Broken Arrow Kicks off the 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup
As we gear up for the launch of our 2023 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup we bring you a preview of the first Gold Label Races which get the show on the road – the Broken Arrow vertical uphill race and the Broken Arrow Skyrace long mountain race.
Broken Arrow has been part of our World Cup before, first in 2019, then again in 2021, but it promises to provide even more competitive races this year, with top elite fields. And while it takes place in the US, the event very much has its roots in the traditions of European mountain running, with steep terrain, scrambling and huge amounts of vertical gain and loss at altitude.
The courses
First up is the vertical uphill race on Friday 16th June at 10am (UTC -7). The race starts on the valley floor and climbs its way up 954m (3,100 feet) over 6.8km (4.5 miles) to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708m (8885 feet). Along the way it takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading up to the Headwall Ridge and the ‘stairway to heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak.
On Sunday 18th June at 8am the long mountain race, the Broken Arrow Skyrace takes place. This is a loop which climbs 1,533m over the course of 23km (or 5,033 feet over 14.25 miles). It starts in Palisades Tahoe Village and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of Granite Chief Wilderness and they will experience Emigrant Pass and, like the vertical uphill runners, the ‘stairway to heaven’ ladder to Washeshu Peak.
The women’s field
As ever there is a very strong women’s field assembled, with many electing to take part in the vertical uphill and long mountain race. Grayson Murphy (USA) will be taking on both, on the back of her very successful campaign at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck, where she won the classic mountain race and took bronze in the vertical uphill race. Allie McLaughlin (USA) will also be running both just a week on from taking part in the World Championships, where she came 13th in the uphill race and 25th in the classic. She was second in last year’s Broken Arrow Skyrace, and will be one to watch here. Lining up alongside them in both races will be Janelle Lincks (USA), winner of the 2021 23k race.
Other women to watch include Anna Gibson (USA), who’s had some success in vertical races previously, Sophia Laukli (USA), cross country skier, Danielle Marquette (USA), Hillary Allen (USA) and Lara Hamilton (AUS).
The men’s field
Like the women’s field, most of the elite men are opting to race both the vertical uphill and the long mountain race. But we will see more international runners in the men’s field. Andy Wacker (USA), winner of last year’s 23k and 6th in the vertical uphill race, will go into it a definite favourite. Eli Hemming (USA) was 2nd in both the vertical race and 23k last year. He will be taking part in the 23k race and will be hotly tipped again. Henri Aymonod (ITA), who was almost unbeatable at a vertical uphill race in 2021, but had more of a mixed 2022, will always be a runner to watch. He was 3rd here in the 23k race in 2019. Andrea Rostan (ITA) will also be travelling to run both races, having had a lot of success in Europe over similar races. Zak Hanna (IRL), who had a very successful 2022, particularly in vertical uphill races like Vertical Nasego and Canfranc Canfranc Vertical, could also do well.
Other men to watch include Chris Richards (GBR), Max King (USA), Joe DeMoor (USA) and Raul Criado (ESP).
We look forward to kicking off our 2023 Valsir World Cup and making this the biggest year ever. A livestream for the event will be available at Broken Arrow Livestream by UltraSignup
