Nathalie Mauclair, winner of the 2013 IAU Trail World Championships (© Organisers)
Nathalie Mauclair will be looking to defend her title on home soil at the 5th IAU Trail World Championships in Annecy, France, on Saturday (30).
The 2013 champion’s main rivals over the 85km circuit around Lake Annecy, which includes 5300m of vertical drop and gain, could be her compatriot Caroline Chaverot, who won the Maxi race on the same Annecy circuit 12 months ago, and the USA’s Krissy Moehl.
France’s Aurelai Truel, second in 2013 behind Mauclair, is also on the start list.
In the absence of 2013 winner Ricky Lightfoot, France’s Sebastien Spehler is the man to look out for. He won last year’s Maxi race in Annecy and has already won the prestigious Trail du Wurzel and Trail du Petit Ballon races.
Spain’s Luis Alberto Hernando and USA’s Alex Varner have had good seasons so far and should also challenge. Hernando won the Transvulcania race earlier in this month and Varner won Lake Sonoma 50 Mile race in April.
France’s Julien Rancon, third two years ago, is the highest-placed finisher from 2013 in this year’s race.
The race has attracted a record number of participants for the event.
There will be 178 men and 109 women representing 39 countries. The 287 participants mark a new record for competitors in the trail world championships.
In addition to the individual titles, there is a team competition as well. Great Britain and France are the defending men's and women's champions respectively.
International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) for the IAAF
