World Cup Stage Two: Grossglockner Berglauf
On Sunday 11th July we head to Austria for the next stage of the 2021 World Cup with Grossglockner Berglauf. This race has provided some epic mountain running races over the years and excitement is high for this year’s race, which features some of the best in-form athletes of the moment. We take a look at this historic race and the athletes who are expected to feature.
Grossglockner Berglauf takes place in Heiligenblut, under the shadow of Austria’s highest mountain (at 3,798m), Grossglockner. It’s the 22nd edition of the race, so it’s an event with a rich history, and it’s seen the very best mountain runners in the world taking part over the years. Previous winners include Jonathan Wyatt, Anna Pichrtova, Andrea Mayr, Antonella Confortola, Filimon Abraham, Petro Mamu and Sarah Tunstall.
This race, our second stage of the 2021 World Cup, is classed as a classic mountain race at 13km in distance and 1265m of ascent (see the full line-up of our short uphill, classic and long distance races in the World Cup here: https://www.wmra.info/calendar/2021-major-events). It follows on from our first World Cup race, Tatra Race Run, on 27th June. Catch up on the news from that race here: https://www.wmra.info/news/latest-news-from-the-wmra/875-world-cup-stage-one-tatra-race-run.
The Grossglockner Berglauf route starts in Heiligenblut and follows the river initially, before climbing up to the famous Briccius Chapel, past the quaint Trogalm hut, then the ‘Pasterze’, the longest glacier in the Eastern Alps, before the final lung-busting climb of 900m to the summit. The summit finish is at the famous Kaiser-Franz-Josefs-Hohe, with (hopefully) stunning views all around - a great reward for all who run the race.
Who are the favourites this year?
In the women’s race Charlotte Morgan of the UK, who is fresh from winning our first World Cup at Tatra, will be looking to increase her lead in the women’s competition. She finished 7th at Grossglockner in 2019. Also fresh from success at Tatra are 2nd placed Alice Gaggi (ITA), who also finished 3rd at the recent Italian National Championship – up and down, 4th placed Lorenza Beccaria (ITA), (4th at the National Championship) and Lucie Marsanova (CZE), who was 5th at Tatra and also finished 5th in the 2019 World Cup. All are clearly in-form athletes. Former World Champion from 2017, 2nd placed athlete in the 2019 World Cup and winner of the recent (ChieseRun) Italian National Championship race, Lucy Murigi (KEN), will always be an athlete to watch. She’ll also be joined by strong compatriot Purity Kajuja Gitonga, who finished 2nd in the 2019 Grossglockner Berglauf.
Other women expected to be in contention include: Louise Mercer (UK); Timea Merenyi (HUN); Camilla Magliano (ITA); Charlotte Cotton (UK); Susanne Mair (AUT); Annika Seedorf (NED); Cecilia Basso (ITA); Joyce Muthoni Njeru (KEN); and Susanna Saapunki (FIN).
The men’s race looks equally exciting, with 2019 winner (and our 2nd placed athlete in the 2019 World Cup) Filimon Abraham (GER), returning. Henri Aymonod of Italy, fresh from his 3rd place at Tatra, will be one to watch, and with a lot of success at vertical kilometres he’s always strong at uphill-only races. Cesare Maestri, also of Italy, was 2nd in the World Championships in 2019 and 2nd in the recent National Mountain Running Championship (up and down), and could be in contention. Sylvain Cachard (FRA) had a very successful 2020 with wins at Smarna Gora, Trofeo Nasego and the French National Championships. The local Manual Innerhofer (AUT) was 3rd in the 2019 Grossglockner Berglauf and recently won the Austrian National Championships. Zak Hanna (IRE) is definitely an athlete to watch this year, having just won the Marathon du Mont Blanc VK and finished 5th at ChieseRun, the Italian National Championships. Geoffrey Gikuni Ndungu (KEN), who finished 2nd at Grossglockner in 2019 must also be a favourite.
Other men expected to be in contention include: Ondrey Fejfar (CZE); Alex Jodidio (SUI); Alex Baldaccini (ITA); Eric Muthomi Riungu (KEN); Timotej Becan (SLO); Isaac Kipkemboi (KEN); Lengen Lolkurraru (KEN); Giovanni Tacchini (ITA); Luca Merli (ITA); Lorenzo Cagnati (ITA); and Massimo Fracoz (ITA).
Follow the race
We will be bringing you the latest news and results on our social media:
www.instagram.com/wmramountainrun
www.facebook.com/worldmountainrunningassociation
www.twitter.com/wmramountainrun
#WMRAWorldCup
Race website: http://www.grossglocknerberglauf.at/