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2023 Trail World Championships 80k Women’s Race

As with the men’s race, some of the pre-race favorites bowed out of the race early on with Blandine L’Hirondel (pre-race interview) dropping on the “start loop” out of Neustift due to foot pain from an existing injury. The rest of the field charged on, led up the first climb by Marcela Vašínová (pre-race interview) of the Czech Republic, Martina Valmassoi (pre-race interview) of Italy, and Akiyama Honokaof Japan.

The top five, made up of Allison Baca of the U.S., Vašínová, Azara García of Spain, Valmassoi, and Honoka, all came back through the village of Neustift at 18k and headed out into the mountains toward Innsbruck within two and a half minutes of each other.

The front of the race continued to reshuffle up the day’s biggest climb, that 1,400-meter (4,600 feet) doozy. Vašínová continued to lead with a smile, opening up a sizable gap to Germany’s Katharina Hartmuth and Valmassoi, who were running within a minute of each other 36k into the race. Baca and Rosanna Buchauer of Germany rounded out the top five as the race approached the halfway point.

Vašínová’s and Valmassoi’s fast start seemed to take a toll on the two women as they traversed the following three climbs and descents high in the mountains, with Vašínová looking noticeably rougher than the quickly closing Hartmuth, who looked downright comfortable. By the top of the final 600-meter (2,000 feet) climb in the middle section of the course, the two women had dropped back in the standings with Hartmuth taking over the lead with a five-minute gap over second-place Manon Bohard Cailler of France. Buchauer and Marion Delespierre of France trailed second by less than half a minute now, 49k into the race and only one major climb left to go. Pre-race favorite Gemma Arenas of Spain continued to work her way up the field after a slow start and ran just inside the top 10 in ninth place.

The top five remained mostly unchanged except for a slight shuffle after the dramatic drop into Grinzens village at 54k, with Bohard Cailler, Delespierre, and Buchauer all running within 20 seconds of each other, four minutes behind Hartmuth, who continued to lead and look strong. She was clearly enjoying her day out in the mountains, but the descent seemed to take its toll. Bohard Cailler and Delespierre, who’d been chasing together after dropping Buchauer, finally closed the gap to the leader into the final drop to the town of Kranebritten at 66k. Now, with the top-three women within two minutes of each other with one massive climb to go, it was anyone’s race and all three started up the final incline focused and silent.

Delespierre seemed to be the one with the most gas in the tank for the final kilometers and huge climb as she quickly opened a three-minute gap on Hartmuth at 73k. The gap stayed steady over the top of the climb at 75k, with Hartmuth fighting hard to catch the leader on the final downhill run in to the finish. Bohard Cailler was a further six minutes behind at the top. From there, the gap opened significantly to Buchauer and Valmassoi.

The top-two women looked to be moving incredibly strongly on the final descent, but the distance to close the gap was rapidly running out for anyone giving chase. In the end, no one could touch a flying Marion Delespierre who would cross the finish line in first to win the 2023 Trail World Championships 80k. Hartmuth and Bohard Cailler held onto their respective positions about seven and 12 minutes back, and an elated Valmassoi finished fourth. Buchauer ran strong from start to finish to round out the women’s top five.

2023 Trail World Championships 80k Men’s Race

Starting under cool and clear skies in Neustift, the men’s race went out fast up the “starting loop,” which happened to feature a 1,200-meter (4,000 feet) climb over 8.2 kilometers straight out of the starting gate. While things hadn’t split up significantly over the first climb, both Zach Miller (pre-race interview) of the U.S. and Andreas Reiterer (pre-race interview) of Italy came across the top in the top 10, clearly stating their intents for the day.

