18. WMRA M. R. World Cup 2016 resumes in Kamnik: 18. the Grintovec M. R. race on 24. July 2016.
After the EAA and NACAC Mountain Running Championships, more than 200 runners from 12 countries have entered the 18th edition of The Grintovec Mountain running race, the second stage of 2016 Mountain Running World Cup, which will be held on Sunday 24th July in Kamnik, Slovenia.
The course is a true mountain course, taking the normal trail from the Kamniska Valley (602m) to the Grintovec summit (2558m).
Almost 2000m elevation gain in less than 10km; recreational hikers need over six hours to reach the summit and another six to get back.
Course record holders are Jonathan Wyatt and Anna Pichrtova (1:15:43 and 1:31:50 respectively, both in 2006) and it seems that those records will last for a long time.
There will be some famous runners among the starters.
In the men’s division, Kenyan Kosgei Isaac Toroitich, 2014 winner and one of the few “sub 1:20” runners will find this strongest opponent in the newcomer Eritrean Mamu Petro, currently one of the strongest mountain runners.
Nejc Kuhar, the 2015 winner and local expert for steep climbs, will surely try to again show his strength and experience on the home mountain.
Antonella Confortola, second finisher at the World Long Distance Championships held June 18, in Slovenia just 50km from Kamnik, will be the one to watch on this extremely steep and demanding course.
Local Lucija Krkoč, bronze medallist from the same competition, will try to win the race once again after 2011, when the course was shortened due to extremely weather conditions.
The weather forecast promises some storms in the afternoon, but during the competition the weather conditions should be ideal.
Edited by Tomo Sarf (WMRA Council member and LOC)
Source of the pictures (Sarf):
on front page:
- Krkoč (SLO);
on second page:
- Kuhar (SLO).