Team Resume Selection Closing Soon for US U18 Youth Mountain Running Cup that will compete in Donovaly, Slovakia in June
The US Youth Mountain Running Team will compete at the 18th International U18 Mountain Running Cup in Donovaly, Slovakia on June 14th. US Citizens ages 16 and 17 are eligible to apply for the team by completing this form.
Teams from 15 countries are expected at the event, which consists of an uphill-only 5.8 kilometer (3.6 Miles) race with an elevation gain of 513 meters (1680 feet). The course runs mainly through forest terrain and meadows in Donovaly, a mountain village in the Banská Bystrica region of Slovakia located at 960 meters above sea level. Donovaly is home to one of Slovakia’s most famous ski resorts.
Course for the 18th International U18 Mountain Running Cup.
The US squad has had phenomenal success in the last few years at the Youth Mountain Running Cup, including back to back podiums for both the boys and girls teams in 2023 and 2024. The team is looking to continue that success in 2025 with another great US team.
Eligibility and How to Apply for Team USA
To be eligible for Team USA, applicants must be born in either 2008 or 2009 (age 16-17 as of December 31, 2025) and be U.S. citizens and current USATF members. For consideration for the team, athletes can fill out the application form with their contact info and running accomplishments at this link. Runners do not need to have previous mountain running experience although trail and mountain race results are encouraged and considered. Deadline to apply is April 20.
US Boys Gold medal Team in Palencia Spain at the U18 Mountain Running Cup 2024
US Team Member Rosie Mucharsky competed for the US in both 2022 and 2023 at the Youth Cup. She is headed to Notre Dame in the Fall of 2025. She shared this memory of her experience with us:
“I was fortunate to run for the U18 mountain running team two times, once in Italy and another in France. Besides running in some of the most beautiful courses I have ever had the opportunity to run on, for me it was the people. Becoming close with my USA team, the coaches and other runners from around the world makes it a very special experience. These are people that have become some of my closest friends and I have no doubt we’ll be connected forever. In some ways it’s indescribable how wonderful it is. You have to come with the mindset to take in every moment because it goes by quickly.
US Girls Silver medal Team in Palencia, Spain
Program
Teams from the US will arrive in Vienna, Austria where the local organizing committee will meet team members and transport them to Donovaly on Wednesday, June 11. The competition occurs on Saturday, June 14. Teams will then return home on June 15. Race Website
Team staff U18 Mountain Running Cup
This year’s Team will again be managed by Melody Fairchild and Paul Kirsch who both were the team staff at the last two Mountain Cups in Annecy, France and Palencia, Spain. Melody brings an extensive coaching background with her Boulder Mountain Warriors youth running team, as Jr. team coach for World Cross Country Championship (Uganda, 2017) and as Senior Women’s Coach for World Cross in Arhus, Denmark (2019). She also was a member of the 2012 US Mountain Running Team. Her 8th place finish helped the US Women’s squad to win the gold medal. Paul was was the U20 US Mountain Running Team Manager from 2010-2024, and is team leader for the 2025 US Mountain and Trail Running Teams. He also has been race director of more than 10 USATF Mountain Running Championships.
Race Website: https://www.bamm.sk/18th-international-u18-mountain-running-cup-2025-slovakia
Application Form for US Team (Due April 20)
