8th Masters World Mountain Running Championships
A total number of 619 masters age athletes experienced a magnificently staged mountain running occasion in the small village of Dolni Morava in the north of Czech Republic on Saturday September 6th 2008. " " ,
The beautiful forested mountains of the national park were bathed in warm sunshine when temperatures reached 28 degrees Celsius. Fortunately, runners were protected from the direct sunlight for most of the course by the trees on the lower slopes.
Of the 20 categories between ages 35 and 80+. The Men 50 (M50) category had the largest entry with 105 competitors. Just one woman and three men managed to complete the course for those aged 80 and over.
American Simon Gutierrez (M40) retained his title and recorded the fastest time of the day for the longer 11.3km course with 50 minutes 10 seconds.
Others to retain their titles were Jiri Libra ( CZE, M70),Rosi Pattis (ITA, W55) and Barbel Berghaus (GER, W65)
Austrian Alois Puchner (M55) recoded the fastest time for the shorter 9.9km course winning in 51.12.
Current World Champion and local girl Anna Pichrtova stormed home to win the W35 category in 55.50 for the 11.3km course.
As usual, the host country managed to win most medals by winning the team result in all but one category. Nevertheless, there was a pleasing variety of national anthems during the presentation of individual medals.
Most of the competitors stayed for the evening prize ceremony which included, and was followed by, a series of brilliant performers of all kinds: Gymnasts, dancers, singers, fire-eaters and magicians kept everyone entertained until well past midnight.
Dolni Morava had seen nothing like it before and will wait a long time to see it again
Results summary: (Click on RESULTS to see the full list)
11.3km
M35 , , M.Zupancic (SLO) , 52.18
M40 , , S.Guttierez (USA) 50.10
M45 , , G.Convert (FRA) , , , 50.48
M50 , , C.Earwalker (NZL) 55.48
W35 , A.Pichrtova (CZE) , 55.50
W40 , I.Pakosz (POL) , , , , , , 62.10
W45 , I.Kubicka (AUT) , , , 60.31
W50 , M.Greenan (IRL) , , , 64.24
9.9km
M55 , , A Puchner (AUT) , , , 51.12
M60 , , O.Smida (CZE) , , , , , , 52.49
M65 , , V.Basista (SVK) , , , , , 57.52
M70 , , J.Libra (CZE) , , , , , , , 62.09
M75 , , A.Menarry (ENG) , , 77.11
M80 , , V.Kopal (CZE) , , , , , , , 93.35
W55 , R.Pattis (ITA) , , , , , , , 63.22
W60 , M.Spronk (GER) , , , , 66.25
W65 , B.Berghaus (GER) , , 71.13
W70 , M.Marcibalova (SVK) 90.38
W80 , X.Nicolaev (MOL) , 2.56.52
Medal Table: (Individual)
, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Gold , , Silver Bronze
Czech R , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 4 , , , , , , , 6 , , , , , , , 3
Germany , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 , , , , , , , 5 , , , , , , , 6
Slovakia , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 , , , , , , , 2 , , , , , , , 1
Austria , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 , , , , , , , 1 , , , , , , , -
Italy , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 , , , , , , , 3 , , , , , , , 1
England , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 , , , , , , , - , , , , , , , 4
Slovenia, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 1 , , , , , , , - , , , , , , , 1
USA, FRA, NZL, POL, IRL, MOL all took a single gold medal
Scotland , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , - , , , , , , , 1 , , , , , , , -
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