Tag: wmmrc2024

CANFRANC 2024 CLASSIC DISTANCE WMMRC: TRUE GRIT – AGE IS JUST A NUMBER.

Written by Hector Rubio on 15/09/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

The final day of the Canfranc 2024 World Masters Mountain Running Championship concluded in thrilling fashion this morning with the Classic Up&Down race, featuring 17 km and 1050 meters of elevation gained, where competitors braved the cold at the 8:30 am start.

With around 450 runners on the starting line and an impressive 439 crossing the finish, today was a celebration of true sportsmanship and perseverance, proving once again that age is just a number in mountain running.

By the time the first winners crossed the finish line at Canfranc’s international station, the temperatures had become more forgiving, but the grit and determination displayed by the athletes throughout the course remained a constant.

Canfranc International Station at the Classic Distance WMMRC- Canfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

THE COURSE:

The course itself was a true test of endurance and technical ability. Following a similar layout to the long-distance race from the day before, runners first tackled a tough ascent, climbing steadily to Refugio Buenavista, the highest point of the course.

Upon reaching this summit, runners were rewarded with one of the best views of the Canfranc Valley – a moment aptly named “Buenavista.” From there, the race shifted into an exhilarating, fast-paced descent through the forest, with narrow, winding trails demanding both speed and precision. The rugged and demanding terrain provided a spectacular setting for the final race, with the Pyrenean peaks adding to the drama. The finish line, set against the imposing backdrop of Canfranc’s iconic international railway station, marked a perfect conclusion to a weekend filled with determination and passion.

Classic Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Today’s Classic Up&Down race offered a fitting conclusion to the championship, with athletes of all ages and nationalities showcasing the essence of mountain running: resilience, skill, and a deep love for the mountains.

The World Masters Mountain Running Championship in Canfranc will be remembered not only for its fierce competition but also for the spirit of camaraderie and determination that defined the entire weekend. For those who competed, it was a true test of their abilities, and for the spectators, an inspiring display of what can be achieved at any age.

Classic Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

WOMEN’S RACE: MAGLIANO’S VINI, VEDI, VICI

In the women’s race, the familiar pattern from the past two days unfolded once more, with Camilla Magliano (ITA) taking an early lead and holding it all the way to the finish. Her victory completed a clean sweep of the weekend’s events, making her one of the undisputed stars of this championship.

The star of the day was Italy’s Camilla Magliano (ITA), who clinched her third victory of the weekend. After dominating the long-distance and uphill races, Magliano completed her “vini, vedi, vici” cementing her status as one of the standout performers of this championship.

Her consistency and strength over the challenging Canfranc terrain were unmatched, and she crossed the finish line in first place, securing the overall women’s title once more. It was a fitting conclusion to a weekend that saw her crowned champion in every event she entered.

Camilla Magliano (ITA) wins at the Classic Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Spain’s Margarita Fullana, who famously won the bronze medal in cross-country mountain biking at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, claimed 4th overall women and 1st in the W50 category similarely as she did in th Uphill race on Friday.

There was also a strong showing of international talent, with women from seven different nationalities in the overall top 10 of the race, and five different nationalities crowned as World Champions.

MEN’S RACE: DON’T STOP ME NOW.

The men’s overall race offered one of the day’s most intense battles, as Andrew Douglas (GBR) faced off against Eduard Hernández (ESP). The race began with a gruelling ascent, winding through the forested slopes and rocky technical sections that challenged even the most seasoned runners.

Douglas showcased his mastery on the mountain’s technical terrain, particularly excelling in the descents. The 7th place ranked in the World Mountain Running Championships in Patagonia 2019 showed his downhill speed and skill allowed him to gain crucial ground on Hernández, creating enough of a gap to claim the overall victory as well as the M35 gold medal. Hernández fought valiantly but could not close the gap, settling for silver. This reversed the positions from Friday’s Uphill race, where Hernández took the win and Douglas finished third.

Andrew Douglas (GBR) win at the Classic Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Italy’s success didn’t stop at the women’s race, with Veteran runner Franco Torressani (ITA) added another gold to his extensive collection of championship victories. Having claimed titles in nearly all age categories over the years, the priest, Torressani, proved once again that experience and resilience are the keys to success, securing first place in his age group and further bolstering Italy’s medal haul.

