Author: wmra_wp

“The 2. stage of the 2011 WMRA Grand Prix resulted in two new senior champions for 2011. Thursday 2nd June was a national holiday in France and at Willer sur Thur, a field of 500 started in this 31st running of the Grand Ballon uphill event (1200m of ascent).
It was a seasoned international field that were
chasing the podium positions with many elite runners from European countries.
Pre race favourite David Schneider (SUI) was the emphatic winner in 1.00:55 minutes ahead of French favourites, Gorge Bourrier(1.01:42) and defending champion Julien Rancon (1.02:18).
The women’s race was won by Bernadette Meier-Brandle (SUI) in 48:53 whilst the runner up was Adelaide Pantheon (FRA: 3. junior women at the last World Mountain Running Championships 2010) in 50:54. The winner’s team-mate Angela Haldimann-Riedo (SUI) took third place (51:29).

”
“

In the men race where the participation of Ahmet Arslan was waited but the turkich runner was sick and don’t come in France. The French runners Rancon, Jandari and above all Georges Burrier give to the race a very high intensity in the first kilometers. Zeiler (Germany), Meyssat (France), Gutierez (USA), Orlando Edwards and Adam Osborne (Great Britain) can’t follow the rythm.
At the passage in Goldbach after the fourth kilometers, Georges Burrier was alone at the head of the race, Schneider and Rancon, one hundred meters behind. At the col du Haag, the Swiss runner join Burrier and attack in the last part of the race. At the passage on the top of the Grand-Ballon he has a good advance on Burrier and Rancon (winner last year here). A wonderful success for David Schneider who also win last week the Gamperney Berglauf in Grabs (Switzerland).
As it was also the French trials for the European Uphill Mountain running championships, being held in July, France dominated the top positions in the main event, with runners from Belgium, England, USA and Germany only playing supporting roles on this occasion.

The current joint leaders in the men’s Grand Prix are David Schneider and Martin Dematteis (ITA).
Leeds based Emma Clayton (GBR), now leads the Women’s WMRA Grand Prix, having featured in both of the opening events. She finished 2nd and 5th in the Italian and French events respectively.
No doubt this may change again at the next round of the WMRA Grand Prix in Kamnik at the 13th International Grintovec Mountain Running Race on 24th July.

Wolfgang Munzel, WMRA Council member, was present like WMRA delegate.

News by Bashir Hussain and LOC

Photo in front page by LOC: magazin of the race.
Photo in second page:
winner men by Vincent Chapin (LOC),
winner women by Vincent Chapin (LOC)&nbsp,

“

“The Second race of the WMRA Grand Prix takes place on Thursday 2nd June 2011 at the Grand-Ballon Uphill Mountain race in Willer Sur Thur, France, near the German border.

500 runners will line up to climb the top of the Vosges.
There will be national teams from France, Switzerland and Belgium and these federations have chosen Grand-Ballon for their selection race for the next European Championship in Turkey in July 2011.
The best French Mountain runners will be vying to be crowned with a top podium finish.

”
“Last year’s overall winners, Julien Rancon (61:26) and Marie-Laure Dumergues (48.52), came from France and&nbsp, will be fully intent on winning again.
Some of the best runners of the world mountain running circuit will also to the start line with winning on their mind. Top runners in the men’s event include David Schneider (Switzerland) and Timo Zeiler (Germany). In the women’s event Martina Strahl (Switzerland), who holds the course record (46:42) and Emma Clayton (Great Britain) are expected to be vying for the top podium placings. Emma Clayton is well placed to top the GP rankings with a good performance to add to her 2nd position at the opening GP race in Italy.
The mostly uphill Grand-Ballon event should test the athletes in their ascending ability with more than 1200m over the 13.2km course for men. Jonathan Wyatt (New Zealand) established the existing course record (58:19) in 2004, while Martina Strahl (Switzerland) raced to 46:42 in 2008 over the 8.5km course that climbs 832m.
The 31st Grand Ballon event is the perfect preparation for the elite mountain runners of Europe, just one month prior to the next European Mountain Running Championship Race in Bursa (Turkey).
This race will no doubt be a major highlight for mountain running fans and particularly for those who qualify for their national team.

