24th World Trophy Preview
"24th World Mountain Running Trophy - 14th September Sierre/Crans-Montana (Switzerland)
A record number of 39 countries will be sending athletes to compete in what will be the last World mountain Running Trophy.
Why the last? Because IAAF Council have agreed that from next year the highly successful Trophy can become a Championship.
The spectacular Valais Canton of Switzerland hosts the event for the second year in succession. Last year, Ovronnaz were the hosts.
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Men will run from Sierre to Crans-Montana, a distance of 12km and an ascent of 1046m. Jonathan Wyatt (NZL), five times World Champion will start as favourite but will not find a sixth title easy to come by. Olympian Geoffry Kusuro (UGA), winner of the junior race last year, and European mountain running champion Ahmet Arslan (TUR) will be strong challengers.
He will also face the usual challenge from the Italians (Gaiardo, De Gasperi) who he has managed to beat throughout the season.
The Womens race promises to be a classic battle. Mountain running star and current World Champion, Anna Pichrtova (CZE), will come under severe pressure from the Norwegians, Anita Hakenstad Evertson and Olympian Kirsten Otterbu. Simona Staicu (HUN) winner of last weeks Jungfrau marathon will be amongst the leaders if she recovers sufficiently. Andrea Mayr (AUT) revelles in the uphill only races and is bound to mount a strong challenge. Starting on the mens course at the 3.6km point they will run 8.4km and climb 733m.
Junior men race over the same distance and Junior women have a 4.7km 314m ascent course.
Danny Hughes "
A record number of 39 countries will be sending athletes to compete in what will be the last World mountain Running Trophy.
Why the last? Because IAAF Council have agreed that from next year the highly successful Trophy can become a Championship.
The spectacular Valais Canton of Switzerland hosts the event for the second year in succession. Last year, Ovronnaz were the hosts.
" "
He will also face the usual challenge from the Italians (Gaiardo, De Gasperi) who he has managed to beat throughout the season.
The Womens race promises to be a classic battle. Mountain running star and current World Champion, Anna Pichrtova (CZE), will come under severe pressure from the Norwegians, Anita Hakenstad Evertson and Olympian Kirsten Otterbu. Simona Staicu (HUN) winner of last weeks Jungfrau marathon will be amongst the leaders if she recovers sufficiently. Andrea Mayr (AUT) revelles in the uphill only races and is bound to mount a strong challenge. Starting on the mens course at the 3.6km point they will run 8.4km and climb 733m.
Junior men race over the same distance and Junior women have a 4.7km 314m ascent course.
Danny Hughes "