11th WMRA Grand Prix 2009
Steve Vernon was a close second in 2008 at Grand Ballon
The World Mountain Running Grand Prix series is now firmly established as the ‘champions league’ of international mountain running. It’s considered by many athletes as one of the most coveted prizes in mountain racing.
The series kicks off next Thursday at the 29th La Montée du Grand Ballon, an uphill only race gaining nearly 1500m of altitude in the 13.4km race distance. Top UK mountain and XC man Steve Vernon came a close second in 2008, and young Morpeth athlete Nick Swinburn travels to seek going one better in 2009 and bringing back the win for the UK.
Reigning men’s champion and mountain legend Jono Wyatt will once again be challenging for honours, though women’s 2008 champ Anna Frost may be taking in a slightly different approach to racing in 2009 due to some injury problems and the Everest Marathon later in the year.
We hope to bring a more detailed preview of this big European season-opener next week on MST.
Jono will be there...
