Ahmet Arslan at the 2011 European Mountain Running Championships (© Organisers)
After the European and NACAC Mountain Running Championships, about 250 runners have entered the 13th edition of the Gorski tek na Grintovec in Kamnik, Slovenia, the third stage of 2011 WMRA Grand Prix, set for Sunday (24).
Among the leading starters in the men’s race area Ahmet Arslan, David Schneider, Mitja Kosovelj and Jan Krupicka, winner of the race in 2009.
Topping the women’s entry lists are Lucija Krkoc and Denisa Dragomer, the European junior champion in 2010 and 2011.
The best mountain runners will try to attack the course records. In particular it will be possible that Arslan and Krkoc can challenge the current records of 1:15:43 by Jonathan Wyatt and the 1.31:50 by Anna Pichrtova, both set in 2006.
Eritrean athletes announced their presence but as of yet did not confirm their arrival.
The weather forecast is promising, with conditions not expected to be too hot.
The details of the traditional course: the distance is 9.6km with a 1980 metre elevation gain. This is a real mountain race, of course.
The race was not held last year because Kamnik hosted the WMRA World Mountain Running Championships. The LOC staff is ready to host this competition and most of them are the same persons who organised the 2010 championships, including the LOC Chairman Dusan Papez. WMRA Council member Tomo Sarf will also attend the competition.
Organisers for the IAAF