WORLD MASTERS MOUNTAIN RUNNING CHAMPIONSHIP CANFRANC 2024: 4 MONTHS TO GO
With less than four months to go until the World Masters Mountain Running Championship, the WMRA alongside the local organising committee are making the final preparations and it is clear that excitement is already palpable in the majestic town of Canfranc, Huesca, Spain.
The WMMRC Canfranc 2024, organised by the team behind the legendary CanfranCanfranc race in collaboration with the World Mountain Running Association and the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, will be held from 12th to 15th September 2024. With more than 500 athletes from more than 26 countries already registered, it promises to be a global celebration of mountain running.
Under the direction of Alex Varela, director of WMMRC 2024 and the mastermind behind the event, the local organisation is dedicated to ensuring that every detail is perfectly prepared to welcome runners, delegations, and spectators alike. Alex Varela comments, "CanfranCanfranc has always been a special race. For many runners, crossing the finish line marks a before and after in their running experience. Canfranc, a small mountain village with barely 600 inhabitants, is surrounded by mountains nearly 3,000 metres high. Hosting the World Masters Mountain Running Championship is a new challenge on our path to the World Mountain and Trail Running Championship in 2025. It has not been an easy journey, but gradually, this village and this race have won over the runners, always prioritising quality over quantity."
The WMMRC Canfranc 2024 opened registrations just over three months ago for its three disciplines: uphill (6.5 km, 984 m+), classic (17 km, 1,050 m+), and long distance (34 km, 1,900 m+).
Uphill
A unique ascent to Larraca via a spectacular forest trail. The route reaches the best viewpoint in the Canfranc Valley, and once at the finish line, much of the Pyrenees and France can be seen.
More information: https://canfranc2024wmmrc.com/esp.uphill6K.html
Classic
17 kilometres that will take the athletes to discover and visit one of the most important forest works in the world. With 1,050 metres of positive ascent, they will reach one of the best views of the Canfranc Valley: "Buenavista". From there, it's all downhill to the finish line, a fast and impressive descent through the forest.
More information: https://canfranc2024wmmrc.com/esp.classic17K.html
Long Distance
A race that runs along both sides of the Los Arañones mountain. Its highest points include the Buenavista refuge and the Estiviellas pass. Athletes will have 8 hours to cover the 34 kilometres and 1,900 metres of positive elevation gain, with the highest point of the race being the Buenavista refuge at 2,162 metres.
More information: https://canfranc2024wmmrc.com/esp.longdistance34K.html
Behind the entire organisation are the people of Canfranc, the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, and the World Mountain Running Association, who are joining forces to create an unforgettable experience.
Alex Varela, WMMRC 2024 director together with Sarah Rowell, WMRA technical delegate WMMRC 2024
From impeccable logistics to athlete safety, every aspect is being carefully orchestrated to provide a world-class experience. Fernando Sánchez, the mayor of Canfranc, commented, "The town council's commitment to sport in recent years as a healthy way of life and as a resource for promotion and economic growth is very important. This world championship will highlight our mountains and territory, a space that combines heritage, nature, and sport. A 'mountain destination' in full expansion that we want to introduce internationally. With great enthusiasm, we await the arrival of this world championship, a prelude to the 2025 event. Welcome to Canfranc."
Raúl Chapado, president of the Royal Spanish Athletics Federation, added, "I want to highlight the positive impact the World Masters Mountain Running Championship in Canfranc 2024 will have. This event will not only promote our exceptional natural heritage nationally and internationally but also drive the development and progress of the region. Besides showcasing the natural beauty of the Aragonese Pyrenees, the championship will emphasise the excellence and sportsmanship of the masters athletes. These sportspeople will act as a powerful driver for development, growth, and social cohesion, turning the event into a festival of sport and friendship on a global scale. Lastly, I wish to express my profound gratitude to everyone involved in making this magnificent event a reality. Their contribution will be essential in ensuring that the legacy endures as a source of inspiration for the WMTRC 2025 and for future generations”
With Canfranc's challenging trails as a backdrop, runners will have the opportunity to demonstrate their athletic prowess and spirit of perseverance in one of the most exciting events of the year.
Sarah Rowell, technical delegate of the World Masters Mountain Running Championship and Treasurer of the WMRA, commented, “My involvement in mountain running world championships goes back over 35 years, to the first event I ran, in Die in 1989. Now my focus is not running but helping with organising to build and promote the sport, it is so exciting therefore to see how committed Spain is to mountain running. In 2023 Canfranc was part of the WMRA Valsir World Cup, this year it is hosting the World Master Mountain Running Championships, and then next year the 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. And not forgetting that Spain this year are also hosting the U18 International Mountain Running Cup.
Canfranc I know will be special, I have already enjoyed checking out the courses for the event which showcase the best of the unique landscape and will provide a fitting challenge to all the runners. This year for the first time ever we will be hosting 3 races, giving runners the choice between uphill, classic (up and down) or the long distance race – or in the case of many I speak to in the UK, the chance to do two races in one weekend – I can not wait.”
Finally, we want to remind you that registrations remain open through this link: https://canfranc2024wmmrc.com/esp.inscripciones.html