Written by World Mountain Running Association Council Member Tomo Sarf.
Results, story and photos from the 28th International Schlickeralmlauf, Telfes in Stubaitall, Austria on July 31, 2016
Petro Mamu /ERI/ and Andrea Mayr /AUT/ are the clear winners of the third stage of the World Mountain Running Cup 2016 in Telfes-Stubaitall-Austria.
After some nice sunny days in Stubai Valley it stared to rain right an hour before almost 200 runners from 11 countries gathered on the start line in Telfes. Light rain did not spoil the atmosphere; the runners don’t like hot sunny weather. Luckily it stopped raining just before the race started and only the wet, slippery ground remained. Runners enjoyed the 11,5 km long course with almost 1300m elevation gain. Only on the way back to the valley they found energy to admire all the beauties of this unique landscape.
Just after the start a small mixed group was formed. The five African runners started fast on the first flat part and just few others did follow. The late winner Mamu planned to attack in the steep, middle part, where he got one minute advantage and after he only controlled what was going on behind him – after winning the first two WCup stages, he was the favourite already before the start and he did not disappoint. Robbie Simpson, who finished second, seems to be a big surprise although he is standard member of the British MR team since 2008; he even finished world and European Championships 2014 and 2015 inside top 4, so his excellent run should not be a surprise. Kenyans Wangiri and Kosgei are well known runners and their top positions were expected. Runners from five countries were on the top seven positions.
Andrea Mayr is still dominating in the international women’s mountain running; she even improved her own course record for 14 seconds. The second placed Sylvia Schwaiger from Slovakia finished fifth the European Champs a month ago in Arco, but on a completely different course. American Annie Bersagel is in Europe mostly unknown, so her third place was a surprise also for her opponents. Runners from five countries were on the top six positions.
The organizer did a good job. The competition was well organized and all the participants left the Stubai valley with remark in their diaries “come again”.
Results:
men:
1.Pero MAMU – ERI – 56:07
2.Robbie Simpson – GBR – 57:39
3.Francis WANGIRI – KEN – 58:16
4.Isac KOSGEI – KEN – 58:31
5.Toni LAUTENBACHER – GER – 59:27
Women:
1.Andrea MAYR – AUT – 1:04:13
2.Silvia SCHWAIGER – SVK – 1:07:00
3.Annie BERSAGEL – USA – 1:08:15
4.Petra NOVAKOVA – CZE – 1:10:47
5.Susanne MAIR – AUT – 1:11:16
