World & European Mountain and Trail Running Championships – Overview
Championship Structure
UK Athletics supports teams competing at the major World and European Mountain and Trail Running Championships, which operate on an alternate-year cycle:
- World Championships one year
- European Championships the following year
Both championships include traditional Mountain Running events alongside Trail Running races.
2025 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships
The 2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships are scheduled for late September 2025 in Canfranc, located in the Spanish Pyrenees.
Event Programme
- Short Trail race
- Long Trail race
- Traditional Short Mountain Running races
Selection Process
- A selection trial race may be nominated for the Long Trail event
- If no trial is held, selection is made via the performance matrix, considering:
- Performances from the previous 12 months
- Results over similar distance and terrain
Selection information and trial details will be published on the UK Athletics Mountain Running pages when available.
2024 European Mountain & Trail Running Championships
The 2024 Championships are a European event, taking place in Annecy, France, from 31 May to 2 June 2024.
Event Programme
- Short Trail race (approximately 60km with ~3500m ascent/descent; distance TBC)
- Traditional Short Mountain Running races
- No Long Trail event in 2024
Selection Information
Selection details and any associated trial races are typically announced towards the end of the preceding year and published on the UK Athletics Mountain Running pages.
2023 World Mountain & Trail Running Championships (WMTRC)
The 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships were held from 6–10 June 2023 in Innsbruck–Stubai, Austria.
Great Britain & Northern Ireland competed in:
- Short Trail (approximately 45km)
- Long Trail (approximately 85km)
- Traditional Mountain Running races
2023 Results Highlights
Thomas Roach won individual silver in the Short Trail event. The men’s Short Trail team, led by Roach with Jon Albon (5th) and Kris Jones (8th), secured team gold
Selection Contacts
Athletes seeking consideration for future teams should contact:
Long Trail events
Adrian Stott
Email: taritstott@icloud.com
Short Trail & Mountain Running events
Anne Buckley
Email: annembuckley@yahoo.com
Great Britain & Northern Ireland – Championship Records
Great Britain & Northern Ireland have a strong record at international mountain and trail championships.
Men Individual Medals
- Jon Albon – Gold (2019), Bronze (2022)
- Tom Evans – Bronze (2018)
Men Top 10 Finishes
- Jon Albon (2018)
- Tom Owens (2015)
- Andy Symonds (2016)
- Kris Jones (2022)
Women Individual Medals
- Angela Mudge – Silver (2009)
- Lizzie Hawker – Bronze (2009)
Women Top 10 Finishes
- Holly Page (2018)
- Jo Meek and Beth Pascall (2016)
- Elsey Davis and Sharon Taylor (2022)
As with Cross Country, the team element is central to these championships, and Great Britain & Northern Ireland teams have consistently achieved team medals across both Mountain and Trail disciplines.