The 40th edition of Sierre-Zinal is over. The results are in if you read my pre race post (here) then you will see that a few surprises came once the finish line was passed.
One of the surprises of the day was from Sage Canaday. As he says in his post race report, “After having a string of strong ultra-trail race performances for the early part of this year (two 100km wins, two 50 mile wins, a 3rd at Transvulcania and a 3rd at Mt. Washington, and a 50km win) I figured I was due to have a tough day and get “lit up” soon enough.”
It’s tough being at the top! And I have to say, to remain at the top you need to be smart. Lets look at the lessons Geoff Roes is currently giving out on how to burn out! We are not invincible. Sometimes we may think we are and I guess when you have success to the level that Sage has had in the last twelve months, then, as the multitude of race invites arrive, it must be difficult to say no!
“The thing is a lot of times you learn the most from your biggest disappointments.” It may very well be that Sage is start that learning process now. It’s a good thing. Better to learn to kick back and make smart choices in your early years and race for a lifetime than find out in 5-10 years that you can no longer carry on.
Here are some things that Sage learned from this Sierre-Zinal experience:
Lessons Learned:
1. Prior course knowledge is essential for not only executing proper race-day tactics/strategy, but also for specificity in training and knowing what demands will be placed on the body. I should have figured this out after Transvulcania this year.
2. Racing ultras in the US does not carry over the same fitness required for shorter distance (or perhaps any distance) mountain races in Europe. The mountains here are steeper and less forgiving compared to running up the more reasonable slopes of US trails. I think this goes along with still not having enough vertical in my weekly training as it’s takes a certain type of musculature to be able to pull of power hiking 30% grades and then running (and switching back and forth) for hours on end. Furthermore, I should have had more intense training to generate more muscle tension in my legs…a couple Vertical K’s would’ve been much more specific prep!
3. It takes me longer than 2 weeks to recover from an ultra…even “just” a 50km like Speedgoat. I remember in my days at Hansons I had a good seven-week block averaging 130 miles a week and I hammered a 20-mile long run (with a final 3 miles in 14:50) about 3 weeks before the Boston marathon in 2010. I thought I was in the best shape of my life but I ended up tanking and had “dead legs” early on in the race. In retrospect I’ve learned that my body is fragile and I can easily overtrain (and over race) myself before I get injured or mentally “burnt-out.” My climbing legs couldn’t fire at 100% during this race and taking a full 7 days totally off after Speedgoat probably made my Vo2max drop a good 2-3% anyway. Unlike certain other ultra-mountain runners I can’t recover very fast.
On a final note. Sage will be back! No doubt. He has heaps of talent, he is young and ultimately, as he says, “The thing is a lot of times you learn the most from your biggest disappointments.”
What a race the 2013 and 40th edition of Sierre-Zinal proved to be. It was an exciting nail biter in the men’s race with a new star and the old guard shining. For the ladies, we had a new lady on top of the podium, a repeat performance for second and third and the UK showing how to be consistent and perform at the highest level.
Men’s race
Marc Lauenstein (Suisse) 2:32:14 took home the win from Juan Carlos Cardona (Colombia) who was Kilian Jornet’s pre race prediction by just 16 seconds in what proved to be a fitting climax to an incredible race. Cardona looked as though he had the race won but Lauenstein pulled something special out of the bag in the closing stages. Very little is known about Marc, however, he is a Swiss orienteering competitor and he won silver at the 2005 and 2006 World long distance orienteering championships.
Mountain running legend and Sierre-Zinal course record holder, Jonathan Wyatt (NZL) proved that experience and pure class can outwit the competition for a 3rd place in a time of 2:33:44.
Although entered in the race for some time, Kilian Jornet decided to run only in the days before the race. He was already at the Matterhorn and preparing for his next ‘Summit’. The temptation to drive from Italy to Switzerland was too great, and although he may very well have raced for ‘fun’ he placed fourth in 2:33:59. After the race he tweeted, “Super, super, happy today with Sierre-Zinal. I was here to enjoy the race and I feel super good. Finished in an unexpected 4th with my best crono!”
