WMRA World Cup Long Distance Final Set for Poland's

The WMRA Mountain Running World Cup's Long Distance category concludes on Saturday, September 19, with the Rollercoaster 21 race in Poland. According to Athletics Weekly, this is the 14th event of the 2026 season and will decide the final Long Distance standings before the overall World Cup finals in Canada this October.

A Demanding Mountain Course

The race covers 21.6 kilometers with significant elevation change. The course starts in Międzybrodzie Bialskie and finishes at Porąbka stadium, featuring little flat terrain for runners to find a rhythm.

An aggressive opening climb of over 500 meters in the first three kilometers immediately tests pacing. The route then descends towards Czernichów, crosses the Soła River on a suspension bridge, and ascends Mount Żar. One decisive section gains approximately 250 meters in a single kilometer alongside a ski lift. After another descent and a short final climb, runners head to the stadium finish.

The challenge is constant change. The challenge will not simply be how quickly the athletes can climb, but how well they can repeatedly change from climbing to descending and back again, reports the source. Efficient downhill running and strength on repeated climbs will be key for a strong result.

Contenders and Stakes

Athletes arrive with different goals. Some are focused on securing their position in the Long Distance category standings, while others are also eyeing the overall World Cup ranking ahead of the final rounds. The field includes athletes capable of winning the race regardless of their season-long points.

Home athletes Urszula Paprocka and Matyssek Karol of Poland will race on familiar ground. Other notable entries include Natalie Beadle of Great Britain and Spain's Marc Bernades Olle.

Women's Field Features Close Podium Battle

Italy's Arianna Dentis seeks her first World Cup podium of 2026 after two fourth-place finishes this season. Great Britain's Natalie Beadle is also noted as a potential podium challenger.

Sara Willhoit of Great Britain returns to Long Distance racing after scoring points earlier in the season. The field is deep with World Cup experience, including Selina Burch of Switzerland, Ingrid Mutter of Romania, and Eden O’Dea of Great Britain. All these women are currently ranked inside the overall World Cup top 30.

The course layout means the race order could change multiple times. The opening climb will begin to separate the field, but the technical descent, river crossing, and hard climb towards Mount Żar offer further opportunities for shifts in position.

Men's Race with Podium Implications

Sweden's Martin Nilsson has a clear target. He enters the race ninth in the overall World Cup and fourth in the Long Distance standings with 56 points, 16 points behind the athlete in third place. A strong result in Poland could move him onto the Long Distance podium, depending on his rivals' performances.

The men's race features strong competition beyond the standings. Spain's Marc Bernades Olle, Poland's Matyssek Karol, and Great Britain's Finlay Grant are all expected to be at the front. Andrew Thomas Douglas of Great Britain also adds strength to the field.

The Rollercoaster 21 is part of the wider Three Lakes Marathon festival in the western Beskid Mały mountains. The World Cup makes its first visit to this event, which grew from local runners' requests for more trail racing opportunities.