Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) at WMRA GP Grand Ballon (© WMRA)
Course record holder Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand and 2008 champion Anna Pichrtova from the Czech Republic will be among the favourites at the 6th World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge in Soll, Austria.
The World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge is regarded as one of the WMRA’s premiere racing events. WMRA rules state that the event must be connected to mountain running races with tradition and reputation and this year the event forms part of the “Kaisermarathon” which takes place in the Austrian tourist resort of Soll.
The first part of the 42 km long course is flat, but there is more than 1900m of ascent and 700m of descent in the second part of this demanding course. The course record holder is Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand with a time of 3:06:43 recorded last year.
Wyatt will be on the start line again on Saturday, accompanied by a strong squad of Kenyan runners and experienced British athletes from the four home countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They include the 2008 World Long Distance Champion Jethro Lennox from Scotland and Tom Owens (2008-2nd), Ricky Lightfoot (2008-6th) and Morgan Donnelly (2008-13th) from England.
In the women’s race Pichrtova, the 2008 champion, and Anna Frost from New Zealand appear to be the strongest contenders.
14 national federations have entered official teams in the event.
Tomo Sarf for the IAAF
The World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge is regarded as one of the WMRA’s premiere racing events. WMRA rules state that the event must be connected to mountain running races with tradition and reputation and this year the event forms part of the “Kaisermarathon” which takes place in the Austrian tourist resort of Soll.
The first part of the 42 km long course is flat, but there is more than 1900m of ascent and 700m of descent in the second part of this demanding course. The course record holder is Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand with a time of 3:06:43 recorded last year.
Wyatt will be on the start line again on Saturday, accompanied by a strong squad of Kenyan runners and experienced British athletes from the four home countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. They include the 2008 World Long Distance Champion Jethro Lennox from Scotland and Tom Owens (2008-2nd), Ricky Lightfoot (2008-6th) and Morgan Donnelly (2008-13th) from England.
In the women’s race Pichrtova, the 2008 champion, and Anna Frost from New Zealand appear to be the strongest contenders.
14 national federations have entered official teams in the event.
Tomo Sarf for the IAAF