Robbie Simpson from the UK proved what an incredible talent he is, running for inov-8 he placed 5th in 2:35:32. It’s a world-class performance in a world-class field. A star of the future!
As you will see from my pre race summary, the 40th edition of Sierre-Zinal was such a tough race to call. Stars like Tofol Castanyer (7th), Rickey Gates (9th), Sage Canaday (17th); all proved that predictions are a fickle area to delve into, particularly in a relatively short and tough mountain race like Sierre-Zinal.
Sage Canaday runs a 2:16 marathon and has had repeated victories in 2012 and 2013. Many of those victories have come with course records. Just recently he won Speedgoat 50k ahead of runners like Anton Krupicka, Max king and Timothy Olson. Now of course here at Sierre-Zinal he may well have been running on ‘jaded’ legs. It is a distinct possibility. Post race he said, “Total muscle failure. Mountain racing in Europe is totally different from the US ultra-trail scene.” It does beg a question, are some of the top guys racing too much or do they need to be more specific in training? Certainly Rickey Gates has proven here that US male runners can perform in Europe, as did Anton Krupicka at Cavalls del Vent in the latter part of 2012. What are your thoughts?
On a final note, Cesar Costa (Martigny) has placed second at Sierre-Zinal three times before. For sure, many of us thought that 2013 may well have been his opportunity, however, he finished in thirteenth with a time 2:42:11.
Ladies race
Placing 2nd at Sierre-Zinal in 2012, her first European race, I firmly placed my prediction on Stevie Kremer taking out the win after a stunning twelve months racing. At the finish line, Stevie didn’t disappoint, however, the top spot was not hers. In a repeat of 2012, Stevie placed second, 3:03:12 and Maud Mathys placed third, 3:04:13. It was like déjà vu.
One thing that did change though was the top slot on the podium. Unnoticed by me on the start sheet, Elisa Desco produced a career enhancing performance and she once again proved that after some time away from the sport that good things come to those who wait. Marc De Gasperi (2012 Sierre-Zinal winner) summed it up when he tweeted, “No words enough to say how much YOU deserve this victory! Brava, brava, brava!!!”
Kenyan, Hellen Musyoka set the early pace but in the end placed 4th with a time of 3:04:47 and GB mountain running legend, Angela Mudge proved that experience is what really counts when it comes to Sierre-Zinal with a great fifth place in 3:07:21.
Victoria Wilkinson from Bingley Harries in the UK produced a sterling run to place sixth overall and this was ahead of some sterling competition. For example; 2013 Speedgoat 50k winner, Stephanie Howe placed 11th, Lizzy Hawker 14th (admittedly training for UTMB), Zhana Vokueva 15th and Celine Lafaye 18th.
Without doubt, it was an exceptional weekend of racing and of course, from a UK perspective, it is great to see Robbie Simpson, Angela Mudge and Victoria Wilkinson flying the flag at the front of the top European races.
You can actually watch all the action from the 2013 Sierre-Zinal here:
Prior to the Skyrunner World Series event in Chamonix, France, six weeks ago, Eirik Haugsnes was a relative unknown in the sport of athletic superhumans.
Two outstanding performances under the shadow of Mont Blanc, however, changed all that.
First the 32-year-old Norwegian, who lives in one of Europe’s most northerly outposts, far from the skyrunning hub, claimed the scalps of many top mountain runners when placing third in the brutal Mont Blanc Vertical Km race.
Less than 48 hours later Eirik was at it again, this time finishing fifth in the elite-stacked Mont Blanc Marathon, which sees athletes tackle over 2,500m of grueling mountain ascent.
Having never previously raced in the Alps or over the marathon distance, suddenly he found himself as one of the hottest properties in skyrunning.
It’s therefore no surprise to learn of inov-8’s delight at recruiting Eirik to their talented international team, beating off interest from rival brands in doing so.
“The weekend in Chamonix was an incredible one for me,” says Eirik, who wore inov-8’s X-Talon 190 shoes in the vertical km and Trailroc 245 footwear for the marathon.
“I’ve done a lot of uphill-only races in Norway over steep and technical terrain and knew the Mont Blanc Vertical Km would suit me.