Back down in the valley, the two chased Baptiste Chassagne of France as the top three, as the race left the Stubai Valley and headed back up into the mountains toward Innsbruck. Benjamin Roubiol of France, Peter Fraňo of Slovakia, Aritz Egea of Spain, and Thibaut Garrivier of France all ran comfortably in the top 10, though Garrivier looked noticeably distressed compared to the others. Pre-race favorite, Nicolas Martin (pre-race interview) of France, was not in contention and would eventually drop after the halfway point due to knee pain.By the 36k mark, Reiterer had taken over the lead from Chassagne as they went over the biggest climb of the day, tallied at 1,400 meters (4,600 feet). From an outside observer’s perspective, Reiterer looked incredibly comfortable, running well within himself and appearing to have everything under control. Egea, Miller, Roubiol, Garrivier, and Fraňo all stayed in the top 10, all within 10 minutes of each other, biding their time.

Over the course of the next three major climbs, all around 600 meters (2,000 feet), high in the mountains between the two host cities, Reiterer continued to lead the slowly stretching field. The steep trails were no barrier to his steady effort and the race’s cameraman was seen breathing harder than he was. Roubiol followed about six minutes back over the top of the last climb in the series, with Fraňo, Egea, and Garrivier completing the top five, still within 10 minutes of each other. Miller continued to hold on in sixth.More than halfway now, the runners bombed down into the village of Grinzens in the valley at 54k, now back to their original starting elevation, except on the other side of the mountains, with more descending to go before the final climb and descent into Innsbruck.

Reiterer and Roubiol maintained their top-two positions while the rest of the top 10 continued to shuffle amongst themselves with Garrivier continuing to move up in the field and Miller dropping another place into seventh. Miller, looking spry and claiming that he still had legs, continued to keep tabs on the men in front of him, clearly intent on reeling them in.

Continuing down to the low point of the course in Kranebritten at 66k, the top five looked like Reiterer, Roubiol, Fraňo, Garrivier, and Tomáš Fárník of the Czech Republic. Now, all that stood between the front end of the race and the finish was a final 1,000-meter (3,400 feet) climb and a wild drop back down into Innsbruck. While anything could happen, with more than a four-minute lead, it seemed like it was Reiterer’s lead to lose.

But on the final climb of the race, the ever-patient Roubiol made his move, surging into the lead at Aspachhütte at 71k, and opening a four-minute gap on a fading Reiterer. Roubiol looked incredibly focused as he made his way up the mountain. Fraňo and Garrivier remained solid in third and fourth, and Miller started to make good on his promise of still having legs, moving into fifth. The gap between Roubiol and Reiterer only continued to grow, eight minutes at 73k, and nine minutes at 75k, as they made their way to the top of the final climb. Fraňo stayed strong in third, Garrivier in fourth, and Miller and Fárník continued to battle for fifth, 25 minutes off the lead.From there, it was all downhill to the finish. Benjamin Roubiol flew down the final descent to win the 2023 Trail World Championships 80k in 9:52:59. Reiterer followed just under eight minutes back, the gap holding steady the whole descent. Fraňo and Garrivier both held onto their places to finish third and fourth.

I'm Behind them, U.S. teammates Drew Holmen and Eric LiPuma made a strong push to catch up to their teammate Miller. Holmen would out sprint Miller at the line, and the two were followed less a minute later by LiPuma, the trio taking fifth through seventh.

For the team competition, Chassagne would be the third French finisher in 17th place, securing the team victory for France. The strong fifth through seventh finishes of the U.S. men slotted them into second in the team competition, just over five minutes behind the French in over 30 hours of cumulative racing. Reiterer would lead the Italian team to a third-place finish.

France wins double gold at World Mountain and Trail Running Championships

French runners pulled off a tour de force at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck, Austria, on Friday, with Benjamin Roubiol and Marion Delespierre winning gold in the men’s and women’s 86.9-km long-trail events.

Roubiol placed first in 9:52:59 and was joined on the podium by second-place Italy’s Andreas Reiterer (10:00:46), and Peter Frano from Slovakia in third (10:02:10).

Late comeback

The 23-year-old Rubiol’s gold-medal finish came as a surprise to many, as Reiterer had situated himself firmly in the lead for more than 45 kilometres. The Italian was running solo at times, leaving a changing field in pursuit up to six minutes behind. But after having passed three peaks and the flat approach to Kranebitten, the climb up to the Nordkette caused Reiterer trouble, allowing Roubiol to pass the Italian just before the Aspach hut.

