4/6, Worldwide

The “World Series” and “Skyrunning®” are the creation of the “Federation for Sport at Altitude”. The FSA is based in Italy, and is the brainchild of Laurie Van Houten from Scotland and her partner Ivan from Italy. They talk about promoting and researching all forms of athletic performance at higher altitudes, but are known best for creating a series of really exciting races. While the WMRA events are strictly formatted to fit a certain model, the FSA supports a variety of distances, including snowshoeing, mountaineering, and cycling, with an emphasis on somewhat longer, steep, technical, and spectacular courses.

The 2009 European Skyrunning Championship will be held at a favourite skyrunning location, Canazei, in the Italian Dolomites in July, while the UPAME Skyrunning Championship will be split between Costa Rica in April and Venezuela in August. An Asian Skyrunning Championship is also planned. Of particular interest to Norte Americanos, is the Pikes Peak Marathon will gain be on the calendar.

The 2009 International Races calendar features some new and different countries: Russia, with the RedFox Elbrus Race – a skimountaineering and snowshoeing multisport race, and the Mount Elbrus Speed Climb in the Caucuses; the Alpine Marathon in Slovenia, and the Three Peaks Race in Britain’s Yorkshire Dales. Throughout the Series, the top three ranked men and women gain free entry and accommodation at all races.

WORLD SERIES: * Costa Rica: Cordillera Volcánica Central - April 18
 * Spain: Maratòn Alpina Zegama-Aizkorri - Basque Country, May 24
 * Andorra: Vallnord SkyRace - La Massana, June 28
 * Italy: Giir di Mont SkyMarathon - Premana, Lecco, July 26 * USA: Pikes Peak Marathon - Colorado, August 16
 * UK: The Ben Nevis Race, Fort William, Scotland, September 5
 * Malasia: Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon - October 24-25

WORLD SERIES TRIALS: * Mexico: SkyRace Mexiquense - Volcan Nevado de Toluca, April 6
 * Switzerland: International SkyRace - Valposchiavo, June 7 * Portugal: Circuito dos 3 Cântaros SkyRace - Parque Nat. da Serra da Estrela, June 14 
 * Slovenia: Alpine Marathon - Petrovo Brdo, June 20 * Italy: Monterosa SkyRace - Alagna Valsesia, July 12
 * France: Chaberton Marathon - Montgènevre, August 2
 * Venezuela: Ávila SkyRace, Caracas, August 9
 * Spain: Puyada a Oturia - Sabiñánigo, September 27
 * Japan: Mt Ontake SkyRace - Nagano, October 18

For the explanation of all these trail/mountain running organizations, read this: http://www.mountainrunning.com/features/april_06/index.html

http://www.fsa-sky.org/new/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43&Itemid=63

6/20, Vail, Colorado

The La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Series was just voted “Best Race Series” by Colorado Runner Magazine, via a poll of readers from the website at www.coloradorunner.com

According to VRD Sports Director Joel Rabinowitz, this year's series boasted nearly 1,500 participants, an increase of 400 participants over 2005 when it was last awarded best race series by the magazine. Nearly 20 runners completed five races in the series, which took runners along 45 miles of trails for a total elevation gain of 13,492 feet. “We're looking forward to next year's series when we'll celebrate our 12th year of trail running racing in Vail."

La Sportiva Running Team Manager and race series participant Buzz Burrell says the series provides runners with a great opportunity, whether they're local, from Colorado or the nation to come to Vail and run in spectacular mountain terrain. "The Vail series provides a terrific weekend getaway for the competitive runner or the weekend warrior," says Burrell. "Beautiful courses, great mountain scenery and excellent organization make Vail a perfect example of why trail running is so fun."

Dates for the 2009 La Sportiva Vail Mountain Trail Running Race Series are tentatively set and will take runners on approximately 52 miles for a total elevation gain of 16,475 feet, and will be increased from six events (which took place on five dates) to seven events taking place every other weekend. Rabinowitz says a final schedule will be announced in March, but here is the hot tip for next year:

• Summer Solstice on June 20
• Vail HillClimb on July 5
• Half Marathon on July 19
• Berry Picker on Aug. 2
• 10k at 10,000 Feet on Aug. 16
• Vail Trophy Race on Aug. 30 (new last year)
• EverGold 10k on Sept. 13.

http://vailrec.com/running.cfm

6/28, The world!

The World Mountain Running Association has announced the 2009 calendar of major mountain running events:

http://www.wmra.ch/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5&Itemid=21

The WMRA has now been recognized by the IAAF as being the governing body for our sport. This is after decades of work in that direction, and opens the eventual possibility of mountain running® becoming an Olympic sport. The sport is taken quite seriously in Europe, where doping tests are regularly performed, the media coverage is widespread, and the competition very tough.

Not shown on the 2009 calendar but quite meaningful to US runners, is the Pikes Peak Ascent (not Marathon) has been chosen to be the 2010 World Long Distance Championships.

Notably absent from the 2009 schedule however, is the location of the pre-eminent event, the World Mountain Running Championships. (This has always been called the "World Trophy Race", but with the accreditation, can now officially be called a "Championship". Steamboat Springs was awarded this race for 2009, but then had to withdraw when the local organizer took a new job and moved to Denver. Without John Chapman in town, the huge amount of work required could not happen. Conversations are taking place with a few locations, with rumor being northern Italy is putting together a strong bid.

To understand all the different mountain/trail running entities go here:

http://www.mountainrunning.com/features/april_06/index.html

http://www.wmra.info