“As a relative unknown I was given an early individual start time, while the guys expected to clock the fastest times set off later.
“I just went for it. I pushed hard right from the beginning and maintained that intensity all the way up the climb.
“To get the third fastest time (35:02) and be within 30 seconds of the winner (Saul Antonio Padua Rodriguez) was really pleasing.
“I wasn’t supposed to be doing the Mont Blanc Marathon two days later, but on the back of my result in the vertical km race I was offered a place.
“Again, I gave it absolutely everything in the race and maintained a really good pace. The last 10km, however, were really tough. My body was in pain but I pushed through it.
“It was my first race over the marathon distance so to clock 3:47:59 and finish fifth over such a tough course was great.
“I also did it without any support. I had no team on the course to help me and drank only what was at the aid stations.
“I noticed inov-8 had a big team in Chamonix and was really impressed to see five of their runners place in the top-10 men and women for the marathon.
“I have always loved the brand, its philosophy and their big ambitions, so to now join the inov-8 team is really exciting for me.”
Living in Finnsnes, Troms, Eirik was brought up on a diet of cross-country skiing and was one of the best juniors in Norway, recording many podium places in national competitions.
In 2002, he achieved a then-world record for the fastest time skiing unsupported across Greenland, enduring terrifying whiteouts on route – something he says has aided his mental toughness for mountain running.
Eirik began running just five years ago and has since become one of the best mountain exponents in Norway, where many races are uphill-only, featuring ascent of between 500m and 1,800m.
This year, prior to his Chamonix double-header, he finished fifth in two very different races – first the Empire State Building Run-up in New York, which he completed in 11 minutes and four seconds, and then the 83km Transgrancanaria ultra-marathon on the Spanish Island of Gran Canaria, for which he clocked 8:55:24.
“The Empire State Building Run-Up involves scaling 86 floors and 1,576 steps as quickly as possible,” he said.
“In the town where I live the tallest building I could find has five floors. I did a lot of repetitions of those five floors in training!
“Before Transgrancanaria the only off-road races I had done were uphill races in Norway, so it was a totally new experience for me to be competing both up and down big mountains.
“I also went there having only trained in the snow, which every year covers our town between November and May – I think I live closer to the North Pole than the Canary Islands!
“I was therefore happy to finish fifth on the hard-packed trails, especially as for the last 30km I was totally wasted and running on empty.”
The Matterhorn Ultraks is part of the Skyrunner World Series and will see athletes battle it out over a stunning course that includes 3,600m of ascent.
And as for being the new kid on the skyrunning block, he adds: “I rise to it. I think it gives me an advantage. There are no big expectations on my shoulders, except those I put on myself.
“I will continue to run for adventure and to challenge my limits.”
It’s a birthday year for this iconic mountain race. 40 years! To celebrate, the race organisation have invited many a past winner.
Considered to be one of the finest mountain races in the world. It was once written that it is to mountain races what the New York Marathon is to marathons. It is the oldest mountain race found in its category in Europe’s mountains.
The location is incredible. Of all the races I attended in 2012, Sierre-Zinal left some incredible memories… you see, the Zinal basin is just an incredible place. Also called, ‘the Race of Five 4000m Peaks’ when you stand in Zinal, look to the Matterhorn, you fully appreciate why. It is quite stunning.
Sierre-Zinal, which takes place in the heart of Valais’ Alps, offers its participants a significant challenge: distance – 31 km, 2200m ascent and 800m descent. Incredible scenery, a warm atmosphere and exceptional organisation explain the success and longevity of this challenge.
As Jonathan Wyatt (record holder of both Sierre-Zinal and the Jungfrau Marathon, as well as a multiple world mountain racing champion) wrote, ‘As a mountain racer you must experience the tradition and history of this race.’
The course records are held by Jonathan Wyatt at 2:29:12 set in 2003 and Anna Pichrtova2:54:26 set in 2008. If anyone fancies breaking a record in 2013, it would be a great pay day! A CR and a win this weekend, would earn the lucky person 3,000 Swiss Francs.