News by LOC and Bashir Hussain&nbsp,

Photos by LOC.
In front page:&nbsp,Julien Rancon, winner Grand Ballon 2010&nbsp,
On second page: Marie-Laure Dumergues, winner Grand Ballon 2010

“

“265 men and 96 women run the first Grand Prix race in Arco di Trento (Italy).

This competition was a relay races but for the WMRA Grand Prix 2011 an individual list was settled at the end of the race.
In the men individual Grand Prix result the best time was run by Martin Dematteis in 27.58.
Second was his twin, Bernard Dematteis, in 28.25 and third &nbsp,was Eritrean Ogubit Gebrengus in 28.40. Following fourth Gabriele Abate in 28.55 and fifth again Eritrean Debessay Tessige in 29.03.
In the women individual Grand Prix result the winner was Slovenian Lucija Krkoc in 23.27 (best female time ever run in the race), whilst second finished English runner Emma Clayton in 24.06 and third arrived the better Italian runner Alice Gaggi in 24.18.

”
“Eritrean relay formed by Debessay Tessige, Petro Mamu and Weldemarian A. Teklay won the race (in the photo arrival of Weldemarian A. Teklay, third member of the winner Eritrean Team and Vice World Champion in Kanmik 2010) dominating the relay in 1hour 27 minutes and 46 seconds.
Second in the relay race was Italian team club Podistica Valle Varaita formed by Martin Dematteis, Manuel Solavaggione e Bernard Dematteis in 1:29.22 and&nbsp, third again one other Eritrean team composed Ogubit Gebrengus, Mguse Tesfaldef and Adhanom Abraha with &nbsp,in 1:29.49: see photo of the men podium.
In the women competition on the podium three Italian club: first was Runner Team 99 SBV (with Valentina Belotti and Valeria Straneo) with time 49.11, second G. S. Forestale (with Maria Grazia Roberti and Antonella Confortola)&nbsp, in 49.25 and third Calcestruzzi Corradini Excelsior (with Gloria Marconi ed Ivana Iozzia) in 49.53: it was a very exciting race in the women category with the gap between first three team very short: see photo of the women podium.
A lot of spectators attended to the event. Local TV coverage also was guaranteed.
Also some FIDAL Officials were present at the event, together two WMRA Council members, Raimondo Balicco and Tomo Sarf.
WMRA Council will do an evaluation about this news experience, that is a relay race in the WMRA Grand Prix, in the next future.

new by Bruno Gozzelino

photos by Piergiogio Chiampo

“

“On next 22. May, with the first stage of the WMRA Grand Prix 2011 in Arco di Trento (Italy) began the international high level activity of the mountain running under the patronage of the WMRA.
The Italian race is the debut on the world calendar and is also a novelty because a relay race – for the first time – is inserted into the WMRA Grand Prix circuit: of course, will be a classification based on the individual time achieved by each competitor in his own leg of the relay.
Like all the Grand Prix races this competition has status of &quot,IAAF Mountain Running Permit&quot,.
Eight countries have athletes entered the competition, namely Slovenia, Eritrea, Spain, Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, Czech Republic and of course Italy. ”
In addition to all the best Italian specialists of the discipline is worth noting the presence of Mitja Kosovelj, World Junior men Champion 2003, and his sister, Mateja (three times on the podium of the World Mounytain Running Championships and one time European Championship medallist).

Other runners well known in World or European Championships like Czech, Iva Milesova, or English, Emma Clayton, or German Fabian Alraun.

Important the presence of qualified athletes Eritreans at the start.

About 400 athletes entered the race of which a hundred women.

FIDAL Officials and some WMRA Council member will attend the race: among them,&nbsp,for sample, Raimondo Balicco.

