34 km • D+ 1850 m • From Meduno’s heart to the slopes of Monte Valinis

 Day two of the World Masters Mountain Running Championships brought the Long Distance race to the Friulian foothills: 34 kilometres and 1,850 metres of climbing that stitched together town lanes, old hamlets and the shoulder of Monte Valinis.

After yesterday’s downpours, the trails woke up slick and playful; the downhills had angles that rewarded nerve and neat footwork. The forecast held true for most of the day—warmth around 20°C—before storm showers rolled in just as the leaders hit the final three kilometres. The rain arrived in brisk pulses, never disruptive, and for many it felt like a gift: fresher air, faster feet, bigger grins.

Overnight showers left parts of the course slick, especially on steeper cambers where the downhill angles demanded clean footwork and brave lines. Temperatures sat around 20°C, the air warm without the suffocating heaviness of Friday.

As clouds thickened through late morning, the ridge above Monte Valinis drifted in and out of view; by the time the front of the race had five kilometres to run, a burst of rain swept across the hillside—short, punchy, and more energising than disruptive—adding a final layer of complexity for tired legs.

Overnight showers left parts of the course slick, especially on steeper cambers where the downhill angles demanded clean footwork and brave lines. Temperatures sat around 20°C, the air warm without the suffocating heaviness of Friday.

As clouds thickened through late morning, the ridge above Monte Valinis drifted in and out of view; by the time the front of the race had five kilometres to run, a burst of rain swept across the hillside—short, punchy, and more energising than disruptive—adding a final layer of complexity for tired legs.

The race fired out from Meduno’s town centre, a lively ribbon of supporters funnelling the field towards Borgo del Bianco, a picturesque enclave where the tarmac yielded to trail. From there the route climbed towards Monte Valinis, yesterday’s uphill finish, offering wide-angle views back to the valley and a clear look at clouds mustering on the horizon.

The middle third stitched together climbs and traverses across forested slopes, a sequence of rhythm changes that rewarded even pacing and punished haste. With five kilometres to go, the first shower broke; the trails slickened, descents grew spicier, and confident movers from northern latitudes thrived. The final run-in reeled the race back towards Meduno, the bells and voices in town pulling athletes home.

Tencho Zhekov (BUL, M35) judged the day to perfection, pressing the climbs without panic and attacking the technical downs when the rain arrived. He claimed the overall men’s victory in 2:57:27, a sub-three that drew a roar from the finish chute. The women’s race saw a statement from Christine Lundy (USA, F55), whose experience told on the back half; she moved steadily through the field and sealed the overall win in 3:44:51, pairing efficiency with unmistakable grit.

Masters depth shone across the board. Patricia Olivos Aguilar (MEX) took F35 honours in 4:00:53, closing strongly through the final muddy kilometres. Spain’s Ana Cristina Aguado Mori—a multiple world champion at masters level—won F60 in 4:22:19, measuring her effort to the second on the long climbs. In the men’s field, Karl Gray (GBR) captured M55 with 3:24:11, while Winfried Huber (GER) delivered a composed performance to win M65 in 3:57:41. Italy’s ever-reliable Pierino Barbonetti added another line to a storied résumé, taking M75 in 4:32. Across categories, the same pictures repeated: steady craft on the climbs, tidy feet on the descents, and grins that resisted the rain.

Full results https://www.endu.net/en/events/mondiale-master-corsa-in-montagna-long-distance/results  

All pictures © WMRA by Marco Gulberti