The U.S. Mountain Running Team competes each fall at the World Mountain Running Trophy race. The team faces stiff competition from the world's best mountain runners.
In September of 2007, the team traveled to Ovronnaz, Switzerland to race at this year's WMRT race. The U.S. Women won a second Gold Medal with Laura Haefeli winning the first ever individual women's medal. The Junior Women won a Silver Medal, the first ever for a Junior Team. As you can see, this is an exciting time for Mountain Running in the U.S. and we hope to continue the growth and competition for spots on the U.S. Team.
The 2008 WMRT saw the US Men win their first ever team medal. Alex Dunne won the first ever Junior US Women's individual medal with her 3rd place finish.
In 2009, the World Mountain Running Championships are in Campodolcino, Italy where teams will face off on an up and down course, 3 laps for the men, 2 laps for the women and junior men and one lap for the junior women.
2009 Mountain Team Qualifier Races
June
28 - U.S. Mountain Running Championships/NACAC Mountain Running Championships
North Conway, NH
Results
Running Trophy
25th World Mountain Running Trophy in Campodolcino, Italy , during the weekend of September 6, 2009
Qualifying for the Team
Open Athletes qualify for the team by competing at one of the
Team Qualifying Races. The women’s team includes four athletes
with the top three finishers scoring for the team. Six athletes will
represent the men’s team with the top four finishers scoring.
The junior men’s team includes a maximum of four with top three
scoring while the junior women’s team is a maximum of three with
the top two scoring. Junior team members are not required to compete
at the Qualifier races although it is encouraged to help provide them
with mountain running experience.
Team manager Nancy Hobbs, Colorado Springs, CO, team leader Richard
Bolt, Portland, Oregon, team manager for the juniors Dave Dunham, Bradford,
MA, and women’s team manager Ellen Miller, Vail, CO will accompany
the team to Switzerland.
At the USATF annual convention, the Mountain Ultra Trail (MUT) Council
chose two races from which automatic qualifiers to the U.S. team will
be selected. The USA Mountain Running Championships and NACAC Mountain
Running Championships will be hosted at The
Cranmore Hill Climb (11 Km) slated for June 28 in North Conway,
NH. The top three U.S. men and the top U.S. woman finisher at Cranmore
will receive automatic berths on the team. The Western Qualifier will
take place in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The race will be a 12km three-lap
race for men at 8:00 a.m. and an 8km two lap race for women at 7:00
a.m. (times may change by one half hour). The race will take place on
Sunday, July 26. Stay tuned for more information and race applications.
The top two U.S. men and the top two U.S. women will receive automatic
berths.
The 2009 team will be selected based on the following criteria (Note: Must be current USATF members prior to the selection race):
The top three U.S. males and the top U.S. female finisher at the USA Mountain Running Championships/NACAC Championships (June 28) receive automatic berths.
The top two U.S. males and the top two U.S. female finishers at the Western Qualifier (July 26) receive automatic berths.
The remaining team members will be selected by the Mountain Ultra Trail Council with input from the team staff based on:
Results in the above named races.
Prior World Mountain Running Trophy performances.
International mountain results.
National mountain results.
Regional mountain results.
Trail and road results.
If you are an athlete who would like to learn more about the team, please contact one of the Team Representatives.
If you would like more information on hosting a future Mountain Team
Qualifying Race, please contact the USATF MUT Championships Chair, Paul
Kirsch.
What is Mountain Running?
In the United States, mountain running and trail running
are often used interchangeably and in most cases, refer to the same
type of running in terms of terrain, elevation changes, and running
surface. Since mountain runs are often contested on trails – either
single track or double track – the trail running term fits quite
well. Keep in mind that some mountain runs are staged on paved, or semi-paved
surfaces, but must still have significant (uphill) elevation gains to
be considered mountain runs – this is one element of mountain
running that distinguishes the sport from trail running...Read
more