Qualifying Standards for the 2015 Long Distance Mountain Running Championship Team

USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Executive Committee just approved qualifying standards for the 2015 Long Distance Mountain Running Championship Team.

1) the top US male and female from Pikes Peak Ascent (August 16, 2014) will be automatically qualified for the 2015 US Long Distance Team, regardless of place.  2) Any US athlete who is in the top 3 overall at Pikes Peak Ascent (August 16, 2014) will qualify.   3)  Top finisher from US Trail Marathon Championship (Moab, Utah - November 8, 2014) will qualify; 4) Remaining spots will be chosen by resume (as few as 1, and as many as 3 for  both male and  female team).

The US Long Distance Team will be comprised of five men and five women; top 3 score (cumulative times from the three top runners).

The 2015 WMRA Long Distance "Championships" (name is proposed to change from Challenge to Championships at the 2014 WMRA Congress meeting in Casette di Massa, Italy in September) will be hosted by the Zermatt Marathon on July 4, 2015.

Mexico to host the NACAC Mountain Running Championships

Story by +Nano Hobbs - Photos by +Richard Bolt

The 11th North American Central American Caribbean (NACAC) Mountain Running Championships will be held on Sunday, July 20, at Carrera La Chupinaya in Ajijic, Jalisco, over a 13.8-kilometer course, the same venue which hosted the event in 2011.

Men's podium - 2011 NACAC Mountain Championships

Although the event is open to 31 member nations USA, Mexico, and Canada have traditionally been the only countries fielding competitors. And, as in the past, teams from Mexico, Canada, and the United States are expected to compete this weekend. Teams are comprised of up to four men and four women with the top two finishers scoring for their respective country.

Competitors will start in the principal square of town, head toward the mountains, cross two creeks and start ascending. The majority of the course is within the Sierra Madre Mountains offering amazing views of Chapala Lake, with a downhill finish back at the town square.

2011 NACAC Mountain Champs in Ajijic, Mexico

Says USA Team Leader +Richard Bolt, “Ajijic offers a truly unique and challenging mountain championship. In 2011, the local support was absolutely fantastic with people packing the town square where the start / finish was held.  The course will be tough as the first and last mile are on very rough cobblestone streets and the upper course run over narrow, steep, muddy mountain trails. Combine this with the hot, humid weather in Central Mexico and this race will only be won by a tough and experienced mountain runner."

2011 women's NACAC Mountain Champion +Maria Dalzot 

The NACAC Mountain Championships have been held since 2004, with the event rotating between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This is the fourth time Mexico has hosted the event having previously staged the championships in 2006, 2008, 2011. Canada hosted the championships in 2007, 2010, and 2012, while the U.S. hosted every other year with last year’s NACAC Mountain Championships held at the Cranmore Hill Climb in North Conway, NH.

+Joseph Gray is the defending men’s champion and also won the NACAC Mountain Running Championships in 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. The defending women’s champion is +Morgan Arritola from Team USA.  There will be a new champion this year as neither Gray nor Arritola will compete in Mexico.

US Team announced for the World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge

Story by Nancy Hobbs.  Photos by Richard Bolt

A talented group of ten athletes – five men and five women – have been named to the U.S. Long Distance Team to compete at the 11th annual WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge to be hosted by the Pikes Peak Ascent on August 16, 2014.

Of these athletes, three have racing experience on Pikes Peak. Two on the men’s team, one on the women’s team. Eric Blake, 35, West Hartford Britain, CT, was last year’s winner in the Ascent posting a time of 2:13:45, more than nine minutes ahead of his nearest rival. With his victory last year, Blake earned an automatic spot on this year’s team.

+Eric Blake 

+Sage Canaday, 28, Boulder, CO, raced to a fourth-place finish in the Ascent in 2012 with a time of 2:21:16, and earned his spot on the team based on his powerful running resume which included a third-place finish at this year’s Mount Washington Road Race presented by Northeast Delta Dental, one of the selection races for the team.