France punctuated Roubiol’s stunning performance in Innsbruck by claiming two podium spots in the women’s long trail race. Delespierre won the event in 11:22:31; Germany’s Katharina Hartmuth ran 11:29:14 to place second, and France’s Manon Bohard Cailler finished third in 11:34:22.

How the Canadians did

The Canadian women’s team finished eighth overall out of 27 teams, led by Calgary’s Arden Young, who placed 34th overall in 13:10:54. Anne-Marie Madden and Mylene Sansoucy both landed inside the top 50 to solidify Team Canada’s top-10 result. The men’s team wound up 13th of 33 teams with all five men placing inside the top 70. Jean-Philippe Thibodeau of Quebec was the top Canadian in 46th place, an hour and 23 minutes back of the leaders. Thibodeau won the Quebec Mega Trail 50K in June 2022. 

Thursday’s races

France’s impressive showing Friday came on the heels of the country taking gold in Thursday’s women’s 45.2-km short-trail event. Clementine Geoffray won the race, covering 3,121 verticle metres from Innsbruck to Neustift im Stubaital in 4:53:12 ahead of two Swiss runners; Judith Wyder placed second in 4:55:13, followed by Theres Leboeuf for third (5:09:29).

In Thursday’s men’s short-trail event, Norway’s Stian Angermund ran 4:19:00 to successfully defend his short-trail title against second-place British runner Thomas Roach (4:21:18) and Italy’s Luca del Pero, who finished third in 4:22:04. Angermund and Roach took the lead soon after the start in the centre of Innsbruck, running the first 14.15 kilometres in a trio with Britain’s Jonathan Albon before Angermund was able to pull away. The route to the Kalkkögel leads over slippery fields of snow, and Angermund managed to extend his lead to more than 90 seconds. It briefly appeared the race could get close again as Angermund slowed down to a walking pace just before reaching the route’s highest point at the Starkenberger hut. On the downhill, weaving through the avalanche barriers down to Neustift, Angermund accelerated again and was able to keep his competitors at bay, allowing him to run down the final switchbacks to Neustift without pressure.

Kenyan Patrick Kipngeno bags gold for Kenya on Day One of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships

Team Kenya started their World Mountain and Trail Running Championships on a high with Patrick Kipng’eno bagging gold in the 7.3 km vertical race —featuring 1020m of elevation gain.

Kipng’eno, who became the first Kenyan to win a mountain running world title last year, clocked 40:18 to win gold on Day One of the championship being held in Innsbruck-Stubai Austria. He beat 130 athletes who entered the race.

He beat Uganda’s Levi Kiprotich (41:51) to silver while Kenya’s Josephat Kiprotich (42:04) completed the podium finish.

Kenya’s other representatives—last year’s silver medalist Philemon Kiriago (42:54) and Hillary Maiyo —settled for the 7th and 12 positions respectively.

They will be in action again on Saturday when they take part in the Mountain Classic event, featuring looped 15.5km races for senior men and women.

In the women’s category, Kenya’s Philaries Kisang was beaten to gold by Austria’s Andrew Mayr.

The home girl, who won silver in last year’s championships, clocked 48:14 to win gold while Kisang settled for silver in 48:51. USA’s Grayson Murphy claimed bronze in 49:22. Valentine Ruto (49:59) and Joyce Muthoni (52:09) were 5th and 10th respectively.

Kenya is represented by seven athletes after two Geoffrey Gikuni and Ezekiel Kirui missed out due to visa hitches. Kirui was scheduled to compete in the 85 km long trail while Gikuni was to take part in the 45km short trail.

Athletics Kenya mountain Running chairman Peter Angwenyi accompanied the team to Austria.

