A team of US athletes will compete at the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup Final in Slovenia on August 23, and 24. Hosted by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA), the World Cup is a mountain race series that started in 1999.
In 2025, the World Cup includes 15 races, held in eight countries across the globe. The series culminates at the final in Slovenia and consists of two races, an 8.5 kilometer uphill race with 1,280 meters of ascent in the village of Kamnik and the Smarna Gora race, a classic 10km mountain race just outside the capital city of Ljubljana. The event celebrates its 46th running in 2025.
Supported by ATRA, and The Trail Team (TTT), a group of three men and three women were selected via resume and selection committee to represent the United States at the World Cup Final. These runners were selected, as development athletes, based on their potential to make Team USA for the 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
Jonathan Wyatt, WMRA Mountain Running World Cup Manager, had this to say, “When organizing the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup we try to assist runners with their travel and logistics support and provide as much help as we can to make sure they have a great World Cup experience. When hearing about fantastic initiatives such as The Trail Team who are supporting USA-based runners to get over to European World Cup races it was an easy decision to jump on board and help. Having such a large contingent of US runners competing in the World Cup finals is really a testament to the work done by all involved including the local race organizers. We know that the runners love getting these opportunities to compete alongside the World’s best and we look forward to growing this co-operation in the future with The Trail Team.”
Men
Benjamin Townsend, 21, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Benjamin recently placed 1st at Ueda Skyrace for U23, 2nd in the U23 division of the Penang Skyrace and 19th at the Broken Arrow Skyrace 23k. “I love my country and it means the world to represent the USA. Ever since I was a kid it has been my absolute dream. This is not my first time racing abroad, but it is my first time with a true team. I’m beyond stoked to have a team there with me, it always helps to have something greater than yourself to run for, in this case the USA and my teammates.”
Jeret Gillingham, 23, Flagstaff, Arizona
Jeret is a Northern Arizona University alum, with a personal best of 8:32 in the 3000m steeplechase. He recently placed 14th in the Broken Arrow 23k and 7th at Mount Marathon.
Bayden Menton, 21, Gunnison, Colorado
Bayden recently placed 6th at Mount Marathon. “It is such an honor to have the opportunity to represent the USA, especially on the trails! I raced abroad in Italy two summers ago at the youth skyrunning world champs, but haven’t been back since. Traveling to race with fellow USA teammates is so empowering, especially as a ‘development’ athlete, I am beyond grateful for this opportunity and I can’t wait to learn the ins and outs from the more experienced members of the team.”
Women
Kyla Christopher-Moody, 24, Bozeman, Montana
Kyla is a Montana State Alumna with a 15:47 5000m personal best. She recently placed 13th at the Broken Arrow 23k. “I’m honored to represent the USA. I’m racing abroad for the first time 3 weeks before so this is all very exciting and new to me. Having a team is wonderful – knowing I’m supporting my teammates and they’re supporting me makes racing that much more enjoyable.”
Gabby DeAngelis, 23, Durham, New Hampshire
Gabby recently placed 14th at Sunapee Scramble and 2nd at the Loon Mountain Race. “To represent the USA means representing strength and resilience. If we want something bad enough, we can make it happen. I have played soccer abroad in England once before, but this is my first race abroad. Having a team means having guaranteed cheerleaders! It’s great to have a crew to bounce ideas off of and fuel the stoke.”
Team Leaders
In addition to the The team will be led by Courtney Coppinger and Andy Wacker.
Coppinger represented Team USA at the 2023 NACAC Mountain and Trail Running Championships. A Brooks athlete, Coppinger placed highly at a trio of Golden Trail World Series races this summer placing 5th at Tepec Trail, 9th at Great Wall and 10th at Kobe Trail. Coppinger placed 5th at the Sunapee Scramble and will represent Team USA in the Classic event at the 2025 Mountain and Trail World Championships this September.
Wacker has represented Team USA 17 times on the trail. He recently placed 9th at Broken Arrow 23k, 5th at Sunapee Scramble and ran 4:00.0 in the mile.
Editor’s Note: Read the article from last year’s race at Smarna Gora here.