For the women, +Stevie Kremer, 30, Crested Butte, CO, is last year’s Pikes Peak Marathon Champion. Her ascent time was 2:44:02 enroute to a round trip age-group record time of 4:17:10. This result and her mountain racing prowess including a third-place finish at the Vail Pass Half Marathon and second-place finish at the Mt. Evans Ascent – both selection races for the team – earned her a spot on the squad.

Of the remaining team members, six are Coloradoans. +Joseph Gray, 30, Shannon Payne, 28, and Allie McLaughlin, 23, all call Colorado Springs home and Zach Miller, 25, lives in Manitou Springs near the base of Pikes Peak. Andy Wacker, 24, lives in Boulder, and Nuta Olaru, 43, lives in Longmont.

+Joseph Gray 

Gray earned his spot on the team having won two of the three selection races in which he competed – the Vail Pass Half Marathon and Mount Washington. He is also this year’s USA Mountain Running Champion. Payne earned her spot with her win at Mount Washington. McLaughlin, finished second in the Vail Pass Half Marathon and is this year’s USA Mountain Running Champion. Miller finished second in the Vail Pass Half Marathon, third at the Mt. Evans Ascent, fourth at Mount Washington. He was also fourth at the USA Mountain Championships. Wacker and Olaru earned their spots with wins at Mt. Evans.

The final team member, +Morgan Arritola, 28, Ketchum, ID, earned her spot with a win at the Vail Pass Half Marathon.

+Morgan Arritola warming up for the race.

The World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge is regulated by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) under the patronage of the IAAF. The first World Long Distance Mountain Challenge was held at Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland in 2004. Since then, the event has been hosted primarily in Europe, but also in the U.S. with the Pikes Peak Marathon hosting in 2006, and the Pikes Peak Ascent in 2010. In 2015, the Zermatt Marathon will host the Long Distance event on July 4.

The first team competition took place in 2009. The U.S. Women have won the team title twice and the individual title twice. The U.S. Men have one gold and one silver team titles, along with two individual titles. The top three members on the team score for the team.

Expected to compete are runners representing their national federations from Germany, Italy, Poland, South Africa, England, Scotland, Australia, Austria, Japan, Eritrea, Ireland, Canada, and Slovenia. Many of the countries are fielding full teams, although some countries are just fielding one or two runners.

Results from the WMRA International Youth Cup

Story and photos by ATRA Executive Director Nancy Hobbs.

Seventeen countries were represented among the nearly 100 entrants in the 9th World Mountain Running Association's International Youth Cup held in Arco, Italy, on Sunday, June 29, 2014.

Junior boys and girls ages 16 and 17, competed for their respective national athletic federations in the hopes of winning an individual, or team medal. How the athletes were selected varied from country to country.

Start of the junior men's race.

In the United States, selection was based on a running resume accompanied by a letter of recommendation from a coach and/or a parent.There was a similar program in Germany whereby coaches contacted representatives in the federation if they had an athlete who might be a good fit for the program whether they excelled in cross country, or had specific skills in off-road running. In many countries, Italy being an example, there were specific selection races.

The Irish junior team had its roots in cross country. Leo Mahon, team manger of Ireland, explained their team selection process during an interview on race day, “We draw the athletes from cross country. Usually the first three across the line at a specific race get the trip. We could also preselect if there is an athlete with a proven mountain running record that is unable to travel to the selection race.”

Of the six members of this year’s Team Ireland, most had mountain running experience. Says Mahon, “Five have been away with us in the mountains. For one boy, it is his baptism to mountain running. I’d be interested to hear his comments after the race.”

Junior women on course

Mahon went on to provide his thoughts on the course in Arco, “It is very technical. All kinds of surfaces. The start in the center of town brings a different atmosphere to the race. For the publicity, for the town, it is very good. For some of the mountain running purists — they may prefer courses that start and finish right in the mountains. I personally love the course and it will be interesting to see how the athletes get on.”

Like Mahon, many of the team coaches were on course to cheer on their athletes at various points along the course. Others opted to watch the race unfold on the big screen in the town square. The live streaming was a great addition to the event and provided not only coaches, but spectators an opportunity to experience much of the race without leaving the start/finish area.

