Skip to main content
WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION

Tag: Trofeo Vanoni

DOUBLE VICTORY FOR ITALY IN TROFEO VANONI

Written by Kirsty Reade on . Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

DOUBLE VICTORY FOR ITALY IN TROFEO VANONI

There was a double victory for Italian teams in  Trofeo Vanoni, the classic autumn relay race (with three men’s elements and two women’s elements) organised by the GS CSI Morbegno in Morbegno (Italy): the Società Atletica Valchiese ousted France and won a long sought-after triumph among men, while Atletica Alta Valtellina won among women. 

MEN’S RACE 

There were as many as 155 trios at the start of this race, which attracted athletes from Mexico and from all over Europe.

Alberto Vender immediately set off at full speed, determined to take that first team place he has so often missed out on. At the end of the climb, Vender teamed up with Andrea Elia (La Recastello), who, as an excellent Italian vertical champion, gave his best. He was followed by Michael Galassi (US Aldo Moro Paluzza), Tiziano Moia (Gemonatletica) and Matthieu Le Fur (France). The descent saw Vender flying towards Vanoni Street (with the best time of the day of 29’52 ‘, the only one to go under 30 minutes), while behind him, with a 31’ gap, the US Paluzza changed, launching Rok Bratina. After another 15′, Team Caledonia passed the baton between Ross Gollan and Ewan Brown. Fourth at the changeover was England under 23, and fifth was La Recastello. Marco Filosi did not give up in the second stage and held the lead. Behind the Valchiese placed La Recastello with Luciano Rota. Following the second change, the British of Team Caledonia, the US Aldo Moro Paluzza, Gemonatletica Atletica, England and France, which, with an Alric Petit with the handbrake off on the downhill, broke away in the lead. In the third and final leg, Luca Merli started with a lead of over a minute, and Ennio Colò began to dream. Jean-Claude Louison relied on European bronze medallist Théodore Klein, who recovered five positions and brought France into second place at the Dosso. By now, the it was all over. The Valchiese won with a time of 1h31’04 ‘, leaving France at 1’25’, who gave up the sceptre after four consecutive victories. Fabio Ruga (La Recastello) gritted his teeth and held onto third position with a final time of 1h33’58’. Four teams from the United Kingdom followed: fourth was Team Caledonia (1h34’06 ‘), fifth England under 23 (1h34’37’), sixth England (1h35’12 ‘), and seventh Scotland (1h36’14’). The top ten was completed by US Aldo Moro Paluzza (1h37’09 ‘), Mexico (1h37’48’) and Snowdon Race Team (1h37’51”).

Best under 23 Matthew Knowles (England), best master A Great Britain with Rob Hope, Ben Mounsey and Shaun Godsman, best master B the British Karl Gray, Ian Holmes and Paul Cornforth. The regional relay title went to the Recastello Radici Group of Andrea Elia, Luciano Rota and Fabio Ruga: silver to the Recastello Radici Group’ B’ team (Francesco Bongio, Marco Zanga, Mirko Bertolini), third to the GSA Sovere (Pierluca Armati, Nicola Piffari, Alessandro Bianchi).

WOMEN’S RACE

Great numbers (55 relays at the start for 110 women), great level (with national teams from Mexico, England, Scotland, North Wales, Ireland, Poland, Slovenia and the best Italians), great spectators and super cheers for everyone.

Once again, this year, the women’s Vanoni lived up to expectations, with its relay formula making the race even more exciting and hard-fought. Last year’s winner, Elisa Sortini set off at full speed, followed by the Englishwoman Eve Pannone (Snowdon Race Team), Arianna Oregioni (GP Santi), Italian champion Luna Giovanetti (Atl. Valle di Cembra) and the Mexican Arian Yveth Chia Hernandez. Thus, they came down in order at the GPM in the Dosso locality, with Sortini having a four-second lead over Pannone.

On the descent, the Atletica Alta Valtellina athlete did not spare herself, and at the famous ‘jump’, the advantage rose to 23 seconds. Behind her Beatrice Bianchi (La Recastello), who we know to be a great downhill runner (in fact, she recorded the best downhill time of the day with 8’58 ‘, the only one to go under 9 minutes) and in fact at the change she was third, behind Elisa Sortini (second best time with 22’36’), Eve Pannone (23’02 ‘); changes in fourth position the English Alice Crene (23’13’ at her first Vanoni) of the A team and fifth Mexico, new entry of this edition. In the second leg, a wild Emmie Collinge (Atl. Valtellina) increased her lead considerably, so much so that she climbed 1’42’ ahead of Emilia Platt (England sq. A), with Mexico moving up to third place thanks to Mariel Tapia Salazar. Involved in the victory was Collinge, behind her pushed hard by Alice Gaggi (La Recastello), who grabbed second place against England, who finished third, overtaking Mexico. There was an excellent fifth place for Poland, thanks mainly to the second stage of the former professional cyclist Sylwia Kapusta. To complete the top ten: England team A, Scotland, England team C, Atletica Malignani Libertas and Atletica Valle Brembana, which, with Elisa Rebucini and Claudia Locatelli, is bronze in the Absolute Regional Championships behind Alta Valtellina and Recastello.

The final times of Collinge and Sortini, respectively the best time of the day with 22’12 ‘and the second best time with 22’36’, are one second off the Gaggi/Belotti record (44’48”). They therefore promised to return next year to lower it. Bianchi and Gaggi also promised that they would do everything to win next year.

It was a great result for Mexico, happy to have come to Morbegno and impressed by the warm welcome, and great results for England, which placed its three relays in the top ten.

