Tag: Broken Arrow

WINS FOR MUTHONI NJURU AND KIPNGENO AT SEASON OPENING BROKEN ARROW VK

Written by Hector Rubio on 21/06/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

The 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup started with a bang today (June 21) at Broken Arrow in Palisades Tahoe, California. In a double header weekend the first gold label short uphill race, the Broken Arrow VK, kicked off proceedings. And we still have the first gold label long mountain race to look forward to on Sunday in the 23k Broken Arrow Skyrace.

Palisades Tahoe, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, is renowned for its stunning scenery, big peaks (including the prominent 2,700 metre Washeshu Peak) and diverse terrain, making it a perfect location for mountain running. And Broken Arrow stages a unique and special event every year, attracting top elites from around the world, along with many non-elite runners who come to test themselves on the tough courses and experience the exceptional atmosphere of this event. A fitting venue to kick off this year’s competition, our 25^th edition of the World Cup.

Broken Arrow has previously been a highlight of the World Cup in 2019, 2021 and 2023. Last year it was memorably snow-affected but this year the VK runners only had to contend with snow on the top section. The weather was warm in the valley at the start – 18 – 20 degrees Celsius – with perfect blue skies, but windy at the summit finish.

THE VK COURSE

The runners start with a short, sharp uphill section on the ski slope before they hit a more runnable road section where they need to moderate their effort because it’s easy to get carried away, and there’s still a long way to go. This section begins to climb more steeply and then takes them over the summit of KT-22. Again there is some respite here as they run over the saddle and enjoy a flatter, more runnable section. But this doesn’t last – they will soon being the big push up to the summit, starting with a rocky, technical section up to the ridge. They continue on this technical terrain to the ‘stairway to heaven’ ladder, then it’s one last push over the snowy section to the summit.

THE RACE

Both the women’s and men’s fields were absolutely stacked, with many runners from last year’s podiums and some very strong uphill specialists. So it was something of a surprise to see a renowned ultrarunner – Jim Walmsley (HOKA) – hitting the first timing point at the front of the race! Could he possibly hold on for the win in a race many assumed he was using as a final tune-up ahead of Western States next weekend? He was being chased hard by one of the big breakout stars of last year’s World Cup, Christian Allen (Nike Trail), Patrick Kipngeno (Run2gether), two-time uphill World Champion, Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Run2gether), last year’s men’s World Cup winner, and Eli Hemming (Adidas Terrex), last year’s men’s winner of the Skyrace.

Last year’s women’s winner, Anna Gibson (Brooks), was back to defend her title. She was also second in the Skyrace last year and she will be contesting the 1500m in the US Olympic Trials next week, so is a very exciting talent. At the first timing point it was Allie McLaughlin (HOKA), winner of last year’s women’s Skyrace, who led the women’s field, followed by the 2023 women’s World Cup winner Joyce Muthoni Njeru (Atletica Saluzzo), Gibson, last year’s VK runner-up Jade Belzberg (Topo), then Hali Hafeman. McLaughlin said before the race that her dog, Harley, was waiting for her at the summit as a motivator for her to get up there as quickly as possible. It appeared to be an effective strategy.

When the runners started to emerge over the ladder it was Kipngeno who beat Walmsley in the race to the summit, eventually winning in 36.21, with Walmsley a very creditable second in this company, in 37.49. Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau (Brooks), who was third in last year’s Skyrace, came through to complete the men’s podium in 38.03. Allen took fourth and Eli Hemming kept his fifth place.

Then all eyes were on the final climb to see whether McLaughlin had kept her lead in the women’s race. But it was Muthoni Njeru who emerged first, winning in convincing style in 45.39 by almost two minutes. In a very close battle for second and third it was Gibson who emerged victorious in 47.35, with McLaughlin just behind in 47.50. Hafeman moved up a place to take fourth and Jessica Brazeau came through to take fifth.