Legendary Pablo Vigil is a special guest this year. He participated and won the race years back and has become an ambassador for the race and has been instrumental in ensuring a strong American contingent at the race, for example, Stevie Kremer may very well have not participated in 2012 had it not been for Pablo.
This years race, as in any year will have names missing and I guess the big omission will be Marco De Gasperi. He is choosing to race in Italy. So, who will be lining up from the impressive 40-year history of the race?
MEN
Despite Kilian Jornet telling me he was having a rest post Trans D’Havet so that he could prepare for his Matterhorn Summits attempt and the ISF Skyrunning Matterhorn Ultraks later in August, it would appear the proximity to Zinal is just too much temptation for him. So, he will make the trip from Cervinia and line up in Sierre for what he says will be a ‘fun’ run. Read into that what you will. When I see Kilian’s name on a start sheet he always must be considered for the podium… however, he may just kick back and enjoy the day. Read my interview with Kilian HERE
Sage Canaday is travelling to the race after a strong victory at Speedgoat 50k and although he will be new to the course, I have to think it will suit him. He will need to ensure that he is near the front in the early stages for the long climb, but once up, the course flattens and he will be able to open up and let his natural speed do the work. If he has a good day and is pushed, we may well see a new course record.
Max King has raced at Sierre-Zinal before and from memory he didn’t have a great race. He was around 20th and I think the European style of racing was just too different from what he was used to. However, he is a very different person now. In actual fact, Max raced at the 2012 Zegama-Aizkorri, however, that race was as problematic as his 2011 Sierre-Zinal. It’s a tough call for Max. Definitely top 10 potential and of course he has all the ability to be on the podium. But will he get over the European demons?
Course record holder, Jonathan Wyatt is back at the race and although his pedigree and his history elevates him to a high-profile within the race, one has to wonder how he will perform against top-level competition who are some years younger than him. He still runs and races regularly, but as he told me in Chamonix, it is for fun. We will see ‘Jono’ figure for sure… his ability will set him apart from so many other runners but I think the podium is an option.
Tofol Castanyer is finding form after early season injury issues and recently placed 2nd at Giir di Mont. Like Kilian, he will also race at Matterhorn Ultraks. This race won’t tire or affect his Matterhorn performance so we can expect him to run hard and that can only really mean one thing, a podium place is without doubt in his grasp.
Rickey Gates also raced at Giir di Mont and placed just behind Tofol. He is obviously finding form after a slightly problematic Ice Trail Tarentaise. Sierre-Zinal will suit him and his speed.
Cesar Costa has finished 2nd at Sierre-Zinal three times, he knows the course like the back of his hand and in the 40th edition will most certainly want to move one place up the podium for the win. He will without doubt be a favourite. Local knowledge and being slightly under the radar to the American runners will play into his hands. He will push hard and for sure, top 3 is an expectation.
Vajin Armstrong from New Zealand has been in Europe for some time. Sage Canaday for sure will be well aware of what this man can do after racing each other at Tarawera in New Zealand earlier this year. Vajin has speed and considering he has had some great results recently: 2nd at Zugspitz behind Philipp Reiter, 2nd at the K78 Swiss Alpine Marathon, one can’t help but think that he will shake things up and turn some heads at the finish in Zinal.
LADIES
It all started 12 months ago and the progression has been incredible. Stevie Kremer lined up at Sierre-Zinal completely blown away by the competition and experience that surrounded. Cut to the finish of the race and she was 2nd on the podium. What has followed is a meteoric race in the sport and without doubt, Stevie comes to the 2013 Sierre-Zinal race as my outright favourite. Listen to my recent interview with Stevie HERE
Aline Camboulives won the race in 2012. She has experience and ability and for sure, I see her on the podium. But I think Stevie has moved on and has the all the potential to take the race to Aline and not only push her to the finish but to go past her.
Megan Lund is a name I am familiar with but in all honesty, I know little about her. Stevie Kremer has told me that she has great potential and is one to watch on this course. I am aware that she won the race in 2010 but her European performances are few and far between. She has had a baby and as Stevie said, don’t you come back stronger after a baby!?
Celine Lafaye has been up at the front of all the Skyrunning races and I don’t see Sierre being any different. She has all the ability and potential to win this race and if she has a good day, she will push Stevie at the front of the race.
