Historic 2027 World mountain and trail running championships coming to Africa

World Mountain and Trail Running Championships will be held in Cape Town in 2027, marking the first time the event will be held in Africa. The 2027 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 and shifted to a biennial format with the first edition, which was postponed by a year, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The 2023 edition was held in Innsbruck and Stubai, in Austria, while this year’s championships will take place in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain, from September 25 to 28.

The 2027 event will take place from October 6 to 10. About 1200 runners from more than 80 nations are expected to compete in the championship races, and more than 2000 in the mass participation events.

The World Mountain Running Association said Cape Town has a proven track record of staging major running events, including the Cape Town Marathon and the Two Oceans Marathon.

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. The varied terrain offers a diverse and challenging experience for runners of all levels. Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC, Ricardo Mackenzie, said the Western Cape Government is excited to welcome the championships to Cape Town.

“This continues to show that the Western Cape is fast becoming the hub for major sporting events.”

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said:“ There is surely no better back drop to this prestigious event than our very own wonder of the natural world, the iconic Table Mountain.”

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Cape Argus