Tuesday, May 20, 2008 04:36 PMMountain running championships have been held since 1985. The U.S.A. has fielded individuals since 1986, and a men's team since 1990. The women have attended since 1995.The race format from 1985 - 1992 featured a short and a long course. The short course was "up/down" in British fashion. The long course was "up" in the European style of mountain running. The format was changed in 1993 to alternate each year between the all up (even years) and up/down (odd years) races. This was done due to financial necessity.
The popularity of mountain running worldwide has grown as evidenced by the increasing number of teams competing. This year a record 33 countries were present. The U.S. was able to field full teams despite the handicap of very limited funding. Athletes were selected based on criteria which included the following: past world results, other international mountain running results, USATF mountain race results, recent road and track times, and other regional mountain race results. Selected athletes are responsible for all travel expenses for the trip. USATF and IAAF cover about 20% of the cost, in addition USATF provides team uniforms.
The majority of the U.S. team traveled from the East Coast. The trip to Malaysia takes 36 hours including 30 hours of actual flying time. The championship took place in Kinabalu Park, Sabah, Malaysia. The day started well for the U.S. as David Eckley (CO) took the open race in 38:24. Eckley took command after the initial 2k-(1.2m) loop. The course which climbed and dropped 510m (1660') over the 7.8k (4.9m) multi loop dirt track. Eckley seemed pleased with his win noting "I've never won a race". The top 3 finishers were masters in a field of 47 runners representing 18 countries.
The championship events were held under cloudy skies and 70-degree temperatures at the 1564m (5100') high start/finish line. The first event contested was the junior women's race of 4.1k (2.5m). Heinzle Corelia of Austria won the race in 23:47. The team champion was Slovenia with 8 points (2 score) in a field of 15 countries.
The junior men competed over the same 7.8k course as the open runners and senior women. Sixteen teams toed the line, with Lubrini Beniamino of Italy taking the gold in 35:51. The team victory went to Italy with 21 points (3 score).
The first championship event featuring U.S. runners was the senior women's 7.8k. Cassy Bradley-Byrne (PA), a 2 time team member, lead the ladies during the initial 2k paved section. After 5k the U.S. had all four runners (3 score) in the top 45. Suzy West (VT), in her first international mountain race, utilized her strong downhill running ability to take the top U.S. spot. Suzy finished 30th in 44:31. Danelle Ballengee (CO) was close behind in 32nd with at time of 44:35. Five time Olympic trials qualifier, and 1st time mountain team member, Julie Peterson (MA). Rounded out the scoring in 42nd (46:36). Bradley-Byrne succumb to a muscle injury, but gamely held on to finish in 45th (47:01). " I ONLY fell twice" Peterson stated as she inspected a scratched leg. Rota Gelpi Rosita of Italy took the victory in 38:00 leading her team (4 in the top 12) to the win with 10 points. The U.S. women took 9th place with 104 points amount the 17 teams entered.
The men's team looked to improve on last year finish. The six runners would test themselves on the 12.5k (7.7m) course. The spectator-friendly course featured 4 loops leaving ample opportunity to cheer on runners from 27 countries. The race looked to be a battle between last years "up" champion, Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) and Marco De Gasperi (Italy) the "up/down" champion of 1997.
The crowds were not disappointed as they staged a battle throughout. De Gasperi powered to the win in the final loop with Wyatt fading to 7th (54:56 to 57:04). Scott Gall (CO) ran from the front (as high as 3rd) to take 5th in 56:42. Gall was the top U.S. runner in the 1997; his finish was the best for an U.S. runner since 1993. Paul Low (OR) was originally selected as the first alternate. Low moved up to the team when Dave Dunham (MA) was injured competing in a mountain race earlier this summer. Low showed the depth of the U.S. team by taking the second spot in 62:04 for 42nd place. Richard Bolt (NH) was running in his first mountain championships and took 62nd in 64:15. Jeremy Wright (WY) and Dan Verrington (MA) finished 73rd and 74th (65:43 to 65:48). Wright rounded out the scoring for team USA. "I only saw Jeremy on the first and last lap, and just couldn't close on him" noted 6-time team member Verrington. Tom Anderson (NH), in his first international race, was the final U.S. finisher in 71:27 for 88th place. "I was trying to hold off the guy with a walker" quipped Anderson. The team took 9th with 182 points as Italy was once again the team champion with 23 points.
The week in Malaysia was quite busy with activities or meetings each day. Nancy Hobbs (CO) and Dave Dunham (MA) attended the WMRA (World Mountain Running Association) annual meeting as the U.S. representatives. The highpoint of the meeting was the bidding for the next up/down race to be held in 2001. The two outstanding bids from Arte Terme, Italy and Sedbergh, England came down to one vote. Italy won by a count of 11 to 10. Innsbruck Austria expressed interest in hosting the 2002 race.
There was also a report on next year's event. Bergen Germany will host the championship on September 10, 2000. More information can be found at: http://www.chiemgau.com/bergen/ Athletes wishing to be considered for next years team should submit "running resumes" (a list of accomplishments). The women's contact is Nancy Hobbs (trlrunner@aol.com) and the men's contact is Dave Dunham (mtnman@greennet.net).