With just 50 days remaining until the start of the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck-Stubai, athletes from around the globe are entering the critical final phase of their preparation. This countdown period — roughly seven weeks before race day — is when training specificity becomes paramount and the decisions made in these final weeks can determine the difference between a podium finish and a disappointing result.
For athletes targeting the Vertical Race at the Elfer in the Stubai Valley, the priority at the 50-day mark should be maximal uphill power. Training sessions should include steep hill repeats at race-specific gradient (20–35 percent), ideally on terrain that mimics the mix of trail, grass and rocky ground found on the Elfer. Athletes training at lower altitudes should consider altitude camps above 1,500 metres to acclimatise to the reduced oxygen levels they will encounter on race day.
Mountain Classic competitors face a different set of demands. The course near Innsbruck combines sustained climbing with technical descending, requiring athletes to balance uphill strength with downhill agility. At 50 days out, training should shift towards race-pace efforts on mixed terrain, with particular attention to eccentric leg strength for the high-speed descents that will characterise the second half of the course.
Trail Short and Trail Long athletes should be well into their base-building phase by this point, with long runs of three to five hours on mountainous terrain forming the backbone of their weekly training. The key at the 50-day mark is to begin incorporating championship-intensity efforts within these longer sessions — tempo segments on climbs, threshold efforts on flats and controlled fast descending on technical single-track. Recovery between hard sessions becomes increasingly important as the championship approaches.
Nutrition and recovery protocols deserve heightened attention in the final seven weeks. Athletes should be refining their race-day fuelling strategies, testing gels, drinks and solid food options during training to avoid gastrointestinal issues on race day. Sleep quality, hydration and stress management all play crucial roles in ensuring that athletes arrive at the start line in Innsbruck or Stubai in peak condition.
Among the pre-championship favourites, several names stand out across the disciplines. The Vertical Race is expected to see a battle between defending champion Patrick Kipngeno and the strong Austrian contingent racing on home terrain, while the Mountain Classic and Trail events will feature a deep European field bolstered by strong African and South American delegations. The depth of competition at this first combined WMTRC promises to be unprecedented.
Course reconnaissance is another critical factor for athletes who have the opportunity to visit Stubai and Innsbruck before race week. Familiarity with key sections — particularly the technical descents and the exposed ridgeline sections above 2,500 metres — can provide a significant tactical advantage. Athletes unable to visit in person should study course profiles, video footage and elevation data in detail.
The WMTRC 2023 represents a historic milestone as the first-ever combined World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. For athletes, this means the opportunity to compete at the highest level of both disciplines in a single event, with the eyes of the global running community focused on the Tyrolean Alps. With 50 days to go, the countdown is on.
At 50 days out, athletes should prioritise race-specific training: steep hill repeats for Vertical Race competitors, mixed terrain efforts for Mountain Classic athletes and championship-intensity long runs for Trail Short and Trail Long participants. Altitude acclimatisation is also critical for those training at lower elevations.
The WMTRC 2023 events are spread across the Innsbruck and Stubai Valley regions in Tyrol, Austria. The Vertical Race is at the Elfer in Stubai, while other disciplines use courses in and around Innsbruck and the surrounding alpine terrain.
Pre-championship favourites include defending Vertical Race champion Patrick Kipngeno (Kenya), Austrian mountain running legend Andrea Mayr in the women's Vertical, and a deep field of European, African and South American athletes across the Mountain Classic and Trail disciplines. Visit the athletes page for full profiles.
The WMTRC 2023 features five disciplines: Vertical Race (5 km, 1,000 m elevation), Mountain Classic, Trail Short, Trail Long (approximately 80 km) and the Stubai Ultratrail. Detailed course information for each discipline is available on the courses page.
Yes, altitude acclimatisation is a significant factor. Several WMTRC 2023 courses reach elevations above 2,500 metres, where reduced oxygen availability affects performance. Athletes training at lower altitudes should consider spending time above 1,500 metres in the weeks before the championship to adapt.
Course reconnaissance is recommended for athletes who can visit the Stubai and Innsbruck regions before race week. Familiarity with key technical sections and exposed ridgeline passages provides a tactical advantage. Course profiles and maps are available on the courses page.