BROKEN ARROW SKYRACE ON SUNDAY

Now the 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup is up and running, you don’t have long to wait for the next race. On Sunday June 23 it’s our first gold label long mountain race of the competition at the Broken Arrow Skyrace.

Follow all the action on our on Facebook and Instagram.

The 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup Opens at Broken Arrow

Written by Hector Rubio on 18/06/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

The 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup kicks off in style on Friday 21^st June at Broken Arrow in Palisades Tahoe, California. We will launch this year’s competition with the Broken Arrow VK, our first short uphill gold label race, then follow that up swiftly with the 23k Broken Arrow Skyrace, our first long gold label race, on Sunday 23^rd.

It’s a fitting venue to set the standard for this year’s World Cup, the 25^th edition, as it’s an area rich in sporting history. Primarily known as a ski resort, it hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, and in recent years Broken Arrow has grown both in size and reputation and is a hugely prestigious event, attracting elite runners from around the world across its five races. With a base elevation of 1,890 metres and stunning peaks all around, including the prominent 2,700 metre Washeshu Peak, it has the perfect credentials for mountain racing.

Broken Arrow has previously been a highlight of the World Cup in 2019, 2021 and 2023, and every edition gets more and more competitive. And while it takes place in the US, the event very much adheres to strong traditions of European mountain running, with steep terrain, scrambling and huge amounts of vertical gain and loss at altitude.

THE COURSES

First up is our short uphill race, the Broken Arrow VK on Friday 21^st June at 9.30am local time (UTC -7). The race starts on the valley floor and climbs its way up 914m (3,000 feet) over 4.8km (3 miles) to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708m (8885 feet). Despite some changes to the course this year, along the way it still takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading up to the iconic Headwall Ridge and the ‘stairway to heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak. Runners will experience steep rock slabs, snow and scree, which is guaranteed to deliver an exciting race.

On Sunday 23^rd at 8am it’s time for the long mountain race, the Broken Arrow Skyrace. This is a loop which climbs 1,533m over the course of 23km (or 5,033 feet over 14.25 miles). It starts in Palisades Tahoe Village and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of Granite Chief Wilderness and they will experience Emigrant Pass, KT-22 and, like the VK runners, the ‘stairway to heaven’ ladder to Washeshu Peak.

Please note that the courses are liable to slight changes each year depending on snow conditions.

THE FAVOURITES

With registration still open for elites, there could still be changes to the final start lists, but there’s no doubt at all that we’ll see some highly competitive racing. Many of the runners from last year’s podiums are back this year, along with others who could well challenge them.

In the women’s VK last year’s winner, Anna Gibson (Brooks), will be back to defend her title. 2023 runner up, Jade Belzberg (Topo), will also be back, as will Annie Dube and Anna Mae Flynn (Mountain Endurance Team), who finished fourth and fifth respectively last year. But they will face stiff competition in the form of Allie McLaughlin (HOKA), Tabor Hemming (Adidas Terrex) and others.

The men’s VK is also looking incredibly competitive. Darren Thomas (Salomon), second last year, is back, as is last year’s fifth place finisher, Abraham Hernandez Cruz. Joining them will be some big names to watch, including Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Run2gether), Jim Walmsley (HOKA), Eli Hemming (Adidas Terrex) and Christian Allen.

Many of the runners are racing both the VK and the Skyrace, with a day in between to recover. Last year the Skyrace was severely affected by snow but we understand the snowline isn’t as low this year. Memorably Allie McLaughlin battled with Anna Gibson last year, taking the lead and stretching it out to win. McLaughlin is doing the double here, as are Tabor Hemming, who was third last year, and Annie Dube. Janelle Lincks, fourth last year, also returns. Sophia Laukli (Salomon), a breakout star in last year’s World Cup, also looks to be toeing the line and will be one to watch.

