The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships will be held in Cape Town in 2027, marking the first time the event will be held in Africa.

The 2027 World Mountain and Trail Running championships were awarded to the city after a successful joint bid by Golazo South Africa, Athletics South Africa and Western Province Athletics.

The World Mountain Running Championships began in 1985 and was an annual fixture, while 2007 saw the first World Trail Championships. The two events merged in 2021 to become the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships and the event shifted to a biennial format with the first edition held in Chiang Mai, which was postponed by a year.

The 2023 edition was held in Innsbruck and Stubai, while this year’s championships will take place in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain, between 25 to 28 September.

Table Mountain will provide a visual backdrop for the championships, which will take place from October 6 to 10, 2027.

About 1,200 runners from more than 80 nations are expected to compete in the championship races in 2027, while more than 2,000 runners will take to the start line for the mass participation events.

There are four senior championship races with individual and team medals awarded in each: classic (up and down), uphill, short trail and long trail. Along with a U20 championship race, there will also be mass participation and side events, allowing amateur runners to experience the thrill of the event.

World Mountain Running Association said that Cape Town has a proven track record of staging major running events, including the Cape Town Marathon and the Two Oceans Marathon.

Cape Town was chosen as it will also provide an opportunity for fans and runners from around the world to experience the continent’s natural beauty and rich culture, all from the vantage point of one of the most recognised natural wonders on Earth.

While Table Mountain boasts a unique flat-top peak, the trails around Cape Town feature significant elevation changes. Runners will face steep ascents and descents, particularly on Table Mountain and Lion’s Head, presenting a tough yet rewarding challenge.

There will also be a variety of terrains, from rugged, technical paths to fast descents, offering a diverse and challenging experience for runners of all levels.

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said: “It is always exciting when a major athletics event is staged in a new continent for the first time, and this is no exception. Cape Town hosting the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships marks not only an exciting opportunity for the local area, but also for the sport as a whole.”

In a joint statement, the presidents of the three partner associations – Tomo Sarf, Nadeem Khan and Janet Ng – said that on behalf of the partnership of the World Mountain Running Association, the International Association of Ultrarunners and the International Trail Running Association, “we are delighted to bring the fourth World Mountain and Trail Running Championships to Africa”.

Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC, Ricardo Mackenzie, said the Western Cape Government is very excited to welcome the championships to Cape Town.

“This continues to show that the Western Cape Government is fast becoming the hub for major sporting events. Events of this nature bring a boost to our local economy and assist in creating many jobs. We can’t wait to welcome runners for this event to our picturesque city, where we offer some of the best view for mountain and trail running,” Mackenzie said.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis also shared his excitement: “There is surely no better backdrop to this prestigious event than our very own Wonder of the Natural World, the iconic Table Mountain. But runners should not be fooled by her beauty and her fame – Table Mountain’s rugged trails and steep elevations will pose a stern challenge to elite runners and mass participants alike.”

SANParks, responsible for managing Table Mountain National Park, has been contacted for comment.

CEO of Golazo, Bob Verbeeck, said this marks not only an exciting new milestone for their company, but also for Cape Town and South Africa.

“It represents an important step forward for Golazo as we open a new office in Cape Town around this time, paving the way for many more exciting running and sporting events.”

theolin.tembo@inl.co.za

Source link