Gary Robbins prepares for the Salomon SKYRUN, South Africa

Posted on October 7, 2014 by talkultra

Gary Robbins has an incredible story… like all Canadians he played Hockey, his first race ‘off the couch’ was a 10-miler but in his late teens the lure of a good party and soft white snow saw him become a ski bum.

Like many, he had a cathartic moment. A moment when you look in, shake yourself up and decide that you need to get a grip. Gary travelled and travelled extensively. It was the millennium and those magic numbers, ‘2000’ provided a stimulus for many, not just Gary.

The process of finding fitness and health was a gradual one. When back home in Banff the partying continued but it was now on a back burner. Running became a normal activity and the mountains provided an incentive for adventure.

2002 ultimately was a key year, Adventure Racing was booming and Gary had seen the EcoChallenge. What followed was a journey into the unknown and Gary raced with his team the Raid the North Extreme, Mind Over Matter Adventure Racing and the booming Primal Quest.

In 2008 a shift to purely running came and for many, this is the Gary Robbins we all know. His history and story around Hurt 100 makes incredible reading and listening. In 2010, Gary tackled Hurt and not only won the race in 20-hours 12-minutes but broke a Geoff Roes course record… that doesn’t happen very often!

What followed is possibly one of the greatest comebacks in sport. Whilst out training with Geoff Roes and Max King, Gary broke his leg on the Hurt 100 course. At first he thought it was no big deal, however, what followed was a period of his life that may well have seen Gary never run again.

But mile by mile, Gary eased his way back into the sport with help of fellow ultra runner, Luke Nelson. In 2013, Gary went full circle and returned to Hurt 100, a place of so much glory and so much pain. He had a point to prove and prove it he did. He won the race and a little like Roy Hobbs in the the film, ‘The Natural’ Gary had his moment once again. A moment he followed up in 2014 with a repeat victory.

Hurt 100 holds a special place in Gary’s heart and it is his experiences in Adventure Racing, triumphing over the 100-mile distance, his incredible comeback that will now see him toe the line at the Salomon SKYRUN in South Africa.

IC: How have the last couple of months been from a racing perspective?

GR: From a racing perspective I built out my year to attempt to peak for The Salomon SkyRun and as such I’ve had an unusually low mileage summer of running. I raced the Cascade Crest 100 miler on August 23^rd. It wasn’t my best day, especially after a sleep deprived week of race directing my own Squamish 50 just six days prior. I ended up sitting in an aid station just 30 miles in for over twenty minutes after walking for the hour prior. It wasn’t pretty. I stuck with it though and had a great second half rally in which I managed to climb my way back up to finish 3^rdoverall. Seth Swanson (2^nd WS100) took the win in a CR time.

IC: Do you have any targets between now and your trip to SA?

GR: My target is a big month of training and to show up in peak fitness and injury free. I will be racing Rocky Man Brazil on November 8^th though, before flying straight to South Africa.’RMB’ is a relay event in which teams compete by Nationality. It’ll be the first time a Canadian team has competed at Rocky Man and I’m quite excited with the team we’ve built. For me it’ll be a 35km mountain run along with a team based outrigger canoe paddle. The team if five members and the disciplines include surfing, skate board half pipe, SUP, mountain bike, men’s run, women’s run and a team outrigger canoe and team run stage.

IC: How has training gone, you are a busy race director yourself?

GR: It was quite the summer of race directing to be honest. I now oversee twelve races and it’s certainly kept me on my toes. I had a very successful first seven months of training, followed by a few months of non-structured training with lower overall mileage. I’ve just now started bumping up the distance again with a successful three day circumnavigation of the 150km long Wonderland Trail at Mount Rainier. That capped off a 110 mile week and thankfully all systems seem to be a go right now.

IC: Navigation is a key component of the Salomon SKYRUN have you been looking at some maps of the Drakensberg?

GR: I unfortunately have not, and navigating was never my strong suit in adventure racing. I hope to work this in in October.

IC: You have a great adventure racing background, are you intimidated by the navigation element of the SkyRun?

GR: Thus far no, I’ll just follow the route Ryan Sandes did for the course record…!

IC: The course sounds extreme, particularly if the weather turns. Have you researched the course?

