Some WMRA Council decisions taken on 14th January

World Trophy, World Challenge, Masters and Grand Prix venues have all been agreed.

News briefing from WMRA Council meeting (Monte Carlo,14th January 2006)

World Trophy 2007: Following the presentation of an application from ‘The Running Club des 2 Rives’ Council approved, in accordance with the wishes of the 2005 WMRA Congress, Ovronnaz, in the Valais region of Switzerland, as the venue for the Up & Down World Trophy on September 15th-16th.
The presentation was made by Chantal Dallenbach, vice chairman of the club.

World Trophy 2008: At the request of the Swiss federation, and following a letter to WMRA members explaining their request to see if there were any objections, Council approved Sierre, Crans-Montana, in the Valais region of Switzerland as the venue for the Uphill only World Trophy.
The presentation was made by the Director of the LOC, Jean Paul Aevoet (Sierre Athletic Club)

Both presentations were assisted by Jacky Delapierre, Vice President of the Swiss Athletic Federation.

World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge 2007: The application of the world famous Jungfrau-Marathon ( Switzerland) as the venue for 2007 (September 8th) was chosen from three candidates. President of the race, Christoph Seiler, has indicated that the race will pay 75% of the travelling costs of the first 3 men and first woman to finish in the 2006 World Challenge, the Pikes Peak marathon (USA) in August.

World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge 2008: Council will make a provisional offer to the long standing ‘Three Peaks’ race in Yorkshire, England. which was one of the three applicants. 2008 will be the 54th edition of the race.

2007 WMRA/WMA World Masters Athletic Championships – Mountain Running
Council gave provisional approval to the application from Bludenz (Austria) pending the provision of further details.

2006 WMRA Grand Prix: Council approved the application of the Grintovec mountain race (Kamnik, Slovenia) to replace the Meltina (Italy) which will not now be run in 2006.
This will be the 2nd GP race on July 30th.
Council also approved an increase in the overall GP prize fund by contributing a further 1,500€ from WMTRA funds.
Some changes to the regulations were made and will be issued by the GP controller, Tomo Sarf.

Dope Testing; After a presentation by IAAF on the current state of dope testing practice, Council agreed that an out of competition dope testing programme will be introduced for the top mountain runners. Notification to both athletes and federation will be made in due course.

Official letters of notification will be issued by the WMRA Secretary to the above events in due course.