The Mountains of the Carpats provide a dramatic and test environment for the first 2025 WMRA World Cup meeting
The 2025 World Cup begins with style this weekend in Câmpulung Moldovenes, Romania, with Zmeu X-Fest. The Mountains of the Carpats will provide an impressive backdrop for the inaugural race for this year’s competition. And with some very familiar names of the previous world glasses, we should be in an exciting classic mountain race.
This will be the first World Cup trip to Romania, but as a country is certainly not a newcomer to the mountain. It is a country full of years of tradition in sport and has produced generations of incredible talent.
The place of the race, Câmpulung, is a city in the mountains of the County of Suceava, Bucovina. Câmpulung is recognized by two things that lend themselves very well to the mountain race: lush old forests and a large number or mountain trails. In addition to the incredible race, the area has a series of Unesco World Heritage sites and, famous, painted from churches and monasteries (dating from the fifteenth to the 16th centuries).
And why is the event called ‘Zmeu’? Zmeu is a legendary creature that is deeply rooted in Romanian folklore. It is said that it is a creature similar to a dragon, with scaned skin, sharp claws and sometimes even wings. Only one more potential challenge for runners to deal in the course?
This race is a classic mountain race up and down or 19.6 km with 1750m or ascent. Starting from the center of Câmpulung Moldovenesc to 650 m, the runners first go to the Runcului Miqua Pico (1,176m), before descending 400m and then climbing to 1,129ma Summit Runc. From there, it is another long descent back to Câmpulung to mark the midpoint of the race, before starting to rise again from the forest, followed by an ascent of Bodea (1,073m). Then it is another descent, followed by a short ascent of the frantic race to the finish line.
Women
The female race offers a truly international athletes mixture, which should make things really interesting. The champion of the Women’s World Cup last year, Scout Adkin (Hoka EU), will begin his defense here, after having claimed some great victories in last year’s competition, as well as in that unforgettable race in Sierre-Zlzinal, where he finished second later.
Align with Adkin will be Romanian corridors Ioana Madalina Amariei (Pugun), winner of Giir di Mont 2024 and Ingrid Mutter (Scarpa), who has also finished on the podium in Giir Di Mont. Valentine Jepkoech Rutto (Athletics Saluzzo) could be one to see, after finishing the fourth place in the classic race up and down in the World Running Championship Mountain and Trail in 2023. Hana Svestkova Struzkova (Hoka) and Bedoli) and Kulderoli)))
Men
The male race is equally international, with a strong contingent from Italy, as well as some highly competitive Kenyan corridors and local Romanian talent. Paul Machoka (Atletica Saluzzo) finished fourth in general in the World Cup last year, with a series of consistent results, and with the experience he obtained last year, it will be interesting to see this year. Kevin Kibet.
Henri Aymonod (the north face) is a very familiar name for the followers of the World Cup. He is the master of uphill races, with many podiums of classic races in his palm trees, and will always be a corridor to see. The Italian companions Andrea Elia (Topo Athletics), winner of the last years Chiavenna Lagunc, Andrea Rostan (Athletics Saluzzo), former Broken Arrow Vk Wier, Alberto Sell (New Balance), the fastest trophy man and Luca Years will surely be in the mixture.
In addition, the young French athlete Alric Petit (Nike), an incredible 2024 had a second place in Fletta Trail. Mate Dalos (Salomon) could challenge, and Romanian athletes Istvan Szabolcs and Alexandru Husariu ionut could enjoy some advantage of the house.
How to follow the race
The race begins at 11 am local time on Saturday, May 3. Live tracking is available in Zmeu X-Fest | Livetrail® and you can follow WMRA social networks for information and updated images.
For more updates and details of the race, visit www.wmra.info and Classic Mountain – Zmeu X -FEST, Fear No Summit!
