Perfectly run: that was the WMTRC 2023 in Innsbruck-Stubai

It was five brilliant days in Innsbruck-Stubai. The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC) went off with a "bang" from June 6-10, 2023.

There was running, cheering, dancing, eating and chilling.

It was all there: outstanding athletes, top organization, postcard weather, lively crowds and lots of people.

There was really a lot going on - on and off the tracks. Because a great event was in the city and in the country. Over 1,300 athletes from 68 nations took part in several events. And on the first day there was already a sensational gold medal for Austria: pure enthusiasm. The 43-year-old Upper Austrian Andrea Mayr crossed the finish line at the Elferhütte in the Stubai as the first: in the spectacular Vertical after 1,020 meters of altitude and 7.1 kilometers in an incredible 48:14 minutes.

In the men's Vertical, Kenyan Patrick Kipngeno was in a class of his own. He defended his World Championship title with a fantastic time of 40:18 minutes.

The Trail Short - that is the "short" race over 45.2 kilometers and 3,121 meters of altitude! - ended with a title defense in the men's race: Norwegian Stian Hoving Angermund won the race from Innsbruck to Neustift in 4:19:00.

The victory in the women's event went to Frenchwoman Clementine Geoffray with a brilliant finish. In the final kilometers, she caught Switzerland's Judith Wyder, who had led the race for long stretches.

No less than 86.9 kilometers and 6,500 meters of altitude had to be overcome at Trail Long. And both in the men's race with Benjamin Roubiol and in the women's race with Marion Delespierre, the Marseillaise sounded at the award ceremonies. The supreme discipline in trail running started in Neustift in the Stubaital and led the athletes over the Kreuzjoch, the Hoadl and the Nordkette to the finish in Innsbruck. Benjamin Roubiol covered the distance in a fabulous 9:52:59, Marion Delespierre in an incredible 11:22:31.

And there it was again, the notorious "Höll". The Mountain Classic went as a seven-kilometer circuit from the Landestheater forecourt through the "Höll" and narrow uphill trails up to the Gramartboden, down again and through the old town to the finish. Grayson Murphy from the USA and Leonard Chemutai from Uganda secured the world champion titles.

It is also the successful side shows that make a successful event. There were plenty of them at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships: from magnificent live concerts to the numerous volunteers who made an invaluable contribution as brownies, to all the athletes and officials who colored Innsbruck and the Stubai Valley.