Local lady, Maud Mathys finished 3rd last year and will come to the race knowing full well that Stevie is the one to watch. I anticipate she will keep as close to Stevie as possible and try to pull something out of the bag in the latter stages of the race. However, she was five minutes behind Stevie in 2012 and Stevie has moved on. Has Maud progressed at the same level?
Lizzy Hawker turned up and ran literally at the last minute in 2012. Once again she will toe the line in 2013. I anticipate a top 10 finish but not the podium. Like last year, she will use this as a prep race for her attempt at another UTMB title. Lizzy has also had injury issues and although UTMB is only weeks away, she is still on the road back!
Zhana Vokueva will also be looking to push at the front of the race. She recently raced in the Dolomites at the Skyrunning European Championships but it wasn’t a great weekend for her. She will be looking to get back into form and for sure, would like to repeat or go better than her 5th place in 2012.
Stephanie Howe has just won Speedgoat 50k and like Sage Canaday, that has got to be a great boost going into this race. If she has recovered well from Speedgoat, Stephanie may well be the person to push Stevie all the way to the finish. It will be interesting to see what unfolds.
Finally, 2001 Sierre-Zinal champ and GB mountain running legend, Angela Mudge will toe the line. She has recently raced at a very high level and with some impressive results. I see Angela being a dark horse to the new runners who will know her name but may well dismiss her due to her lack of high profile racing of late.
Without doubt it will be an exciting men’s and ladies race.
Episode 41 of Talk Ultra – We speak to Stevie Kremer 12 months on after she burst on the Skyrunning scene with a 2nd at Sierre-Zinal. We have 15 mins of fame with double leg amputee, Richard Whitehead. An interview with Lakeland 100 winner, Stuart Mills. A catch up with Nick Clark on the Grand Slam of ultra. Smiles and Miles with Emelie Forsberg. The news, a blog, up and coming races. Marc is back for Talk Training and of course, Speedgoat co hosts!
00:07:30 NEWS
Speedgoat 50k
Sage Canaday 5:08:07
Anton Krupicka 5:09:36
Jason Schlarb 5:19:34
Max King 5:29:02
Justin Yates 5:42:24
Luke Nelson 5:47:09
Timothy Olson 5:47:10
Jason Loutitt 5:49:35
Michael Barlow 5:53:37
Ryan Smith 5:53:51
Stephanie Howe 6:17:02
Jodee Adams-Moore 6:18:06
Ruby Muir 6:25:54
Emma Roca 6:41:21
Krissy Moehl 6:43:54
Becky Wheeler 6:48:43
Silke Koester 6:52:16
Erica Baron 6:55:46
Anita Ortiz 7:02:18
Francesca Canepa 7:05:14
Stockholm 100k
Steve Way 6:40:14, Linus Holmsater 7:24:18 and Frijof Fagerlund 7:29:01
Trans D’Havet
Men
Kilian Jornet (Spain) 08:59:47
Luis Alberto Hernando (Spain) 08:59:49
Casaba Nemeth (Hungary) 09:43:25
Ladies:
Emelie Forsberg (Sweden) 10:21:32
Nuria Picas (Spain) 10:33:34
Uxue Fraile (Spain) 10:34:20
Lakeland 100
Stuart Mills 22:17:50
Charlie Sharpe 23:02:45
Ed Batty 23:07:40
Lizzie Wraith 24:15:06 (smashed old CR)
Debbie Martin Consani 26:02:00,
Julie Gardner 28:16:47
Lakeland 50
Ben Abdelnoor 7:39:26
Riichard Ashton 8:20:58
Robin Houghton 8:33:30
Katherine Brougham 9:44:10
Alice Briscoe 10:35:42
Rachel Ball 10:43:43
WMRA – 10. WMRA World Long Distance Mountain Running
Mitjia Kosovelj won Andrew Davies from Wales 2nd and Ionut Zinca 3rd
Antonella Confortola won Omella Ferrara 2nd and Anna Celisnska 3rd. Have to give a shout out to Claire Gordon from Scotland who was 4th and Anna Lupton from England who was 5th
Ann Trason to run a 100 in September – Idaho Mountain Trail Ultra Festival – HERE
Now the iconic Sierre-Zinal is coming up this weekend. I remember being at this race last year… pre race I got chatting to this shy girl who just seemed a little uncomfortable being surrounded by some of the best in the world. Needless to say, this shy girl performed out of her skin and finished second on the podium. One year on, I catch up with Stevie Kremer and find out what the last 12 months have been like and what the future holds.