GR: I struggle to look past the next event on my calendar and typically work through one event at a time, as such I haven’t been able to put much focus on my SkyRun research just yet. I direct my final trail race of the year this Saturday and following that it’s 100% focus on South Africa.

IC: A strong local contingent will be toeing the line… Iain Don Wauchope, AJ Calitz and so on… do you know much about them?

GR: I do not know much about these runners personally, but what I do know is that South Africans in general are incredible tough and talented runners. There’s no doubt in my mind that South Africans could very literally run away from the rest of us on race day. Home field advantage is certainly a reality over any terrain in which flagging isn’t utilised.

IC: Michael De Haast (race director) has put up a great prize purse should somebody post a great time, is that an incentive for you?

GR: I think it’s great that Michael has been able to put up such a prize purse. Personally I’ve never targeted an event due to a prize purse and am more driven by the aesthetic of a race. Prize purse or not, I can’t wait to run in South Africa! My wife will be joining me for two out of the three weeks that I’ll be in South Africa and we’ve been looking forward to this trip together all year long!

IC: This trip will provide two great opportunities – travel and racing!

GR: In terms of the race itself, I’m really excited to do a slightly non-conventional and more challenging form of a trail race. It seems more akin to an adventure run and I do love me a good adventure run. From a travel perspective, I’m stoked to run in a completely new country, while Linda and I are both really looking forward to taking in a safari while we’re there. Her face also tends to light up real bright when she says the words “dinosaur footprints,” which we hope to check out at some point as well.

The Salomon SKYRUN takes place on 20th-23rd of November and an exclusive package is available for those who may like to join us for the trip of a lifetime. Info HERE

‘I really like what the Salomon SkyRun is as an event, an honest to goodness bad ass mountain race. A lot of races out there like to brand themselves as such, but the Salomon SkyRun appears to be fully legit in this regard.’ Gary says as a parting shot, ‘I think few places in the world would embrace and even sanction an event such as this and I believe that offers great insight into the people, both behind the scenes and those lining up to tackle the race itself. This won’t be easy, as is evidenced by Ryan Sandes course record of almost twelve and a half hours.’

Having said all that, there’s an undeniable element of intrigue that emanates from everything surrounding the Salomon SkyRun.

You can listen to interviews with Gary Robbins below:

Episode 54 of Talk Ultra – Gary Robbins once again returned to the tough and gnarly Hurt 100 and came away with another victory, in this weeks show he tells us all about it and his plans for 2014. HK100 took place just a couple of weeks ago and young Australian sensation, Vlad Ixel placed 3rd overall in a top quality field, we interviewed him about his running and what the future hold. Talk Training as ‘Hint’s n Tips for running from Speedgoat himsel, the News, a Blog, Up and Coming races.. another great show in store!

http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/Episode_54_Robbins_Ixel.mp
ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073
Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss
Website – talkultra.com

Episode 29 – has come back man Gary Robbins telling us what it’s like to return from 2 years of injury to not only win Hurt 100 but to set a new CR. Jez Bragg tells us about completing ‘The Long Pathway, Te Araroa’ in New Zealand. Joe Grant says goodbye and heads off to the Iditarod. Colourful Catra Corbett tells us about drugs, alcohol, running, tattoos, clothes and Truman. In addition to all that, we also have… phew; Talk Training about the long run, ‘A year in the life off…, part 3 of our Marathon des Sables special, A Meltzer Moment, Up & Coming races and of course the News.

http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/Episode_29_Robbins_Bragg_Grant_Corbett.mp3
ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073
Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss
Website – talkultra.com

Skyrunning UK 3×3 80km 2014 Race Report

Posted on October 5, 2014 by talkultra

As runners arrived at 0400 on the morning of Saturday 4^th October at the High Terrain Race HQ for the 3×3, Skyrunning UK’s 3^rd race in 2014. They may very well have thought the apocalypse had started!

Yes, the rain was that bad!

The race had a capacity field of 300 entrants; expect the normal drop out race of 10% and after pre race registrations on the evening of Friday 3^rd October, it was correct to assume that 250+ starters would toe the line. In reality, less than 190 started.

