10 September 2013

The World Mountain Running Championships will come to the UK in 2015 after Betws-y-Coed, near Conwy, North Wales, was chosen as host by the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA).

The bid to bring the event to Wales was submitted by British Athletics and Conwy County Borough Council, in partnership with the Welsh Government and Welsh Athletics and the sport’s global governing body made the announcement on Saturday in Poland.

The championships will include senior men, senior women, junior men and junior women races as well as team events. There will also be a week-long festival of mountain running which will incorporate masters events, open races for all ages and abilities and educational seminars.

Cherry Alexander, British Athletics’ Major Events Director, said: “It’s great that the UK will be able to host another major athletics event. With both the IAAF World Championships and IPC World Championships also coming to London in 2017 and the IPC European Athletic Championships being hosted in Swansea in 2014, the World Mountain Running Championships being in North Wales in 2015 is yet another great opportunity to showcase all the disciplines of world class athletics here in the UK.”

The news has also been welcomed by Wales’ Economy Minister, Edwina Hart, who said: “I am delighted North Wales is to host this prestigious event, which will further cement the reputation of Conwy and North Wales as a great destination for mountain running and endurance events like this.”

Cllr Graham Rees, Conwy Council’s Cabinet Member for Tourism, Marketing and Leisure said: “Conwy County Borough Council is extremely excited about bringing the championships to the area. The impact of the event will be felt on the economy, our sporting culture and the youth of the County – which is very important to us. Additionally, the competitors will be staying in North Wales for a number of nights, bringing great economic benefits.

“It is also pleasing to be once again working in conjunction with British Athletics, Welsh Athletics and the Welsh Government, and we feel that collaboration on these types of events can only be good for the future of sport and our relations in general.”

Steve Brace, Welsh Athletics head of endurance, said: “We are delighted with the decision to award the 2015 World Mountain Running Championships to North Wales, proving once again Wales’ ability to attract top-class running events through the hard work of several key partners.

“The World Mountain Running Championships will be the latest in growing portfolio of world class events to be held in Wales, following the recent World Trail Running Championships in Llanrwst and the extremely successful Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance Championships in 2011.

“With its rich heritage of mountain and fell running, north Wales is the perfect location for such as event and it will further enhance Wales’ growing reputation as a world-leading running destination.”