The following press release was written by Kirsty Reade for the World Mountain Running Association and features the upcoming Valsir Mountain Running World Cup races in Canfranc-Estación on September 8 and 10. Featured photo courtesy Canfranc-Canfranc/Yhabril.
The area
Canfranc- Estación is a small mountain town in the province of Huesca in the Aragonese Pyrenees located at 1,200 metres. The town is surrounded by peaks of over 2,500 metres. An outstanding location for the next two Valsir Mountain Running World Cup races.
The weather is pretty perfect for running in the summer, normally between 20 and 30 Celsius, and the winter enjoys heavy snowfall. It also boasts hundreds of miles of trails marked out as part of their impressive Trail Space Project. An outstanding location for the next two Valsir Mountain Running World Cup races.
The events
Firstly, on the evening of Friday, September 8, it’s the next vertical uphill race. This 4k route will take the runners from 1455m at the Seta River all the way up to the summit of Tuca Blanca at 2313m. The path is good most of the way up, but it’s very steep in places, kicking up right at the end for the final push.
On Sunday, September 10, it’s time for the next classic mountain race, a 16km circuit. This race takes place on more rugged terrain and takes in 1600m of ascent along the way. The highlight for the runners is summiting La Moleta (2572m) which has stunning views across the mountain range. The route is essentially one brutal climb of 1400m over the course of just 5.8k, then a long descent back down to the finish.
Valsir World Cup standings
The competition is really heating up for the World Cup with points available in two races this weekend and then just three gold label races at Sky Gran Canaria to go. Joyce Muthoni (KEN), who is leading the women’s competition, could add some important points to her tally here, possibly putting the competition out of reach for the women.
Joe Steward (GBR), currently in fourth in the men’s competition could creep into the top three with a strong performance in the vertical uphill race, as could Remi Leroux (CAN). Lucy Murigi (KEN), currently in fifth position, could well improve her position this weekend and Camilla Magliano (ITA) could also see her ranking boosted strongly here. See the full World Cup standings here.
On course at Canfranc-Canfranc. Photo: Yharbril
Canfranc-Canfranc Vertical Uphill race
In the women’s race there are some very fit athletes. Muthoni has won Fletta Trail and La Montee du Nid d’Aigle this season, as well as a second place at Sierre Zinal. She won both races here last year and she will definitely be out to defend those titles. She will certainly face strong competition from fellow Kenyan Murigi, who has finished in the top ten for races consistently this year, as well as winning Giir di Mont. Magliano too is always a strong performer in big races and she finished fourth in the vertical race and second in the classic race here last year.
Other women to watch include Olivia Magnone (FRA) who was runner-up in the long mountain race here last year, and Maitane Melero (ESP).
For the men there are a host of very strong Spanish athletes as well as some familiar contenders from the World Cup. Daniel Osanz (ESP) is the defending champion for the vertical race and Raul Criado (ESP) was third in the long race here last year, and sixth in the vertical race. He could well improve on that if his strong showing at Broken Arrow was any indication. Steward is having a very strong season with podiums at Vertical Nasego and Piz Tri Vertical. Leroux has also had success at Montemuro this World Cup and could also do well here.
Other men to watch include Vincent Loustau (FRA) and Ricardo Cherta (ESP).
Canfranc-Canfranc 16k Classic Mountain Race
Many of the athletes from the vertical uphill race will be back to race at the longer distance on Sunday. And they get a rest day on Saturday, unlike at many other events where they race on consecutive days if they choose to double up.
For the women the favorites are Muthoni, bronze medallist from the World Championships at the classic distance, Murigi and Magliano. But they will certainly be pushed by Charlotte Cotton (BEL), who finished in the top ten in both the vertical and longer race here last year, and Anna Guirado (ESP) and Bel Calero (ESP).
In the men’s race Criado will be amongst the favorites but there is a deep field of talent too. Like Criado, Ondrej Fejfar (CZE) had a successful trip to Broken Arrow, with two top ten placings. Adil Moussaoui (MOR) could also place well, as could Loustau. The depth of Spanish talent on show here will include Cherta, Marcos Villamuera, Eduard Hernandez, Toni Banos, Alberto Lasobras and Jose Luis Pujadas.
How to follow the races
The vertical uphill race starts at 6pm CET on Friday, September 8
The classic mountain race starts at 8am CET on Sunday, September 10
Live streaming will be available here.
Also follow the races on WMRA Instagram and WMRA Facebook.
