Running – Andrea Meyer’s seventh World Cup prank

1,300 athletes from 68 countries gathered at Stubaital in Tyrol to get the best possible placement in the World Championships on the Vertical Road, Trail Short, Trail Long and Mountain Classic. Of course, one person who couldn’t be missing: Andrea Meyer.

The 43-year-old mountain running specialist and six-time world champion at SVS Athletics kicked off the vertical competition with an easy lap. “My race only started on the steep section. I managed one overtake after another there,” Meyer commented. A total of 1020 meters of elevation had to be mastered on a 7.1-kilometre route.

Meyer “The Chaser”

Up front, I felt the pressure for the first time. “I really felt like I was being followed.” It was the spectators who gave Meyer the necessary impetus. “They yelled at me that I looked better than a Kenyan and I told myself I had to stay six more minutes and put up with the pain.” The shouts of the visitors gave her new strength. “They carried me upstairs. It was unbelievable what happened there,” Meyer exclaimed with family and friends shortly after she was the first to cross the finish line.

In the end, he was 37 seconds ahead which meant his seventh world title. Bronze went to American Grayson Murphy. “Winning at home is massive,” the 43-year-old waved the red-white-red flag around her neck after the win.