The Best Of The Best – 2014 Skyrunning World Championship line-up announced

Posted on June 11, 2014 by talkultra

Lauri van Houten, Executive Director for the ISF gives us the low down on who will be participating in the 2014 Skyrunning World Championships to be held in Chamonix on June 27-29.

Even before getting off the ground, the events were an immediate sell-out when they went online last October with a record number of requests. Since then, the world’s best runners and teams have submitted their entries, which we announce here.

No less than nine Skyrunner® World Series Champions will take part, headed by superstars, Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg, Luis Alberto Hernando, Tofol Castanyer, Stevie Kremer, Nuria Picas, Urban Zemmer, Agustì Roc, Laura Orguè.

Out of the ISF Top 20 World Ranking:
– 15 athletes will compete in the Sky distance, 14 in the Ultra and 17 in the Vertical.

Many more world-class names will be competing over the three distances – winners from top skyrunning events, from trail running races, and mountain running….they will all be here to compete in the magic arena that is Mont Blanc. 3,400 athleteswill participate in the three Skyrunning World Championships disciplines with a total of 6,500 runners overall in the weekend’s events.

In the previous World Championships held in 2010, the country ranking was headed by Italy, followed by Spain and Francecounting 13 nations. Four years on and the country participation has more than doubled, with 28 nations taking part.

Certainly Spain is the all-out favourite, with France and Italy close behind. With the rapid development of the sport and new countries emerging, the picture could soon change. Strong competition is forecast from Great Britain and new entries Norwayand the Czech Republic for example, will no doubt make their mark.

Spain: Kilian Jornet, Luis Alberto Hernando, Tofol Castanyer, Nuria Picas, Laura Orguè, Uxue Fraille, Maite Maiora, Agustì Roc, Iker Karrera, Artiz Egea, Jokin Lizeaga, Nuria Dominguez…

France: The host country with the biggest field of participants. Where to begin?
Francois D’Haenne, Michel Lanne, Xavier Thevenard – respectively 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the 80K last year; Christel Dewalle, Mathéo Jacquemoud, Alexis Sevennec, William Bon Mardion, Thibault Baronian, Axelle Mollaret Stephanie Jimenez, Maud Gobert, Mikael Paséro…

Italy: Urban Zemmer, Antonella Confortola, Silvia Serafini, Elisa Desco, Tadei Pivk, brothers Bernard and Martin Dematteis EAA champions, Marco Moletto, 2010 World Champion Nicola Golinelli, Federica Boifava…

Great Britain: Tom Owens and Andy Symonds are back racing after a year off joined by Ricky Lightfoot and Tessa Hill.

New Zealand: Anna Frost, Jonathan Wyatt and Ruby Muir. After her recent Transvulcania victory, Anna is back in great shape after a difficult year.

USA: 2013 Sky Series champion Stevie Kremer, 2011 WMRA champion Kasie Enman, Alex Nichols, Cameron Claytonand Ultra running icon Mike Wolfe.

Andorra: the consistently strong Teixido and Casal brothers.

Canada: Land of great distances and Ultra runners: Tina Lewis, Jason Loutit, and Adam Campbell.

Robust teams will participate from Japan with Dai Matsumoto and Torhu Myahara; from the Czech Republic starring Anna Straka (Pichrtova), five-time winner at Sierre-Zinal, and Robert Krupicka.

From Brazil, ultra runner Fernanda Maciel; from Switzerland Marc Lauenstein and Candide Gabioud among others.

Completing the ISF member countries participating with teams will be Greece, Poland and Russia and, for the first time in an international skyrunning competition: Australia, China, Netherlands, Portugal and South Africa.

Top runners from other countries are headed by Romanian Ionut Zinca, ranked 2nd behind Kilian in the Sky distance, and include Germany’s Philipp Reiter, Florian Neuschwander and Florian Reichert. Interestingly, strong competition is coming from a number of countries new to skyrunning. Norway is showing great promise and will offer strong competition in the Vertical and Sky categories with talent like Thorbjørn Ludvigsen and Eirik Haugsnes who, in just one year, have made their mark in the sport.

Sweden will support Emelie Forsberg, at the head of both the 2013 Sky and Ultra ranking, with a team. Countries stretching across the world from Ecuador to Nepal complete the picture of a truly international championship.

Overall, 46 athletes ranked in the top 20 across the three disciplines will take part – a historic first. The 2014 Championships represent the first time the Ultra distance will be disputed.

