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ItalianoUpdated 26.02.2023
Mountain running and trail running World Championships 2023 develop great appeal
On 26 February, there are exactly 100 days to go until the starting signal is given for the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 2023 Innsbruck-Stubai. From 6 to 10 June 2023, more than 1,500 athletes from 63 nations will compete on four challenging courses in Tyrol. Well-known sponsors such as premium partner Volkswagen R are already supporting the World Championships. In addition, there are more than 400 volunteers who are motivated to make the World Championships a celebration of sport in the heart of the Alps. The organising committee has been working at full speed for months and OC head Alexander Pittl has a positive interim balance.
Just three months before the start of the title bouts, the World Championships have met with a great international response. Already 63 national federations have registered. Apart from Italy, who will be travelling with 61 people, Argentina (56), Spain (55), France (51) and the USA (50) also have large squads. "I am pleased that we will indeed have the whole world as our guests, teams from New Zealand, Australia and Hong Kong have announced their participation as well as South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Argentina, Chile, Mexico - not to mention the European countries, almost everyone from Iceland to Ukraine and Malta will be there," says organisation head Pittl.
The World Cup is also arousing great interest among well-known companies and institutions. Tirol Werbung, Innsbruck Tourismus and the Stubai Tirol Tourism Association have been partners from the very beginning. "The fact that we were able to win Volkswagen R as a premium partner for the World Championships confirms that we have hit the spirit of the times with the Mountain Running and Trail Running World Championships. In addition, we have partnerships with La Sportiva, Snowline Chainsen and Salomon, to name just a few well-known sponsors and business partners. Further contracts with well-known brands are about to be signed," says Pittl.
Due to the international breadth and the uniqueness of this major sporting event, all medal decisions can be followed via live stream and on national and international TV channels. In addition to the official WMTRC 2023 website, the stream will also be available on numerous other websites - and in five languages: English, German, Spanish, Italian and French. About 150 journalists are expected to attend the World Championships.
In June, about 400 volunteers will have the chance to take a unique look behind the scenes of a major international event. OC boss Pittl puts it in a nutshell: "Volunteers are the backbone of big events - without them many of them could not be realised. That's why we'd like to say a big thank you to the more than 250 volunteers who have already signed up and will help to make the WMTRC 2023 a celebration of sport in the heart of the Alps." Anyone who still wants to get hold of one of the few available volunteer places at the WMTRC should register quickly at innsbruck-stubai2023.com/jobvolunteering. There are still a few exciting areas to choose from.
It is the atmosphere and the pictures that make a sporting event unique. This is why the organising committee came up with the idea of "cheering crews". "The athletes perform incredible feats, be it over 7 or 85 kilometres or in between - they deserve to be cheered on and motivated," emphasises Pittl. Anyone who wants to know more can request more information now by sending an email to info@innsbruck-stubai2023.com.
The title competitions will take place on four courses - VERTICAL, TRAIL SHORT, TRAIL LONG and MOUNTAIN CLASSIC, which pass some of the most beautiful places in the Alps.
VERTICAL (7.3 km and 1,020 hm): On a challenging course, the new World Champion in Vertical will be crowned in two separate heats. After the start at the leisure centre in Neustift im Stubai, two village laps take you more or less directly uphill on narrow and steep forest trails to the Elferhütte.
TRAIL SHORT (44.6 km and 3,132 hm): The Trail Short leads over a varied and challenging course from the common mass start at the Landestheater in Innsbruck over the steep and demanding trails of the Nordkette across the Inntal into alpine terrain. Via the Mutterer Alm the runners reach the region of the Kalkkögel, before they cross a steep downhill trail in Neustift to reach the finish.
TRAIL LONG (85.6 km and 5,554 hm): After a mass start in Neustift, the Trail Long leads into the high alpine mountain world of the Kalkkögel. Passing the Adolf Pichler Hut, the Hoadl and the Salfeiner Lake, the route crosses the Inn Valley before climbing the last 1,000 hm ascent to the Nordkette and ending at the Landestheater in Innsbruck after the final, technically challenging descent.
MOUNTAIN CLASSIC ( 6.7 km and 374 hm): The Mountain Classic was planned in the same urban area of Innsbruck in the style of the "Höll", which is well-known due to the World Cycling Championships. The junior runners will start with one lap in separate rounds before the elite runners will compete for the last world championship titles over two laps.
Before and after the competitions there will be everything the athletes' and spectators' hearts desire. Highlights include the big opening and closing ceremonies. During the World Cup days, a colourful potpourri of events will take place, from live acts to guided hikes, as well as art, culture and culinary delights. Whether it's a one-day visit or a stay of several days, with family or friends, there's something for everyone. The offer is constantly being expanded and refined: www.innsbruck-stubai2023.com/zuschauer