World Masters Mountain Running Championships, Meduno 2025
Race Reports and Summary of Irish Team Results
ONE DIRECTION: UPHILL - Mud, Smiles & Community at Meduno, Italy WMMRC 2025
The Championships opened on Friday, 29 August, with the Uphill Race: a demanding 5 km course with 800 m of ascent from Meduno’s historic town centre to the summit crest of Monte Valinis.
Forecasts threatened heavy rain, but instead the athletes faced high humidity (96%) and temperatures ranging from 23°C at the start to 18°C near the summit. Conditions were sticky, energy-sapping, and required precise pacing and hydration strategies.
The route began on tarmac before switching quickly to steep, rain-slicked trails. Athletes battled greasy surfaces and sustained gradients, with the final kilometre packing nearly 300 m of vertical gain. The summit finish on Monte Valinis was alive with crowds, cowbells, and a festival atmosphere, setting the tone for the weekend.
What stood out throughout was the strength of Irish support. Along the streets of Meduno, at aid points on the climbs, and especially at the summit finish, Irish voices were loudest - green flags waving, families and clubmates lining the course. This encouragement created an unmistakable lift for the Irish athletes, many of whom credited the atmosphere as a decisive factor in their medal-winning performances.
Team Ireland Results – Uphill
- F35 Gold
- F40 Bronze
- F45 Silver
- F50 Gold
- F55 Bronze
- M35 Bronze
- M40 Bronze
- M45 Silver
- M65 Bronze
Total: 9 team podiums
🥇 x2 🥈 x2 🥉 x5
Individual Results – Uphill
- Ian Conroy (M40) – 🥇 Gold
LONG DISTANCE, LONG SMILES - Storm-Quickened Trails at Meduno
Saturday, 30 August, brought the Long Distance Race: 34 km with 1,850 m of climb, traversing Meduno’s lanes, villages, and the slopes of Monte Valinis.
After overnight rain, the course was slick and technical. Athletes navigated demanding downhills and warm 20°C temperatures before being met by storm showers in the final kilometres. The bursts of rain proved more refreshing than disruptive, sharpening focus and energy in the closing stages.
Irish supporters once again made themselves felt. Positioned at strategic points along the course, they brought colour, noise, and encouragement that lifted spirits even in the toughest climbs. As the storm broke in the final kilometres, Irish flags and shouts of encouragement became a welcome beacon for tired legs.
Team Ireland Results – Long Distance
- F35 Gold
- F45 Bronze
- F50 Silver
- M35 Silver
Total: 4 team podiums
🥇 x1 🥈 x2 🥉 x1
Individual Results – Long Distance
- Rebecca Quinn (F50) – 🥈 Silver
CLASSIC DISTANCE CLOSES MEDUNO WMMRC 2025
The Championships concluded on Sunday, 31 August, with the Classic Distance event. Originally set at 14.1 km with 735 m of climb, the course was adjusted to 16 km and 800 m of climb due to storm damage from Saturday’s rain.
Clear skies and rising temperatures presented a final challenge. Athletes ran through narrow cobbled streets, flag-draped hamlets, and forest trails, cheered on by locals at every turn.
Among these cheers, the Irish contingent once again stood out, making Meduno feel like home turf. Whether gathered at the start line in town squares, cheering from shaded forest paths, or celebrating at the finish, the Irish support provided both energy and pride. The closing day became as much a celebration of community as competition.
Team Ireland Results – Classic Distance
- F35 Silver
- F40 Bronze
- F45 Silver
- F50 Silver
- F65 Bronze
- M40 Bronze
- M45 Silver
- M50 Bronze
- M65 Gold
Total: 9 team podiums
🥇 x1 🥈 x4 🥉 x4
Individual Results – Classic Distance
- John Kinsella (M45) – 🥈 Silver
- Gerard Maloney (M65) – 🥈 Silver
- Conor Nolan (M65) – 🥉 Bronze
- Hazel Stapleton (F75) – 🥈 Silver
The Triple Crown Challenge
Eight Irish athletes took on the ultimate test of endurance and resilience at Meduno: the Triple Crown, completing all three Championship races - Uphill, Long Distance, and Classic - across the weekend.
- Graham Bushe
- Micheál McSweeney
- Aidan Cleary
- Rob Tobin
- Katie Mullan
- Angela Tobin
- Ken Bates
- Vasiliy Neumerzhitskiy
Their achievement reflects not only exceptional fitness and determination but also the spirit of commitment that characterised Ireland’s presence at the Championships. Competing day after day, in shifting conditions and against the world’s best, this group embodied the grit and camaraderie of the Irish team.
Overall Summary
Across three days of competition, Ireland secured 22 team podiums and multiple standout individual performances.
- Team Podiums (Total 22):
🥇 x4 🥈 x8 🥉 x10 - Individual Medals:
🥇 Ian Conroy (M40, Uphill)
🥈 Rebecca Quinn (F50, Long Distance)
🥈 John Kinsella (M45, Classic)
🥈 Gerard Maloney (M65, Classic)
🥈 Hazel Stapleton (F75, Classic)
🥉 Conor Nolan (M65, Classic)
The Irish team delivered one of its strongest World Masters Mountain Running Championship performances to date. Results were built not only on athletic ability, but also on the remarkable backing of Irish supporters who travelled in numbers to Meduno. Their presence - flags, banners, cheers, and constant encouragement - created a sense of home advantage and community pride, reinforcing Ireland’s reputation for spirit, camaraderie, and excellence on the international mountain running stage.