Switchbacks on the course

It was a indeed a unique event including cobblestones on the pathway leading runners through town, past shops and small hotels. There were numerous steps on the ascent which led runners toward the 12th century castle. There was a flat, grassy section at the base of the castle, more ascending and more steps and then a steep descent to the 2 kilometer point. The remainder of the course included a mixture of grassy terrain, steep descents, a dirt pathways through olive groves, a final descent through town which leveled out for the final 300 meters to the finish line. It was a very challenging course with the girls running nearly 4 kilometers, and the boys nearly 5 kilometers.

The day started out with cloud cover and temperatures in the low 70s. As Mahon remarked shortly after the start of the girls’ race at 10:30 a.m., “The weather has been kind to us. The clouds are high…there is a gentle breeze.”

Cameron Moore from Team USA

The weather held for the girls’ race, but by the 11:15 boys’ start, the clouds had rolled in and a light rain started to fall. By the end of the boys’ race, the rain was steadily falling.  In the girls race, the early lead went to Burcu Subatan, Turkey, who was first to reach the flat grassy section just beyond the one kilometer mark. But the course did not stop climbing here. And Subatan, a proven climber, increased her lead up the roadway toward the castle. On the descent, a few of the chase runners - Elsa Racsan, France, and Russians Tatiana Ivanaeva and Sinaida Antonova started to gain ground.

Through the trails in the olive grove, Racasan took the lead and crossed the finish line in Arco timed in 19:43. Second was Ivanaeva in 19:55, while Subatan was third in 20:02. There were 48 finishers in the girls race.

In the team competition — three runners comprised a team, all of whom had to finish the race to score — France won gold with 30 points followed by Bulgaria with 33 points and Russia with 35 points.

The men’s competition also saw a runner from Turkey leading after the first climb. This runner was Abdullah Yorulmaz. But on the descent, Yorulmaz, with a 10 second lead, missed a turn some two kilometers into the race, and Italian Davide Maginin overtook him. Yorulmaz quickly doubled back to the course, but Maginin was already pulling away.

Yorulmaz was not strong on the descent and even though he made it back on course quickly, he was overtaken by six more runners and ended up in eighth position. Magnini was cheered by the home town crowd as he crossed the finish line more than 30 seconds in front of the second runner. Magnini was timed in 21:29 followed by Pierre Xolin, France, in 22:07, and Samuele Nava, Italy in 22:08.

Cameron Moore was the sole athlete participating from the United States. In his first international mountain running event, Moore placed 44th among the 47 runners in the boys’ race. Moore’s time was 26:25.

“I got off to a really bad start,” said Moore who lives in Edwards, Colorado, and just completed his junior year at Battle Mountain High School. “I waited for a countdown, but there wasn’t one. All of a sudden everybody took off and I got stuck in the back. I did manage to pass some guys, but it wasn’t nearly enough.”

Cameron Moore after his race.

Moore admitted that he’d never run on a course quite like the one in Italy, but learned a lot. He was proud to represent his country during this first appearance for a U.S. athlete at the Youth Cup and showed a maturity beyond his 17 years.

In the boys' team competition, Italy scored 13 points to take gold, while Turkey won the silver medal with 36 points. England rounded out the top three teams taking the bronze medal with 38 points.

There were 18 full teams for both divisions, (Russia and England both fielded an “A” and a “B” team). Complete results are available at http://www.castlemountainrunning.com/international_youth_cup/it/classifiche.asp

Top junior women.

The venue for the 2015 WMRA Youth International Cup will be announced in September at the WMRA Congress meeting which is held at the time of the World Mountain Running Championships in Casette di Massa, Italy. The Championships will feature both junior (ages 16-19 in the year of competition), and senior competition.

The Polish Economic Forum interviews Nancy Hobbs

In advance of this September's World Mountain Running Championships in Poland, ATRA Executive Director Nancy Hobbs answered questions from the Polish Economic Forum.

Nancy Hobbs, Marco De Gasperi and Paul Kirsch

How many people run in the mountains In the USA? Is it a popular sport?