00:42:38 INTERVIEW Stevie Kremer
01:16:20 BLOG
We have given Stuart Mills, the Lakeland 100 winner plenty of coverage this week with a long interview, however, his interview does go very much hand-in-hand with his blog… so, this weeks blog is ultrastu.blogspot.co.uk
You can read his very unique and in-depth analysis of how he races. Word of warning… make yourself a coffee. It’s a long one!
01:32:40 TALK TRAINING – Marc Laithwaite is back after a busy couple of months. Not only has he been training for an Ironman but also he is the RD for the Lakeland 50 and 100.
This week’s interview is with Brit, Stuart Mills. Stuart as you will hear has a very unusual approach to running… or should I say, training and racing. Without doubt it works! Just the other week, Stuart once again won the Lakeland 100 for a second time. In this in-depth interview we discuss everything. I am sure you will find it fascinating.
03:23:30 MELTZER MOMENT – It’s good, good, good this week
03:29:52 CLARKY’S CORNER – It’s two down and two to go for Clarky and the other ‘Slammers’. Leadville is just around the corner. We catch up with Nick, discuss how Vermont went and what lies ahead…
ARC’TERYX SQUAMISH 50 ULTRA RACE GETS SET FOR SECOND YEAR OF SUCCESS
(VANCOUVER, BC) Aug 10 2013 – No longer a fringe sport, ultra running attracts not only top athletes but marathoners who want to push to the next level and challenge themselves on uneven terrain. This weekend, 600 such runners are arriving in Squamish BC, for what is slated as one of the toughest ultra races on the trail circuit.
It feels like survival. The Arc’teryx Squamish 50 ultra run is a really TOUGH race. There’s even disclaimer on the sign up page to discourage first time racers!
The 50 mile course, 85% of it single track, has 3800m/12,000ft of climb and descent. Technical and wild, it’s also grueling, remote and punishing terrain, albeit with stunning views. Welcome to ultra running, Canadian style.
But in only its second year of existence, the Arc’teryx Squamish 50 sold out in its first two weeks. And this weekend, August 10, 2013 an international roster of 600 runners from 9 countries will put themselves through the paces, running courses of 50 miles, 50km and 23km.
The event is sponsored by Arc’teryx, based out of North Vancouver, BC, a brand that is no stranger to extremes.
Relatively new as a sport, ultra running covers distances longer than a marathon. The runs are uniquely about pushing personal limits, pushing those limits hard and pushing them far. At Squamish, the back half of the 50 is more difficult than the first. To reach the finish line is victory.
Gary Robbins, one of the two main organizers of the Squamish 50 and no stranger to Ultra Running himself, credits the striking surge in popularity of these races to an
“Experienced road running/marathon community that’s looking for a new challenge and a younger generation that’s going straight onto the trails. In addition there is a growing mainstream culture with an intense focus on personal journeys and fitness. Ultra running is no longer looked upon as a fringe sport pursued by extremists, as much as it’s an extreme challenge that is doable by the vast majority of the population.”
Having a local high performance outdoor brand sponsor the event underlines the intensity of both the course and the event. Robbins is quick to note that.
“Arc’teryx was the very first brand Geoff (Langford) and I approached about coming on board as our title sponsor. Arc’teryx has a heritage of quality, innovation, style, and mountain culture that instantly helped our event gain international exposure and credibility.”
