RUN247 / Running News / WMRA World Cup heads to USA for Broken Arrow races

WMRA World Cup heads to USA for Broken Arrow races

Reporter

Palisades Tahoe, USA, plays host to rounds 12 and 13 of the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) World Cup this weekend, with the Broken Arrow Vertical and Broken Arrow Sky Race.

Broken Arrow Vertical, the second of three short uphill races in this year’s competition, gets the action under way on Friday, before the 26km Broken Arrow Sky Race on Sunday.

In what is set to be one of the World Cup’s biggest and most exciting weekends, rounds 14 and 15 also take place on Sunday at Zumaia-Gipuzkoa in Spain.

Which runners to look out for

With World Cup races also taking place in Europe on Sunday, both Broken Arrow races will feature predominantly American fields.

In the men’s Broken Arrow Vertical race, Max King, who finished second at this year’s USATF Mountain Running Championships, will be one to watch.

2019 NCAC Mountain Running Champion Andy Wacker should also be in contention, as should David Sinclair, who memorably took on both the classic and long-distance races at the 2019 World Mountain Running Championships in Patagonia.

The women’s event also features an abundance of American talent, with the versatile Hillary Allen, who finished second in the 2018 race, expected to go well.

Allie McLaughlin claimed victory at Pikes Peak Ascent, while Jennifer Schmidt won the 11km Broken Arrow race in 2019.

Lindsay Webster clinched top spot on the podium at the 26km Broken Arrow race in 2019, while the decorated Anna Frost is another big name in the line-up this year.

Sinclair, King and Wacker are among those participating in the Broken Arrow Sky Race as well, while Frost and Allen will also double up in the women’s race.

Reigning World Mountain Running Champion Joseph Gray will be a prominent figure in the men’s Broken Arrow Sky Race, as he was crowned USATF Mountain Running champion this year.

Darren Thomas, Jared Hixon and Sam Sahli have all enjoyed strong races this season and are expected to challenge at the front end of the field.

Kimber Mattox finished third in the USATF Mountain Running Championships and will be a strong favourite for the women’s race, while Kelly Wolf has racked up a number of impressive wins recently.

The routes

Broken Arrow Vertical features 954m of ascent over a 6.8km course, with runners climbing through tree cover and onto a stunning ridge via the infamous ‘Stairway to Heaven’ ladder.

The 26km Broken Arrow Sky Race course passes through some of the region’s most eye-catching scenery, starting on the valley floor at 1,890m and climbing to the peak at 2,700m.

The runners ascend via the KT-22 summit, before heading via the famous Emigrant Pass. There is a slight climb to the Julia Million Memorial aid station, before a 5km downhill stretch to the finish.

Race Schedule (all timings local)

Friday 1st October

11:00 Broken Arrow Vertical start

Sunday 3rd October

07:00 Broken Arrow Sky Race start

How to follow the races

Follow the races live at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkiqAYQkbwGHtsx165Iay4Q

You can follow latest news and results via WMRA social media channels – Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Latest Running News

Heather Jackson (USA) - 2nd at IRONMAN Lake Placid 2022
Heather Jackson on her trail running adventure so far, Western States and UTMB
John Kelly Damian Hall Barkley Marathons 2023 loop two photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
Damian Hall Q&A on his epic first experience at Barkley Marathons
Katie Schide wins UTMB 2022 photo copyright UTMB
Reigning UTMB champ Katie Schide claims Eiffel Tower triumph
Jasmin Paris climbing Barkley Marathons loop three 2023 photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
‘I do think a woman can finish’ – Jasmin Paris hopes Barkley effort inspired others
Barkley Marathons 2023 finishers Aurelien Sanchez, John Kelly and Karel Sabbe photo credit: Davidmillerphotography_ on Instagram
Lucky walnut shells, Brer Rabbit and more – what the Barkley Marathons finishers said