The following press release, provided by WMRA Media, features the Grossglockner Mountain Run, one of the races in the 2024 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup and part of the Carinthian Mountain Cup. Featured photo courtesy: Marco Gulberti.
From 4 to 7 July 2024, the Grossglockner Mountain Run offers a varied four-day program, which is intended to guarantee tourist relevance for the entire sports-loving family. Both the children’s races and the elite competition “King of Heiligenblut” will enliven the Mountain Running City and set highlights for spectators. The planned running offer will be rounded off by the activities of the Hohe Tauern National Park and the summer concert in Heiligenblut.
An international mix of 13 top mountain running events guarantees media appeal beyond Austria’s borders. Former elite mountain runner and multiple winner of previous editions of the Grossglockner Mountain Run, Jonathan Wyatt returns to Heiligenblut as World Cup Manager and celebrates the bond with the region in a new function.
Dr. Johannes HÖRL, Director of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road stated, “The Grossglockner Mountain Run – with a view of Austria’s highest mountain – is the ‘top of Austria’ and this year’s only Austrian venue for the Mountain Running World Cup! From the point of view of the Grossglockner High Alpine Road, the largest monument in Austria at the foot of the Grossglockner, this fits together well, which is why we are happy to be part of it as a partner!”
Celebrations from the press conference on February 6, 2024 in the Klagenfurt Sports Park. Photo credit: traussnigmjk.
Media Impact
Participation in the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup takes the international media coverage of the Grossglocker Mountain Run to a new level.
– World Athletics is the main partner and media amplifier
– In 2023, 120 articles were published in 5 languages (English, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Polish) about the World Cup
– 65 media partners worldwide
– Instagram reach 2023 – 940,000 accounts reached
– Facebook reach 2023 – 360,000 accounts reached
World Cup Ranking
Over the World Cup season, points are collected from the athletes and the overall World Cup winners are calculated from the total results. The 9 best World Cup results will be included in the ranking of the overall World Cup. The high number of results included in the ranking guarantees a large contingent of international top athletes at the Grossglockner Mountain Run. There is an additional mountain running world ranking supported by the WMRA.
King of Heiligenblut
King of Heiligenblut
Another highlight of the program will be the second edition of the “King of Heiligenblut.” On Saturday, July 6 at 5:00 p.m., spectators can look forward to a race full of excitement, tactics and sprints to the finish line in the Mountain Running City. The elite athletes of the Grossglockner Mountain Run compete against each other on a 1.5-kilometer circuit. With four laps, the last 25% of the field is eliminated at each finish line. Thrills and top performances are guaranteed and the spectators can look forward to seeing the elite athletes up close.
The Route – King of Heiligenblut
Children’s Mascot Painting Contest
The Grossglockner Mountain Run still needs a MASCOT!! Together with the Carinthian Youth Provincial Councillor Sara SCHAAR and the Hohe Tauern National Park, visual education and sport are networked. Children will have the opportunity to draw the new mascot at school and the picture chosen by the jury and the public (the best drawings will be exhibited in the Steinbockhaus in Heiligenblut during the GG Mountain Run weekend) will be brought to life as the new MASCOT.