News by Bruno Gozzelino

Photo by Emanuelli

“The IAAF has informed WMRA that the Italian athlete, Elisa DESCO, has been suspended for two years after a positive sample taken at the end of the 25. WMRA World Mountain Running Championship 2009 in Campodolcino (Italy), where this athlete finished first of the women senior race and Italy won the team title in senior women category.
Following this decision, the result of this competition must be amended and the new World Champion in senior women&nbsp, is now the Italian runner Valentina BELOTTI, instead the team title is won by the team of Great Britain, and Italy move to second place on the result. ”
“

In fact, the results of this competition had to be amended – as IAAF competition rules 2010-2011 – and the new rankings are now:
Senior women – Individual
1. Valentino BELOTTI&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp, ITA&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp, &nbsp,44.03
2. Maria Grazia ROBERTI&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,ITA&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp, &nbsp,44.23
3. Sarah TUNSTALL&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,GBR&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp, 44.48
Senior women – Team
1.&nbsp, Great Britain &nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp, GBR&nbsp, &nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp, 19 pts
2.&nbsp, Italy&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp, ITA&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,24 pts
3.&nbsp, United States of America&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,USA&nbsp, &nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp,&nbsp, 35 pts
New World Champions 2009 of the Great Britain team are Sarah TUNSTALL, Katie INGRAM, KATE GOODHEAD and Mary WILKINSON, instead Italian runners silver medallists&nbsp,as team are Valentina BELOTTI, Maria Grazia ROBERTI and Cristina SCOLARI.
Of course the result of the other senior&nbsp,women teams will be updated regarding point (three points less per each team) but no any change there is in their position.
WMRA has already requested to FIDAL and to UK Athletics the cooperation in other to arrange the handing over of the medals to new winners.

News by Bruno Gozzelino
Phots by Giuseppe Buriasco:
on front page: Valentina Belotti on the podium, then from left Franco Arese (FIDAL President), Bruno Gozzelino (WMRA President) and Raimondo Balicco (WMRA Council member and C.T. Italy),
on second page: the Great Britain women senior Team, new World Champion 2009.

“

“From Wednesday, 20. April, until Friday 22. April 2011, WMRA Delegates Bruno Gozzelino and Raimondo Balicco visited Tirana, with Gjergji Ruli, President of the Federation Athletics Albania (AAF – Federated Shqiptare and Atletikes), and the assistance of Nikolin Dionisi, AAF General Secretary for finalising most important aspects of the next 27. World Mountain Running Championships 2011, that will be held on next 11. September 2011.
After that most part of the budget was ensured thanking the intervent of prof. Sali Berisha, Albanian Prime Minister, the LOC of the event was officially created and many of the LOC’s members (like for sample, G&euml,zim Panariti, Director of Finance, or Granit Sk&euml,nderi, Technical Director of races), were present during these days.
Balicco, WMRA Technical Delegate, didn’t accepted the first proposal for the Championships track, running in the National Park starting and finishing in the main Stadium of Tirana. ”
“Agreed with LOC, a new track was signed on the hills around Tirana: the start of the races will be at the National Botanic Park of the Albanian capital and a lap about 4 km. will be realised on the hills around: the top of the race will be about 320 meters where it will be possible to look a beautiful landscape of Tirana (see photo).
The track – now – is available like a mountain race, respecting technical parameters of the WMRA regulations.
Logo of the event (imagine in front page) was also showed to the media: national television ensured a great coverage of the event on live. All the teams will be hosted in hotel (on the beach!) in the town of Durres, venue where also the 28. WMRA Congress and the Technical Meeting will be held.
LOC will offer also the possibility for having more touristic opportunity in case the members of the teams will be interested in this proposal, before or after the Championships.
Opening and Closing ceremony, with award prize ceremony, will be held inside the VIP hall at the Congress Palace in Tirana. During the Opening ceremony the teams will walk their parade along &quot,D&euml,shmor&euml,t e Kombit&quot, Boulevard, one of the most important road in Tirana.
Team Manual will be ready soon and invitation to the National Athletics Federation will be circulate by IAAF Office – as usual – on next time.
During the visit Gozzelino and Balicco met many other person like Agim Fagu, President of Albanian National Olympic Committee, or Leka Anwar Zog, Princess of Albania (see photo).
Just a few day before (17. – 19. April 2011) WMRA President, Bruno Gozzelino, was present at an important meeting in London with IAAF General Secretary Pierre Weiss. The persons who attended at the meeting were prof. dr. Christoph Vebber, CAS member, dr. Huw Roberts, Legal Counsel of IAAF, Dirk Strumane IAU President and Hilary Walker, IAU Secretary, and of course Bruno Gozzelino, WMRA President.
During full morning of Monday were discussed many arguments regarding Arbitration and Headquarters for WMRA and IAU. As always, a great thanking must be sent to IAAF for its strong support also on these matters. Necessary changes of WMRA Constitution will be proposed by WMRA Council on time for the next WMRA Congress.
Gozzelino during his stay in London had some other meetings: for sample with Norman Wilson regarding next 2. Mountain Running Commonwealth Championships. Besides Gozzelino met some European Officials: just on Saturday 16. April in London EA held its Congress for the election of EA Council 2011-2015, with the confirm of Hans Jorg Wirz as EA President for next four years.
WMRA is still waiting a concrete application form for the organisation of the 28. World Mountain Running Championships 2012: WMRA hopes that in the next time some National Athletics Federations will declare their interest for organising this is the most important race every year in mountain running.
In the 2012 Calendar WMRA has already staged the 12. WMRA/WMA Master World Mountain Running Championships in the venue of Buhlertal (Germany) on 19. May 2012 and the 9. WMRA Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge at Interlaken (Switzerland) on 8. – 9. September 2012, instead WMRA is still waiting an official bid for the 7. WMRA International Youth Cup (competition&nbsp, for 16 – 17 years old).
In the next time will start the WMRA Grand Prix 2011 with a race in Italy, new entry in the WMRA international circuit: WMRA is waiting to looking if this new technical proposal will be well accepted by athletes and persons who loves really mountain running, beautiful discipline of athletics.

