The Coastal Challenge reaches new heights in 2019 celebrating 15-years of amazing racing.
The 14th edition completed in February 2018 at the stunning Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, was a record breaker! Yes, course records were broken daily and Tom Evans and Ragna Debats elevated the overall CR’s to a new level obliterating the 2017 records set by the UK’s Tom Owens and New Zealand’s Anna Frost.
Time never stands still and to make the 15th edition of TCC extra special, race director’s Rodrigo Carazo and Sergio Sanchez have confirmed a new incentive for the 2019 edition of the race.
A reward purse totalling $8000 will be up for grabs as the race gets underway from the stunning beaches of Quepos, Costa Rica.
Each day, $250 will be up for grabs should the stage course records be broken by the fastest male or female. For example, in 2018, Tom Evans broke every stage record, that would have been rewarded with a $1500 payout!
Should the overall course record set in 2018 by Tom Evans or Ragna Debats be broken in 2019, $2500 will be on offer. Should the male and female record go, that is a payout of $5000.
Feel like a fast start to 2019? It comes no faster than the 15th edition of The Coastal Challenge!
TCC as it is affectionately known is a multi-day race starting in the southern coastal town of Quepos, Costa Rica and finishing at the stunning Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula. It is an ultimate multi-day running experience that offers a new challenge even to the most experienced runner. Taking place over 6-days, the race hugs the coastline of Costa Rica, travelling in and out of the stunning Talamanca mountain range. Even the strongest competitors are reduced to exhausted shells by the arrival of the finish line due to the combination of technical trails, dense forest, river crossings, waterfalls, long stretches of golden beach, dusty access roads, high ridges and open expansive plains.
You can read and view images from the 2017 edition HERE and the the 2018 edition HERE
Following on from the announcement that UTMB 3rd place and Everest Trail Race winner, Jordi Gamito will race in 2019 (Here) – We now announce the return of Marcus Scotney. Marcus is an experienced multi-day racer having won The Dragons Back Race and the Cape Wrath Ultra in the UK. He toed the line at TCC in 2017 and was gunning for the podium until a huge navigational error pulled him out of the classification – he is coming back to put the record straight!
What attracts you back to Costa Rica?
Undo the wrong turn I made in this year TCC, Costa Rica is an amazingly beautiful place to run with such friendly people.
This is the 15th edition of the TCC, a special one – what do you know about the race after racing in 2018?
It gets very HOT during the day and it takes you through stunning scenery with golden beaches, dense technical forests trails and rivers to cross and run up.
Heat and humidity will play a major factor in the race, how do you plan to adapt?
I hope to get into a heat chamber again and run with lots of layers on, and praying we don’t have such a cold winter in the UK than this year.
Ragna Debats and Tom Evans set incredible course records in 2017. There is prize money available for a new CR in 2019 – does that motivate you? Can you break the record?
Tom was on fire this year, him and Hayden raced as hot as the air temperature was, it will take some beating.
Multi-day racing brings many different challenges to a single-stage race – what are you most looking forward to? What are you most fearful of?
I’m looking forward to running such a beautiful and well organized race, being immersed in the jungle and the spectacular trails and beaches.
I’m most fearful of missing a pink tape ribbon and missing a turn, I wouldn’t live it down if I did that again!
The elite line-up is incredible for 2019, you will need to be in the best shape, does that excite you?
Yes I am super excited to be returning and running with and getting to know the other elite runners. Knowing the course now means I know what I need to focus on to improve on this years performance.
February is early in the season, what will your winter training look like, so you will be ready for February?
Lots of miles in the Peak District this winter, focusing on ascent each week and adding some tempo running into the mix.
And doing a pink ribbon awareness course; getting Jen to hang Pink Ribbons out on runs for me to follow and stay focused on.
I am sure you have looked at past editions of the race, viewed the stages, the profile – it is a tough race that suits a rounded athlete. You need to be able to climb, descend, handle technical trail and run on the flat – where will your strengths be?
I know most of my way around the course now so know what to expect.
My strength is on the technical trail and the steep climbs, I will be working on my flat speed for the 2019 edition of the race.
What experience do you have of multi-day racing?
2016 – The Cape Wrath Ultra Trail
2017 – The Dragons Back Race
2018 – The Coastal Challenge DQ’d
2018 – Ut4M Challenge Grenoble
Racing starts very early in Costa Rica, with the sun! An early finish allows for relaxation on the beach, you can even have a beer – combining racing and relaxation is a key of TCC. It is a ‘Pura Vida’ race – tell us about your hopes and desires for the 2019 edition.
Not getting lost!!!!
What three music choices would sum up your racing style?
Senser – Stubborn
Nick Cave and the bad seeds – The Mercy seat
John Martin – Small hours
Tell us about your nutrition and hydrations strategies for the race?
It gets very hot very quickly in the morning I will be drinking plenty of water, I will carry 3 soft flasks like this year and always keep a spare bottle filled. I will use a mixture of Clif Bloks and Mountain Fuel Jellies.
Tell us about key equipment such as shoes and apparel that you will use?
Scott Supertrac Ultra’s. Montane VIA Fang Shirt. Suunto 9
Open question – Feel free to tell us something, anything!
I will not get lost this year!
Tell us about your greatest achievement/ result in 2018?
2nd Cappadocia Ultra Trail
Please list a summary of your career highlights for 2017 and 2018:
1 – Winning and setting a new CR for the 2017 Dragons Back Race
2 – Running in the 2018 Coastal Challenge.
3 – 2nd 2018 Salomon Cappadocia Ultra Turkey
4 – 5th 2018 UtM4 Challenge Grenoble 160km
5 – 6th Mozart 100km Austria
6 – 1st Dark Peak Runners 50km
Follow in 2019 #TCC2019
Twitter @talkultra
Instagram @iancorlessphotography
facebook.com/iancorlessphotography
The Coastal Challenge
Facebook HERE
Website (UK) HERE
Website (Global) HERE
#tcc2019 #thecoastalchallenge #tcc19
IG – https://www.instagram.com/thecoastalchallenge/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/thecoastalchallenge/
Twitter – @tcccostarica
IAN CORLESS 