Photo credits: Davide Vaninetti, Angelo Elio Testa, Roberto Ganassa, Fabio Vedovatti

Continue reading

67TH TROFEO VANONI MOST INTERNATIONAL EDITION YET

Written by Kirsty Reade on . Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

67TH TROFEO VANONI MOST INTERNATIONAL EDITION YET

A press conference in Morbegno Town Hall on October 16th kicked off the 67th Trofeo Vanoni in style and it was attended by numerous authorities representing the organisations that have supported the Trofeo Vanoni for many years. An inspiring film (by SpeedTimeProduction) was shown, with athletes including Julien Rancon, Alex Baldaccini, Alice Gaggi, Elisa Sortini and Paolo Germanetto talking about what Vanoni means to them.

 And what does Vanoni mean to the runners, the supporters and the local people? It’s not just a sporting event, but a gem that Morbegno and the entire Province of Sondrio are proud of, encouraging tourism and local networking, and crucially putting young people at the forefront of it. All of these characteristics have made TrofeoVanoni the longest-running sports event in Valtellina and Valchiavenna.

THE FAVOURITE TEAMS

 Many overseas athletes will be at the start this year: from England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, Slovenia, Mexico, the Republic of San Marino and Poland, as well as many Italians. The total number of athletes competing in the three competitions (Minivanoni, Women’s Vanoni and Trofeo Vanoni) will be around 1000.

Some big news this year, of which the GS CSI Morbegno organisers are particularly proud, is the presence of the Mexican national team and that of England with no less than three female and two male relays. Especially across the Channel, the Trofeo Vanoni is known and appreciated as an event that is not to be missed.

Francesco Bongio said of the favourite men’s teams: “To present the favourite teams, we start from last year’s ranking. France will be there, with a trio of high-level athletes (European bronze medallist Thèodore Klein, young Alric Petit, previous year’s winner, and 2022 European champion Sylvain Cachard), the Great Britain team (second in 2023), led again this year by Ross Gollan together with Ewan Brown and Finlay Grant, and SA Valchiese, with the trio of wonders Vender, Filosi, and Merli, who came close to achieving the feat two years ago and will try again this year. Eyes are also on the Italian championships of the Recastello Radici Group; with Isacco Costa absent, president Luciano Merla has lined up the tricolour vertical Andrea Elia, the expert Fabio Ruga, and the Italian Luciano Rota in the first team. Also competitive was the Snowdon Race Team (fourth in 2023), which fielded Grant Cunliffe (3rd at the Snowdon Race) with Matthew Elkington and Kieran Cooper. For the first time, the England national team, with two relays including one under-23, Matthew Knowles (in his third Vanoni), will relieve George Foster and Finn Lydon. The US Aldo Moro di Paluzza team(fifth in 2024), with the strong Galassi and Bratina, will participate in the race. Not missing the appointment with the Trofeo Vanoni will be record-breakers Alex Baldaccini with GS Orobie and Emanuele Manzi with US Malonno. Also at the start, with an English masters team, the downhill record holder Ian Holmes (at his 20th Trofeo Vanoni). Also from the top ten were the national teams of Scotland, Wales and Poland, as well as Gemonatletica with Tiziano Moia and GSA Cometa with strong uphill runner Alessandro Crippa.”

Councillor Annalisa Perlini outlined the favourite women’s teams: “the Recastello Radici Group (second last year) will certainly start with the favour of prediction, with Beatrice Bianchi, the relay mountain running champion and home favourite Alice Gaggi. Last year’s winner, Atletica Alta Valtellina, has yet to decide who will flank Italy’s Elisa Sortini. Ireland, third in 2023, with record holder Sarah McCormack absent this year, relies on Aoife Cleary and Dee Collins. Scotland (4th in 2023) is again fielding Catriona MacDonald with Isla Paterson, Slovenia (5th in 2023) has entered Maja Laznik and Klara Ljubi, and the Snowdon Race Team (6th last year) could do well with strong Eve Pannone (2nd at the Snowdon Race) and Antonia Fan. England – accompanied by Sara Tunstall, European silver and bronze medallist at the 2017 World Championships in Premana – will field no less than three relays, with national under-23 champion Alice Crane and national under-20 XC champion Emilia Platt. Poland and Wales are definitely in the top ten. At the same time, Mexico, for the first time at the Trofeo Vanoni, with national champion Mariel Salazar Tapia (11th at the World Championships in Thailand in 2022 in the junior category) and Arian Yveth Chia Hernandez, is to be discovered.”

A mention must also be made of the Minivanoni, which is important to the GS CSI Morbegno, mainly because young people are the future of athletics. President Giovanni Ruffoni explained that in the final round of the Coppa Lombardia mountain running competition, 450 mini-athletes are expected. Atletica Valle Brembana will undoubtedly be in force, and Premana, currently in first and second place in the circuit, Polisportiva Albosaggia, as well as GS CSI Morbegno. “We’ll be calling 60 “red devils”. I don’t know if we’ll be able to grab the podium in the Lombardy Cup, but we’ll do everything we can to win the Minivanoni. Should Polisportiva Albosaggia win, it would win the Targa Mons. Danieli – Battaglion Morbegno offered by the Alpini”.

We will bring you all the action from the races on 27th October in Morbegno. Find more information here: www.trofeovanoni.it

Photos by Davide Vaninetti/PhotoRunValtellina

 

Continue reading

Foto Davide Vaninetti Sarah Mac

Trofeo Vanoni preview

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

The 64th edition of the legendary mountain race, Trofeo Vanoni, will take place on 24th October in Morbegno, Italy. This race is always one of the highlights of the mountain running calendar.

