WORLD MASTERS MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023 - MADEIRA
Entries open Monday 10th April for the 22nd WMA/WMRA World Masters Mountain Running Championships in Madeira.
This year’s event, which takes place 15-17th September features an uphill only World Championships on the Friday and a long-distance race on the Sunday, the first time a longer race has been included in these championships.
The races
|
Distance |
Total Ascent |
Total Descent |
Race Day |
|
|
Uphill |
9,2km |
800m |
50m |
Friday 15th |
|
Long distance |
32,4km |
1151m |
1154m |
Sunday 17th |
Categories
The races will feature Masters categories, from 35-79 years of age on the date of competition in five year bands: 35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74 and 75-79, both men and women. Each race will feature an individual and team competition. Masters will wear national colours and represent their countries (to do so, you must register with the appropriate federation for your country).
There is also an open race on Saturday using the Uphill course where any age competitor can take part.
Entries will be opened by Monday 10th April and close 20th August – full details on how to do so will appear here and on the organiser’s website from April.
The venue and course
The host city is Calheta, Madeira, Portugal and races will start from Ponta do Pargo. Nélio Parreira, of the organisers, AARAM - Associação de Atletismo da Região Autónoma da Madeira (Madeira Athletic Association) says: "We are very happy to receive this event on our island, where other international Mountain Running events have already taken place, and this time in the municipality of Calheta, on the southwestern shore of the island, known for its nature and great weather, being the sunnier part of the island.
"On the uphill race the athletes will be challenged over a 9.25km and 800m+ course that starts in Ponta do Pargo, the most rural area of the municipality of Calheta, and comprises many types of paths, going from dirt roads, to single tracks along the forest (that provide shade for the athletes), with short passes by meadows, and even a pass by one of the world famous Madeiran Levadas (small water channels, famous for its hikes), and will finish in the scenic location of Fonte do Bispo, with its picturesque altitude forest and quietness.
“And in the long-distance race, athletes will run through the locations of Ponta do Pargo and Fajã da Ovelha, on a 32.4km course with an uphill gain of 1160m+, having changing views at each corner, and also different types of terrain all along the course, needing different levels of technical skills.”
An Amazing history
The first ever Masters Mountain Running Championships took place in Kitzbuehel, Austria in 1988 and since then it has grown and grown to become the premier event that is today. Over the years some of the greatest mountain runners ever have taken part, but as last year’s event in Clonmel, Ireland so superbly demonstrated it is also a friendly, welcoming race that features runners from all over the world regardless of speed. As you’ll undoubtedly discover in Madeira, this is very much about the taking part and enjoying the mountains and the friendly community.
Last year’s report from Ireland can be found here.