Some numbers for the record:
•   9 Skyrunner® World Series Champions
•   28 national teams
•   38 countries participating
•   46 top 20 ranked athletes
•   3,400 participants in the thee disciplines
•   25,000 euros cash prizes

Individual world titles are at stake in each discipline as well as a combined title, based on the best results of two out of three races. Countries will be ranked according to the best results of three men and one woman in all three disciplines.
€ 25,000 cash prizes will be awarded and anti-doping controls will be carried out.

On the launch of the announcement, Marino Giacometti, ISF President, commented: “We’re proud to present the World Championships in Chamonix and, with the support of the Club des Sport, we’re confident the events will be a perfect showcase for skyrunning and draw the best athletes in the world for some intense competition.”

Race programme

Teaser

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Contribute to Talk Ultra Podcast

Posted on June 10, 2014 by talkultra

WANT TO BE A PART OF TALK ULTRA?

Yes? Okay… I am going try a little experiment. Use the link provided HERE

What is important is sound quality, so, you MUST use either a headset with microphone or an external microphone connected to your computer. This will usually be through your USB port. Make sure you are in a quiet place and have decent to good acoustics.

And then…

Call in and record (within 60-seconds) what it is ‘you’ LOVE about Trail, Mountain and Ultra Running.

You must start by saying:

‘Hello’
Who you are
Where you are
and then your snippet of audio. NB – max 60-seconds

If this works, we will have a regular feature on the show with a selection of the best in every episode. Of course, we will theme this, so currently, the audio content could be about Comrades or the up and coming Skyrunning World Championships.

It’s an experiment. Good luck.

Please Note:

We have set this process up only to allow 20-mins of recording per two week period, so, in theory, the first 20 are the only ones who can record.
PLEASE no swearing or profanity. Your log in details and usage will be tracked and we take this seriously.

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Ultra D-Day Trail – 100 miles

Posted on June 10, 2014 by talkultra

A non competitive adventure

Over a route between Utah Beach (Manche) and Caen (Calvados), the Ultra D-DAY 100-mile event has 7 different nations represented. The fourteen runners will run and stop at 14 ‘checkpoints’ at specific places on the route with pauses to commemorate the past key events.

A beach landing, a torchlight crossing through Bayeux and a finish line with 3000 children.

The 14 athletes will arrive on land from the sea in Utah Beach on June 12th, 2014. They will arrive in Bayeux at the end of the day and go through the city holding torchlights. Finally, they will join the 3000 children of “Les Foulées de la Liberté” to complete the last kilometers of the ‘Ultra D Day Trail’ up to the Caen Memorial.

Athletes running are:

The schedule is available HERE

For more information: ultraddaytrail.com

“The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you.” — Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower’s message to the troops before the invasion, 1944

“They fight not for the lust of conquest. They fight to end conquest. They fight to liberate.” — President Franklin D. Roosevelt, radio broadcast, June 6, 1944

I should have been participating in this event and unfortunately due to the theft of my computer and all my camera equipment in Barcelona, I am no longer able to attend. It saddens me greatly not be a part of this adventure and I wish everyone all the very best and as Churchill would have said, “And what a plan! This vast operation is undoubtedly the most complicated and difficult that has ever occurred.’‘ — Winston Churchill to the House of Commons, June 6, 1944

Bonne Chance – Good Luck – Powodzenia – Viel Glück – Break a leg!

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Skyrunning World Championships 2014 – Important Information

Posted on June 10, 2014 by talkultra

Since the creation of the Mont-Blanc Cross in 1979, the Mont-Blanc Marathon in 2003, the Vertical Kilometer in 2011 and the Mont-Blanc 80KM in 2013, the Club des Sports de Chamonix has never ceased to improve events. This year with the Skyrunning World Championships, the organisers once again confirm the quality of the event and announce new changes: a bigger race expo, the creation of a bridge at Tre Le Champs to secure the road crossing, a new finish line for the Cross and Marathon, and finally a more in-depth Web TV diffusion.

At the end of June 2014, 6500 runners and over 13000 of their supporters are expected in Chamonix for the Mont-Blanc Marathon weekend. The race expo that reunites sports manufacturers and the different trail races found throughout the world will open their doors on the Place du Mont-Blanc on June 26, 27 & 28 2014. The expo provides an area to purchase last minute items for the race and to also discover the latest summer trends.

The race-bib pick-up (previous years at the ENSA gymnasium) will be positioned at the Place du Mont-Blanc square in a big tent especially erected for the occasion.