 The Trofeo Vanoni machine has been rolling for a while now, with route testing, race planning and those all-important team selections.

To help set the scene for this year’s race the organisers have put together a great video of the course, complete with drone shots: 

 

They also organised runs along the routes for runners to test them out. There are different routes for the men’s and women’s teams, a 7.5km course with 435m of ascent for the men and a 5km route with 248m for the women. Both races are run in a relay format, with 3 runners taking part for each team.

A new element for the race this year was the fact that the press conference took place in an exciting location: the Tempietto. It’s a symbolic places of the race as the athletes pass through it both uphill and downhill. The organisers explained, “Thanks to the valuable collaboration of ANA Morbegno and the Municipality we thought this year to propose something new – explains the president of GS CSI Morbegno Giovanni Ruffoni – the idea was received with great enthusiasm. The Tempietto is the symbol of Morbegno and also a symbol for the Vanoni Trophy. A double link because the first club of the Minivanoni is awarded by the Alpini with the Trophy in memory of Mons. Edoardo Danieli and Battaglion Morbegno”

Registrations are still open at www.trofeovanoni.it until noon on Thursday 21 October. The website is also a mine of information with programs, regulations, routes, list of awards, past results, rankings, statistics, and a gallery. For the latest updates see their Facebook and Instagram (@trofeovanoni).

Trofeo Vanoni G Meneghello GM 2

The Athletes’ View of 2020

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

Normally at this time of year we’d be looking back at race highlights from the year, remembering the World and European Championships and World Cup winners. However, there was little normal about 2020. Some of the classic mountain races did take place in the second half of the year, much to the excitement of athletes, but opportunities to stand on a start line were limited. It was a year of adaptation for everybody – athletes, race organisers and the WMRA.

 We spoke to the runners on our athletes’ commission about their experiences of 2020, the highlights (if there were any), the positives they can take away from it, and what their hopes are for 2021.

Loss of freedom

Julien Rancon of France, where the lockdown was more restrictive than many, voiced the thoughts of many runners by saying “2020 will obviously be a year that will go down in history. The first thing that comes to my mind, apart from the fact that the sport’s movement has almost been in standby, is that this virus largely deprived us of the freedom to run in our mountains or restricted this practice.” Julien also had an injury that prevented him from running for a while once his lockdown was over, but all of this made the freedom to run again in the mountain so much sweeter when it was possible. “In the autumn, I had great pleasure to run and above all to meet my friends to share good moments in training camps, and in the French Championship and in the Trofeo Nasego and Trofeo Vanoni. These will remain for me the highlights of the season, because living your own passion remains an essential thing.”

Taking the positives

Trofeo Nasego and Trofeo Vanoni were also highlights of the year for Andrew Douglas from Scotland. But these were two of very few races he was able to compete in in 2020. As he says, this was “a complete contrast to 2019 when I took a sabbatical from work and I was regularly racing most weekends.” But being a positive kind of person he was able to take some good things away from this strange year too:  “the thing I’m most positive about was that I was finally able to set some time aside to run in different places around Scotland that I had never been to before. A particular highlight was heading up to the north west Highlands and spending a few days there running up and down some glorious Munros with some friends.”

Joe goat

Joseph Gray  won our men’s WMRA GOAT (greatest mountain runner of all time) vote in 2020

Over in the US, Joseph Gray could also appreciate some positives from the year, saying “it was great in terms of being able to spend bonus time with the family and kiddos”, but he was also disappointed by the lack of opportunity for travel and competition. But 2020 was a huge year for FKTs and Joseph made the most of his fitness where possible: “I only had a few races but highlights would be winning my first USA National title in Snowshoe racing, setting the Boulder Skyline FKT and Enchantments Alpine Lakes FKT!”

Furloughed from his job (earning him the nickname of ‘the furlough pro’ in his native Ireland), Zak Hanna definitely made the most of the additional time he had to train. He says “2020 turned out to be a great year for me, which to many may sound silly but I made a point of enjoying it rather than listening to all the negativity that has surrounded this year. Since the lockdown started I managed to compete in 10 races, one at home here in Ireland, eight over in Italy and last week I finished the year off with a five mile road race. Piz Tri Vertikal, Fletta Trail, Vertikal Nasego and Trofeo Vanoni stand out as highlights for me, as I left these races really happy with my performances and it has left me wanting more for 2021.”

48331165896 efcc9e48d0 b

Zak Hanna

A chance for a reset

But for some, 2020 ended up being less about racing and more about resetting.  For Sarah Tunstall it provided an opportunity to address an injury issue. “I finished last season pretty decrepit and I wanted a break to get on top of injury issues and refresh myself.  2020 has been tough for all kinds of reasons, however, having no pressure of races has greatly helped me focus on the long-term health of my heels. I’ve also enjoyed exploring lots of new areas within the UK’s Lake District.”

Sarah T

Sarah Tunstall

Sandor Szabo of Hungary used 2020 as an opportunity to focus on his mental and physical health. “Unfortunately covid was only the start of my problems (injuries, family bereavements, money problems, etc.) but by the end of 2020, I can say, I got stronger mentally. I did not run a lot races this year – mostly because I couldn’t – but I’m not sad about it. I needed this year to be well prepared what’s coming next.”

Adapting

Fujio Miyachi of Japan did race, but the atmosphere made it feel more like training: “I participated in a race that runs around an old temple in Japan. Some temples in Japan have a history of running and training in the mountains. I ran on that old road. Although it was a race, my feelings were calm as I ran silently in the mountains like training.”