News and photos by Bruno Gozzelino, WMRA President&nbsp, “

“Important WMRA Council meeting was held – as usual annually – at the middle of January 2011 in Monte Carlo.

Bruno Gozzelino (President), Nancy Hobbs (Treasurer), Raimondo Balicco (Director of Competition), Erhan Basoglu (Director of Marketing), Wolfgang Munzel (Director of Organisation),&nbsp, Galia Puhaleva (Council Member), Tomo Sarf (Director of Development), Norma Hughes (In Emeritus), Pierre Weiss (IAAF General Secretary), Otto Klappert (Chairman IAAF Cross Country Committee) and Carlos Cardoso (Member of IAAF Cross Country Committee) were present (photo in Montecarlo).&nbsp,

Many important decisions were taken during the meeting.

”
“Next 27^th WMRA 2011 World Championships&nbsp, on 11^th September 2011 will be held in Tirana (Albania) thanking a great enforce by FSHA with his President G&igrave,jergj Ruli and all staff in FSHA, but also thanking great financial support by Albania Government. WMRA will guarantee that the standard of the event be available for a world event and the track will respect WMRA technical parameters. WMRA Council hope that there will be record of participation with new Federations present. For the 28^th WMRA 2012 World Championships there are no applications at the moment.&nbsp,
WMRA – unanimously – decided to staged the 13^th WMRA Grand Prix 2011.
13^th WMRA Grand Prix 2011 will be formed by six international mountain races: on 22^nd May the 2^nd International race relay in Arco di Trento (ITA), on 2^nd June the 31^st La Mont&eacute,e du Grand Ballon in Willer sur Thur/Goldbach (FRA), on 24^th July the 13^th Grintovec international Mountain race in Kamnik (SLO), on 31^st July the 3^rd Mayrhofen Harakiri Run in Mayrhofen (AUT), on 11^th September the 27^th WMRA World Mountain Running Championships in Tirana (ALB) and on 1^st October the 32^nd Smarna Gora International mountain race in Ljubljana (SLO).
Five races scheduled in this 13^th WMRA Grand Prix will obtain the status of &quot,IAAF Mountain Running Permit&quot,, whilst 27^th WMRA World Mountain Running Championships will be held &quot,under IAAF Patronage&quot,: WMRA wishes thank IAAF for this important status. Financial contribution in favour of WMRA requested to the LOC will be really very small, because the final amount for final money prize will be paid by WMRA. Of course anti-doping control – like in the past years – will be on charge of LOC.
All other regulations of 13^th WMRA Grand Prix 2011 are printed in the WMRA webpage. WMRA Delegates for 13^th WMRA Grand Prix 2011 were confirmed: Wolfgang Munzel and Tomo Sarf.
Basoglu (Marketing Director) is working for finding new sponsor whilst Innov 8 confirmed also for next three year their cooperation with WMRA. Since now WMRA Council decided that on next year, the final race of the Grand Prix 2012 will be held in Bursa, Turkey.