Program

Race-bib pick up at the Place du Mont-Blanc in Chamonix
Thursday June 26, 2014: 10:00am – 20:00
Friday June 27, 2014: 3:00am – 4:00am for the 80KM and 10:00am – 20:00 for the other races
Saturday June 28, 2014: 7:00am – 20:00
Sunday June 29, 2014: 5:00am – 6:30am

Friday June 27, 2014:

Place du Triangle de l’Amitié

4:00am : Start of the MONT-BLANC 80KM

18:00 – midnight : Meal offered to runners of the 80KM (sports complex)

16:00 : Start of the VERTICAL KM

From 18:00 onwards: Meal offered to runners of the Vertical KM (sports complex)

20:30: Awards ceremony

Saturday June 28, 2014

Paragliding Landing Field

8:30am: Start of the MONT-BLANC CROSS

9:00am: Start of the MONT-BLANC 10KM (start in 3 waves)

11:30am: Mini- Cross (starts depending on age categories)

12:00pm: Mini-Cross Raffle

Richard Bozon Sports Complex

From 11:00am onwards: Buffet for Mont-Blanc Cross (free for runners of the cross)

From 18:30 onwards: Pasta Party for the Mont-Blanc Marathon

Place du Triangle de l’Amitié

15:30: Award ceremony for the Mont-Blanc 10KM

16:00: Award ceremony for the Mont-Blanc CROSS

16:30: Award ceremony for the Mont-BLanc 80KM

17:00 Raffle

Sunday June 29, 2014

Place du Triangle de l’Amitie

7:00am: Start of the MONT-BLANC MARATHON

17:00: Raffle for the Mont-Blanc Marathon

Richard Bozon Sports Complex

From 11:00am onwards: Buffet for Mont-Blanc Marathon (free for marathon runners)

Important Information:

New Finish Line & New Viewpoints!

The large mass of people the past few years at the finish line (Planpraz at Brevent) for the Mont-Blanc Marathon & Cross no longer offered a satisfactory experience for runners nor the public.

The finish line will now be on the plateau just before the top of the cable car station of Planpraz (near the paragliding take-off area).

To reach the finish line runners will take-on one final ‘wall’….the public will be in close proximity to support the athletes in their last effort as they benefit from the most beautiful view of the Mont-Blanc range.

Follow the events live via WebTV

In 2012, 10,000 connections were registered during the Vertical KM. In 2013 there were 125,000 connections during the weekend (diffused live for an average of 3 hours per day).

This year the organizers once again will be offering WebTV for users with a complete program, events diffused live, official presentations of athletes each evening, exclusive interviews with the world’s best, and many other surprises.

Even from the other side of the world people will be able to be at the heart of the event on www.montblancmarathon.fr

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INOV-8 LAUNCH FIRST-EVER ULTRA SHOE – ULTRA 290

Posted on June 9, 2014 by talkultra

inov-8 is set to deliver the ultimate in comfort and grip for off-road ultra distance athletes with the launch of the ISPO award-winning Race Ultra 290 shoe.

SHOE REVIEW HERE

New for this summer and weighing in at just 290g, inov-8’s first-ever ultra shoe oozes innovation and meets the needs of this rapidly growing tribe of committed athletes seeking to push boundaries over epic distances.

On trails or mountains, this highly-durable, lightweight shoe delivers industry-leading grip through its Tri-C endurance outsole, which boasts three different rubber compounds.

Designed for optimal cushioning and comfort, the shoe also delivers sensory feedback from the trail, while protecting the foot from the repetitive impact felt when running ultra distances. A flatter outsole ensures a stable ride when athlete fatigue sets in.

inov-8’s Race Ultra 290 – named a winner in the performance footwear category at ISPO 2014, the world’s leading international sports business trade show – also has a unique on-the-shoe gaiter attachment system and an X–STATIC footbed to keep both debris and odors at bay.

Wayne Edy, founder of inov-8, said: “Off-road ultra runners who compete in grueling races, some of which can last days, weeks, need the most comfortable, durable shoes with outstanding grip – and that is what we have delivered.”

“Key to this was the engineering of a Tri-C endurance outsole. Softer, sticky rubber on the edges brings greater traction, while high abrasion rubber at the heel improves durability and allows for heel striking when fatigued. The sticky rubber cleats bring outstanding mid-foot grip.”

“The shoe upper has been designed to ensure minimum friction and maximum comfort. This is achieved through a 360 degree rand, gusseted tounge, integrated gaiter clips and an X–STATIC footbed.”

Working closely with top international ultra runners, inov-8 was able to understand the needs of these committed athletes.

As a result, inov-8 developed the Race Ultra 290 on a generous-fitting last, so that as the foot swells during long off-road distance races it affords the athlete greater comfort.

To encourage efficient running for as long as possible over huge distances, the Race Ultra 290 has been designed with an 8mm drop (heel to toe differential) and inov-8’s renowned multi-finger polymer Meta Shank. The shank aligns with each individual metatarsal to allow the foot to move more naturally, while retaining underfoot protection and flexibility.

