WMRA – 28. Mountain Running World Ch. 2012: in Italy the record of nations competing.

A record 40 nations competed in 28th World Mountain Running Championships 2012 in Ponte di Legno, Italy with eleven nations earning medals in the four events.   
The LOC from the Italian villages of Temu, Tonale and Ponte di Legno were impressive with their quality of course and hospitality. The weather was rainy for the two days preceding the race, but race day saw Vallemonica with fantastic conditions for mountain running with temperatures between 10-15 degrees C with just a slight breeze.

There were many supporters and athletes that returned from the mountain running families of Menici, Agostini, Donati and the team of volunteers made a challenging course.

Senior Men's Race (14.1km,  +1150m)
The Eritrean team set a fast pace and by 9 km had a commanding lead with Petro Mamo over 20 seconds ahead of team-mate Azeria Teklay (ERI). Andrey Safronov (RUS) was just ahead Tsige (ERI) and a trio of Italians, which was the order that was maintained at the finish line. The team race was very close between 3 athletes but with 4 to count it was Eritrea (17) who took team gold ahead of Italy (31) with Russia (75) taking the bronze medal.

Senior women (8.8 km, +760m)

The women's race saw a return by Andrea Mayr (AUT) running strong to win ahead of a very popular Valentina Bellutti (ITA) with Morgan Arritola (USA) taking the bronze medal. Sabine Reiner (AUT) impressed the WMRA Grand prix rankings with her 5th individual position. The USA team were strongest with 3 athletes in the top 10 taking team gold with just 18 points, second place (29) and Switzerland in third (58).

Junior Men (8.8 km , +760m)

The Junior Men's race saw a strong performance from Uganda's Michael Cherop who was chased all the way by European Champion Adem Karagoz (TUR). Bronze medal went to Sommez Dag (TUR) just 10 seconds ahead of Moses Kurong (UGA). A popular Nekagenet Crippa (ITA) was 5th. The team race was won by Uganda (13 points) with second place going to Turkey (20) and Italy taking the final podium place.

Junior Women (3.9 km, +310m

The junior women saw much change in the final kilometre of the 3.9km event.  The leader Sevilay Eytemis  (TUR) held on for a 39-second victory from a fast finishing Julia Lettl (GER) with 2011 champion Lea Einfalt (SLO) taking the bronze medal ahead of 2012 European champion Annabel mason (GB). As expected the team competition was very close between Great Britain and Turkey, with the gold medals going to Turkey (9), one point ahead of the British team. Germany (15) took the bronze team medals. 

Attending the Championships were David Okeyo (KEN) and Sean Wallace Jones  as IAAF Delegates and the WMRA Council with new honorary member Pierre Weiss (FRA) appointed during the WMRA Council meeting before the Championships.

28th WMRA Congress was also held with many  important decisions that included updating the WMRA Constitution and the World Mountain Running Championships rules, preparing the annual race calendar, and other aspects for improving and growing the sport of mountain running. Delegates from 40 nations were present over the weekend and a strong bid for hosting the 2014 World Championships in Obudu, Nigeria was made and has been accepted under conditions set by the WMRA. This will make Africa the 5th continent to host the world event for mountain running. 

Another important step for this year's championships was doping control with over 50 athletes blood tested by anti-doping officials organized by the IAAF. The purpose was to produce blood passports as a baseline for testing at future events. 

Next year the 29. WMRA World Mountain Running Championships will be held in Poland on 8. September 2013.

news by WMRA Bashir Hussain

pictures by LOC