The WMRA Council renamed the most important international race for Youth: the new title &quot,International Youth Cup&quot, would be used in 2012 (&quot,Cup&quot, instead of &quot,Challenge&quot,).

Starting on 2011, WMRA will pay 200euros support for travel to each Federations present, but Federations must pay before this race the annual fee as WMRA membership (travel support to be paid out at the event by WMRA delegate).

The 6^th WMRA International Youth Challenge 2011 will be held Gorenia vas, SLO) 25^th June. For 7^th WMRA International Youth Cup 2012 Russia would like to bid for this event in the town of Udmurtia, Debes.&nbsp, They are inviting teams for a race this year on 13^th August 2011. It will be a mixed relay race. Then had been no official applications but Germany expressed an interest for either 2012 or 2013.

The 8^th WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge 2011 will be run in Podbrdo (Slovenia) on 18^th June, instead the 9^th WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge 2012 will be run on Jungfrau race (Switzerland) probably on 8^th September, (date must be linked &nbsp,with the date of World Championships).&nbsp, This year the race will be in a new venue and WMRA believe that it will be a great presence of runners.

The 10^th WMRA/WMA Masters World Mountain Running Championships 2011 will be held in Paluzza (Italy) the village were born and live the Olympic Sky Champion, Manuela and Giorgio Di Centa: Andrea Di Centa, another brother, is the chairman of LOC. Competition will be certainly a great event and the track (up and down) race will offer an interesting chance to all master runners who will come there. For Master W. Ch. 2012 a German bid arrived by the city of Buhlertal whilst for Master W. CH. 2013 pole position for organising this event there is the Czech bid of the city of Jansk&eacute, L&aacute,zn&#283,. There is interest from Telfes (AUT) for 2014.

Finally, WMRA Council had been agreed with WMA that there would be no category from 2011 onwards for age 80+ and that Master 80+ years old are not allowed to run at all. Letter will be sent to LOC MWMRCh. 2011.

Very important are the IAAF Area Championships: NACAC Championships would take place this year in Mexico on 17^th July, the European in Turkey, the CONSUDATLE in Venezuela and the AAC once again in Nigeria. Then 3^rd Mountain Running Balkan Championships this year will take place in Dimitrovgrad (Serbia). The 2^nd Commonwealth Championships in 2011 would take place in Wales, (Great Britain), over the weekend of 23/24 September.

The WMRA Council looked at the present Constitution and agreed unanimously to the changes to propose to the next WMRA Congress.

During next WMRA Congress&nbsp, 2011 there will also the election of five WMRA Council members (four WMRA Directors plus a female in the reserved position). WMRA Council unanimously agreed that – following rule 8.4. of WMRA Constitution – WMRA Council will co-opt WMRA Secretary with a decision that will taken during next WMRA Council meeting on September 2011.

WMRA declared to be in favour in case that EA will propose on next future the European Under 23 Mountain Running Championships. During EA Convention in Belgrade on last 16 October 2010, Philippe Llamblin and Bruno Gozzelino as Chairman and member of EA Mountain Running Commission spoke about Mountain Running: it was a very important moment for our discipline.

Other items were discussed like Eligibility WMRA Council was unanimously agreed that WMRA should follow IAAF Rules regarding eligibility: decision will be proposed to the WMRA World Congress) and that WMRA should think about this label system for future races, especially for Grand Prix races and the Long Distance Challenge.

In the meantime, in February, after the date of WMRA Council meeting, Elisa Desco has been sentenced for a two-year ban by the Italian authorities, she has one month to make an appeal of this decision. WMRA is waiting final decision before to take any kind of decision regarding result of World Mountain Running Championships 2009.

WMRA Council thanked IAAF for all its support for the WMRA activity (and also for the war against doping).

For the future a great work is waiting all WMRA Council members but WMRA Council is confident to find more cooperation by the LOC of the races, specially for the World Mountain Running Championships.

by Bruno Gozzelino (WMRA President)

“

“Morethen 150 top runners coming from seven African Nations honored with theirpresence the Sixth edition of the Obudu International Race 2010.