It’s a sign of how bad the conditions were. Ian Mulvey, race director for the 3×3 had consulted with his team and a decision had been made that the first summit at Scafell would be missed with an alternative re route in place. It was a great call… no race wants to make these decisions, however, safety is key and paramount. Remember folks, it’s only running!

Considering everyone taking part was likely to have 9-hours+ on the course, to take runners to such a low point in the first 2-3 hours would have potentially impacted on the race as a whole and may well have not only stretched the runners but logistics.

So bad were the conditions that I personally wasn’t able to make the first ascent due to severe flooding; yes, it was potentially 2009 all over again.

With just under 40km’s covered and on the ascent to Helvellyn, a clear pattern had started to form with Lee Kemp pushing the pace, Donnie Campbell chasing and ever present Skyrunning UK competitor and Peaks Skyrace winner, Jayson Cavill chasing 20-minutes back.

The ladies race had Lakeland 100 course record holder, Lizzie Wraith out front with a convincing lead chased by Sally Ozanne and Great Lakeland 3-Day winner, Kerstin Rosenqvist.

The weather was playing a key factor in the whole day, however, the Biblical conditions of the first couple of hours calmed to leave an ever changing and gusting day.

Over Helvellyn and then dropping down to Keswick runners headed up to Latrigg and then took on a tough anti-clockwise loop of Skiddaw. Over the summit the wind was gale force and the wind chill was close if not below zero. Cloud bursts; heavy rain and even a hale storm made the day impressive visually but something to endure from a running perspective.

Lee Kemp somehow lost the race lead over Skiddaw, as he ran past me he shouted that he had taken a wrong turn… I will clarify this later. This mistake by Lee opened the door for Donnie Campbell and looking strong he pushed to the line without actually realising he was the first to cross it! Lee Kemp held on to 2^nd and Ed Batty placed 3^rd after Jayson Cavill withdrew from the race. Ever present Centurion race winner, Ed Catmur placed 4^th and local legend and recent Wainwrights FKT record holder, Steve Birkinshaw placed 5^th.

Lizzie Wraith never relinquished the ladies race lead, however, over Skiddaw the gap was reduced considerably. Sally however couldn’t close and the positions remained the same all the way to the line with Kirstin Rosenqvist finishing out the podium.

The 3×3 was a real test. The conditions added to the adventure and from first to last, every single runner should be extremely proud of finishing such a tough race. Ian Mulvey and the High Terrain team did a great job of managing conditions, ensuring everyone’s safety and in the process they have made the 3×3 one of the must do events on the UK calendar.

At the awards ceremony, fell running legend Billy Bland arrived to provide a very natural and humble ending to a great weekend of running.

Attention now turns to the final Skyrunning UK race of 2014, the Mourne Skyline MTR in Ireland.

RESULTS

Donnie Campbell 8:28:56
Lee Kemp 8:38:49
Ed Batty 9:00:17
Ed Catmur 9:23:48
Stephen Birkinshaw 9:29:24

Lizzie Wraith 10:42:23
Sally Ozanne 10:50:18
Kerstin Rosenqvist 11:12:21
Jamie Aarons 11:18:02
Lauren Woodwiss 12:15:08

All results TBC

Race Images will be available HERE after Monday 6th October

Episode 71 – Frosty, Hawker, Draney, Warburton, Robson

Posted on October 3, 2014 by talkultra

This is episode 71 of Talk Ultra and on this weeks show we speak to Frosty who not only ran her first 100-miler but won it with a new CR. Ty Draney talks about his career and we discuss running the Bear 100… twice! Caine Warburton discusses running in the Southern Hemisphere and the comparisons with Europe. Lizzy Hawker announces a race and Sam Robson tells us what it’s like being the first Brit at the iconic Spartathlon. The New, a Blog, Up and Coming races and Speedgoat.