CLASSIC UP&DOWN DISTANCE RACE RESULTS

HERE

GALLERY PHOTOS WMRA BY MARCO GULBERTI

Full gallery HERE

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS MEDUNO 2025

The 2025 World Masters Mountain Running Championship will be held in Meduno, Italy, organised by the Meduno 2025 LOC, FIDAL, Atletica San Martino, and Polisportiva Val Meduna.

Meduno is a village in the northeast of Italy, not far from Venice, and is well connected by three airports (Venice, Treviso, and Trieste) and major roads.

Known as the regional capital of paragliding, Meduno offers stunning natural landscapes at the foot of the Dolomites, along with experienced and welcoming organisers (having hosted the 2022 National Masters Mountain Running Championships and the 2021 European Off-Road Running Championships).

The event will feature three different courses for Masters from around the globe: an uphill race to Monte Valinis, a classic up&down course, and a long-distance race.

https://www.meduno2025wmmrc.org

CANFRANC 2024 LONG DISTANCE WORLD MASTERS MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS A THRILLING DAY OF COMPETITION

Written by Hector Rubio on 14/09/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

This morning, the second day of the Canfranc 2024 World Masters Mountain Running Championships (WMMRC), featured the Long Distance race, offering a formidable 34 km course with 2000 meters of elevation gain.

Starting at the historic Canfranc International Station, athletes faced early temperatures of around 6°C, with the heat rising to 20-22°C by the time the first competitors crossed the finish line. The dramatic shift in conditions added another layer of challenge to an already demanding course. Around 400 athletes lined up at the start, and despite the tough terrain, an impressive 90% of participants successfully completed the race, showcasing the resilience and preparation of the field.

Canfranc International Station at the Long Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

THE COURSE: THE SPIRIT OF CANFRANC

The 34 km course featured a combination of steep ascents and descents, featuring a series of technical zigzags, testing the athletes’ endurance and skill. Much of the route followed ancient paths constructed decades ago to protect Canfranc from avalanches and falling rocks. The protective mountains of Los Arañones shield Canfranc-Estación and the valley floor from natural hazards, with the paths still standing as a testament to the area’s rich history.

Long Distance WMMRC- Cnfranc 2024. Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Today’s race was run under a clear, sunny sky, in stark contrast to yesterday’s wintry conditions. As the athletes moved through the rugged rocky terrain, they were treated to the incredible beauty of the pure Pyrenees landscape, a sharp departure from the previous day’s snow and freezing temperatures.

The course, lined with jagged rocks and steep cliffs, showcased the dramatic scenery of the region. With crystal-clear views of the surrounding peaks, runners had to balance their admiration of the stunning environment with the intense focus required to navigate the technical sections safely. These rocky paths, combined with the rising temperatures, tested the athletes’ endurance in a different but equally challenging way compared to yesterday’s snow-packed trails.

MEN’S RACE: THOMAS ROACH (GBR) TAKES CONTROL.

In the men’s race, Thomas Roach (GBR), who had already shown his strength with a second-place finish in the previous day’s uphill race, took charge from the very start. Leading from the first meters, Roach demonstrated his mastery of both the technical terrain and the long-distance format. By the time he crossed the finish line, he had pulled an astonishing 10-minute lead over his nearest competitor, showcasing both his tactical intelligence and physical resilience.

Roach, as well as the other participants, had to carefully navigate the switchbacks, not just during the ascents but also during the descents, where concentration was essential to avoid losing precious time or making a misstep on the rocky terrain. Every single uphill meter gained was hard-fought, with the runners weaving through narrow paths that were designed to protect Canfranc’s historic International Station from avalanches and falling rocks.

Despite the sunnier, warmer weather, the difficulty of the course did not wane, and Roach’s ability to dominate this technical terrain was a testament to his exceptional skill in mountain running.

Thomas Roach (GBR) at the Long Distance Canfranc 2024 WMMRC- Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

WOMEN’S RACE: MAGLIANO’S DOUBLE GOLD.

In the women’s race, Camilla Magliano (ITA) followed a similar script to her performance yesterday. The Italian athlete, fresh off her victory in the uphill race, took control from the start and never looked back. Her pace and endurance were unmatched, and she crossed the finish line in a Top 25 overall position, an extraordinary feat given that the men started 20 minutes earlier.

