A NEW NAME, A GLOBAL VISION

The 20th edition will mark a significant milestone in the competition’s history, combining this landmark staging with the introduction of its new name, U18 World Mountain Running Cup. Adopted by the WMRA Council, the name reflects the event’s increasingly global reach and international representation.

Open to teams representing World Athletics Member Federations, the event welcomes athletes who are 16 or 17 years old on 31 December of the competition year, offering them a unique opportunity to compete internationally while representing their countries.

The decision to introduce the new name from 2027 onwards acknowledges the worldwide participation that has become an essential part of the event's identity.

The competition has also gained increasing recognition and value among athletes and national federations over its three most recent editions: Palencia, Spain (2024), Donovaly, Slovakia (2025), and Gagliano del Capo, Italy (2026). Growing media attention, greater international visibility and the emergence of promising young running talents have strengthened the Cup's profile, making it an increasingly valuable platform for national federations to showcase their next generation of athletes on the international stage.

Yet the significance of the U18 World Mountain Running Cup extends far beyond competition results.

For some participants, it represents the first step towards a successful international career at senior level. For others, it offers a lasting experience of sporting achievement, cultural exchange and personal development.

At its heart, the competition aims to create a positive environment in which young athletes can develop friendships, learn from one another and experience the values of respect, teamwork and fair play that make mountain running a truly international community.

SZCZYRK: WHERE MOUNTAIN RUNNING MEETS POLAND'S SPORTING HERITAGE

Nestled in the heart of the Silesian Beskids, Szczyrk is one of Poland's leading mountain and outdoor sports destinations.

Surrounded by the peaks of Skrzyczne (1,257 m) and Klimczok (1,117 m), the town offers a striking natural landscape characterised by steep mountain slopes, extensive forest trails and varied terrain.

These features provide an outstanding setting for mountain running, where young athletes will face the physical and technical challenges of competing in a genuine mountain environment.

Beyond its natural surroundings, Szczyrk has a long-established sporting tradition.

The town is home to the Central Sports Centre – Olympic Preparation Centre, a recognised training location for national and international athletes. Another landmark is the historic Skalite Ski Jumping Complex, closely associated with Poland's ski jumping heritage and the development of talents including legendary champion Adam Małysz.

This combination of mountain terrain, sporting tradition and modern infrastructure makes Szczyrk a fitting destination for an event dedicated to inspiring the next generation of mountain runners.

Sebastian Chmara, Polish Athletic Association President:

“I am very pleased to hear that Szczyrk will host a Mountain Running World Cup event. In recent years, the Polish Athletic Association has significantly strengthened its commitment to supporting and developing mountain running. Hosting a World Cup competition will undoubtedly be an excellent opportunity to showcase this exciting and inspiring discipline of athletics to an international audience.

The courses in the Beskid Mountains will be exceptionally well prepared, and all organizational aspects of the event will be delivered to the highest standards. I am confident that athletes, officials, and spectators alike will enjoy a world-class experience.

See you in the Polish mountains!”

MERCURE SZCZYRK RESORT TO WELCOME THE INTERNATIONAL MOUNTAIN RUNNING COMMUNITY

Mercure Szczyrk Resort will be the Official Host Venue of the U18 World Mountain Running Cup 2027, bringing together athletes, coaches and national delegations in the heart of the Silesian Beskids throughout the competition weekend.

Located in Szczyrk at an altitude of 660 metres above sea level, the resort offers panoramic views across the surrounding mountains, the town and the imposing Skrzyczne peak (1,257 m).

Mercure Szczyrk Resort will serve as the event headquarters and principal accommodation base, providing participating teams with facilities for preparation, rest and recovery. Its location and welcoming environment will also offer opportunities for young athletes from different countries to meet and share experiences beyond the competition itself.

Mercure Szczyrk Resort is also among the local sponsors supporting the U18 World Mountain Running Cup 2027 edition, reinforcing its involvement in bringing this international event to Szczyrk.

Combining the town's mountain sporting heritage with the resort's facilities and hospitality, the U18 World Mountain Running Cup 2027 promises an experience that extends beyond the racecourse, bringing together the next generation of mountain runners in one of Poland's leading outdoor sports destinations.

MORE THAN A COMPETITION: INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION

For two decades, the U18 mountain running competition has provided young athletes with an introduction to international competition in an environment that places equal importance on sporting performance and personal experience.

The 2027 edition in Poland will continue that tradition, bringing together national teams in a celebration of athletic potential, international friendship and the shared passion for running in the mountains.

With its new identity, the U18 World Mountain Running Cup reinforces WMRA's commitment to supporting the development of young athletes and strengthening the global foundations of mountain running.

On 19–20 June 2027, Szczyrk will become a meeting point for the future of the sport, where emerging talent, mountain traditions and international friendship come together in the heart of Poland's Silesian Beskids.

Further information regarding the competition programme, courses and participating teams will be announced in due course.

IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST.

About the WMRA:

Founded in 1984, the World Mountain Running Association (WMRA) is the global governing body for mountain running, dedicated to promoting and developing the sport across all ages and abilities.

Alongside the Mountain Running World Cup, the WMRA organises international Masters, U18 and area championships. It also works in partnership with World Athletics, the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) and the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) to deliver the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. Following the 2025 edition in Canfranc-Pirineos, Spain, the next championships will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, in October 2027.

The WMRA also manages the Mountain Running World Ranking, a global ranking system that awards points to athletes based on their performances in designated mountain running races worldwide.