In the men’s Skyrace defending champion, Eli Hemming, returns, along with the rest of last year’s podium, Chad Hall and Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau (Brooks). Allen, Kipngeno and Thomas will double up, which should make things interesting. To shake things up even further former world champion Joe Gray (HOKA) is on the start list. Zak Hanna (New Balance), who finished fourth in last year’s VK here, is just taking on the Skyrace this year.

Follow all the action on our on Facebook and Instagram and via Broken Arrow’s Livestream.

THE WMRA AND ITS COMMITMENT TO CLEAN SPORTMANSHIP

Since its inception, the WMRA has adhered to strict anti-doping regulations, complying with World Athletics protocols. The 2024 series will feature WADA-accredited anti-doping measures in every race, continuing the tradition of rigorous testing implemented since 2007.

In 2023 alone, 70 tests were conducted in the 18 races of the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup series, with more than 72 planned for this season and its 12 races, all of them by independent and accredited local entities, always recognized by the respective athletics local federation and the WADA.

Broken Arrow Launches 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup

Written by Tomo Sarf on 16/06/2023. Posted in Latest News.

The first race of the 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup sees international podiums and historic snow conditions.

It was already a historic edition of Broken Arrow due to the record breaking snowfall in Lake Tahoe, but it didn’t disappoint on the racing front either. Runners had to contend with long snowfields, with patches of dirt trail in between them, which presented a very challenging course.

The day couldn’t have been more perfect, with clear blue skies and a temperature of around 9 celsius on the start line. However, up at the summit of Washeshu Peak (2,700m) it was a different story with gusting winds, making things difficult for drone operators.

The vertical uphill race was our first Gold Label race in the 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, some exciting fields were assembled and anticipation was high. There were some high profile withdrawals before the race, most notably Allie McLaughlin (USA) and Grayson Murphy (USA), who both raced in the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships last week, but there were still very deep fields in both the men’s and women’s race.

The course itself starts on the valley floor and climbs its way up 954m (3,100 feet) over 6.8km (4.5 miles) to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708m (8885 feet). Along the way it takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading up to the Headwall Ridge and the ‘stairway to heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak. Ater the KT22 summit at around halfway there is a slight respite in the form of a downhill section, where the runners can either recover a little, or just push even harder and try to open a gap.

Right from the start of the men’s race there was one runner determined to lay down the gauntlet and that was Andrea Rostan (ITA). There were a number of international runners in the men’s race, who all seemed determined to make their journey worthwhile. Henri Aymonod (ITA) and Zak Hanna (IRL) chased Rostan hard, along with Darren Thomas (USA), the 2021 champion from the vertical uphill race.

In the women’s race there was also a runner who struck out early on and that was Anna Gibson (USA), an athlete who’s achieved track success as well as showing her strength in the mountains by finishing 5th at the 2021 USATF Mountain Running Championships and winning The Rut vertical race.

Behind Gibson there was a group of women who were attempting to stay in touch with her. This included Jade Belzberg (USA), who finished 5th here in 2022, Sara Willhoit (GBR), fresh from the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, Amanda Basham (USA) and Nicole Mericle (USA). It was all to play for in the race for second and third, but could Gibson be caught?

At the halfway point where the runners hit the downhill section after KT22 Rostan was still out in front, showing no signs of fading. Aymonod and Thomas were by this point together and changing positions, with Hanna just behind. Rostan had opened up a lead of 80 seconds and although Aymonod and Thomas were just starting to draw him in a little, there just wasn’t enough distance left to really make a difference. Rostan emerged at the stairway to heaven ladder first and took the win in a fast 39.51. Thomas pulled away from Aymonod a little on the final climb and he finished second in 41.10, with Aymonod just behind in 41.29.

In the women’s race Gibson stretched her lead out to 2 minutes by the halfway point and, although anything could happen once they hit the final climb, she just looked so strong that it was looking unlikely. But it was all shaking out in the chasing group. By now Belzberg and Willhoit had pulled away from the others in the group and it was looking like a battle for second and third. Gibson couldn’t be caught and she won in 47.09. Belzberg won the duel with Willhoit and they did in fact claw some time back on Gibson, with Belzberg finishing in 48.00 and Willhoit 48.25.

