World Mountain Running Championship - Day 3

Above is a picture of the US team marching in the opening ceremonies. It's a cool 50ish degrees and raining but the energy level is high as the athletes are looking forward to tomorrows races. We marched 500m from the town center at the base of the "funicular" to Hes-co, the University of Applied Sciences of Western Switzerland. In 1 hour, I'll be at the technical meeting where race numbers will be distributed.

Richard Bolt, Team Leader

World Mountain Running Championship - Day 3

Pictured above is a photo of the Norwegian delegate presenting information about a possible course for the 2010 World Mountain Running Championship (Songefjord, Norway). We also learned that the 2009 Championship will not be in Italy. While the local organising committee was funded and prepared, the Italian Athletic Association would not support the Championshipdue to other commitments in Italy. Scotland announced an intention to bid for the 2011 Championship. The Pikes Peak Hillclimb will be the 2010 World Long Distance Mountain Running Championship. More info later today. Next up is the parade of nations and opening ceremonies - both of which could be re-located or shortened due to weather. Currently it's raining and 45 degrees.

Richard Bolt, Team Leader

World Mountain Running Championship - Day 3

This morning I'm off to Sierre for the World Mountain Running Congress meetings. Reps from 39 countries will convene to vote on where the Championship will be held in 2009. Later today we'll have the parade of nations and opening ceremonies. Tonight will be the pre-race Technical Meeting where we'll recieve race numbers and timing chips.

Richard Bolt, Team Leader

World Mountain Running Championship - Day 2

This afternoon I ran the 8.33k course with the junior Mens team. Starting in the narrow streets of Venthone at 840m above sea level, the course ran along paved roads, gravel roads, single track trail, grass fields on the way to the finish in the town center of Crans-Montana at 1500m above sea level. Only one of the 4 junior men have run in a World Championship - all agreed that a conserative start would be wise as there are plenty of passing opportunities in the 2nd half of the race. Many first time juniors tend to start too quickly and loose large amounts of time later in the race. The junior womens race starts in Montana-Village at 1190m above sea level and joins the junior mens course 3.5k from the finish. The junior womens course has a very fast downhill start followed by rolling uphills before the final big climb 1.5k from the finish. Tomorrow will be a rest day for the athletes as team staff will be attending the World Congress and Technical Meetings.

Richard Bolt
Team Leader
Teva US Mountain Running

World Mountain Running Championship - Day 2

This morning we took team USA photos at our hotel on a foggy, misty day. Here is a photo of me (Portland, OR) and Joe Gray (Lakewood, WA). Later this afternoon I will be previewing the course with the junior Mens team.

Richard Bolt, Team Leader, Teva US Mountain Running Team

World Mountain Running Championship - Day 1

I arrived yesterday in Crans-Montana, Switzerland for the 24th World Mountain Running Championship. The rest of Team USA arrived today; the first official day of the event. We picked up our credentials, race packets and previewed the course. I ran the senior men's course - 11.7k and 1046m of ascent - with team members Zac Freudenberg, Matt Byrne and Eric"quadzilla" Blake. It's a great course that starts in Sierre, climbs up thru vinyards, forests and small villages on the way to the finish on Crans. Of particular interest here is the "funicular", a very steep cable railway that climbs 3000 vertical feet from Sierre to Crans in 12 minutes. The bus or a car takes 20 minutes and the runners will make it in 50 minutes. More info about the World Championship can be found at: 24th World Mountain Running Trophy

Richard Bolt