In a gripping race covering 3,121 vertical meters on 45.2 kilometers leading from Innsbruck to Neustift im Stubaital, Norwegian Stian Angermund defended his trail short event title with a time of 4:19:00 on day two of the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships on Thursday, 8 June.

Angermund won ahead of Briton Thomas Roach and Italian Luca del Pero. The top American finisher was Garrett Corcoran in 14th, while the best Austrian was Dominik Matt in 29th place. – Read more: Trail Short results – 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships

Angermund and Roach took the lead soon after the start in the center of Innsbruck, running the first kilometers in a trio with Roach’s compatriot Jonathan Albon before Angermund was able to pull away. The route to the Kalkkögel leads over slippery fields of snow, and Angermund managed to extend his lead to more than a minute and a half.

For a brief moment, it seemed that the race could get close again as Angermund slowed down to a walking pace just before reaching the route’s highest point at the Starkenberger hut. 

On the downhill, weaving through the avalanche barriers down to Neustift, Angermund accelerated again and was able to keep his competitors at bay, allowing him to run down the final switchbacks to Neustift without pressure and to successfully defend his title from Thailand.

Crossing the finish line 2:18 minutes later, Roach came in second at a time of 4:21:18, finishing ahead of Luca del Pero, who was even furth behind with a time of 4:22:04.

The race started off well for the Austrians; Hans-Peter Innerhofer was able to stay among the top ten for more than 90 minutes, but then fell back significantly on the climb to the Mutterer Alm, finishing with a deficit of 30:28 minutes in 32nd place.

The best Austrian finisher was Dominik Matt coming in 29th with a time of 4:46:08, while USA’s Garrett Corcoran ended 1th at 4:35:34.

For more information, please visit https://www.innsbruck-stubai2023.com/en/