NEWS

BEAR 100

Brian Peterson 18:59:24
Luke Nelson 19:51:21
Jason Koop 20:06:58

Anna Frost 20:59:24
Sarah Vlach 24:47:32
Petra McDowell 25:45:51

INTERVIEW with ANNA FROST

SPARTATHLON

Ivan Cudin 22:29:29
Florian Reus 23:57:13
Andrzej Radzikowski 25:49:05

Szilvia Lubics 26:53:40
Katalin Nagy 28:55:03
Esnaola Eva 30:52:41

Sam Robson 51st and 1st Brit 32:04:48

INTERVIEW with SAM ROBSON
·
LIZZY HAWKER announces new race – HERE

INTERVIEW with LIZZY HAWKER

ULTRA PIRINEU (Cavalls del Vent)

Luis Alberto Hernando
Francesc Sole Duocastella
Jessed Hernandez Gispert

Nuria Picas
Raquel Rivero Delgado
Angels Llobera Vicens

BLOG

‘Most of us will never forego mountain boots for trail running shoes or just a pack of gel and 40cl of water for a 20-hour day on the hill, but at the uber light end of the game, this is exactly what the elite are doing. To travel in this fashion imagines a mountain day without mishaps, bad weather, a slip or twisted ankle. The lightweight rucksacks are filled with immense self-belief and partnered with sure-footedness over difficult ground now branded as ‘sky running.’ TREK & MOUNTAIN magazine

INTERVIEW

CAINE WARBURTON tells us all about running in the Southern Hemisphere and how it contrasts to his European experiences in 2014

INTERVIEW

TY DRANEY has been running ultras for a looooong time. Just this last weekend he ran the Bear 100 for the 4th time…. and the 5th! We catch up and discuss his career

UP & COMING RACES

Greece
Rodopi Advendurun 100 miles | 100 miles | October 17, 2014 | website

Macedonia
Krali Marko Trails 60 km | 64 kilometers | October 12, 2014 | website

Nepal
Royal Penguin Ultra Marathon | 60 kilometers | October 05, 2014 | website

Netherlands
Gelderland
Herfst Ultraloop Berg en Dal | 60 kilometers | October 11, 2014 | website

Philippines
Olango Island Ultramarathon Eco Adventure 50K | 50 kilometers | October 04, 2014 | website

Sweden
Sörmland Ultra Marathon | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2014 | website

CLOSE

LINKS

http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/Episode_71_-_Frost_Hawker_Draney_Warburton_Robson.mp3

ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073

Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss

Website – talkultra.com

WIN! Kilian Jornet’s ‘RUN or DIE’

Posted on October 2, 2014 by talkultra

111

WE HAVE 2-COPIES of KILIAN JORNET‘s book RUN or DIE to giveaway.

(With luck, I may be able to get these books signed by Kilian himself at LimoneExtreme.)

In association with Penguin Books, the UK publisher of RUN or DIE we have 2-copies of Kilian’s book to giveaway.

We are delighted to announce the book has just been longlisted for the 2014 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award. We believe it’s the first book about ultra and trail running to receive a nomination (it’s normally lots of books about football and cycling!).

RUN or DIE is a captivating read and we hope it will inspire more mainstream books on the subject. The wider public deserves to know about the sport!

The book can be purchased on Amazon HERE

If you would like to be in with a chance of winning, you need to ‘share’ this post on Facebook, Google+ or Twitter (use the buttons below) and add a comment (below) in answer to this question (we will select 2-people and notify in due course):

‘What was Kilian’s time in hours, minutes and seconds for his Matterhorn Summit?’

Good luck!

KEVIN CARR exceeds halfway mark in WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT.

Posted on October 2, 2014 by talkultra

“I have encountered some pretty scary things so far, from packs of wild dogs in Romania, the most extreme weather conditions imaginable and most frightening of all coming face to face with bears in Canada, one of which actually stalked/hunted me before actively coming for me. I used the bear bangers that someone had given me and after 3 misfires, thankfully my fourth attempt sent the bear packing.”

Kevin Carr, an ultra-marathon runner from Devon, has completed 16,592 kilometers of his 26,232 kilometer World Record attempt to become the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe on foot.

Kevin started the run on the July 28 last year from Dartmoor, Devon, and has so far taken Kevin through most of Europe, including France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey.

Running completely unsupported, Kevin most days has run between 50-65 kilometres and has even managed to achieve 85 kilometres on his longest day. If successful Kevin will gain 3 world records, the fastest person to run around the world and the youngest and the first to run completely self-supported. Pushing a trailer with everything he needs to survive, the expedition that will take him across five continents.

Kevin has run from the west coast to the east of India, before running the entire width of Australia, Perth to Sydney, including a 1,100 kilometer crossing of the infamous, and brutally unforgiving, Nullarbor Desert.