2019 09 30 05.06.18

Fujio Miyachi

Francesco Puppi of Italy achieved some good success in races, winning the Fletta Trail and Dolimitenmann, setting impressive PBs at 10k and half marathon, and coming 7th in the Golden Trails Azores, but he too felt that “it was the right year to focus on training rather than racing. I am proud to have had the chance and the willingness to adapt to circumstances and find different ways to stay fit and build something useful for me and for our future. Because it’s not just me, among my goals I want to leave a legacy to this sport and I’m actively working for that.”

Looking to 2021

And what are our athletes’ hopes for 2021? Obviously they were unanimous in hoping for some sort of return to ‘normality’, and a safe return to racing. Many expressed a lot of excitement for the World Cup and its exciting line-up of races next year. Sandor Szabo says “in this new system, it will be interesting to compete in the World Cup. I would like to finish higher in the top 10, and I’ll do everything I can to do my best. I’m looking forward mostly to Broken Arrow, which was my favourite World Cup race in 2019, and Sierre-Zinal”.

sandor1

Sandor Szabo

Francesco Puppi is eager to take part in a race which is new to the World Cup for 2021: “I am looking forward to running La Montée du Nid d’Aigle, organized by my friend Elise Poncet”

One newly-announced championship which our athletes are particularly enthusiastic about is the first ever World Mountain and Trail Championships, which will take place in Chiang Mai, Thailand in November. Andrew Douglas calls it “the mouth-watering prospect of competing in Thailand at the newly combined World Trail and Mountain Running Championships!”  

50529875062 2fc821a4c6 w

Andrew Douglas

Francesco Puppi says “The first world mountain and trail running championship is obviously a main target and it will be a turning point for our sport: the joint efforts of WMRA and ITRA with the direct support of World Athletics will finally take effect. The fact that the WMTRC will take place every other year will give it more credibility and visibility, while allowing athletes to focus on other races and projects.”

50179784636 c29f4de8db w

Francesco Puppi

Undoubtedly 2021 will still have significant challenges for athletes and race organisers. One short-term problem could be different travel restrictions in different countries. Joseph Gray says “I just hope for a safe return for us all to racing high level races once again. Really hoping all athletes have equal access to major events again as well so as to keep the level competitive as in past years.”

It’s unlikely that many of us will move forward into 2021 without our attitudes to running and racing being changed in some way. For Andrew Douglas “having missed racing and the social side of mountain running, there’s going to be a much deeper appreciation to being involved in the sport”, a sentiment that was echoed by others.

Everybody is undoubtedly eager to get back racing more regularly again, but, having been through this year that has had such an impact on so many people, that may look slightly different. As Francesco Puppi puts it: “I just hope we can take the best we’ve learned from this pandemic and leave the rest, keep moving forward, finding new, sustainable ways for our future.”

New Course Record in a Thrilling Trofeo Vanoni

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

It was a hugely exciting Trofeo Vanoni at the weekend, which saw a new women’s course record in this year’s relay version and a thrilling men’s race. It also took place safely, despite all the challenges and thanks to the understanding of all the runners. 

 So much attention was paid to safety and anti-covid regulations that, as the organisers said, ‘you might not have expected that so much would come out of this edition: show, competition, desire to be there, desire to run. An exciting race, perhaps right up to the last, with the new generation of mountain running starting to take off.’ It definitely delivered.

The women’s race

The Vanoni ladies race took place in a relay version for the assignment of the Italian mountain running titles. 63 couples started, despite some last-minute cancellations, including Ghelfi sisters.

Foto Davide Vaninetti Sarah Mac

The mayor of Morbegno, Alberto Gavazzi, cut the ribbon and immediately the Irish runner Sarah McCormack and the Valtellina-born Elisa Sortini made a break from the pack. The pace was furious and on the descent Sarah McCormack pulled away, creating a clear gap from Sortini at the “jump”. Behind them there was an even bigger gap of a minute and a half to the Frenchwoman Jade Rodriguez and the Slovenian Mojca Koligar. At the end of the first leg, the scoreboard read “21 minutes and 7 seconds” – a new record, beating Emmie Collinge by 6 seconds (last year Lucy Murigi finished in 21’16”). A female record that has always been held by non-Italians (first Carol Haigh with 21’28”, then Anna Pichrtova with 21’41” equalled by Pavla Schorna, then Emmie Collinge with 21’13”).

In the second part of the relay things changed, with Ireland slipping back despite Dena Hogan’s best efforts. Valentina Belotti, who runs with her heart, started at full throttle, maybe a little too much she confessed afterwards, but the desire to win another tricolour title was so strong. Behind it goes back to France, which has lined up world vice-champion Elise Poncet in the second leg, Slovenia holds and a super Elisa Desco once again shows her class.

foto Ganassa TV1

At the finish line, it is double Italian title (absolute and master A) for Atletica Alta Valtellina with Elisa and Valentina, but the girls of Adriano Greco grab a great third place overall with Desco who sprints in the last meters (in the first stage good partner Giulia Compagnoni). In the middle of the Alta Valtellina teams was France. To close the top five Slovenia and GS Orecchiella Garfagnana. Junior title, as predicted, at Atletica Lecco Colombo Costruzioni with the world champion Elisa Pastorelli and Camilla Valsecchi. Italian title also for the B masters of Atletica Paratico (Nives Curti and Giovanna Cavalli) and the C masters of GS Valgerola (Anna Maria Taeggi and Bianca Maria Martina).

