The International U18 Mountain Running Cup event is renowned for being an important stepping stone for many in the sport of mountain trail running, giving runners the opportunity to demonstrate their individual capabilities and compete as part of a team as well as individually.
A focussed and successful IBDP student at La Côte International School, Izze previously won and Outstanding Pearson Learner Award at IGCSE in 2024, and has equal dedication to her sport. She balances her studies with five to six training sessions each week with Lausanne-Sports Athlétisme, competing in both running and Skimo, where she ranks second in the Swiss Under-18s.Originally Izze was due to join La Côte International School’s annual DP1 Community Action Service expedition to Thailand from the 6th to 17th of June. When she heard she had been chosen for the U18 team, she was faced with a difficult choice; an incredible eleven-day adventure of a lifetime in Thailand with some life-changing acts of service, or a 5-day journey to Slovakia to run for her country.
“I believe it’s an opportunity to run for something bigger than myself,” says Izze, “for my country and our team and it’s a great honour that I deeply cherish.”
International competition
The point-to-point cup race started in the mountain villave of Donovaly, at 960m above sea level;
“The course ran mainly through forest terrain and meadows along marked hiking trails. It was 5.6 km long, with a total elevation gain of 513 meters. After the start, the course immediately ascended up the ski slope on a steep grade with little relief to the finish!” Izze told us.
Though the team had never run together before, and the other three girls had to make a long trip to attend, the team pulled together for their country, placing 4th overall with just 3 points separating them from the 3rd place team.
Izze Baggish's selection for the U18 Trail Mountain Championships is testament to her dedication and talent, balancing rigorous academic pursuits with an intense training schedule. She talked to us about the importance of both physical and mental skills:
“Depending on the season, our practices vary from track sessions to longer endurance runs through the woods. Once a week, we also focus on strength training in the gym. To specifically prepare for this race, I incorporated uphill-focused runs into my training. Knowing I had already pushed through hard efforts in training gave me the confidence to keep going when things got challenging.”
In her academic achievements and sports prowess, Izze maintains a conscious balance,
“I do a variety of sports alongside running because I believe maintaining balance is key—both physically and mentally… I love spending time in the mountains with my family… It keeps me active, lets me connect with nature, and reminds me that not everything has to be about results or performance.”
She notes that mental strength is key;
“I think my greatest strength as a mountain runner is my mental strength. Mountain racing – unlike track or cross-country racing – is immensely variable between races so being able to replace negative thoughts in my head to positive ones over the course of the race when it gets really hard is something I have been working really hard on improving.”
Reflecting on the race weekend, Izze told us,
“I think the most impactful part of the event for me was meeting so many incredible runners from different countries…. once we crossed the finish line, it wasn’t just about the race anymore—it was about sharing the experience together.”
Izze’s journey to the U18 Trail Mountain Championships reflects not only her athletic talent but also her resilience, dedication, and passion for both sport and learning. Representing her country on the world stage, she has demonstrated the power of hard work, mental strength, and the value of meaningful connections—laying strong foundations for a bright future ahead.
