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  World Masters Athletics 2007 - Mountain Racing

Bludenz, Austria 

23rd September, 2007

  Advertised Statistics Measured Statistics
Distance 9.2 km 5.3 Miles
Total Climbs about 2,500 ft 2,700 ft

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THE AUSTRIAN town of Bludenz was the location for this year’s World Masters Athletics mountain running event.  This is the premier race of its kind, attracting nearly 1000 athletes from 30 nations. 

The day before the race included a parade of nations, with athletes from as far afield as New Zealand, Canada, Mexico and Rochdale taking part.  On the start line we could smell the chocolate from the Kraft Suchard chocolate factory.  Race preparations the night before included hydration with specialist local sports beverages. 

On race day the athletes set off from Dublenz town centre in age groups separated by 5 years, approximately 20 minutes apart.  The 9.2 km course started with a small loop around Bludenz town centre with tremendous support from the town folk.  The course then zig zagged up Muttersberg, initially with a path of similar steepness to Rooley Moor Road and then with an exceptionally steep and rooty  section from 3 to 4.5 km.  The temperatures were around the mid 20's.

The race finished near the cable car station at 4,500ft above sea level.

The race route was relatively short but the mountain rose steeply out of nothing, making it very hard work. The scenery on the way up was absolutely stunning.   We had loads of support from the crowd.  Some was from Brits, but quite a lot was from German supporters who thought we were from their home country because of our club colours of black, gold and red.

The journey down was much easier - by cable car - followed by relaxation in the hotel's invigorating sauna.

 

 Next year’s World Masters mountain race will take place in Dolní Morava, a remote ski resort in the Czech Republic.  The course is 11.5 km with 625 metres of ascent.  Initial searches suggest the area is exceptionally cheap, with good hotels available for around £10 per night. 

 

 

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01 October 2007 Copyright John Mayall 2007.