Best 3 female times:
Sarah McCormack (Ireland) 21’07”.
Elisa Sortini (Atletica Alta Valtellina) 21’45”
Mojca Koligar (Slovenia) 23 min. 24 sec.

THE MEN’S RACE  

FIRST LEG
Timotej Becan (Slovenia), Alberto Vender (SA Valchiese), Julien Rancon (France), Bapiste Fourmont (France B) and Matteo Rosa (Atl. Rodengo Saiano), climbing down to the GPM in Arzo at the top of the race, but on the downhill, the Slovenian and Vender took off and presented themselves at the gearbox in via Vanoni, 4 seconds off (they will record the first and third time of the day), followed by their cousins from beyond the Alps: le roi Julien always a certainty and the surprise Fourmont that will be the fastest downhill.

SECOND LEG
Valchiese jumps to the lead with Luca Merli before the bump, but Slovenia doesn’t give in and takes the lead with Jost Lapain; Sebastien Fine doesn’t give up and at the end of the climb he puts everyone in line. At the gearbox, they come shoulder to shoulder: France and Valchiese, with a great Zak Hanna (Great Britain) and Xavier Chevrier who keep their teams in it.

foto Meneghello TV3
THIRD LEG
Alexandre Fine takes off, at the “Dosso” he has a 50″ lead over Marco Filosi, at a distance followed by Nicola Spada (Atletica Valli Bergamasche) and Francesco Puppi (Atl. Valle Brembana) who pushes on the accelerator. At the GPM in Arzo Fine he understands that it’s done, but behind him, it’s a brawl with Puppi who jumps to second place and already sees the tricolour approaching, while Filosi (Valchiese) goes down in the fourth position behind Spada. Halfway down, in Bellini, the advantage of the Frenchman is more than a minute, after the best time uphill Puppi holds the second position overall and Filosi regains the third place against Atletica Valli Bergamasche.

In via Vanoni this year there is no red carpet, but the audience – spaced out and with a mask – was as always warm and involved. For France it is a triumph: victory in 1h30’42” and Trophy won definitively, Atletica Valle Brembana taking home the Italian title overall (1h32’12”) and the SA Valchiese (1h32’18”) which achieved the goal it so dreamed of, the podium at the Vanoni Trophy (1h32’18”) and a silver medal at the Italian championship. Completing the top five were the Bergamo Valleys Athletics (Masters, Chevrier, Sword) – tricolour bronze – and Great Britain (Andrew Douglas, Zak Hanna, Ben Mounsey).

Find more information at http://www.trofeovanoni.it/

 Photos by Davide Vaninetti, Roberto Ganassa, Meneghello

Get Ready For Trofeo Vanoni

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

Are you ready for Trofeo Vanoni, edition number 63? The predictions for the Italian Mountain Relay Running Championship (Absolute, Junior and Master) which will be run in Morbegno (SO) on Sunday 25th October are starting to be made. The last time the Vanoni Trophy was tricolour was in 2017. In this troubled season the Italian Athletics Federation, which has done everything possible to put together a piece of the calendar, has once again asked GS CSI Morbegno to host the Italian Championship.

 

 

WOMEN’S RACE – all eyes will be on the duo from Atletica Alta Valtellina that has collected podium places in the various tricolour trials (individual, vertical, long-distance), Valentina Belotti and Elisa Sortini. Not that the second team of the Alta Valtellina club with Giulia Compagnoni and Elisa Desco should be underestimated. Other possible podium contenders include sisters Erica and Francesca Ghelfi for Atletica Valle Varaita and Italian vice-champion Alessia Scaini competing with Arianna Dentis for Atletica Saluzzo, as well as La Recastello Radici Group with two beautiful relay teams: Alice Gaggi with Ilaria Bianchi and Samantha Galassi with Astrid Luciano. Possible outsiders are Atletica Lecco Colombo Costruzioni with Maria Righetti paired with Ilaria Dal Magro, US Aldo Moro Paluzza (Maria Dimitra Theocharis and Caterina Bellin) and G.S. Orecchiella Garfagnana (Primitive Niyirora and Annalaura Mugno). If all this wasn’t enough, France dropped a fine pair of aces: the vice-world champion (already third last year at the Trofeo Vanoni) Elise Poncet threw herself into the fray with the junior Jade Rodriguez, while Ireland responded with super Sarah McCormack (winner of the KV in Chiavenna and Nasego Trophy) and Dena Hogan. Slovenia also bring two relay duos: Mojca Koligar with Nusa Mali, Vareneja Drasler with Spela Gonza.

Trofeo Vanoni G Meneghello GM 1

MEN’S RACE – It will certainly be a challenge for the rematch between Atletica Valle Brembana, which will repeat the trio that won last year (Francesco Puppi, Nadir Cavagna and the record man Alex Baldaccini) and Atletica Valli Bergamasche Leffe with the Italian champion Cesare Maestri, Xavier Chevrier and Luca Cagnati. Also watch out for La Recastello Radici Group, which is lined up with Gabriele Bacchion and the Italo and Roberto Cassol twins (last year fourth with the Tornado vest) and SA Valchiese, which has long since declared that it aims for the podium with Alberto Vender, Luca Merli and Marco Filosi. Not to be underestimated is also the “B” quartet of Atletica Valle Brembana with Pietro Sonzogni and the brothers Nicola and Matteo Bonzi, the US Malonno with the brothers Luca and Marco Malgarida and the veteran Emanuele Manzi and the Atletica Rodengo Saiano Mico with two track racing specialists such as Iacopo Brasi and Matteo Rosa and the top ten Under 20 in charge Marco Zoldan. The organisers of the GS CSI Morbegno with captain Marco Leoni and the trusty Stefano Sansi and Alessandro Gusmeroli are also hoping to enter the top ten. Participation is varied, with the presence of no less than 80 sports clubs as well as foreign representatives.

