The World Mountain Ranking Association (WMRA) unveils a new global ranking for the sport. Since 1984, the WMRA has been a pioneering institution, key to the global development of Mountain Running. Starting with its first major international competition in 1985, it has gone on to hold 37 World Championships plus 22 World Cups. During this year 2021 another World Cup is about to start, together with the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships to be held in November at Thailand.
As the sport keeps on growing all over the planet, the WMRA ranking is launched to help share the best races and runners from all over the world via a clear, objective and easy to understand tool.
The ranking system was created for Mountain Runners, by Mountain Runners and is based on four principles:
- Race directory for top mountain races the world over: All the WMRA calendar races are there, for sure, but much more besides. Other top mountain races are recognized and included, to ensure talent and excellence are acknowledged and encouraged.
- Rolling 365 day ranking: Because with mountain running, once you toe the start line, you are only as good as you are today. Be it the world champion or the back of the pack runner
- Transparent scoring system: Easy to understand by any runner. No hidden algorithms, no secret formulas. Simplicity is an inherent part of the joy of mountain running, and we tried to maintain that. Therefore clear calculations can be made by any race director, sponsor, national team manager or runner as to who is who, and the reason why.
- Work in progress: The sport is very much alive these days and constantly evolving. We acknowledge this and will strive to learn from all stakeholders in order to keep growing together, for the benefit of all.
Great support from all stakeholders in Mountain Running. The first reactions from mountain runners all over the world have been most enthusiastic, confirming the need for this ranking, together with WMRA interest in listening to comments/suggestions on working together for a better future.
Sarah McCormack (IRL) at Sierre Zinal. Photo Corsa in Montagna.
“This is a great resource for the mountain running community to keep up-to-date with events and top performances worldwide. I think it will also bring greater awareness about the variety of different mountain races taking place around the globe. Personally I’ll definitely be perusing it to get ideas for new races to try in future!” – Sarah McCormack (Ireland – winner 2019 WMRA World Cup)
“I think it’s a really positive initiative for mountain running and gives some context to who the in-form athletes are, leading up to the championship events. Once travel begins to open up again and we can have international races with international fields then I think something like this really gives athletes extra impetus to climb up the rankings and compare themselves to the best mountain runners in the world.” – Andrew Douglas (United Kingdom – winner 2019 WMRA World Cup)
“It’s a useful resource for finding out about the many races out there to enjoy, to remember what races you’ve actually done(!), and see your progression and comparison against yourself and others year on year.” – Jacob Adkin (United Kingdom – 2019 European Mountain Running Champion)
“I am glad that nowadays there is Brand new worldwide ranking of mountain runners endorsed by the WMRA. We may now know, via an objective tool, to be improved gradually for sure, who are the best. And that will allow for them to be recognized for their performances in several different races all over the world. Congrats to all involved in such a Project and Good luck on the steep trails ahead.” – Rodrigo Mejia (Mexico – Five time winner of Sierre Zinal)
“A step forward for the mountain running comunity. I feel like the sport is growing and this is an example of it, together with the inaugural World Mountain & Trail Running Championship at Thailand 2021, plus the addition of more distances to the events. I’m really excited to see this new calendar and ranking format working out soon.” – Antonio Martinez (Spain – Team Gold Medal, 2019 World Mountain Running Championship)
Andrew Douglas (GBR) at Drei Zinnen. Photo Corsa in Montagna.
“The WMRA World Ranking is a great program for helping promote the many dedicated athletes and races that make up the global mountain running community. As we get back to racing in the coming months, we look forward to seeing the ranking evolve and to how it motivates competitors in the lead up to the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.” – Richard Bolt (United States Team Leader, 2003 to 2021)
“We are witnessing an important moment in this exciting world of Mountain Running. The creation of a serious world ranking according to the world calendar only brings this specialty closer to a sport with more entity and with greater references. Having the option of comparing runners in the most objective way possible offers another scene much closer to World Athletics traditions, where rankings have a unique importance. Hopefully over time it will become an essential tool as it is in Track & field.” – Juan Carlos Granado (Spain Team Leader. 3 Medals, 2019 World Mountain Running Championships)
“The Mountain Running World Ranking powered by the WMRA is a project started three years ago. It is with a great satisfaction that we now present a ranking that reflects the specific features of mountain running. With it we recognise the top athletes, plus rank all runners who participate in mountain races. A simple and transparent points system makes it easy to understand, as the ranking is calculated on a rolling 365 day basis. Thanks to all the work from our Council and developers. this project is only just beginning and we’re excited for the future if it.” – Jonathan Wyatt (New Zealand – Six times WMRA World Champion and WMRA President)
“It is with great pleasure that I announce my collaboration with the World Mountain Running Association as the Ranking Secretary. This is a way for me to promote and develop the sport not just as an athlete, but also from the side of federations and management. I think that having an athlete sharing feedback and bringing knowledge inside a federation is a great way to give voice to all athletes’ needs: something that the WMRA is already doing with its Athletes Commission. The project, as I see it, is a work in progress and I will appreciate any feedback and constructive criticism that will help its implementation and development. It’s finally time to give athletes a more powerful voice inside the sport and this project is one way to do it, which I am happy to contribute to.” – Francesco Puppi (Italy – 2nd place 2019 World Long Distance Mountain Running World Championship and WMRA Ranking Secretary)
2019 World Long Distance Mountain Running Championship men’s podium. Photo Sergio Mayayo.
See the current WMRA World Ranking at: https://ranking.wmra.info
#WMRAranking – For Mountain Runners, By Mountain Runners.
