The following release is published with permission from the World Mountain Running Association and features results of the 2024 U18 International Mountain Running Cup. Featured photo courtesy Marco Gulberti.
June 22, 2024 – Palencia. Athletes from 15 countries competed in the U18 International Mountain Running Cup today, Saturday, June 22, bringing together exciting young talent from all over the world. Runners travelled from countries including Mexico, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Hungary, the United States and Bulgaria to take part. The host race for this, the 17th edition of the Cup, was the stunning Montaña Palentina, in the province of Palencia, Spain.
The course was a 5.4km circular loop, with 225 meters of elevation gain, starting and finishing at the Barruelo de Santullán football field. The first half involved a gentle climb, followed by a more favorable descent back to the starting point. The predominantly wooded terrain and good trails produced predictably fast-paced racing.
Before the U18 competition kicked off, there was an open public race with 50 runners. Then the main competition, which is open to runners born in 2007 and 2008, began. The women set off first, with the men following 45 minutes later.
U18 Women’s Race
In the women’s competition it was very close at the front. Eventually it was Lucia Ferrari of Italy who triumphed in 27.49. Pushing her all the way to the line was Marina Pujalte Sanchez of Spain in 28.14. Anina Hirzel of Switzerland completed the women’s podium in 28.16.
Team USA’s Claire Guiberson placed fifth and said, “When I went out, I went out at the front with the lead. I was in third at one point and I was thinking it would be cool to get a medal and I did get passed by two girls in the middle which was hard, but I knew mentally I had to stay locked in. I tried to catch them, I did not pass them at all but In the effort of pushing myself no-one passed me so I did a good job just keeping place and that’s how I did well.”
Teammate Sophia Rodriguez finished in 10th place and said, “The race was good. It was definitely tied for number one of the hardest races I’ve done. I went out there looking to win it so I went out pretty hard and surging on the ups, the flats and the downs and yeah, I definitely gave it my all out there. It was so much fun. Just coming here and just being in Spain experiencing all these different countries and sharing a great moment and a great race with everyone and seeing everyone run to their full potential is amazing. I love mountain more than track and cross country. It has my heart.”
Team USA’s Sierra Wall, finished 13th and said, “The start was definitely aggressive. I wasn’t planning on going out too fast because I didn’t want to burn out in the first quarter mile or half a mile, so I stuck to the mid pack and tried to stay there for that first little uphill and I tried to pass on the flat because that is when you could pass. Then up the first hill I just tried to stick with everybody and try to pushy further up and then on the downhill I was just trying to be as aggressive as I could be and hold my place and even get further up. And then the finish, it was crazy. Everybody was cheering so I just tried to put it all out there.”
Team USA’s Eleanor Raker finished 21st added, “It was so much fun. It’s not like anything I ever experienced before, but I loved every minute of it. It was just so much fun. It was a huge eye opener.”
u18 Men’s Race
The men’s competition was similarly close, and eventually just 12 seconds separated the podium. Emilien Simoneau of France took the win in 23.59. Close behind him, in 24.10 was Jhonnatan Omar Reyes Rodriguez of Mexico, who beat Dylan Blair of the USA in a sprint finish by just one second!
Blair said, “The race was really fun. The uphills were really spread out so then you had a ton of break on the downhill and everybody just started slowing down at the end and that’s where we were all able to pass so our team got first.”
Twin brother and teammate Tyler Blair who finished in 11th position added, “I had some trouble getting out at the start, but passed a ton of kids on the up and then just sent it on the downhill. (It) got super muddy, but a super fun race.”
Team USA’s Boston Potts finished fourth and said, “It was pretty good, I really made the surges on the flat sections at the top of the hills and let it rip on the down, it was a lot of fun, even more fun to pass all of the competitors. I think we executed a perfect race (as a team).”
Team USA’s Zeke Wilcox who finished 21st added, “It went pretty well. I got trapped, but that’s part of racing here in Europe. I’m super proud of these guys and they did what they need to do and I couldn’t be more proud.”
u18 Team Competition
In the team competition Spain came out on top for the women, with the USA taking silver duplicating their effort from last year, and Scotland the bronze. For the men the USA won gold again as they did in 2023, France silver and Italy bronze.
Complete results from the U18 event:
Women individual
Women team
Men individual
Men team
Montaña Palentina: A Hidden Gem of Spanish Topography
Montaña Palentina is a natural treasure with significant scenic value and a population of over 20,000. The main urban center is Aguilar de Campoo. The region’s rugged landscape, marked by famous peaks like Peña Prieta, Curavacas, and Espigüete, forms part of a majestic mountain range.
“Events like the U18 International Mountain Running Cup highlight Montaña Palentina as a prime location for outdoor sports, particularly mountain running, which is growing in popularity throughout Palencia province. Our region’s landscapes remain a hidden gem for many mountain enthusiasts,” said Fran Caballero, director of the Local Organizing Committee.
The next U18 International Mountain Running Cup will take place in Slovakia, near Bratislava in June 2025.
Editor’s Note: Learn more about Team USA here.