In contention, not for the Italian Championship, but a place on the podium, there is certainly the French team with the expert Julien Rancon, the young Alexandre Fine and the summer’s star Sylvain Cachard (this year winner of the Nasego and Smarna Gora Trophy). Should the transalpine team win, they would take home the Trophy offered by Morbegno Council. We should also keep an eye on the British and Northern Irish team with Zak Hanna (in great dusting at the Vertical Kilometre), Andrew Douglas (fourth at Nasego) and Ben Mounsey. The Slovenian team (Becan, Lapajne, Bregar), Irish team (Hogan, Hunter and Conroy) and the Republic of San Marino are also ones to watch.

Trofeo Vanoni G Meneghello GM 2

UNDER 20 RACE- At the Under 20 men’s level, Atletica Valle Brembana with the Italian champion Alain Cavagna (recent tricolour also on the track in the 5000 metres) with the Pietro Gherardi (sixth at the individual Italian Championships). On a women’s level, the Junior World Champion Elisa Pastorelli (Atletica Lecco Colombo Costruzioni) will be competing with her teammate Camilla Valsecchi Ratto: another Azzurrina competing in Casto (Brescia) in the only international match of the season, Irene Aschieris, will race with Atletica Susa Adriano Aschieris paired with Caterina Traversa.

JUNIOR RACE – Good participation also for the competition reserved to the youth. There will be 300 at the start divided into 8 categories (from 10 to 17 years old), representing 41 sports clubs that will do their best to win Monsignor Danieli – Battaglion Morbegno plaque. The hosts of the GS CSI Morbegno have won the last two editions and have the declared objective of making a hat-trick and taking home the trophy put up for grabs by ANA Morbegno.

More info: www.trofeovanoni.it, Facebook and Instagram.

Countdown to Trofeo Vanoni – 30 Days to Go!

Written by Tomo Sarf on . 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)”.

Trofeo Vanoni G Meneghello 2

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.

Amazing Places, Community and Family: What Drives Andrew Douglas

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

Andrew Douglas has been a regular feature on the mountain running circuit for the last 6 years. He made his mark instantly on the World Cup, winning it in 2015, then again in 2019,  finishing 2nd and 3rd in the intervening years. In 2019 he decided to take a sabbatical from his job and it certainly paid off, with wins at Snowdon and Broken Arrow and impressive positions in other World Cup races with stellar fields. We spoke to him about his journey in running, what he learned from his year of focussing on his running and what he thinks the future holds for mountain running.
 
Firstly, how are you and how are you coping with the current COVID-19 situation?
 
I am doing ok, safe and healthy most importantly, and adjusting in the best way I can in the circumstances. There’s much I can be grateful for in my own personal circumstances in that I’m still able to do my day job and train outdoors once a day, so just trying to keep a grounded perspective on things and keep in frequent contact with family and friends.
 
Can you tell us a bit about how you got into running initially?
 
My Mum tells me when I started going to primary school she had to buy a bike because I wanted to run all the way to school and she could no longer keep up with me, so I guess from a very early age! I joined the local athletics club in Caithness when I was around 10/11 years old, but it wasn’t until I started university where I properly began to focus on middle to long distance running. I think I always knew deep-down that distance running was my forte, but I didn’t really show any notable talent for it during my school-years so it was just something I participated in alongside other sports like swimming, football and badminton. I loved the social aspect of being in the Athletics and Running clubs at University so by wanting to become more involved in that way also got me to focus a bit more on training and developing as an athlete. Towards the end of University and starting working life, distance running then became the only sport I wanted to do and had the time for, so around that period was when I started working with my coach Sophie Dunnett on a more structured training plan and having targets to aim for.
 
 
D854538
 
 
And how did you get into hill/mountain running specifically?
 
I dabbled a little in hill running when I was at University and the first few years of working life, but that was just the odd occasion at a Highland Games when I wanted to pocket an extra bit cash! I was primarily a road and cross country runner, and with the 2014 Commonwealth Games taking place in Glasgow, it was my main aim to qualify for that. But when things didn’t work out in that respect, I was desperate for a new challenge and something that would take the focus off roads and aiming for specific times. In the summer of 2014, I planned for a season of hill and trail racing. I made the GB team for the European and World Championships, as well as winning the British Mountain Running Title, so the transition couldn’t have gone any better! But it was no fluke, and much of the credit needs to go to my coach Sophie who put in place the kind of training that got me well prepared for competing in the hills/mountains. Those experiences really got me hooked on mountain running, and notwithstanding the abundance of amazing places I have been to race in, meeting a whole new community of athletes that have become great friends is something that has made the switch such a worthwhile decision!
 
How did you come to the decision to take a year off work to focus on running in 2019?
 
