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A Weekend of Inspiring International Mountain Running Efforts!

Thursday September 4 - Kate Flynn

A huge well done to all athletes who were completing both home and abroad over the weekend. A massive effort put in at the UTMB events and World Masters. With 27 Irish Athletes competing at the UTMB and approx. 100 Irish athletes at the world masters there was a great sense of pride whilst we dot watched and celebrated!

The World Masters Mountain Running Championships (WMMRC) is an international competition for mountain runners aged 35 and over, organized by World Masters Athletics (WMA) and overseen by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA). Athletes are grouped into five-year age categories to ensure fair competition across various skill levels and a global community of Masters mountain runners. The World Masters are not directly affiliated with IMRA but the event is strongly encouraged and supported by the IMRA community. Organization of the team is often facilitated through various IMRA platforms. There are no trials held for a place on the team, an expression of interest is to be send to the team management each specific year. The athletes travel on their own accord and are self sufficient on the ground.

This year, the Masters took place in Meduno, Italy. The team was managed on the ground by Aidan Cleary, who played a pivotal role in the organisation leading up to the event.

A big thank you to the leaders for their role in making the World Masters trip such a successful enjoyable experience and well done to all the athletes who took part. As you can see below, there was an array of podiums for individual medals and team medals.

We got this excellent report from Aidan Cleary of the events and achievements.

ONE DIRECTION: UPHILL — Mud, Smiles & Community at Meduno WMMRC 2025

The Championships opened on Friday, 29 August, with the Uphill Race: a demanding 5 km course with 800 m of ascent from Meduno’s historic town centre to the summit crest of Monte Valinis.

Forecasts threatened heavy rain, but instead the athletes faced high humidity (96%) and temperatures ranging from 23°C at the start to 18°C near the summit. Conditions were sticky, energy-sapping, and required precise pacing and hydration strategies.

The route began on tarmac before switching quickly to steep, rain-slicked trails. Athletes battled greasy surfaces and sustained gradients, with the final kilometre packing nearly 300 m of vertical gain. The summit finish on Monte Valinis was alive with crowds, cowbells, and a festival atmosphere, setting the tone for the weekend.

What stood out throughout was the strength of Irish support. Along the streets of Meduno, at aid points on the climbs, and especially at the summit finish, Irish voices were loudest—green flags waving, families and clubmates lining the course. This encouragement created an unmistakable lift for the Irish athletes, many of whom credited the atmosphere as a decisive factor in their medal-winning performances.

Team Results – Uphill

• F35 Gold
• F40 Bronze
• F45 Silver
• F50 Gold
• F55 Bronze
• M35 Bronze
• M40 Bronze
• M45 Silver
• M65 Bronze

Total: 9 team podiums
Gold x2, Silver x2 and Bronze x5

Individual Results – Uphill

• Ian Conroy (M40) – Gold

LONG DISTANCE, LONG SMILES — Storm-Quickened Trails at Meduno

Saturday, 30 August, brought the Long Distance Race: 34 km with 1,850 m of climb, traversing Meduno’s lanes, villages, and the slopes of Monte Valinis.

After overnight rain, the course was slick and technical. Athletes navigated demanding downhills and warm 20°C temperatures before being met by storm showers in the final kilometres. The bursts of rain proved more refreshing than disruptive, sharpening focus and energy in the closing stages.

Irish supporters once again made themselves felt. Positioned at strategic points along the course, they brought colour, noise, and encouragement that lifted spirits even in the toughest climbs. As the storm broke in the final kilometres, Irish flags and shouts of encouragement became a welcome beacon for tired legs.

Team Results – Long Distance

• F35 Gold
• F45 Bronze
• F50 Silver
• M35 Silver

Total: 4 team podiums
Gold x1, Silver x2 and Bronze x1

Individual Results – Long Distance

• Rebecca Quinn (F50) – Silver

CLASSIC DISTANCE CLOSES MEDUNO WMMRC 2025

The Championships concluded on Sunday, 31 August, with the Classic Distance event. Originally set at 14.1 km with 735 m of climb, the course was adjusted to 16 km and 800 m of climb due to storm damage from Saturday’s rain.

Clear skies and rising temperatures presented a final challenge. Athletes ran through narrow cobbled streets, flag-draped hamlets, and forest trails, cheered on by locals at every turn.

Among these cheers, the Irish contingent once again stood out, making Meduno feel like home turf. Whether gathered at the start line in town squares, cheering from shaded forest paths, or celebrating at the finish, the Irish support provided both energy and pride. The closing day became as much a celebration of community as competition.

Team Results – Classic Distance

• F35 Silver
• F40 Bronze
• F45 Silver
• F50 Silver
• F65 Bronze
• M40 Bronze
• M45 Silver
• M50 Bronze
• M65 Gold

Total: 9 team podiums
Gold x1, Silver x4 and Bronze x4

Individual Results – Classic Distance

• John Kinsella (M45): Silver
• Gerard Maloney (M65): Silver
• Conor Nolan (M65): Bronze
• Hazel Stapleton (F75): Silver

The Triple Crown Challenge

Eight Irish athletes took on the ultimate test of endurance and resilience at Meduno: the Triple Crown, completing all three Championship races—Uphill, Long Distance, and Classic—across the weekend. See the photo above of these champions!

• Graham Bushe
• Micheál McSweeney
• Aidan Cleary
• Rob Tobin
• Katie Mullan
• Angela Tobin
• Ken Bates
• Vasiliy Neumerzhitskiy

Their achievement reflects not only exceptional fitness and determination but also the spirit of commitment that characterised Ireland’s presence at the Championships. Competing day after day, in shifting conditions and against the world’s best, this group embodied the grit and camaraderie of the Irish team.

Overall Summary

Across three days of competition, Ireland secured 22 team podiums and multiple standout individual performances.

Team Podiums (Total 22):
Gold x4, Silver x8 and Bronze x10

Individual Medals:
Gold: Ian Conroy (M40, Uphill)
Silver: Rebecca Quinn (F50, Long Distance)
Silver: John Kinsella (M45, Classic)
Silver: Gerard Maloney (M65, Classic)
Silver: Hazel Stapleton (F75, Classic)
Silver: Conor Nolan (M65, Classic)

The Irish team delivered one of its strongest World Masters Mountain Running Championship performances to date. Results were built not only on athletic ability, but also on the remarkable backing of Irish supporters who travelled in numbers to Meduno. Their presence—flags, banners, cheers, and constant encouragement—created a sense of home advantage and community pride, reinforcing Ireland’s reputation for spirit, camaraderie, and excellence on the international mountain running stage.