The 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck-Stubai are drawing ever closer, and behind the scenes the organisational machinery is running at full speed. With just a few months remaining until the first start gun fires in the Tyrolean Alps, the local organising committee has reached several significant milestones in the preparation of what will be the first-ever combined World Mountain and Trail Running Championships.
Course preparation across the five disciplines is well advanced. Route designers have finalised the exact paths for the Vertical Race at the Elfer, the Mountain Classic near Innsbruck, and the longer trail events that traverse the high-altitude terrain between Innsbruck and the Stubai Valley. Detailed course profiles and maps are being prepared for athletes and teams, allowing competitors to study the technical demands and elevation characteristics of each race.
Volunteer recruitment has been a particular success story. Hundreds of local residents, running club members and sports enthusiasts from across Tyrol have signed up to support the championship as volunteers. Their roles span everything from course marshalling and aid station management to athlete registration, medical support and spectator guidance. The volunteer programme reflects the deep connection between the Tyrolean community and mountain sports.
Infrastructure development at key venues is progressing on schedule. The start and finish areas in both Innsbruck and Stubai are being prepared to accommodate athlete warm-up zones, timing systems, broadcast positions and spectator viewing areas. The organisers are working closely with local authorities to ensure safe and efficient access to the mountain venues, including shuttle services and parking arrangements for the expected large crowds.
Media and broadcast preparations are also taking shape. The WMTRC 2023 will feature extensive livestream coverage of all disciplines, bringing the action from the Tyrolean mountains to viewers worldwide. Press accreditation processes are open, and the media centre in Innsbruck is being equipped with the connectivity and facilities needed for international sports journalism at the highest level.
On the sporting side, national federations are in the process of finalising their team selections. Early indications suggest that the combined championship format has generated significantly more interest than previous standalone events, with a larger number of nations expected to send full teams across all five disciplines. The competitive depth promises to be outstanding, with world-class mountain runners and trail athletes converging on a single event for the first time.
The accommodation and hospitality infrastructure of the Innsbruck-Stubai region is well suited to hosting a major international championship. Hotels, guest houses and alpine huts across the region are preparing for the influx of athletes, support teams, media and spectators. The area's established reputation as a sports and tourism destination means that the logistical foundation for a world-class event is already in place.
As the weeks count down towards the championship, the excitement continues to build in the Tyrolean Alps. The WMTRC 2023 represents not only a pinnacle of competitive mountain and trail running but also a celebration of the stunning alpine landscapes that make Innsbruck-Stubai one of the most spectacular sporting venues in the world.
The 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships take place in June 2023 across the Innsbruck and Stubai Valley regions in Tyrol, Austria. It is the first-ever combined World Mountain and Trail Running Championship event.
Five disciplines are contested: the Vertical Race at the Elfer, the Mountain Classic, Trail Short, Trail Long and the Stubai Ultratrail. Each discipline has its own distinct course and characteristics. See the courses page for details.
Yes, spectator access to the WMTRC 2023 courses is free of charge. Viewing areas are set up along the courses and at the start and finish zones. Detailed spectator information including access points and recommended viewing spots is available on the spectators page.
The WMTRC 2023 has an active volunteer programme with roles including course marshalling, aid station support, athlete registration and spectator guidance. Hundreds of local volunteers have already signed up to help make the championship a success.
Yes, extensive livestream coverage is planned for all WMTRC 2023 disciplines, allowing viewers worldwide to follow the action from the Tyrolean Alps in real time. Broadcast details will be announced closer to the event.
The WMTRC 2023 is the first-ever combined World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, bringing together mountain running and trail running disciplines under a single event for the first time. This historic format unites athletes from both traditions in one championship in the stunning setting of the Tyrolean Alps.