In the United States, mountain running and trail running are often used interchangeably and in most cases, refer to the same type of running in terms of terrain, elevation changes, and running surface. Since mountain runs are often contested on trails – either single track or double track – the trail running term fits quite well. Keep in mind that some mountain runs are staged on paved, or semi-paved surfaces, but must still have significant (uphill) elevation gains to be considered mountain runs – this is one element of mountain running that distinguishes the sport from trail running.

Mountain running has gained popularity and increased awareness in the U.S., especially during the past decade. And in 2003, the U.S. held its first USA Mountain Running Championships in Vail, CO. Since then, the event has been contested three times. In 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010 & 2012  Mount Washington hosted, and in 2007, 2009, 2011 & 2013 Mt. Cranmore served as the host. With new mountain and trail races organized every year, existing races offering shorter distance runs as part of their race repertoire, and parks and recreation departments expanding trail systems, there are more opportunities than ever for people who want to experience trail and mountain running. Add to the mix running groups – both informal and club-oriented – who schedule workouts to attract trail and mountain runners with daily or weekly runs off-road.

Individuals participate in trail running on a daily basis or as weekend warriors depending on lifestyle commitments and the proximity to a trailhead. The sport that primarily attracts people from athletic backgrounds who have a desire to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily routines to experience peacefulness and freedom afforded by the outdoors. Road runners opt for the trails when they seek softer, more forgiving surfaces in an effort to lessen the effects of impact, or overuse injuries. Hikers often switch to running on the trails because they want to go farther at a faster pace. Conversely, mountain bikers who want to go slower and enjoy the scenery, often give trail running a try. Winter cross country skiers and snowshoers often convert to trail and mountain running in their “off season.”

Where is the heart of mountain running in USA? (where are the best tracks?)

I think the "hot beds" are in California, Colorado, New England and also North Carolina. The terrain varies from the different areas of the country whereas in the east, there are roots, tree leaves on trails covering roots, single track, rocky sections. In Colorado some of the trails are smoother at lower elevations (than in the east), not to say they are "easier." California trails can be a bit "drier" depending on the location.

What are the biggest mountain running events in USA? How Many people take part in the events? What are the prizes?

This is another very broad question. There are some races that have larger participation numbers, others have a greater allure or following based on the iconic nature of the event, or the time the race has been held -- like Pikes Peak Ascent/Marathon and the Dipsea. Many of our trail and mountain races are limited in size based on permits required from various entities, or the limitation of the race course -- narrow areas, etc. Some of the events have prize money, others have medals, trophies, something endemic to the area (pottery, crafted medals or awards, etc.).

How organized is mountain running in United States? Who / how many brands support mountain running in the US?

Well organized although there are many different groups, or sponsored events. There are series events from North Face, Montrail, LaSportiva, Salomon and more. USA Track & Field hosts championships at trail distances from 10k to 100 miles and also stages a USA Mountain Running Championships. There are great supporters in the industry from running footwear brands, apparel, etc.

What are the best American mountain runners? Are they coming to Krynica for the World Championships  I’m sure they already have competed with European runners – what are their advantages over Europeans? What are the biggest successes of american mountain runners? Are we going to have an American champion in Krynica?

We have very talented trail and mountain runners in the USA. Of course we have had USA champions at the World Level to include Max King and Kasie Enman in 2011 in Albania. Max is again on the team and of course is hungry for a win! We hope we have a U.S. Champion of course, but it depends of course on the day -- who is competing, who has the best day, who favors the course and terrain in Krynica. Our athletes will be poised for their best effort and we hope that outcome results in medals for our individual and team athletes.

What are your expectations for the polish World Mountain Running Championships?

Challenging course, great competition, cultural immersion for the athletes and supporters of the U.S. team.

When are you coming to Poland? How long will be the trip and will it affect U.S runners performance in Krynica?

I will arrive August 27 to run in the World Masters Mountain Running Champs in the Czech Republic and then travel a bit before arriving in Krynica on Thursday, September 5. We are always at a disadvantage at the event based on long travel from USA. It takes up to 24 hours depending on the area of the country from which the athlete originates (those in California have the longest journey of course). Many of our athletes are seasoned with travel, however, some of the newcomers to the team (especially some of the juniors), are not as familiar with the impact of travel on performance. We provide some support for our athletes in terms of education about jet lag, travel, etc., and we are as ready as we can be for the competition.