New Zealand followed, where he ran through both the south and north islands. The next stop was Canada, where Kevin officially hit the halfway point of his run – a staggering 13,116 kilometers.

Currently in Peace River, Alberta Canada, Winnipeg will follow before he runs down through the USA to Miami and then on to South America before returning back to the United Kingdom for the last leg of this incredible challenge.

“I’ve had to endure a lot of suffering too. I had severe heatstroke in India and twice been hit by cars; the second time in Perth, Australia, I was flung high into the air with my trailer landing back down on top of me.’’

Kevin, who is sponsored by private investment company Cocoon Wealth, is completing this incredible endurance run for two charities – British Red Cross and Sane. As one would imagine, Kevin has been getting through plenty of run shoes… UK company inov-8 have stepped in and provided all shoes for this epic journey.

“I’m delighted to have exceeded the halfway mark but there’s still a long way to go.”

Garmin Forerunner 920XT

Posted on October 1, 2014 by talkultra

Garmin, the global leader in satellite navigation, is excited to unveil its most advanced multisport GPS watch to date – the Forerunner 920XT. Your expert personal trainer on your wrist, the Forerunner 920XT records detailed metrics for swimming, cycling and running – perfect to take elite and keen athletes’ training to the next level. Whether it’s a triathlon, Ironman or marathon you wish to conquer, the Forerunner 920XT has the know-how and the drive to take you there.

With a super slim profile, the Forerunner 920XT is 15 per cent lighter and 18 per cent thinner than its predecessor, and offers an extremely comfortable fit with its flexible, hinged watch band. ‘Watch-mode’ and daily activity tracking features are ideal for all day wear to monitor steps and calories. Receiving GLONASS signals as well as GPS signals, the watch ensures users are totally connected with smart notifications, including incoming texts, emails, calls, and calendar reminders – all on the high-resolution colour display – when in range of a paired Bluetooth®-smart device.

Dan Bartel, Garmin’s Vice President of Worldwide Sales, says, “As a pioneer and leader in GPS multisport watches, we’re excited to introduce our most advanced, all-in-one solution for triathletes and multisport athletes. Recording in-depth metrics for swimming, cycling and running, tracking daily activity, while keeping users connected, the Forerunner 920XT is ideal for training, racing, and everything in between.”

The new Forerunner has a water rating of 5 ATM4 (water proof for 50 meters/165 feet) and offers advanced swim metrics for training in a pool or open water, including drill logging, recording swim distance, pace, stroke type, stroke count and SWOLF score, as well as distance and time alerts to let users know a set is over, or time alerts The Forerunner 920XT also includes two types of rest timers to keep time pushing off the wall.

On your bike, the watch has a built-in altimeter for precise ascent, descent and gradient data during training. When paired with compatible ANT+™ power meters, including Vector™ S and the dual-sensing Vector system, the Forerunner 920XT displays power data including average watts, left/right balance5, power zone, and when paired with a heart rate monitor, it can derive users’ VO2 max estimates for cycling to help monitor changes in fitness.

Using Garmin’s advanced running dynamics, athletes can measure and track their running form with the Forerunner 920XT. Reporting cadence (total steps per minute), vertical oscillation (amount of “bounce” in a runner’s step), and ground contact time, the Forerunner 920XT even shows a colour gauge to enable comparison between running peers. It also features a metronome, with vibration and audible alerts, to guide cadence training, a race predictor based on VO2 max for running, and a recovery advisor indicating how long a runner should rest before attempting another hard effort1.

For ultra-runners, the Forerunner 920XT offers an UltraTrac mode that turns GPS off at certain intervals, extending its GPS mode battery life from 24 hours to up to 40 hours.

Athletes can track their workouts using the Forerunner 920XT as a remote for their VIRB®or VIRB Elite action camera3, by starting and stopping recording, and taking stills right from their wrist. Synched with Garmin Connect, users can seamlessly upload workouts and start a LiveTrack session from their smartphone2.

The Forerunner 920XT is available in black/blue or red/white, RRP £389.99 and £419.99 for the premium heart rate monitor bundle. With a software update available in early 2015, the Forerunner 920XT will become Connect IQ compatible, making even more applications available to users for their active lifestyles.

