April 06

THE BEST MOUNTAIN RUNNERS AND RACES, NOW GLOBALLY RANKED BY WMRA: #WMRARANKING

Posted by Héctor Rubio on April 6, 2021 in mountain running, trail running spain | 1 Comment

THE BEST MOUNTAIN RUNNERS AND RACES, NOW GLOBALLY RANKED BY WMRA: #WMRARANKING. World Mountain Ranking Association unveils global ranking for the sport it has developed, ever since 1985. #WMRAranking Best Mountain Runners and races from all over the world, now clearly ranked.

Since 1984, WMRA has been a pioneering institution, key to the global development of Mountain Running. Starting with its first major international competition in 1985, it has gone on to hold 37 World Championshiops plus 22 World Cups. During tnhis year 2021 another World Cup is about to start, together with the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships to be held in November at Thailand.

As the sport keeps on growing all over the planet, the WMRA ranking is launched to help share best races and runners from all over the world via a clear, objective and easy to understand tool.

WORLD MOUNTAIN RUNNING RANKING:
CREATED FOR MOUNTAIN RUNNERS BY MOUNTAIN RUNNERS

The ranking has subjected itself to the following four principles:

Race directory for top mountain races the world over: All the WMRA calendar races are there, for sure, But not only. Other top mountain races are recognized and included, to ensure talent and excellence are acknowledged and encouraged.
Rolling 365 days rank: Because come mountain running, once you toe the start line, you are only as good as you are today. Be it the world champion or the last of the pack runner
Transparent scoring system: Easy to understand by any popular runner. No hidden algorithms, no secret formulas. Simplicity is an inherent part of the joy of mountain running, and we tried to keep it this way too. Therefore clear calculations can be made by any race director, sponsor, national team manager or runner as to who is who, and the reason why.
Work in progress: The sport is very much alive these days and constantly evolving. We acknowledge this and will strive to learn from all stakeholders in order to keep growing together, for the better of all.

Great support from all stakeholders in Mountain Running. The first reactions from mountain runners all over the world have been most enthusiastic, confirming the need for this ranking, together with WMRA interest in listening to comments/suggestions on working together for a better future.

WMRA RANKING 2021

FOR MOUNTAIN RUNNERS BY MOUNTAIN RUNNERS STATEMENTS

SARAH MC CORMACK. (Ireland- Gold World Cup WMRA 2019)

“This is a great resource for the mountain running community to up-to-date with events and top performances worldwide. I think it will also bring greater awareness about the variety of different mountain races taking place around the globe. Personally I’ll definitely be perusing it to get ideas for new races to try in future!”

ANDREW DOUGLAS (UK – Gold World Cup WMRA 2019)

“I think it’s a really positive initiative for mountain running and gives some context to who the in-form athletes are, leading up to the championship events. Once travel begins to open up again and we can have international races with international fields then I think something like this really gives athletes extra impetus to climb up the rankings and compare themselves to the best mountain runners in the world.”

Andrew Douglas at Tre Cime di Lavaredo. Photo: Corsa in Montagna

JACOB ADKIN (UK- Gold European Championship Zermatt 19.

“It’s a useful resource for finding out about the many races out there to enjoy, to remember what races you’ve actually done(!), and see your progression and comparison against yourself and others year on year.”

RODRIGO MEJIA (MEX – Five times winner Sierre Zinal)

“I am glad that nowadays there is Brand new worldwide ranking of mountain runners endorsed by the WMRA. We may now know, via an objective tool, to be improved gradually for sure, who are the best. And that will allow for them to be recognized for their performances in serveral different races all over the world. Congrats to all involved in such a Project and Good luck on the steep trails ahead.”

ANTONIO MARTINEZ (ESP- Gold Medal Team World Championship Patagonia 19)

A step forward for the mountain running comunity. I feel like the sport is growing and this is an example of it, together with the inaugural World Mountain & Trail Running Championship at Thailand 2021, plus the addition of more distances to the events. I’m really excited to see this new calendar and ranking format working out soon.

RICHARD BOLT (USA Team Leader- Medal Leader World Championship Patagonia 19)

“The WMRA World Ranking is a great program for helping promote the many dedicated athletes and races that make up the global mountain running community. As we get back to racing in the coming months, we look forward to seeing the ranking evolve and to how it motivates competitors in the lead up to the inaugural World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Thailand.

JUAN CARLOS GRANADO (ESP Team Leader. 3 Medals World Championships Patagonia 19)

“We are witnessing an important moment in this exciting world of Mountain Running. The creation of a serious world ranking according to the world calendar only brings this specialty closer to a sport with more entity and with greater references. Having the option of comparing runners in the most objective way possible offers another scene much closer to World Athletics traditions, where rankings have a unique importance. Hopefully over time it will become an essential tool as it is in Track & field.”

JONATHAN WYATT. (Six times WMRA World Champion) President WMRA

“The Mountain Running World Ranking powered by the WMRA is a project started three years ago. It is with a great satisfaction that we now present a ranking that reflects the specific features of mountain running. With it we recognise the top athletes, plus rank all runners who participate in mountain races. A simple and transparent points system makes it easy to understand, as the ranking is calculated on a rolling 365 day basis. Thanks to all the work from our Council and developers. this project is only just beginning and we’re excited for the future if it.”

Jonathan Wyatt President of WMRA

FRANCESCO PUPPI (ITA- Silver Long Distance World Championship Patagonia 19) Ranking Secretary

“ It is with great pleasure that I announce my collaboration with the World Mountain Running Association as the Ranking Secretary. This is a way for me to promote and develop the sport not just as an athlete, but also from the side of federations and management.

I think that having an athlete sharing feedback and bringing knowledge inside a federation is a great way to give voice to all athletes’ needs: something that the WMRA is already doing with its Athletes Commission.

The project, as I see it, is a work in progress and I will appreciate any feedback and constructive criticism that will help its implementation and development. It’s finally time to give athletes a more powerful voice inside the sport and this project is one way to do it, which I am happy to contribute to.”

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