In a beautiful day, EthiopiansAbebe Dinkesa (in the picture) crossed finish line in 42.21, to win the men&rsquo,s race and become AfricanChampion 2010. He won this race for the second time after his victory on 2008,which he ran in 41.45 which is till today record of the race. Second in therace and silver medalist in the African Championships was Fidaku Awash,Ethiopian too: he was the winner of the race in 2009 and in 2007 (and he wasthird in 2008). The best Kenyan John Sompol Mnangat arrived third, takingbronze medal in the African Championships. All the first three finished under43 minutes.
Very close was the African Team Championships 2010 where Uganda(formed by Geoffrey Kusoro, fourth,Macdonard Ondara, fifth, Martin Torotich and Dickson Huru) won goldmedal with 16 points, ahead of Kenya (silver) and Ethiopia (bronze) both with17 points, divided for the placement by the best third scorer. In fourthposition host Country, Nigeria, in front of Cameroon, fifth. Finished with noncomplete team Egypt (one runner of the team had problem with visa and was notable to start) and Tanzania, Nation which was present for the first time to anInternational Mountain Running event.”
“
In the women race,winner Meselech M. Haileyesus,Ethiopian, (in the picture) fixed the new record of the competition in 48.57, conquering alsoAfrican Champion title. She defeated another Ethiopian, Daska Mamitu, winner ofthe race last year, who arrived second in the race and silver medalist in theAfrican Championships in 49.04, just a few second behind Haileyesus. The racewas completely dominated by Ethiopian runners: six in the first sevenpositions. The better extra-Ethiopian runners, was Mary Xwaymay Naali, Tanzanian,who crossed finish line in sixth place. Ahead Kenyan, Nigerian and Cameroonrunners finished the race.
This is the first time women African MountainRunning Championships was held and probably this was the reason because onlytwo were the full team at the end of the competition: Ethiopia, of course, wongold medal in the team ahead host Country, Nigeria. Kenya (two runner),Cameroon and Tanzania (both one runner) sent incomplete team, but all presentagreed that the female presence will be increase in the future.
Out of Africawas notable the presence of one Israel runner, Haim Malka.

All the Authority attendedto the event starting with the Cross River State&rsquo,s Governor, Senator LiyelImoke, to the WMRA President, Bruno Gozzelino, to the NAF Council member, NavyCaptain Omatseye Nesiama (who represented NAF President) congratulated WilliamArchibong, LOC Chairman, and all his staff for the great success of thisedition of the race. African Athletic Confederation also know very well thiscontinental, another jewel in the African Calendar, and certainly next timemore work will be done in Africa what is mountain running, like discipline ofathletics, fully integrated in this wonderful sport, thanking – for thissituation – IAAF.
William Archibong received applause for his great work notonly this year, but for all he did in the last six years, starting on 2005 whenwith the WMRA past President, Danny Hughes (passed away on February 2009),started in the organisation of this race.&nbsp,

During final speech Cross River State&rsquo,s Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke,announced his interest to host in 2014, the 29. WMRA World MountainRunning Championships, in Obudu, supported in this project by the entireSponsor present, all enthusiastic for the performances of the athletes.
NavyCaptain Omatseye Nesiama, representing AFN, took note of this declaration,showing appreciation for this opportunity.
Bruno Gozzelino, WMRA President, underlinedthat this possibility could be a fantastic success for mountain running, duethe fact that &ndash, probably – the strongest runners in the world are the Africanathletes: so the organisation in Africa of a WMRA World Mountain RunningChampionships could be a great show for the discipline. Of course, WMRAPresident underlined that many organizational aspects must be improved and time(four years) in advance seems long, but it is really very short. So finally &ldquo,goodluck Nigeria, Cross River State and Obudu for this project&rdquo, were the last wordsof Bruno Gozzelino, WMRA President.

&nbsp,

By LOC

&nbsp,

Photos by LOC:
1 – Dinkesa,
2 – Haileyesus,
3 – women podium,
4 – men podium.