This shoe follows quickly on the heels of inov-8’s first products in the Race Ultra range, which were launched in 2014. One of those, the Race Ultra Vest, was named an ISPO 2014 gold award winner as best in the performance equipment category.

And it’s not only shoes and packs in the Race Ultra range, inov-8 also has new apparel, socks and accessories such as arm sleeves and calf guards.

The Race Ultra 290 comes four colour options, two for men and two for women.

The Race Ultra 290 will be available in the UK in July.

*We have had a pair of shoes on test for several months and review will follow very shortly.

inov-8 HERE

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Sichel starts World’s Longest Footrace – 3100 miles in New York

Posted on June 9, 2014 by talkultra

Orkney-based ultra marathon runner, William Sichel (60) will become the first Scot to start the World’s Longest Certified Footrace – the Sri Chinmoy Self Transcendence 3100 Mile Race – which starts in New York on Sunday June 15th – with a 52 day cut-off.

William hopes to high-light the benefits of exercise for the over 60s as well as raise money for the CLAN cancer support charity.

The 18th edition of this event will, once again, take place on a half mile street circuit in Queens, New York from June 15th to August 6th. A small, invited field of 11 men and 3 women will start this unique event.

For organisational reasons the race is run a bit like a stage race with the runners and organisers having an enforced break between mid-night and 6am every day. The clock doesn’t stop however and competitors must be on the start line at 6 every morning.

So in effect, the runners have 18 hours a day to cover the daily average of 60 miles required to complete the challenge within the time limit.

“That means I must cover almost 2½ marathons a day or the equivalent of 240 laps of a 400m track, every day for 52 days, just to finish inside the time limit! It’s an incredible ask because if I have a bad day then I have to run further in subsequent days to complete the race. Currently no one from Scotland has ever started the event and no one from anywhere, aged over 60, has ever finished it, so there are lots of targets to aim for.”

Sri Chinmoy was an Indian spiritual master and teacher of meditation, who established himself in New York in the 1960’s and who died in 2007. The Sri Chinmoy Marathon Team organise many running events world-wide, including the UK.

The heat and humidity of summer in New York will have a big bearing on the event and William has prepared diligently in his own home-made heat chamber, mimicking the the 35°C and 90% humidity often experienced in New York during July and August.

“To be honest it would hardly be worth going if I didn’t do this type of specific preparation. The effects of heat and humidity on running performance can be severe and coming from a cool climate it makes perfect sense and is something I can do, relatively conveniently, at home.”

William made the decision 18 months ago to compete in this race as he wanted to mark his 20th year in ultra distance running by tackling something rather special and this event seemed to fit the bill.

http://www.williamsichel.co.uk
http://www.williamsichel.co.uk/blog

Volta Cerdanya Ultrafons 2014

Posted on June 4, 2014 by talkultra

The Tour Cerdanya; take paths linking the towns of the region or neighboring regions, it is a wonderful environment to explore and discover… it is one of the most beautiful valleys in Europe for its breadth and its sunshine. A place where athletes such as Kilian Jornet and Emma Roca have spent hours and hours running and discovering. It is a magnificent corner of the world that is surrounded by four peaks, Carlit Puigpedrós, Tossa Plana Lles and Puigmal; they dominate the plains.

The Volta Cerdanya Ultrafons consists of four key races:

214km

Data: 6th

Start: Puigcerdà

Distance: 214 km

Elevation: +10.000 m

Elevation: -10.000 m

87km

Date: 7th

Start: Alp  Arribada: Puigcerdà

Distance: 87,5 km

Elevation: +4.410 m

Elevation: -4.365 m

37km

Date: 8th

Start: La Tor de Querol

Arrival: Puigcerdà

Distance: 37,6 km

Elevation: +2.095 m

Elevation: -2.160 m

13km

Data: 7th

Start: Bellver de Cerdanya

Arrival: Martinet

Distance: 12,8 km

Elevation: +530 m

Elevation: -617 m

Nuria Picas (Buff) has confirmed her participation in the Tour Cerdanya Trail (87 km race) this comes as a surprise after her withdrawal from Zegama-Aizkorri. However, Nuria must feel strong and will use this as preparation for the Skyrunning World Championships at the end of June.

Nuria is one of the best mountain runners in the world and currently leads the UTWT (Ultra Trail World Tour) after impressive wins at Transgrancanaria, UTMF and TNF100.

Judith Franch (inov-8), along with Berta Moreno, Djanina Freytag and Xari Adrian are strong candidates to become the new champions this weekend in Catalonia Cerdanya.