Camilla Magliano, winner at the Long Distance Canfranc 2024 WMMRC- Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Magliano’s consistency and strength over the weekend were remarkable, earning her back-to-back gold medals in both the uphill and long-distance events. Her victory today solidified her status as one of the top competitors in the W35 category, and she finished ahead of a highly diverse field, with over seven nationalities represented in the women’s overall top 10.

NOTABLE PERFORMANCES ACROSS AGE CATEGORIES

The competition across the age groups was as fierce as ever, with many familiar names delivering strong performances after yesterday’s uphill race. In the W50 category, Angela Mudge (GBR), the 2000 World Champion, added another silver medal to her collection, following her second-place finish in the uphill event.

Another standout performance came from the USA’s Anita Ortiz in the W60 category. After claiming silver in the uphill race yesterday, Ortiz ran an outstanding race today, earning gold in the long distance event. Her performance highlights the continued competitiveness and endurance of these veteran athletes.

Anita Ortiz (USA ) W60 at the Long Distance Canfranc 2024 WMMRC- Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

LONG DISTANCE RACE RESULTS

HERE

PHOTO GALLERY WMRA BY MARCO GULBERTI

Full gallery HERE

THREE WEEKS TO GO: CANFRANC 2024 WORLD MASTERS MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP

Written by Hector Rubio on 22/08/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

THREE WEEKS TO GO: CANFRANC 2024 WORLD MASTERS MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP

In just three weeks, the world’s top master mountain runners will converge on Canfranc, Spain, for the 2024 World Masters Mountain Running Championship. This year’s event promises to be truly historic, marking the first time in the championship’s history that all three World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) modalities—Uphill, Classic, and Long Distance—will be featured in the program.

The Canfranc 2024 World Masters Mountain Running Championships have already set new records, with an impressive 1,400 athletes from 35 different countries registered to compete. In this regard, Álex Varela (Director WMMRC 2024) mentioned: “As Director of the WMMRC 2024, we would like to express our gratitude to the WMRA and RFEA for their trust and support in selecting our event to host this championship. We believe it is already a success to have these competitions held in our country and in our Pyrenees. Furthermore, we are proud to have set a new participation record, with nearly 1,400 runners from 35 countries, 70% of whom are from outside our borders. As always, the Canfranc-Canfranc, through its dedicated organising team and volunteers, will strive to deliver the best edition of this Championship in history.”

CANFRANC: A PYRENEAN GEM

Canfranc, located in the Aragonese Pyrenees, is a town with a rich history in mountain running. The CanfrancCanfranc race, now in its 18th year, has hosted three Mountain Running World Cup events and several Spanish Championships, establishing itself as one of the toughest and most respected races in the sport.

The experience gained from organising these events will ensure that the World Masters Championship runs smoothly and successfully. Moreover, it will serve as an excellent test for the CanfrancPirineos 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, which will also be held in Canfranc next year.

The 2024 championship is open to all masters runners aged 35 and older who are federated in athletics in their respective countries. This allows athletes from around the world to compete on a global stage, testing their skills against their peers in one of the most challenging environments imaginable.

ONE WEEKEND THREE RACES

The championship will run from Friday, 13th September, through Sunday, 15th September, in the Pyrenees, a mountain range known for its rugged beauty and demanding terrain.

Uphill 6km

The event begins with the Uphill race, a grueling 6km climb with a staggering 1,000m elevation gain that will challenge even the most experienced mountain runners.

Long Distance 34km

Saturday will feature the Long Distance race, a 34km course with a 2,000m elevation gain that demands both endurance and tactical acumen. This race is not just about speed but also about navigating the challenging landscape that makes Canfranc one of the premier destinations for mountain running.

Classic Race 17km

The championship concludes on Sunday with the Classic race, a 17km event that includes a 1,000m ascent. This race has long been a staple of mountain running, and its inclusion in the championship will provide a fitting finale to what promises to be an extraordinary weekend of competition.

THE MEDALS

Finally, as a preview of the rewards awaiting the champions, please find below an image of the medals that will be presented to the future Canfranc 2024 World Masters Mountain Running champions as they cross the finish line.

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING ASSOCIATION

Tag: wmmrc2024

CANFRANC 2024 CLASSIC DISTANCE WMMRC: TRUE GRIT – AGE IS JUST A NUMBER.