It was an exciting first race to start off this year’s Valsir World Cup and we only have to wait one more day before our next race, the 23k Broken Arrow Skyrace on Sunday 18th.

Broken Arrow Kicks off the 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup

Written by Tomo Sarf on 14/06/2023. Posted in Latest News.

As we gear up for the launch of our 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup we bring you a preview of the first Gold Label Races which get the show on the road – the Broken Arrow vertical uphill race and the Broken Arrow Skyrace long mountain race.

Broken Arrow has been part of our World Cup before, first in 2019, then again in 2021, but it promises to provide even more competitive races this year, with top elite fields. And while it takes place in the US, the event very much has its roots in the traditions of European mountain running, with steep terrain, scrambling and huge amounts of vertical gain and loss at altitude.

The courses

First up is the vertical uphill race on Friday 16^th June at 10am (UTC -7). The race starts on the valley floor and climbs its way up 954m (3,100 feet) over 6.8km (4.5 miles) to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708m (8885 feet). Along the way it takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading up to the Headwall Ridge and the ‘stairway to heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak.

On Sunday 18^th June at 8am the long mountain race, the Broken Arrow Skyrace takes place. This is a loop which climbs 1,533m over the course of 23km (or 5,033 feet over 14.25 miles). It starts in Palisades Tahoe Village and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of Granite Chief Wilderness and they will experience Emigrant Pass and, like the vertical uphill runners, the ‘stairway to heaven’ ladder to Washeshu Peak.

The women’s field

As ever there is a very strong women’s field assembled, with many electing to take part in the vertical uphill and long mountain race. Grayson Murphy (USA) will be taking on both, on the back of her very successful campaign at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck, where she won the classic mountain race and took bronze in the vertical uphill race. Allie McLaughlin (USA) will also be running both just a week on from taking part in the World Championships, where she came 13^th in the uphill race and 25^th in the classic. She was second in last year’s Broken Arrow Skyrace, and will be one to watch here. Lining up alongside them in both races will be Janelle Lincks (USA), winner of the 2021 23k race.

Other women to watch include Anna Gibson (USA), who’s had some success in vertical races previously, Sophia Laukli (USA), cross country skier, Danielle Marquette (USA), Hillary Allen (USA) and Lara Hamilton (AUS).

The men’s field

Like the women’s field, most of the elite men are opting to race both the vertical uphill and the long mountain race. But we will see more international runners in the men’s field. Andy Wacker (USA), winner of last year’s 23k and 6^th in the vertical uphill race, will go into it a definite favourite. Eli Hemming (USA) was 2^nd in both the vertical race and 23k last year. He will be taking part in the 23k race and will be hotly tipped again. Henri Aymonod (ITA), who was almost unbeatable at a vertical uphill race in 2021, but had more of a mixed 2022, will always be a runner to watch. He was 3^rd here in the 23k race in 2019. Andrea Rostan (ITA) will also be travelling to run both races, having had a lot of success in Europe over similar races. Zak Hanna (IRL), who had a very successful 2022, particularly in vertical uphill races like Vertical Nasego and Canfranc Canfranc Vertical, could also do well.

Other men to watch include Chris Richards (GBR), Max King (USA), Joe DeMoor (USA) and Raul Criado (ESP).

We look forward to kicking off our 2023 Valsir World Cup and making this the biggest year ever. A livestream for the event will be available at Broken Arrow Livestream by UltraSignup

Lincks and Gray Take Broken Arrow Skyrace 23K Titles

Written by Tomo Sarf on 04/10/2021. Posted in Latest News.

