Cape Town set to welcome the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in 2027

FOR the first time in Africa, the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships will be held in Cape Town.

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 September 25 to 28.

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

About 1200 runners from more than 80 nations are expected to compete in the championship races in 2027, while more than 2000 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.

The 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.

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 excited to welcome the championships to Cape Town.

“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 views for mountain and trail running,” Mackenzie said.

Cape Times