More than 1,100 of the world’s top runners from 68 countries are participating in the second edition of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in the Austrian Alps. The inaugural event was held last November in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

Alessio Punzi, Head of Running and Mass Participation at World Athletics said: “The World Championships are a dream come true started in 2017. In the future, we want to attract more and more athletes and make it more and more difficult for everybody to ignore.” 

Kibet and Cheptegei mark triumphant day for Uganda as World Mountain and Trail Running Championships conclude

Ugandan athletes capped a successful week of racing at the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, as Samuel Kibet, Rebecca Cheptegei and Leonard Chemutai won three of the four titles on offer on Sunday (6), the final day of competition.

Kibet and Cheptegei won the senior men’s and women’s up and down mountain races respectively, both held over 11.2km with 475m ascent. Chemutai, meanwhile, took the junior men’s up and down title and Jessica Bailey led a British 1-2 in the junior women’s race, both competing over a 6.4km course with 224m ascent.

Uganda set out their stall early in the senior men’s race as Kibet formed part of a small lead group alongside compatriots Timothy Toroitich, Leonard Chemonges and Eliud Cherop, with Mexico’s Everado Moreno also trying his best to stick with them. The rest of the field was some 30 metres behind, Friday's uphill gold and silver medallists Patrick Kipngeno and Philemon Kiriago of Kenya leading the chase.

Eight kilometres later, Kibet emerged first from the trees, holding a 19-second advantage over Toroitich and Kipngeno who were locked together in second and third. Kipngeno eventually managed to pull away from Toroitich narrowed the gap to the leader, but it wasn't enough.

Kibet swept across the line to take the title, the sixth for a Ugandan senior man in the past eight World Championships. Kipngeno was 10 seconds behind, becoming the first double medallist at the new expanded championship format. Toroitich held on for bronze ahead of teammates Chemonges and Cherop in fourth and fifth. Spain's Andreu Blanes followed four seconds later, placing sixth.

With four athletes in the top five, Uganda was a clear winner of the team competition. Spain took silver with Italy just a single point behind, both teams placing three athletes inside the top 15.

The Ugandan dominance continued in the final race of the championships as Rispa Cherop, Rebecca Cheptegei and Annet Chelangat pushed the pace from the start with only Saturday's uphill world champion Allie McLaughlin of the USA able to hang on.As was the case with the senior and junior men’s races, it soon became a question of which of the Ugandan athletes would take the title. Cheptegei, still looking remarkably smooth, flew into the race's final kilometre with a 20-second gap over her teammate Chelangat and was jubilant as she tore across the finish line, flag in hand, to become the second Ugandan woman to win a mountain running world title.

Chelangat was no less ecstatic in second and the pair had time pose for the cameras before McLaughlin came in to take bronze, the second medal in a remarkable weekend for the US runner.

Romania's Monica Florea, both knees bleeding, came in fourth, just as she did in Friday's uphill race, confirming herself as one of the most consistent performers in mountain running, as did Britain’s Scout Adkin, who finished a minute further back in fifth.

With Cherop – one of the pre-race favourites – unable to finish, it meant Uganda didn’t have enough finishers to contend for the team title, opening the door for another country. Switzerland, with three finishers in the top 15, stepped up to take the team title, adding to the two sets of team medals they earned in the uphill race on Friday. Britain took team silver, while USA capped a strong championships with bronze.

Just as they did with the senior races on Sunday, Uganda dominated the junior men's event, filling the top four places to sweep the individual medals and earn team gold. Leonard Chemutai was a dominant winner ahead of teammates Caleb Tungwet, Denis Kiplangat and Silas Rotich.

Britain’s Finlay Grant was fifth individually but helped his country to secure team bronze, while France took team silver.

The junior women’s up and down mountain race was the only event on Sunday not won by Ugandan athletes. Jessica Bailey led a British 1-2 from teammate Rebecca Flaherty, also picking up gold in the team standings.

Italy's Axelle Vicari was third individually and a comfortable second in the team contest ahead of France.

Next year the championship heads to Europe and the spectacular trails of the Austrian Alps when the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships will take place in Innsbruck-Stubai, Tyrol from 6-10 June.