There were a few factors that influenced my decision to take a year’s sabbatical from my job. From a career perspective, after having been working in finance for almost 10 years I felt like I was ready for a proper break but without wanting to leave my job. In terms of running, over the past couple of years I had been beginning to feel a tinge of frustration in finishing just outside the podium places in the big races, and the thought of how much of a difference being a full-time athlete would make always lingered at the back of my mind. I had experimented with training at altitude and other types of training camps, but often felt that the gains made were soon lost when returning to work. Another factor that was important to me was wanting to spend more time with family, in particular my young nephew and nieces living in the far north of Scotland. It’s not the easiest of places to get to, and with the limitation of annual leave that’s mostly being consumed with racing, I felt I was not seeing them as much as I should be. My parents make a tremendous effort to come and watch me racing as much as they can, but after my Dad underwent a hip operation in 2018, I knew after that I wouldn’t see them nearly as often unless I made the effort to visit them. So having that freedom away from working life made those trips a lot easier to make.
AndyDouglasWin
 
What advantages did you find being a full-time runner gave you? What did you learn from it that you apply to your training now?
 
It’s funny because when I was getting ready to go back to work towards the end of last year, I felt like I should be dreading going back to the office. But it wasn’t the case, and I was looking forward to seeing everyone that I worked with and having that degree of separation again from my life as a runner and my career. I never really viewed being a professional athlete as a sustainable lifestyle and a way to make a living independently. There were times during the year I did feel a void in my life that should have been filled with work. But the obvious advantage to being a full-time athlete was the ability to train more, recover longer, have the freedom to pick and choose races, and when I could go abroad to train. More specifically though it helped identify the areas that I needed to be more disciplined with, like drills to help running economy and the strength and conditioning aspects that I thought less about whilst I was in full-time work. In terms of my training now, the whole experience has really emphasised the importance of optimising recovery; so whilst you’re balancing that with work its best achieved through sleeping well and going to bed early. I focus more of my S&C sessions on the glute muscles and core stability, setting aside other exercises that seem less relevant. And quality training weeks are better defined by the hard sessions I’m able to do rather than hitting high mileage.
 
I understand that you are aiming to step up to the longer distance at this year’s world championships (assuming it goes ahead). Why did you think it was time for you to compete over a longer distance?
 
I must admit, at the time of writing, I am still deciding on that one! It was my target this year to step up to the longer distance, but with the racing calendar somewhat decimated for at least the next couple of months, it has forced me to reconsider my targets. I have had two really positive experiences at Sierre-Zinal over the past couple years so that’s given me some confidence in my ability over long distances, which has in turn helped me get over my not-so-positive experiences on the road with the marathon. But I was hoping to test the water in a couple of the Golden Trail WS races over the summer, and the trial race for the GB team for the WLD champs was due to take place in July which would have allowed me time to switch back to the classic distance should it have not gone to plan. However, it appears at this moment in time that we may not even get back to racing until late summer so I’m not going to rush into committing to anything just yet and instead take some time to consider my options.
 
48511129426 5edb4fd065 c
 
What are the key global races that you’d love to take on in the future?
 
There’s certainly a few on my bucket list, but most of them I’ll need to keep under wraps for now so I don’t panic my coach! I’d love to do one of the UTMB races, probably the OCC to begin with; don’t want to dive into the deep end straight away! The atmosphere that surrounds that event just seems so special. In all honesty though, the most exciting races for me are the European and World Championships and having that opportunity to be part of a team and represent your country. So wherever they are held, I just want to keep trying to qualify for those for as long as I can.
 
Why did you decide to volunteer to go on the athletes’ commission?
 
It was a no-brainer for me, I fell in love with the sport back in 2014 and if I can play any small part in helping it evolve and grow into something better than it already is, then that’s something I’m not going to think twice about doing. It’s fantastic that the WMRA value the opinions of current athletes and want to utilise our experiences of how things are in the current climate. Whilst there’s not going to be agreement on every initiative or plan, it’s important that we facilitate dialogue and debate so views can be heard from across the spectrum.
 
What developments would you like to see in mountain running in the future?
 
One of my favourite races to be a part of is the Trofeo Vanoni relays, and it’s a format that I want to see more of in mountain running. It’s such an exciting event, and for spectators its great because they get to see more action than what they would do when athletes are competing individually. From an athletes perspective it’s a different kind of experience in racing and a rare opportunity in feeling like you’re playing a team sport. I think introducing mixed-gender relays would be a great initiative; determining which nation is the best all-round at mountain running.
 
I think one of the big challenges we face is how to market mountain running to a mainstream audience, whilst still respecting its traditions and all the things that make this discipline of athletics special. I would like to see more coverage across various media outlets, because from a visual perspective there’s so much going for it. I think if we’re aiming high then ultimately becoming an Olympic sport would be the pinnacle, but to even get close to that stage we have to see how we can appeal to more athletics federations and increase the representation of countries at regional and global championships.
 
Overall, I’m feeling positive in the direction that mountain running seems to be taken in. There are so many things that make this sport special and with the will of those involved to keep moving things forwards, I can see a bright future ahead.

Incredibly Close Races At Trofeo Vanoni But No Records Broken

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

It was billed as a star-studded race and Trofeo Vanoni 2019 didn’t disappoint!

The 36th women’s Vanoni race had 112 starters, including the 2019 World Cup winner, Sarah McCormack, and 2017 and 2018 World Cup champion, Lucy Murigi. After the gun went off the runners climbed up through the crowds to Priula. Murigi immediately went into the lead, with McCormack and Elise Poncet hot on her heels.

They reached the first summit almost together and then a very fast descent followed. As Murigi then approached the ‘jump’ she misjudged it slightly and slipped. Could that have been the mistake which cost her a chance at breaking Emmie Collinge’s record? It didn’t, however, cost her the win. She crossed the finish line in 21.16, an agonising 3 seconds off Emmie Collinge’s record. Just behind her, Sarah McCormack (Snowdon Race Team) took second place in 21.23, followed by Elise Poncet just 5 seconds later. Anais Sabrie (France/22.12) and Gaia Colli (Atl. Valle Brembana/22.17) completed the top 5. Last year’s winner Elisa Sortini (ATl. Alta Valtellina) was sixth in 22.30, followed by Pavla Schorna (22.53), the Scout Adkin (23.04), Alice Gaggi (La Recastello Radici Group/23.13) and Kelli Roberts (Snowdon Race Team/23.19).

