Announcement from the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA). American Trail Running Association founder Nancy Hobbs is the WMRA Secretary. Above photo: Richard Bolt.
The WMRA is delighted to announce final details of the 15th International U18 Mountain Running Cup. After 2 years of cancellations due to Covid-19, the event is confirmed for Sunday the 26th of June in the town of Saluzzo, an hour south of Turin, Italy. Entry forms, regulations and the Team Manual have been sent to all member federations, including details of travel grants, accommodation and the course.
This year’s race will take place over 4.35km with 155m of ascent and descent. It begins with a short loop, 550m around the center of Saluzzo, before a long loop of 3.8km takes runners up onto the hillside to the west of the town. There will also be non-championship races for under 14s and under 16s.
The International U18 Mountain Running Cup plays an important part in the development of young athletes, giving them the opportunity to represent their country in an international competition. It also gives athletes whose primary sport might be track, cross country or orienteering a flavor of racing in the mountains.
Joslin Blair. Photo: Richard Bolt.
Team USA is currently accepting applications from qualified athletes until May 1 [Apply Here]. American’s have a history of success at this international mountain running event including the 2019 girls taking a team bronze medal. At the 2018 event Joslin Blair (Eagle, CO) took the girls individual gold medal.
For fans of the sport, the U18 Cup is an opportunity to see many of the future stars of mountain running, although many of the athletes who take part go on to find success in other disciplines of athletics. Like Yeman Crippa, who won the 2012 edition of the event in Glendalough, Ireland, and who broke the Italian half marathon record earlier this year.
The 2019 races saw dominant performances from the French and Italian teams in the boys and girls races respectively, with both taking a 1-2-3 clean sweep of the podium. Katja Pattis was victorious in the girls race while Hugo Schropfer got the better of his teammate Basile Basset in dramatic fashion, taking the win by the width of the pins on his number.
Three years later, there will be a brand new group of athletes on the start line in Saluzzo. The French and Italian teams will no doubt be looking for a repeat of the 2019 results, but it won’t be easy. The United States, Turkey, England, Czech Republic and Poland all have a history of sending consistently strong teams to this event.
Photo: Richard Bolt
About the WMRA:
Formed in 1984, the World Mountain Running Association is the global governing body for mountain running and has the goal of promoting mountain running for all ages and abilities. As well as the World Cup they organize Masters Championships and the U18 Cup. This year they are working in partnership with World Athletics, ITRA and IAU to deliver the first World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.
