Press release from the World Mountain Running Association written by Kirsty Reade.
The 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup has an exciting mix of races new to the series, as well as established favorites which attract the best athletes year after year. Look forward to incredible racing and discover up-and-coming runners, all under the backdrop of some of the most stunning mountain locations in the world. The World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) partnership with Valsir will ensure that the World Cup continues to grow.
Valsir World Cup Kicks off in USA
Seventeen races across 11 events in 8 countries make up the 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup. First up and kicking off the 2023 World Cup is Gold Label race Broken Arrow in Palisades Tahoe, California, USA slated for June 16-18. This race first debuted in the World Cup in 2019 and this year it will again provide a vertical uphill race on Friday (6.8km with 954m of ascent) and a long mountain race on Sunday (23km/1533m).
Broken Arrow describes itself as ‘European-inspired mountain running characterized by off-trail scrambling, steep terrain, and massive amounts of vertical gain and loss,’ and the majority of it takes place at over 2000m. It always boasts top elite fields in both races and it’s a fitting place to begin this year’s World Cup.
Morgan Arritola on course at Broken Arrow in 2019. Photo: Mike Scott
Next up – Poland
From the USA, the World Cup will head to Zakopane in Poland for the first Silver Label race of the year at Tatra Race Run on June 25, a long mountain race over 24km with 1700m of ascent. This race made its debut in the 2021 World Cup and it takes place in in the Tatra Mountains, the highest range in the Carpathian Mountains between Poland and Slovakia.
Next up – Portugal
The following weekend (July 2) the World Cup moves on to Portugal for the next Gold Label race, Montemuro Vertical Run, a classic mountain race in Castro Daire. It’s only the 3rd edition of this event but at its World Cup debut last year it proved to be a stunning location and a fast, runnable course with 980m of ascent over 10.2km. The final steep, technical climb to the summit delivered a brutal sting in the tail with panoramic views.
Piz Tri Vertical photo: WMRA.
Next up – Italy
After a weekend off, the next Gold Label event will be a double header in Malonno with Piz Tri Vertical on July 15, and Fletta Trail (classic mountain race) on July 16. These races will showcase the fervency of Italian mountain running and are sure to attract a top field like they do every year.
Next up – France
From Italy it’s on to France for the next Gold Label race on July 22, La Montee Du Nid D’Aigle. This is another classic mountain race of 19.5km with 2000m of ascent, taking place in Saint Gervais Mont Blanc. The ‘climb to the eagle’s nest’ is steeped in tradition – this will be its 36th edition – and is seen as a must-do race for mountain runners. It delivered some amazing racing in the World Cup in 2021 and 2022.
Andrew Douglas on course at Sierre-Zinal. Photo: WMRA
Next up – Switzerland
After a brief summer break the World Cup returns on August 12, with arguably the most famous mountain race of all, Sierre Zinal. This year marks its 50th edition and there’s no doubt that it will attract a top field of international runners. Dubbed, ‘Le Course des Cinq 4000s,’ Sierre Zinal is the next long mountain race at 31km with 2200m of ascent and 1100m of fast, runnable descent.
Next up – Italy
September sees some more big World Cup races. First, it is off to Nasego for the second Italian double header on September 2-3. On Saturday, enjoy the 8th Vertical Nasego, the next vertical uphill race with 1000m of ascent over just 4.1km. This race is always a classic of the mountain running calendar and provides some unforgettable images as the final section is so steep it requires hands as well as feet. The following day Trofeo Nasego provides the next long mountain race of 21km with 1330m of ascent, most of which comes in the second half. Runners have a flatter, fast first half, then they take on the steep climb to Refugio Nasego before the final descent.
Canfranc-Canfranc. Photo: Sergio Mayayo
Next up – Spain
The next weekend (September 8-10) Spain hosts the first of two weekends of Gold Label World Cup racing this year. CanfrancCanfranc, the race which will host the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, will provide the setting for another vertical uphill race, with 927m of ascent over 4km, and the next classic mountain race of 16km with 1600m of positive ascent. In the vertical uphill race runners will start at Rosieta and top out at Tuca Blanca at 2400m. On the circular route of the classic mountain race runners will head to the peak of La Moleta at 2572m at the 5.8km point, then race it out over 10km downhill to the finish at Canfranc Estacion.
Next up – Italy and Slovenia
On September 30, Primiero, Italy hosts a Silver Label race, which makes its debut in the World Cup – the Primiero Dolomiti Trail race, a classic mountain race, followed by another Silver Label race on October 7 at an old favorite for the World Cup, Smarna Gora Race. This will be the 44th edition of this historic race.
Finale – Spain
Finally it’s back to Spain for the Sky Gran Canaria Gold Label races on October 13-25. The beautiful town of Agaete on the coast will play host to three races – a vertical uphill, classic mountain and a long mountain – which will decide the final World Cup standings for the runners.
Editor’s Note: Follow the WMRA ranking to see how the athletes are stacking up against one another through the mountain running season.
