30th IAU/WMA 100K WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Saturday 8 September 2018 was a picture-perfect day for around 400 athletes including approximately 160 Masters competitors entered for the 30th IAU 100K, the WMA 100K World Championships and the 6^th Croatian National Championships, held at Sveti Martin na Muri in Croatia, 180 km north east of Zagreb. The event was situated in the heart of the Međimurje region and close to Slovenia, Austria and Hungary – three ultra running strongholds.
 The 100k distance is a formally recognized road running discipline under the patronage of the IAAF, therefore annual national, continental and world championships are staged under the tutelage of the International Association of Ultra runners (IAU).The event started at 7.00 am and the cut-off time for Open athletes was 12 hours and for Masters 13 hours. The course consisted of 14 loops, a 2.5 km ‘prologue’, and thirteen 7.5 km loops. It gently undulated with 60 m of elevation per loop (0.8% gradient). The route was closed to traffic for the entire duration of the race. The Start/Finish of every loop and the

entire race was located in front of the Hotel “Golfer” in Sveti Martin so spectators enjoyed a continuous good view of the race.

The event was very well organized and Masters athletes welcomed by the IAU and the LOC. On behalf of Brian Keaveney, WMA Vice President Competition, WMA was represented at this event by Bob Schickert of Australia, an ultra runner in his younger days.

Masters featured in the overall results with German athlete Nele Alder-Baerens W40 finishing second in the Open race with a time of 7:22:41 and Mthembu Bongmusa M35 of South Africa finishing third in the Open race with a time of 6:33:47. Provisionally, Jan-Albert Lantink of the Netherlands has set a new M60 World best time of 7:29:35.

Medals for the Masters age groups were presented at the Closing Ceremony and athletes, officials and supporters then enjoyed a traditional area display of lights, smoke and mythical creatures. There are no team medals for Masters in the 100K.

The event was very successful and WMA congratulates the IAU and the LOC headed by Pavao Vlahek. WMA also thanks members of the IAU for their assistance and support.

The new president of the IAU is Nadeem Khan. See the provisional results lists.