Tag: wmra2024

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.

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

Teams HERE

GALLERY PHOTOS WMRA BY MARCO GULBERTI

All photo credits WMRA by Marco Gulberti

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 WMMRC UPHILL RACE: FIRST SNOW OF THE SEASON GREETS MASTER ATHLETES

Written by Hector Rubio on 13/09/2024. Posted in Latest News, Latest News - Feature Home Slide.

In a remarkable display of endurance and fortitude, the Canfranc 2024 World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Spain, commenced with the uphill race amidst extreme weather conditions.

Camilla Magliano (ITA) at the Canfranc 2024 Uphill WMMRC- Photo Ó WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Overnight, the first snow of the season blanketed the highlands, creating a wintry landscape that greeted athletes with temperatures of 3°C at the start line, dropping to around zero at the summit. Windchills of -10°C made the race a gruelling challenge for even the toughest competitors.

Despite these harsh conditions, the athletes demonstrated exceptional competitiveness and determination. Italy’s Camilla Magliano delivered a standout performance, clinching victory in the women’s race, while Belgium’s Charlotte Cotton continued her dominance by securing her third consecutive title in the W40 category, in the uphill race.

THE COURSE

The race began on the outskirts of Canfranc, with a 500-meter stretch of asphalt that quickly funneled athletes into the heart of the forest. The challenging terrain immediately tested the runners’ stamina, as they climbed towards the mountains.

By kilometer 3, the athletes reached the first aid station, where the weather, which had been snowy and cold earlier, began to clear. Both runners and spectators were treated to breathtaking views of the Spanish Pyrenees, whose majestic peaks were finally visible as the clouds lifted.

As the athletes continued their ascent, the course wound through forested paths and rugged terrain, eventually leading to the summit of La Raca at the Astún ski resort, standing at an altitude of 2300 meters. This final climb, through snow-covered trails and with biting winds, was a true test of endurance and mental strength, making each finish all the more impressive.

MEN’S RACE

The men’s race saw a thrilling battle at the front, with Eduar Hernández (ESP) M40 taking the victory on home soil. Hernández’s win was hard-fought, as he was closely followed by the British duo of Thomas Roach and Andrew Douglas, with all three finishing within a minute of each other. This intense battle for the podium was one of the highlights of the day, as the athletes tackled the challenging conditions head-on.

Eduard Hernández (ESP) overall winner and also M40 winner at the Uphill WMMRC- Photo Ó WMRA by Marco Gulberti

Just behind the top three, Ian Conroy (IRL) delivered a strong performance to secure fourth place overall and third in the M40 category, showing the depth of talent in the field.

The race also showcased the continued strength of the M40 category, with two of the top four finishers still competing in the Elite WMRA World Cup, underscoring the high calibre of competition in this age group.

Eduard Hernández (ESP) overall winner and also M40 winner at the Uphill WMMRC- Photo Ó WMRA by Marco Gulberti

In the M50 category, Tofol Castanyer put in an impressive run, finishing just four minutes behind the race leaders, further proving his remarkable fitness and endurance. Fernando Bojarro of Spain also had a standout performance as the first M60 athlete, highlighting the exceptional level of competition across multiple age groups.

Tofol Castanyer, M50 winner at the Uphill WMMRC- Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

This year’s race also featured a remarkable showing in the M75 category, with six athletes braving the course, further demonstrating the diversity and competitiveness of the field. Their participation, along with that of 10 athletes in the M/W75 categories overall, added to the inspiring atmosphere of the event.

WOMEN’S RACE

Despite these harsh conditions, all athletes demonstrated exceptional competitiveness and determination. Italy’s Camilla Magliano delivered a standout performance, clinching victory in the women’s race, while Belgium’s Charlotte Cotton continued her dominance by securing her third consecutive title in the W40 category.

Charlotte Cotton (BEL) W40 winner at the Uphill WMMRC- Photo WMRA by Marco Gulberti

The women’s race saw further remarkable performances, particularly in the W50+ category. Two athletes from this age groups finished in the top 10 overall, showcasing the incredible fitness of all competitors.

Nives Carobbio (ITA), competing in the W55 category, finished 6th overall, while Spain’s Margarita Fullana, who famously won the bronze medal in cross-country mountain biking at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, claimed 8th overall and 1st in the W50 category. Fullana’s continued prowess in endurance sports is a testament to her athletic longevity and versatility.

“This was not just about speed, but survival,” commented one participant. “The wind, snow, and cold really pushed us to our limits, but it’s what makes mountain running so unique and challenging.”

The opening day of the Championships has set a thrilling tone for the weekend, with athletes from across the globe delivering inspiring performances under extreme conditions. This year’s competition, framed by the early snowfall, promises to be remembered as one of the toughest yet in the World Masters Mountain Running history.

UPHILL RACE RESULTS

Individual HERE

Teams HERE

PHOTO GALLERY WMRA BY MARCO GULBERTI

All photo credits WMRA by Marco Gulberti

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: wmra2024

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