Sunday, October 3, was the final day of the three-day Broken Arrow Skyrunning festival (https://www.brokenarrowskyrace.com/) held at Palisades Tahoe resort in Olympic Valley, CA. The festival culminated in a 23K which was shortened from its original 26K distance due to construction at the resort. Like the VK on Friday (https://trailrunner.com/trail-news/mclaughlin-and-thomas-victorious-at-broken-arrow-skyrace-vertical-kilometer/), two Coloradoans were victorious in Joseph Gray, 37, Colorado Springs, and Janelle Lincks, 28, Thornton.

The race started at 7 a.m. at the Palisades Tahoe epicenter running through the resort’s brick-lined promenade before switchbacking up the single track trails and circumnavigating the resort, climbing from 6,214 feet to a high point of 8,855 feet and then returning to the finish for a total of 5,030 feet of vertical gain. “It was a respectful pace at the start,” said eventual winner Gray, “we stayed bunched up for the first few miles with a deep field of talent. My goal was to progressively pick up the pace and let the pack guide my moves.

“It was great to feel the energy coming into the finish area and ring the bell,” said Gray. “A win was the main goal and obviously I’m content coming away with that.”

Gray finished in 1:52:44 followed just two seconds later by Darren Thomas, 27, Colorado Springs, CO, winner of Friday’s VK. In third was Andy Wacker, 33, Boulder, CO, timed in 1:53:12.

On the women’s side, Lincks started out conservatively through the village and after the first climb had moved into the lead, a position she kept to the finish. Her winning time of 2:14:04 bested second-place finisher Emkay Sullivan, 27, Reno, NV, by more than three minutes. Sullivan’s time was 2:17:19. In third, Bailey Kowalczyk, 26, Boulder, CO, was timed in 2:19:43.

Very happy with her effort, Lincks said shortly after her finish, “It was a beautiful course and I felt good…I’ve never seen landscape like that!”

In addition to a $3,500 pay day, Gray and Lincks captured the WMRA World Cup points as well as the win for the final race in the Golden Trail National Series presented by Salomon (https://www.goldentrailseries.com/series/usa-can/). Thomas and Sullivan each earned $2000, while Wacker and Kowalczk each netted $1000.

For a complete list of results: https://www.athlinks.com/event/171438/results/Event/988162/Results

Written by Peter Maksimow from American Trail Running Association

McLaughlin and Thomas Victorious at Broken Arrow Skyrace Vertical Kilometer

Written by Tomo Sarf on 02/10/2021. Posted in Latest News.

The first race to kick off the Broken Arrow Skyrace presented by Salomon was the VK held on Friday, October 1. The event was one of two American-based races in the 2021 WMRA World Cup, the other being the 26K Skyrace to be held Sunday, October 3, with both events staged in Olympic Valley, CA, site of the newly renamed resort of Palisades Tahoe.

What better way to start the weekend than with an all-out, vomit-inducing, ladder-climbing, red-lining-4.25-mile slog from a 6,234-feet to 8,855-foot-high peak. At 11:00 a.m. nearly 200 runners lined up for the start. Skies were powder blue with temperatures in the 50s, but it felt much warmer due to the vibrant autumn sunshine.

Darren Thomas, 27, and Allie McLaughlin, 30, both of Colorado Springs, CO, took the VK titles and the World Cup crowns.

Thomas and fellow Coloradoan, Andy Wacker, 33, Boulder, took the race out with decisive speed, however, Thomas took control and slowly increased his lead to finish in 45:08, one minute and 30 seconds ahead of second place finisher, David Sinclair, 29, Peru, Vermont. In third was Telluride, Colorado’s Ryan Becker, 27, in a time of 47:49. Wacker faded to sixth in 49:03.

In the women’s race, McLaughlin closely trailed the lead women until the one kilometer mark, when she accelerated and took charge. She continued to gap the field to break the tape in a time of 54:24 to finish in 14th position overall. Less than one minute later, Hillary Allen, 33, Fort Collins, CO, finished second followed by 19-year-old Grace Staberg, Silverthorne, CO.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, international travel was a huge challenge, however, Ondrej Fedfar, 32, placed an impressive fourth overall after just arriving from the Czech Republic. Other international finishers included Ryan Atkins, 34, Canada, who finished eighth, Juan Bolaños, 20, El Salvador, 20th among the men, and Anna Frost, 39, New Zealand who finished ninth among the women.

