World Athletics in partnership with the World Mountain Running Association, the International Association of Ultrarunners, and the International Trail Running Association, stage the World Mountain & Trail Running Championships (WMTRC) on a bi-annual basis. The next iteration of these championships will take place in Cape Town, South Africa from the 6-10 October 2027. Athletics NZ intends to select a team of athletes to compete in these Championships.
Nomination/Selection Philosophy
The aim is to send individuals, and where possible, full teams in both the women’s and men’s categories based on the selection policy.
Athletics NZ can enter one (1) team in the following events and categories (note: this could be subject to change if World Athletics makes changes for the event):
Mountain – Classic (up and down) and Uphill.
- Senior Women: Up to four (4) athletes with three (3) to score
- Senior Men: Up to four (4) athletes with three (3) to score
- Under 20 Women: Up to four (4) athletes with three (3) to score
- Under 20 Men: Up to four (4) athletes with three (3) to score
Trail – Short and Long.
- Senior Women: Up to six (6) athletes with four (4) to score
- Senior Men: Up to six (6) athletes with four (4) to score
The intention will also be to select non-travelling reserves in the event of nonavailability of selected athletes.
General Qualification Performance Requirements
The qualification performance requirements for an athlete to be considered for nomination for the WMTRC 2027 will be based on results achieved in and outside of New Zealand in approved mountain and trail races during the qualification period -1 February 2026 to 30 April 2027. The team will be selected and announced in May 2027.
Compulsory Selection Trial
The Compulsory SelectionRaces that will be prioritised for selection consideration for the WMTRC 2027 are as follows:
- NZ 50km Championships (on Trail in 2026) – Legends of the Peaks 50km – Saturday 7 November 2026, Rotorua
- NZ Long Trail Championships – The Spectacle 100km – Saturday 5 December 2026, Nelson
- NZ Short Trail Championships – Tussock Traverse 32km – Saturday 20 March 2027, Tongariro National Park, Ruapehu
- NZ Mountain Running Championships – Maitai Valley, Nelson – Saturday 17 April 2027
- One appointed mountain running selection event (classic or uphill) to be held between October 2026 and April 2027 (will be announced by July 2026).
Selection Panel
The Athletics NZ Board endorsed current Selection Panel (the “Selectors”) including the Convenor appointed to nominate athletes for selection for WMTRC 2027 are:
- John Bowden (Convenor)
- Kate Mcllroy (TBC)
- Shaun Cantwell (TBC)
General Information
WMTRC 2027 is an athlete-funded competition and athletes seeking selection in accordance with the Selection Policy will have to participate at no-cost to Athletics NZ.
Athletes considering competing at the WMTRC 2027 should plan their funding and budgets early. The trip cost is expected to be approximately NZ$3,000-$4,000 per selected athlete for championship accommodation, meals during championship, transport, uniform, management fee and admin fee. Selected athletes will pay for their own flights, insurance etc.
Subject to receiving all the relevant information from the event organisers and World Athletics, the WMTRC 2027 selection policy is planned to be released by the end of 2026.