Murugi copyright Meneghello

The first 3 runners all being within 12 seconds,says a lot about the level of the race, as does the fact that there were 7 non-Italians in the top ten. A memorable Vanoni ladies race with a very high standard.

Afterwards Murigi said, “The jump took me a bit off guard, it’s a shame not to have set the record, but it was still a great race”.

TROFEO VANONI RELAY RACE: UNRIVALLED ATLETICA VALLE BREMBANA

There were 156 relay teams at this year’s Trofeo Vanoni relay race. Combined with the good weather and excellent organisation by CSI Morbegno it created a great spectacle. In the early stages the record holder Alex Baldaccini set off fast and was leading at the top of the first ascent, but by the time they hit the red carpet he was shoulder-to-shoulder with Alberto Vender. Baldaccini passed the baton to Luca Merri, while Atletica Valle Brembana launched Francesco Puppi. In the second leg the gap of the Valle Brembana Team increased to two minutes with Puppi who, despite a good race, hoped for a better time.

Trofeo Vanoni G Meneghello GM 19 02049

On the third leg Nadir Cavagna tasted triumph, slowing down in the finishing straight to drink in the applause of the spectators. But it was a fight for the remaining positions on the podium with Cesare Maestri, who gets the best time of the day (29.28) and takes Atletica Valli Bergamasche to second place, with the French team in third. The first three teams all finished within 16 seconds, demonstrating the competitiveness of the field. The top 5 was completed by the Tornado (with Bacchion and the Cassol brothers) and La Recastello Radici Group (with Ruga, Piana and Bertolini). Next was the Snowdon Race Team, the SA Valchiese, the Falchi, the inov-8 Team, Spain and the “red devils” of the CSI Morbegno (Giovanni Tacchini, Stefano Sansi, Marco Leoni).

Trofeo Vanoni G Meneghello GM 19 02071

Find out more about Trofeo Vanoni. 

Images by Ganassa and Meneghello. 

 

Will Records Fall At Trofeo Vanoni?

Written by Tomo Sarf on . Posted in Latest News.

It’s been announced that Lucy Murigi will run at Vanoni for the first time in this year of the ‘super edition’. The organizers, CSI Morbegno, after already securing the Italian Mountain Running Team, the podium from the Italian Relay Championship and the female winner of the World Cup, have announced that Lucy Murigi will also be lining up.
 
Murigi was the 2017 and 2018 World Champion, winner of Sierre-Zinal in the same years, as well as this year’s winner at Smarna Gora. With a line-up including 2019 World Cup winner Sarah McCormack and Lucy Murigi the women’s record could well be under threat. The 36th Vanoni women’s race starts on Sunday 27 October 2019 at 11.00 a.m.
 
The line-ups for all the races are exceptional this year and you couldn’t bet against any of the records falling. Giovanni Ruffoni from the LOC says “You are all invited to Morbegno. This year we really made the bang. For the “normal” athletes the opportunity to compete side by side with the top runners, for fans the joy of supporting and see live the best specialists in the world.”
 

LucyMurigi
The starting list is currently being finalised and foreign teams are arriving in Morbegno. In the male relay race, there’s a face-off between the top three teams of the Italian Championship of mountain running relay 2019: Atletica Valle Brembana (headed up by the record holder Alex Baldaccini), Corrintime (led by Bernard Dematteis who won the Snowdon Race Memorial G.P. Bottà) and Atletica Valli Bergamasche Leffe (winners in 2017). Strong outsiders are Falchi Lecco (first Italian team in the last edition), Tornado (revelation team this year) and La Recastello Radici Group (second in 2016). They, along with the more aggressive foreign teams such as the French and the British one (first and second last year, will engage in a fight that could, for the first time in 12 years, bring them close to the team record, the monumental 1h28’55” signed by the GS Forestale with Rinaldi, Manzi and De Gasperi.
 
Fans of mountain running should be in Morbegno (North Italy, in the middle of the Alps) because it will be an edition that will go down in the record books. The LOC says “The value of the Vanoni Trophy lies in the fact that it is a race for everyone: the leading champions at international level, the local runners who compete every Sunday, young runners who can see their idols up close, dreaming of being able to emulate them one day, the crowd who turn the path into a natural stadium”.
The ‘relay’ factor adds further value because the emotion involved in running not only for yourself, but also for your teammates, the strategic choice of the starting order, make this race a unique and highly appreciated event at European level”.
 
 
FOLLOW TROFEO VANONI IN REAL TIME!
 
Follow the live streaming on www.trofeovanoni.it and the breaking news on Facebook and Instagram.
 
THE FULL PROGRAM
 
Saturday 26th October 2019
17.00  Meeting point at St. Anthony square for all the runners and teams
17.30 Runners and teams parade through Vanoni street and deposition of wreath at  war memorial
18.00  Mass at Saint John Church
 
Sunday, 27th October 2019
 9.00  Junior races start
11.00  36th Vanoni ladies race start
11.05  42nd Minivanoni junior race prizes awarding
14.00  62nd Vanoni Trophy race start
17.30 36th Vanoni ladies race and 62nd Vanoni Trophy prizegiving ceremony at Sala Ipogea – St. Joseph Church