In contrast to the ISF World Series, the International Mountain Running Cup (MnRIC) has been set up according to the needs of athletes and organisers. This is why the series will consist of six races staggered from May to October, one race per month, all located in the Mediterranean basin, enabling participation in the entire series at a reasonable cost. To complete the series athletes must participate in at least three races and a maximum of four. Adding bonus points on the fifth and sixth races will favour the most faithful, veteran runners.
Freedom of choice will be another strong point of the series. Participation is not mandatory in any race and athletes can participate freely, freely choose which nation they want to represent, regardless of whether it has a state. Each race has its classifications of individual, team (whether clubs, commercial, or national teams) and by nation – the latter category has inspired the series’ subheading: Gran Prix of Nations. The races that form part of this series share organisational collaboration, toughness, beauty and height. In addition to the inaugural race of the Unesco Urdabai Biosphere Reserve, in Arratzu, the series will compete over the mythical Greek mountain of Olympus, the Sanctuary of Nuria in the Catalan Pyrenees, Ariege in the French Pyrenees, the maritime Alps with their 2500 m of positive gradient in Aosta, to finish in the heights of the Atlas in Toubkal, Morocco.
The series will distribute €12,000 in prize money. Its calendar is as follows:
Arratzu Urdaibai (Euskadi [Basque Country]) 2 May www.arratzu-urdaibai.com
Olympus Marathon (Greece) 27 June www.olympus-marathon.com
4th Olla de Núria (Catalonia) 18 July www.olladenuria.cat
Course des Perics (France) 22 August www.club.quomodo.com/coursedesperics
Becca di Nona (Italy) 5 September www.comune.charvensod.ao.it
Toubkal Marathon (Morocco) 7 October www.toubkaltrail.com
You can find all the info at www.mnric.com and info@mnric.com