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Sapareva Banya is the world

w.ch.2016geyzer.jpg The 32nd World Mountain Championships is taking place on September 11, 2016 in the beautiful city of Sapareva Banya, Bulgaria.
It is the only city that has organized National, Balkan (2008), European (2010) and now World Championships in Mountain Running.
“We are extremely proud and honoured to be hosting a prestigious international event of such evel - said Kalin Gelev, Mayor of Sapareva Banya Municipality - 25 years after the first mountain race held here, we have athletes from 35 countries coming from all the continents in the world, who are going to compete on the challenging slopes up Rila Mountain.”
The official opening ceremony of the Championships will take place on Saturday in the city centre by the famous Geyzer.
The Minister of Youth and Sports of Bulgaria, Mr. Krasen Kralev will shoot the starting gun of one of the races the next day.

145 senior men, 73 senior women, 65 junior men and 51 junior women are entered in the four categories for a total of 334 runners present.

Turkish athlete Ahmed Aslan, 6-times European Champion, bronze medalist from 2008 and silver medalist from the 2011 World Mountain Running Championships is among the contenders for the podium along with Bernard Dematteis ITA, vice champion from last year’s edition.

Of course, also Ugandan runners must be considered among the favorites.
Andrea Mayr AUT will try to double her title in the senior women’s category from 2014, when the course was again uphill only, against Emilly Collinge GBR, world vice champion from 2015.
It is not possible forget the chances of USA team, both category, men and women.
Another Turkish athlete – Ferhat Bozkurt, World Champion from 2015 and bronze medalist from 2014 will reach for the gold in the junior men. w.ch2016rilalakes.jpg 
Finally all the four races will be very intersting with top level runners present.
Live intermediate results will posted during the races on the event website: http://saparevabanya2016.info
EAA Vice Senior President and BAF President Dobromir Karamarinov will attend the event together President of some other National European Athletic Federation.
Before the competition, on Saturday, the 33rd WMRA Congress will be held with the presence of WMRA President, Bruno Gozzelino, WMRA Secretary, Pierre Weiss, WMRA Treasurer, Nancy Hobbs and WMRA Council members, Galia Puhaleva, Wolfgang Munzel and Tomo Sarf. 
Important matters for the future of mountain running are in the agenda of this Congress.

Edited from Galia Puhaleva (BAF and WMRA Council)

 Source of the pictures (LOC): 
on front page: 
- geyzer at Sapareva Banya: simbol of the town;
on second page:
- Rila Lake, close to the finish line.