Who else should we watch out for?

VCUF

Eugeni Roselló winner of The Spine in the UK will be a strong contender
Eduardo Perez
Ganuza, David Vallverdu
Olga Manko

VCT

Almost all Spanish/Catalan, but great names indeed:

Jordi “Toti” Bes (Esports Nabes team)
Gerard “Blacky” Morales (Buff),
Pau Bartoló (Buff)

Arnau Julià (Buff) is not sure if he’ll run 87K or 37K.
Karim El Hayani (from Morocco, runs in sandals and was fourth a few weeks ago in a Spanish Cup race),
Berta Moreno,
Isaac Torija,
Ignasi Vilà
And two Tarahumara Indians from Mexico: Silvino Cuberas and Arnulfo Quimare.

CMC

Emma Roca is the best known here and hot favourite.
Kilian Jornet used to run this distance but he’s attempting Denali (McKinley) as part of his Summits project.
Pau Zamora (Buff),
Marc Pinsach
Diego Marin

CPMC

Pablo Vigil!

P in CPMC is for “popular” so there are no elite runners (apart from Pablo, of course!), some famous TV presenters, writers, doctors and so… More than 200 people take part making VCUF a big event.

The Region

The Catalan Cerdanya region is an area of natural beauty that has unique traits such as, terrain, climate and history that give a very particular character. Cerdanya is one of the widest valleys of Europe, with a minimum altitude of 1000 feet). Cerdanya’s east-west orientation provides around about 3,000 hours of sunshine a year. The mountain range consists of the Sierra del Cadi (western half) of the Sierra Moixerò and others as eastern most massifs Tossa d’Alp and Puigllançada, and the bulk of Pedraforca as Berguedá. The diversity and beauty is very clear: from the pure features of the Mediterranean to alpine levels. The area has sub-Mediterranean forests, beech forests, boreal forests of pine and sub-alpine coniferous forests, with pine and fir. The vegetation of the park is considered of special interest, because of the low temperatures and high humidity in the area and its altitude contributed to the existence of species that are not typical of the Mediterranean area, but in northern Europe and the European high mountains. Cerdanya is a great place to enjoy sport in a unique environment that offers a wide range of possibilities for any kind; mountain bike, trails, Nordic skiing, skiing, golf, horse riding, fishing, mountaineering, climbing, snowshoeing … the region has endless possibilities.

Website http://www.ultrafons.com

MARMOT24™ – LOCATION ANNOUNCED

Posted on June 3, 2014 by talkultra

The organisers of the UK’s first 24-hour nonstop mountain marathon, Marmot24™, have just announced that the inaugural event will be held in the Lake District National Park this August.

Marmot24™ combines the very best elements of the predominantly British mountain marathon phenomenon with aspects of the more international 24-hour rogaining events. With mountain running and navigation at the heart of the event, competitors will have 24, 12 or 6-hours to visit as many checkpoints as possible on a score format course.

Race Director, Shane Ohly described the competition area to us. “From our central Event Centre the competition area spans 360 degrees in all directions and includes approximately 300 square kilometers of the finest mountain running terrain in the UK. It is Perfect for a 24-hour non-stop mountain marathon and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone to the event weekend 2nd/3rd August”.

He continued, “To the north of the Event Centre are the remote Northern Fells guarded by the imposing flanks of Blencathra. To the south, Clough Head marks the start of the Dodd’s ridge running towards Helvellyn and ultimately Ambleside. There are also interesting yet rarely visited fells to the east and west. The terrain is perfect for a mountain marathon with laser fast ridges and valleys linking remote and trackless areas that contain complex contour features.”

As many regular visitors to the Lake District will know this vast competition area includes about every topographical feature you could possibly imagine, and the experienced planning team of Charlie Sproson and Shane Ohly, will no doubt be conjuring up another excellent event after the highly successful Great Lakeland 3Day™ earlier this year.

The 24-hour race starts at noon Saturday but if that sounds too daunting, then there is a 12-hour race starting at midnight Saturday and a 6-hour race starting at 0600 on the Sunday morning. Everyone will finish at 12 noon on the Sunday in what promises to be an exciting and dramatic finale to a memorable weekend of racing.

Over 100 competitors have now entered Marmot24™ including a large number of elite Spanish runners that includes Aurelio Antonio Olivar, the 2013 European Rogaine Champion.

If you enter Marmot24™ now you can get a free Marmot Compact Hauler (worth £22) for each person.

Key Event Information
Website: http://www.Marmot24.com
Date: 2nd & 3rd August 2014
Venue: Northern England
Entry: from £55
Courses: 24-hour, 12-hour and 6-hour