“

“The dates for the 2010 Edition of the Obudu Mountain Race have been confirmed.&nbsp,
The race which will comprise the 6^th edition of the individual race and the 2^nd edition of the African Nations Mountain Running Championship will hold on Saturday, November 27^th 2010 at the prestigious Obudu Mountain Resort. The race this year will witness the addition of the women’s version of the African Nation’s Mountain Running Championship, that is the first edition of the Championships.&nbsp,
A total of 207 athletes have therefore been confirmed for this year’s event, out of which 131 are Nigerians, and 76 are foreign, comprising of Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Colombia, Austria, Israel, Egypt, and Cameroun.
Six (6) African countries will be fielding teams for the African Championship and these will include Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Cameroun and Egypt. ”
“Registration for the race closed in October and the Local Organizing Committee, headed by Sir William Archibong, has worked tirelessly to screen the over 2.000 entries to a manageable number.
The key entries for this year include the defending Champion and course record holder, Habtamu Fikadu Awash of Ethiopia, the Women’s defending Champion and record holder Mamitu Daska, her compatriot Mesellech Melkamu Hileyesus and 2008 Champion, and Andrea Mayr of Austria (three times World Champion: 2006, 2008 and this year 2010).
Acclaimed as the highest paying Mountain Race in the world, with Star prize of $50.000,00, the race has witnessed tremendous growth and improvement since its inception six years ago, culminating in the addition of an African Nations Mountain Running Championship.&nbsp, The first edition of the Championship which held last year saw the Ethiopian team clinching the 1^st position, followed by Uganda National team and Nigeria National team in 3^rd position. The 5^th edition of the individual race (Men) was won by Ethiopian Habtamu Fikadu Awash in a record time of 42:03 minutes, while the women’s version was won by Mamitu Daska beating her compatriots Mestawet Tufa and Meselech Melkamu Hileyesus to 2^nd and 3^rd respectively.
The Obudu Mountain Race, individual race/African Nations Championship covers a distance of 11 kilometres up hill, to an altitude of 1,575 metres above sea level, taking you to one of the finest tourist destinations in the world, the Obudu Mountain Resort, in the Cross River State.&nbsp,
The Governor of Cross River State, Liyel Imoke, is one of most important supporter of this event and his presence (with his wife, Mrs. Obioma Liyel Imoke) to the race is always very important like signal of his attention to this kind of sport.
WMRA President, Bruno Gozzelino, will attend to the competition this year for the second time (also last year he was present) and he thanked LOC, Nigeria Athletic Federation, Confederation Africaine d’Athletisme, Cross River State and all the sponsor for the organization of the event and for all the participation to the African Championships.

By Patrick Ugbe

Photos by LOC:
– Prize ceremony,
– Governor Liyel Imoke

“

“Very international edition for the 53. Trofeo Vanoni, the international mountain running relay race, held in Morbegno on Sunday 24. October and totally more then 700 runners in the three events: the Minivanoni junior race, the Vanoni ladies race and the main Trofeo Vanoni men relay race.

Wonderful race for the winner French team in the 53. Trofeo Vanoni relay race (7 km for each runner with a difference in level of 500 meters).

France is the second foreign team winning the Italian race, after Great Britain in 2005.

”
“Julien Rancon, Didier Zago and Emmanuel Meyssat after a perfect race win with the time of 1h30’30&quot,, second place for a good Atletica Valli Bergamasche (Regazzoni, Lanfranchi, Zanaboni) and third place for La Recastello Radici Group (Bosio, Costa, Ruga). Into the top five also Poland Team (Wosik, Szczesniewski, Swierc) and Great Britain (Baker, Holmes, Simpson).

Best team, the third in overall edition, for Julien Rancon, a superb 29’12&quot, on a wet path, second the other French runner Emmanuel Meyssat (30’28&quot,) and third the Italian Rolando Piana (30’37&quot,).

Winner of the International Criterium under 23 two British runners: Robbie Simpson and Catriona Buchanan.

In the Vanoni ladies race the Poland runner Mariola Sojda wins with the time of 23’13&quot,, second place for Philippa Jackson (Great Britain – 23’22&quot,) and third place for Cristina Scolari (Atletica Vallecamonica – 23’23&quot,).

Raimondo Balicco was present for WMRA Council, together some Officials of FIDAL.

Photos and results on the web: www.sportdimontagna.com, www.pizzoscalino.it, www.gscsimorbegno.org.

Mauro Rossini by LOC

Photos by LOC

Podium Relay Team

Emmanuel Meyssat at the finish

Mariola Sojda winner of the women race

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