Morgan and Criado clinch Long Distance titles with Zumaia-Flysch wins

Charlotte Morgan (GBR) and Raul Criado (ESP) both claimed their respective World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) Long Distance World Cup titles on Sunday after wins in the marathon event at Zumaia-Flysch.

Morgan took victory in the women’s race as she reclaimed the title she held in 2018 and furthered her chances of finishing top of the overall World Cup standings.

Criado meanwhile triumphed in the men’s event as he won his first Long Distance World Cup title – he too remains in contention at the summit of the overall World Cup standings.

Morgan finished the 42km race in 5:18:30, 7:55 clear of second place Oihana Kortazar (ESP) and 1:11:25 ahead of Belen Perez (ESP).

“It was ridiculous out there, crazy, ridiculous – the mud, slipping, sliding,” she said after the race, which was engulfed by wet weather. “I don’t run in this weather in the UK, that’s why I like running in Europe, I don’t like mud. But it worked for me today so I’m really happy.”

It was Morgan’s third World Cup win of the season following successes at Canfranc-Canfranc Marathon and Tatra Race Run. She had to hold off the highly-rated Kortazar, who finished third in the Spanish Mountain Running Championships this year.

In the men’s race, Criado crossed the line in 4:35:16, some 24:09 ahead of Ismail Razga (ESP) and 28:06 clear of Igon Mancisidor (ESP).

Criado made his World Cup debut this season, finishing third in his maiden race at Tatra Race Run and repeating the feat at Tatra Sky Marathon.

The Classic Distance World Cup titles were also wrapped up at Zumaia-Flysch on Sunday, with Joyce Njeru (KEN) and Geoffrey Ndungu (KEN) clinching the wins.

The two races in Spain made up rounds 14 and 15 of the WMRA World Cup, with two races – rounds 12 and 13 – taking place in the USA over the weekend.