The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC), set to take place in Innsbruck and Stubai, in Austria, from June 6-10, 2023, is continuing to build momentum.
The WMTRC is overseen by event partners – the International Association of Ultrarunners, the International Trail Running Association and the World Mountain Running Association, alongside World Athletics.
According to the trail running event’s organising team, 58 national associations have already signed up, equalling more than 1,200 athletes and an additional 200 coaching staff to be expected in Tyrol.
So far, with a total of 61 members, Italy is likely to send the biggest delegation. Austria’s southern neighbour is planning on exploiting the full potential of 48 athletes for the ten races up for grabs. Other nations with large contingents are Argentina (58), Spain (55), France (51) and the USA (50).
“It is great to see that the name ‘Tyrol’ is known the world over and bears a weight,” said Georg Dornauer, Deputy Governor of the Tyrol region. “Anyone coming to Tyrol knows that they can expect an event of the highest level and comfort.
“I am looking forward to the world championships – the event will allow Tyrol to prove its extensive competence in terms of sports, events and the hotel industry. And the local population will be able to enjoy the world’s best athletes competing in a running discipline that keeps gaining in importance.”
Alexander Pittl, head of the event organizing committee, added “We based our plans and strategy on the expectation of welcoming around 60 nations, and we will likely reach and surpass this number.
“I am even more delighted about the fact that we will indeed be welcoming the entire world. We are expecting teams from New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong as well as from South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Argentina, Chile and Mexico – let alone the European nations, where almost every country from Iceland to the Ukraine to Malta is represented.”
The final number of participants will be confirmed in early May. Until then, the organizing committee and the international associations – World Athletics, International Trail Running Association, World Mountain Running Association and International Association of Ultrarunners – are hoping to accept the applications of more national associations.
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