What would you say to polish fans wishing to support US runners in Krynica?

Visit us at www.usmrt.com as we will be tweeting and doing live video chats in advance of the competition.  Learn about our team members and cheer us on!

 + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 

Nancy Hobbs has been running trails and directing running events since the mid-80s and her articles and photographs about the sport have been published in magazines including Runner's World, Running Times, Trail Runner, and Ultrarunner.  She is the founder and executive director of the American Trail Running Association, a council member of the World Mountain Running Association, manager of the US Mountain Running Team (started the women’s team in 1995), and chairperson of the USATF Mountain Ultra Trail Council. Hobbs lives in Colorado Springs, CO, but travels extensively nationally and worldwide to support and promote trail and mountain running.

Team USA selected for WMRA Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge

Team USA will compete in the 10th WMRA Long Distance Mountain Running World Challenge to be held in Szklarska Poręba, Poland, on August 3, 2013.

Stevie Kremer (center) won the 2012 World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge

The WMRA Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge has been held every year since 2004 when Sierre-Zinal hosted the event. Since then, the event has showcased races with international prestige to include Switzerland’s Jungfrau Marathon which twice hosted the event, the first in 2007 and a return last year. There have also been two visits to Pikes Peak in Colorado. In 2006, the Pikes Peak Marathon www.pikespeakmarathon.org was the host, and in 2010, the Pikes Peak Ascent was the host. It was announced in January 2013 that the Pikes Peak Ascent will again host in 2014.

Team competition began in 2009. Teams are comprised of up to five men and five women, with the top three finishers’ times from each country added together for scoring. All of the team members must be members of their respective athletic federations. In the case of Team USA, this entity is USA Track & Field.

US men's team at the 2012 event.

Slated to compete for Team USA are Jason Bryant, 40, Elkin, NC, Josh Ferenc, 30, Keene, NH, Zac Freudenburg, 35, St. Louis, MO (presently living in The Netherlands), David James, 35, Flagstaff, AZ, and Gabriel Rodriguez, 35, Baltimore, MD, on the men’s side. For the women, Alison Bryant, 34, Elkin, NC, Stevie Kremer, 29, Crested Butte, CO (presently living in Italy), Amber Reece-Young, 34, Asheville, NC, Sesalie Smathers, 43, Asheville, NC, and Michele Yates, 31, Littleton, CO.

Located in the western portion of Poland, Szalarska in the valley of the Kamienna River. It is surrounded by mountains with the highest point, 1362-meter high Mt. Szrenica.  The race course will be approximately 44 kilometers with 2150 meters of climbing and 1380 feet of descending. The route follows along the Karkonosze Mountain ridge.

Team USA athletes are looking forward to the event. Michele Yates said, “It is a life long dream to visit Poland and now that I have an opportunity to represent my country at something I love, somewhere I have always wanted to go...I truly feel on top of the world!”

US women at the 2012 event.

Teammate Amber Reece-Young replied, “We have a strong team and I am looking forward to the World Long Distance Challenge. I'm super excited and ready to push my limits. It is such a blessing to have this opportunity and I am so grateful."

Gabriel Rodriquez said, “I am very excited and honored to be a part of the 2013 Long Distance Mountain Team for Poland. We have a great mix of experience and youth. Obviously, this past weekend I had the pleasure of battling with LD Mountain Teammate, Josh Ferenc, at Mount Washington (we placed 6th and 7th, respectively in tough conditions), so I know we are fit and ready to climb and take on any course and competition. We will have great leadership once again with Jason Bryant, and Zac is our most seasoned ‘Euro.’”

Last year’s U.S. teams were on the podium, with the women’s team winning gold, and the men’s team winning silver. Results for the 2013 event will be posted at this link.  In advance, visit the organizer’s Facebook page at this link.

Story by Nancy Hobbs.