The WMRA World Cup VK podium finishers:

Darren Thomas – 45:08 – $500

David Sinclair – 46:38 – $300

Ryan Becker – 47:49 – $200

Allie McLaughlin – 54:24 – $500

Hillary Allen – 55:20 – $300

Grace Staberg – 56:20 – $200

Complete Results: https://www.athlinks.com/event/171438/results/Event/988162/Course/2129498/Results

Words and photos by Peter Maksimow

World Cup Stage 12/13: Broken Arrow

Written by Tomo Sarf on 30/09/2021. Posted in Latest News.

In what may be the biggest weekend ever for the World Cup, we’re bringing you four events this week. Two are in Palisades Tahoe, California, USA, and two are in Zumaia, in the Basque Country in the north of Spain. Here’s our preview for rounds 12 and 13 of the World Cup at Broken Arrow!

Broken Arrow VK

First up it’s the Broken Arrow VK on Friday October 1^st, taking place at 11am local time. This is the second of three short uphill races in this year’s World Cup and the 954m of ascent comes over 6.8km on the course, topping out at the summit at just over 2,700m. The runners will head up through tree cover, out onto rock and slabs and end up on a stunning ridge via the infamous ‘Stairway to Heaven’ ladder.

Runners will face a pretty ‘straight up’ start as it climbs steadily for around 3.5km. Then there’s a short respite for around a kilometre, but then it gets steeper still for the relentless climb to the summit, including the bolted handline and ladder!

Favourites

There is a hugely exciting field assembled for the short uphill race. In the women’s race we will see Hillary Allen, who excels over a wide range of distances and was 2^nd in the 2018 VK. Allie McLaughlin won Pikes Peak Ascent and was 2^nd in the Marathon this year. They’ll be joined by Jennifer Schmidt, who won the 11k race at Broken Arrow in 2019 and Lindsay Webster, winner of the 26k race the same year. Anna Frost will also be running, and it will be great to see an athlete who’s achieved as much as her on the start line again.

We’re sure to see an equally exciting men’s race. Max King, who was 2^nd in this year’s USATF Mountain Running Championships, will be one to watch, as will Andy Wacker, the 2019 NCAC Mountain Running Champion. David Sinclair, who memorably took on both the classic and long distance races in the 2019 World Mountain Running Championships in Patagonia, finishing 12^th and 10^th, will be a tough competitor. Ryan Ghelfi, who was 4^th in the VK here in 2019, is also expected to do well.

There is huge depth to the men’s and women’s fields, so we’ve just highlighted a few runners here.

Broken Arrow Skyrace

The 26k race takes place on Sunday 3^rd October, with the action kicking off at 7am local time. This is our fifth long mountain race out of six in this year’s World Cup (with number six taking place on the same day at Zumaia Flysch).

The Skyrace takes in some of the most famous terrain in this area. From the start it climbs up, with only short respites, for just over the first half of the race, from the valley floor at 1890m all the way up to the summit at 2700m. The runners climb via the KT-22 summit, then they descend via the famous Emigrant Pass (2667m), with a slight up again to Julia Million Memorial aid station, then it’s 5k downhill to the finish.

Favourites

We’ll be seeing a lot of the runners from the VK taking part in the 26k race as well. Athletes doubling up include Hillary Allen, Anna Frost, David Sinclair, Max King and Andy Wacker.