Press release by adpr.co.uk

Lizzy Hawker announces Ultra Tour Monte Rosa #UTMR

Posted on October 1, 2014 by talkultra

Lizzy Hawker, 2012 UTMB copyright Ian Corless

I was fortunate to meet up with TNF athlete, Lizzy Hawker earlier this year in Zermatt. I was curious as to the health of Lizzy and also how she had been filling her time whilst away from the sport.

From an injury perspective, it is slowly does it. One step at a time in the hope that Lizzie’s injury woes are behind her. Lizzy said, ‘but I just need to be careful.’

Ironically, our chat in Zermatt was just days before the TNFUTMB, a race Lizzy has dominated in the past. Lizzy would be at the 2014 UTMB but in a role as an ambassador and not racing.

So, what has Lizzy been up to?

Well, to put it quite simply, Lizzy has been working hard to create a race of epic proportions, the ULTRA TOUR MONTE ROSA (UTMR).

‘I have been working hard to develop a beautiful trail race around Monte Rosa on the Swiss / Italian border. We will hold a zero edition 4 day stage race in August 2015, and the full inaugural 150km ultra marathon in 2016,’ said Lizzy.

The website: www.ultratourmonterosa.com

‘I first went to Zermatt at the age of 6, and that is where my love of the mountains started. The opportunity to create a race here and to share this love means a lot to me. Having explored the trails in this region extensively, I am convinced they are some of the most magnificent in the alps.’ As we all know, Lizzy has very much pioneered the way for trail and mountain running, particularly for women, so, to have this passion reflected back as a race director can only be a good thing. ‘My intention in founding this race is simply to give people an opportunity to explore these trails, and to experience the value of challenging themselves within the context of an ultra distance race. Running and racing has, over the years, given me so much, and this is what I would like to share with others now.’

Crossing six high passes, this race will be a very tough event! Passing through Zermatt, the iconic Matterhorn will provide a backdrop as the race heads away accumulating over 10,000 m of ascent/ descent with an average altitude of 2000m.

‘It is a circumnambulation around the huge and imposing massif of the Monte Rosa. On often technical trails. It is firmly in the “hard” category. It is tough, beautiful and alluring!’

Lizzy is certainly in a reflective period of her career, summed up in her comments, ‘As race director, I would really like to encourage more women to participate and we will work towards achieving this in various ways. It will also be really important to us to support all our runners in their journey to reach the start line, and beyond, so that as many as possible can finish and enjoy their experience.’

Entry criteria for the ultra marathon will be tough, but Lizzy and her team will encourage participation and greater access through our stage race and provision of training camps.

More information will follow in due course and I will be looking to provide a full and in-depth interview with Lizzy in the coming days/ weeks.

Entry opens January 1st 2015

2015 Race Route & Details:

RACE DATE: 20 – 23 August 2015

TOTAL DISTANCE: 150km
TOTAL ASCENT: +10,000m
AVERAGE ALTITUDE: +2,000m
COUNTRIES: Switzerland and Italy

STAGE I: Grächen to Zermatt

Date: Thursday 20 August
Start: Grächen (CH)
Finish: Zermatt (CH)
Distance: 33 km
Ascent / Descent: +2200m / -2000m
Time Limit: 12 hours

STAGE II: Zermatt to Stafal

Date: Friday 21 August
Start: Zermatt (CH)
Finish: Stafal (IT)
Distance: 38 km
Ascent / Descent: +2700m / -2500m
Time Limit: 14 hours

STAGE III: Stafal – Macugnaga

Date: Saturday 22 August
Start: Stafal (IT)
Finish: Macugnaga (IT)
Distance: 36.5 km
Ascent / Descent: +2700m / -3200m
Time Limit: 14 hours

STAGE IV: Macugnaga – Grächen

Date: Sunday 23 August
Start: Macugnaga (IT)
Finish: Grächen (CH)
Distance: 40 km
Ascent / Descent: +2600m / -2250
Time Limit: 14 hours

*PLEASE NOTE: 2016 will be the first edition and single stage!

