Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC), organized biennially by World Athletics with the World Mountain Running Association, the International Trail Running Association, and the International Association of Ultrarunners, is now accepting bids for the 2027 event.
The official bid process sets hosting for either before June 15 or after September 15, 2027. The bidding process launches in July 2024, with an expression of interest deadline on October 1, 2024, and final bid applications due by April 1, 2025. The championship hosting decision is scheduled for July 2025.
Bidding cities must have mountainous terrain with suitable trails for four formats: Classic "Up and Down" mountain races, Uphill races, Long Trail, and Short Trail races. Distances for senior events range from 4 to 85 kilometers, with elevation gains from 600 to 6,000 meters. Winning times range from approximately 25 minutes for junior events to over 8 hours for senior long trail races.
Hosts must have an international airport within a 3-hour bus ride, transportation connections to official venues, and full board accommodations rated at least three stars for athletes, officials, media, and World Athletics Family members. Specifically, bids must include 1,300 beds for athletes and team officials, 65 single rooms for the World Athletics Family, and 35 single rooms for media for a five-night stay.
Financial requirements include a USD 200,000 hosting fee and a minimum prize purse of USD 100,000. Local organizers receive full commercial rights over sponsorship, media, broadcasting, merchandising, and participant fees.