In addition there are some really exciting runners in the 26k. For the women Kimber Mattox, who was 3^rd in the USATF Mountain Running Championships, will be toeing the line. As will Kelly Wolf, who has a string of impressive wins to her name, from half marathon distance up to the big global ultras. And for the men the hot favourite must be Joseph Gray, our reigning World Mountain Running Champion at the classic distance, who was yet again crowned USATF Mountain Running champion this year. But he will face stiff competition from a top men’s field, which as well as the runners mentioned above will include athletes like Sam Sahli, 2^nd in the 26k in 2019, Darren Thomas, 5^th at this year’s Pike’s Peak and with a string of wins at half marathon distance, and Jared Hixon, 4^th in the 11k race here in 2019.

Again, both fields are very deep, so we’ve just highlighted a few runners. You can see the full start lists at: https://ultrasignup.com/m_entrants_event.aspx?did=81287

Useful information

Follow live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkiqAYQkbwGHtsx165Iay4Q

Live broadcasts, aerial footage and athlete commentary.

Start times:

VK 11am Friday October 1

26k 7am Sunday October 3

World Cup Preview Part One: Broken Arrow

Written by Tomo Sarf on 14/02/2021. Posted in Latest News.

Over the coming weeks we’re going to be taking a look at our 2021 World Cup races. But we won’t just be looking at the events and the stunning routes, we’ll be going behind the scenes to find out what really makes these races and the places they happen so special. First up, it’s Broken Arrow. PLEASE NOTE: NEW RACE DATES are 1 and 3 October 2021.

Few places are as synonymous with mountain sports as the area around Olympic Valley in California. The Winter Olympics of 1960, the deep history of Western States, it’s the ultimate playground for skiing and running. And we are incredibly proud to have Olympic Valley race, Broken Arrow, in our 2021 World Cup!

Broken Arrow made its debut in the World Cup in 2019 (hear what the top athletes said about it) and it really added a different dimension to the competition. It was great to have so many top mountain runners from the US and Canada mixing it up with top athletes from Europe. In 2019 it was just the 26k race in the World Cup, but this year we have the short uphill (5.1k/+900m) race too!

There are so many things which make this race so special. Firstly there’s the altitude – the races start at 1900m and top out at 2700m – so runners are working hard. Secondly there’s the mix of terrain throughout the race, from good trail, to loose scree, to a ladder in the rock, to steps carved in the snow. It’s a unique route which is never boring and runners are also likely to experience a big variance in temperature between the valley and the mountain. It’s got a distinctly Alpine feel to it, despite taking place in California.

Speaking of Alpine touches, how many races do you finish by ringing a big cowbell on the finish line? It’s details like this, the aid stations where volunteers will go crazy for you and a gentle downhill gradient to the finish that’ll make you feel as speedy as Kilian that make it a unique and unforgettable race.

If mountain athletes vote with their feet then this is the place to be. According to race organiser, Brendan Madigan, “There is a lifetime of trails at Lake Tahoe including Desolation Wilderness, Granite Chief Wilderness, Mount Rose Wilderness, the Western States 100 Endurance Run, Tahoe Rim Trail 100, Castle Peak 100 … let alone the hundreds of miles of US Forest Service land.”. Locals include Laura Vaughan, winner of many hundred milers including Hardrock (and whose family founded GU), Betsy Nye, Rory Bosio, Adam Kimble and many other notable runners.

It’s also a pretty perfect place for a holiday, with great food and places to stay and fantastic opportunities for backpacking, climbing and adventuring.

We’re really looking forward to bringing you all the action from this year’s races on October 1st-3rd for this years World Cup. Let’s all hope that the current public health situation is much improved by then and travel is more open. Entries are open at https://www.brokenarrowskyrace.com/

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION

Tag: Broken Arrow

THE VK COURSE

THE RACE

BROKEN ARROW SKYRACE ON SUNDAY

THE COURSES

THE FAVOURITES

THE WMRA AND ITS COMMITMENT TO CLEAN SPORTMANSHIP

The courses

The women’s field

The men’s field

Broken Arrow VK

Favourites

Broken Arrow Skyrace

Favourites

Useful information