LINKS

For more information, follow on Facebook HERE, Twitter HERE and via the website, HERE

You can sign up to the mailing list, HERE

2015 Registration is available HERE

Trail Magazin 6/2014 w/ Kilian Jornet & Emelie Forsberg

Posted on September 30, 2014 by talkultra

German magazine, TRAIL has a 6-page feature on my interview and images of Kilian Jornet in edition 6/2014.

In addition, it has a photo of Emelie Forsberg and text on Trofeo Kima.

You can purchase and download the magazine in PDF HERE

Rab Mountain Marathon 2014

Posted on September 30, 2014 by talkultra

Over 500 runners assembled in the English Lakes for 2-days of Mountain Marathon action in what turned out to be two great days.

Although the sun only penetrated the thick cloud a couple of times, the weather was dry and as per usual, the Lakes provided a perfect backdrop to two tough days.

RACE IMAGES available HERE

A score event (long and short), participants competed in solo or teams of two and as one would expect, the mix of ability was wide. One of the appeals of the RMM.

A rolling start on both days, 8:30 to 10:30 on Saturday and 07:00 to 09:00 on Sunday avoided snakes of runners and thus ensured everyone had to hone their ‘nav’ skills in finding the appropriate controls.

One thing that was great to see on both days, was huge smiles and a real enjoyment of the event irrespective of ability or speed.

Day 1 provided a couple of very obvious controls relatively close to camp 1 to start and then there field of 500 spread over a wide area. The faster runners covering quite some ground to gain maximum points and by contrast, the walkers took a more direct line and less controls to camp 2.

Starting just west of the A6, day 1 went as far north as Mardale Head and Blea Water and west of Stony Cove Pike. In the south, the faster runners could venture below the River Kent.

Stewart Bellamy (300 points) was the stand out solo competitor and Andrew Stirk/ Adam Higgins (290 points) were the leading team of two after day 1 in the long course. Jackie Scarf and Phil Scarf had a 20 point lead in the short score (235 points) and Luke Gordon (210 points) was the leading solo.

A strong wind blowing from the south potentially was going to make overnight camp interesting. However, with all runners back the wind suddenly dropped making the evening a calm, still and very warm night.

An early start had participants departing in two start windows, 0700-0800 and 0800-0900. With the exception of just a few, nearly all participants headed south before then heading east and making the way back to day 1 start camp.

A corridor of controls made this section of the course busy with runners coming from all directions as they tried to take accumulate as many points as possible.

Tough terrain and warm temperatures made day 2 all about covering ground fast as controls were much closer together and therefore points were really up for grabs. Steve Bellamy once again lead the way with 240 points with Daniel Gooch and Jon Moulding both raised their individual games with 245 and 240 points respectively. Two man team Andrew Stirk/ Andrew Higgins looked to be moving fast all day but finished 4th with 235 points. However, Stirk/Higgins still held on to 2nd overall behind Steve Bellamy and Daniel Gooch placed 3rd.

Short score competitors had a shake around on day 2 with day 1 leaders, Jackie & Phil Scarf placing 2nd behind Steve Wilson and Peter Stobbs. Patrick Butlin finished 3rd ahead of day 1 2nd place, Luke Gordon. However, the overall results remained unchanged with Team Scarf 1st (425 points), Luke Gordon 2nd (390) and Tim Martland (360) 3rd.

Shane Ohly as race director and the Ourea Events Team bring slick organisation to difficult terrain and along with the course planning skills of Charlie Sproson, these events are a must do on the calendar. It’s been a busy year for the team, it all started in January with Marmot Dark Mountains. The Rab Mountain Marathon concludes 2014 but already plans are in motion for 2015 and remember, it’s a Dragons Back year! Arguably one of the toughest challenges in the UK

Results are HERE

Ourea events HERE

RACE IMAGES available HERE

Like The Wind – Action Photography Workshop w/ Ian Corless

Posted on September 29, 2014 by talkultra

We are really delighted to announce a very special event at the Pop-Up: an action photography workshop with the one and only Ian Corless. This is a man who not only takes some of the most beautiful, inspiring and exciting photos of ultra trail running, but he is an ultra trail runner himself, so he really knows what he’s talking about.

This workshop is going to be a perfect opportunity to hone your own photography skills and learn from one of the best. Tickets are limited so that everyone on the course gets as much from it as possible, so if you fancy upping your camera game, this is the one for you!