International Mountain Running Youth Challenge Scheduled for July

Junior USMRT member Laura Beresford at the 2010 World Mountain Running Championships

The 8th Annual WMRA International Youth Cup will be held in Gap, France on Sunday, July7.  This mountain/trail running event provides an opportunity for athletes ages 16 and 17 (in the year of the competition) to participate on an international stage.

The event is held under the auspices of the International Athletics Federations (IAAF) and the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) who awarded the hosting of the 2013 Youth Mountain Race World Cup to the City of Gap and the Athletics Club of Gap Hautes-Alpes in 2012.

Junior USMRT member Chase Culkins at the 2010 World Mountain Running Championships

The race course in Gap will include mountain paths with the junior boys running run 5.3 kilometers resulting in a total elevation gain of 335 meters. The junior girls will run 2.5 kilometers with 170 meters of climbing.

Read the full story by +Nano Hobbs on her Examiner page here.

World Mountain Running Association concludes annual meeting

The World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) held its annual council meeting January 11-13, 2013. The three-days of meetings for the nine-member council were held at the Marriott hotel located on the Riviera, La Porte de Monaco.

The first two days of meetings dealt with the many programs which the WMRA oversees to include the signature event, the World Mountain Running Championships which celebrates its 29th running on September 8, 2013 in Poland.

More than 40 countries are expected at this annual event including Team USA who hope to repeat their senior women’s gold medal finish from 2012, and to better the fourth place performance by the senior men. In addition to fielding a senior team the U.S. will also field a junior team comprised of athletes ages 16-19

Planning for the World Championships is well underway by the Polish organizers according to WMRA council member and technical delegate to the event Wolfgang Munzel. “I have visited this place and some changes will be made to the course so that it is in line with our established rules for ascent and descent,” said Munzel. “I will return to the venue in late March or early April when the snow is gone to work with the race organizers to finalize the course.”

WMRA Council - Photo credit: WMRA

One week prior to the World Mountain Running Championships, the World Masters Mountain Running Championships will be held. The Czech Republic will host the 13th edition of this popular event which is open to athletes ages 35-79. The 2014 Masters Championships were awarded to Telfes, Austria, to be held on September 6.

Another event on the WMRA calendar is the World Long Distance Challenge. This year’s event will be held on August 3, in Szklarska Poreba, Poland over a 44-kilometer course. More than 1000 athletes are expected to participate in both individual and team competition. In 2012, the USA won the team gold medal for women and the team silver for men.

The WMRA also oversees a grand prix series. This year’s schedule was confirmed in Monaco to include six events. In addition to the World Mountain Running Championships, the other events in the series include the opening event on June 2, the 33rd International Montee Du Grand-Ballon in Willer-Sur-Thur, France; the 3rd Castle Mountain Race in Arco/Trento, Italy on July 21; the 15th Grintovec Mountain Race in Kamnik, Slovenia on July 28; the 5th Asitzgipfel Mountain Race in Leogang, Austria on September 15; and the final race, the 34th Smarna Gora Race in Llubjana, Slovenia on October 5. Athletes score points through the series with the best of four to count in the final standings. Approximately $20,000 in prize money will be distributed among the top finishers in the series.

There is also an event in the WMRA portfolio for junior athletes ages 16-17. The 8th WMRA International Youth Cup was awarded to the French Athletics Federation to be held on July 7, at Gap (Hautes Alpes), France. The boys’ course will be 5km and the girls will run 3km.

During the final day of meetings, the definition of mountain running dominated the agenda. The topic was discussed at length which resulted in the development of proposed language for a new rule to appear in the IAAF rule book.

It was agreed by the Council that there are extreme variations in conditions in which Mountain running is practiced worldwide. The difference between very successful and unsuccessful events often lies in the natural characteristics of the venue and the abilities of the course designer. The proposed rule from the WMRA Council is intended as a guide and incentive to assist countries to further develop Mountain running. Guidelines are included to support worldwide race directors in the organization and logistics of their events.

The proposed rule will be forwarded to the IAAF for consideration with hopes for final approval by their Congress in August 2013. The rule would then appear in the IAAF rule book.

For more news from the WMRA visit their website at www.wmra.info.

Story by Nancy Hobbs - Executive Director - American Trail Running Association