At the heart of the strategy is a simple and ambitious vision: more people running responsibly in the mountains, supported by a mission to support, develop and inspire mountain runners at all stages of their athletics journey.

The newly approved framework defines the key priorities that will guide WMRA’s work over the next four years, structured around four central delivery pillars:

• Enhancing the athlete experience
• Education and inspiration
• Promotion, activation and partnerships
• Provision of technical and safety expertise

Together, these pillars reinforce WMRA’s role not only as a global competition organiser, but as a leading authority shaping the future of mountain running.

“This strategy provides a clear and unified direction for our sport,” said Sarah Rowell, President of WMRA. “Our focus is on supporting athletes at every stage of their journey, while continuing to grow mountain running responsibly and sustainably across the world.”

A central component of the strategy is the continued development of the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup, ensuring it delivers the highest standards of athlete experience and global visibility. At the same time, WMRA will continue to invest in the next generation of athletes through initiatives such as the International U18 Mountain Running Cup, while strengthening pathways from youth to masters competition.

The strategy also highlights the importance of collaboration, with WMRA committed to working closely with World Athletics and other key partners to ensure that the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships continue to grow as the premier global event for elite mountain runners.

Beyond competition, WMRA will expand its educational initiatives, creating resources for member federations, athletes, coaches, and technical staff. The organisation will also continue to develop its expertise in safety and technical standards, maintaining its position as a global reference in mountain running.

A further delivery goal is the continued development of the WMRA World Ranking alongside the continued growth of partnerships with aligned organisations to support the long-term sustainability of the sport.

Underlying all areas of the strategy are WMRA’s core values of Respect, Trust, Partnership, and Responsibility, which will guide its actions and decisions throughout the 2026–2030 cycle.

With this strategy in place, WMRA reaffirms its commitment to shaping the future of mountain running — supporting athletes, strengthening global structures, and promoting the sport to new audiences worldwide.

IN MOUNTAIN RUNNING WE TRUST.