At the beginning of the year, World Athletics hosts a meeting between International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU), the International Trail Running Association (iTRA), and the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA). These organisations gathered in Monaco on February 10-11, 2025, to discuss upcoming World Mountain and Trail Championships and future strategy.
The IAU was represented by President Nadeem Khan and General Secretary Hilary Walker. From iTRA, President Janet Ng and General Secretary Enrico Pollini participated, while WMRA was represented by President Tomo Šarf, Secretary Nancy Hobbs, and Treasurer Sarah Rowell. World Athletics was represented by Alessio Punzi, Head of Running and Mass Participation at World Athletics together with a number of other key World Athletics staff.
From left: Hilary Walker, Janet Ng, Tomo Šarf, Nadeem Khan, Sarah Rowell, Enrico Pollini, Alessio Punzi
Key Discussions
The primary focus of this year's discussions revolved around the World Mountain and Trail Championships, which serve as a pinnacle event for athletes in the discipline. Delegates exchanged insights on enhancing the event's visibility and competitiveness, aiming to attract a larger audience and provide athletes with an unforgettable experience.
One of the major topics addressed was the importance of cooperation among the organizations. By working together, iTRA, IAU, WMRA, as the WMTRC partners, with WA can streamline efforts to promote the sport, share best practices, and develop a cohesive strategy for future championships. The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss further development initiatives.
Jacek Bedkowski
IAU Director of Communication
