – complete with stunning views of the valley below – and single track trail. The weatherconditions, along with the terrain, made for a relatively fast course for the competitors. In the days leading up to the competition, temperatures were in the 80s (F) and, after a rainy Friday evening, cooler temperatures prevailed and runners enjoyed a cool and overcast morning with temperatures in the 60s.

Following the awards ceremony, the flag of the WMRA was passed from Jan Bakyta, Slovakia’s mountain running team leader for more than ten years and the director of the Local Organizing Committee, to representatives of the next World Masters Mountain Running Championships which will be held in June 2018 in Železniki/Slovenia. On behalf of IMGP7952 Large the LOC, Mr. Mohoric promised a tough, challenging course and traditional Slovenian hospitality.

Among the delegations was an enthusiastic team of athletes and volunteers from the 2019 host of the masters championships which will be held in Gagliano del Capo, Italy, in September.

Brochures from both the 2018 and 2019 event were eagerly accepted by the more than 500 runners in Slovakia proving that masters mountain running is a growing division within our sport.

Complete results from today’s competition can be found HERE.

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION

Author: Tomo Sarf