Mountain running


Mountain running is a sports discipline which takes place mainly off-road in mountainous terrain, but if there is significant elevation gain on the route, surfaced roads may be used. In this it differs from fell running; also its courses are more clearly marked and avoid dangerous sections. It is a form of trail running if it is run on unpaved surfaces. Mountain running is a combination of running, jogging, and walking, depending on how steep the trail is.
It is recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federations and governed by the World Mountain Running Association that since 1985 organizes world championships.

International federation

The World Mountain Running Association is the global governing body of mountain running. For IAAF purposes, mountain running takes place on terrain that is mainly off-road, but if there is significant elevation gain on the route, surfaced roads may be used. Courses involve considerable amounts of ascent, or both ascent and descent. The average incline is normally between five and twenty per cent. Courses are clearly marked and should avoid dangerous sections.

World championships

The WMRA organizes two different types of world championships, for regular distances the World Mountain Running Championships and long distances the World Long Distance Mountain Running Championships.

Long distance mountain running

Races more than 20 km, but no longer than 45 km, includes an uphill ascent of at least 1.6 km.