Lawyer and local Arc’teryx athleteAdam Campbell describes ultra runs this way; “There are certain races that you do to see how you stack up against the rest of the world and then there are certain races where you’re looking at this incredible scenery under insane fatigue. Your senses become quite heightened.” Campbell, one of the world’s top flight runners, will be competing in this year’s event. Also in the exclusive field are Americans Karl Meltzer, current World Record holder of the most 100 mile victories of all time (34); and Krissy Moehl, ultra running superstar and recent winner of the Mt Fuji 100 miler in Japan. Canadians David le Porho, Lisa Polizzi, Nicola Gildersleeeve, Catrin Jones and Jason Loutitt are strong contenders, as are dark horses Nathan Barrett of Vancouver and Stacey Cleveland from Penticton.
“This is our home turf and it’s this tough terrain that we design our products for, ”says Laura Fergusson, North American Events and Athletes Manager for Arc’teryx. “We have athletes participating who are true competitors and working with Geoff Langford and Gary Robbins on this event is a positive partnership for our brand. It’s a huge win.”
The 50 mile course begins at 5:30 am, Saturday August 10, with a final cut-off of 9:30pm. That is 16 hours of suffering. Not quite true. Suffering implies there is no benefit, no reward and with these views, challenges and the camaraderie of going to the brink and surviving, that is simply not the truth.
Race start times:
5.30 am = Start for the 50 mile race – start line is Ocean front.
8.00 am = Start for the 23km race – start line is Quest University
9.00 am = Start for the 50km race – start line is Alice Lake Provincial Park
Expected first race finishers:
23km – about 9:45am
50m – about 1:15pm
50k – about 1:30pm
*All races finish down town Squamish from about 9.30 am* onwards
On the Italian border of the Canton of Valais in the west of Switzerland, at the end of the 30 km-long Nikolaital, lies Zermatt, the village at the foot of the Matterhorn, the most photographed mountain in the world. Zermatt epitomizes their image of Switzerland; high alpine, awe-inspiring and original. Almost one-third of the 4,000-metre mountains in the Alps are grouped around this word-famous health resort, which has been visited by mountaineers from all around the world since the first successful ascent of the Matterhorn in 1865. The hotels and restaurants are world-class, and the ski area is not only the highest in the Alps – it is also one of the best developed and most convenient in the world. The climate is of an excellent quality; with 300 sunny days a year, there is less rainfall than anywhere else in Switzerland. The air in Zermatt is clear, dry and clean, because, since 1947, only electric cars without a combustion engine are allowed to operate in the village. Things are a little different in Zermatt. Zermatt – A world of its own.
The ISF SkyrunningMatterhorn Ultraks is the penultimate race in the SkyUltra series. It will be a magical race, 46 km long with D+ : 3’600 m | D- : 3’600 m. It has a great combination of wild open spaces, high mountains and a course that will require a thrilling combination of speed and technique. The highest summit of Gonnergrat at 3100m will be a test for all, however, at the summit it offers incredible panoramic views and of course, the ever-present Matterhorn will dominate.
Want to race? limited places are still available at ultraks.com
Men
Kilian Jornet comes to this race the outright favorite. At the ISF Skyrunning European Championships he came away with three gold’s in VK, Sky and Ultra. Post Trans D’Havet he moved over to Cervinia (Italy) and he is now preparing meticulously for his next ‘Summit’, a speed attempt up and down the Matterhorn itself. He will be prepared and adapted for everything that the Ultraks can throw at him.
Breaking news just in, 14th August. Luis Alberto Hernando to join the line up at Ultraks. Of course this is great news. Luis is one person that has pushed Kilian Jornet throughout 2012. He placed second at Transvulcania, he pushed Kilian to the line at Zegama, placed third at Mont Blanc and of course, Kilian and Luis crossed the line together to be crowned European Skyrunning Champions at Trans D’Havet. One thing is for sure, Luis will push Kilian and all the other contenders for the top spot right to the line!
Tofol Castanyer has had a troubled early 2013 with a series of injuries, however, a win at Salomon Four Trails and a second place at the recent Giir di Mont means he is coming back in form. If he has a good day, he will certainly be up at the front pushing with Kilian.
Michel Lanne secured a joint win with teammate, Francois D’Haene at the Mont Blanc Marathon ultra event but then had to miss Trans D’Havet due to an injury. Michel, along with Tofol, Philipp, and Cameron will dictate the early pace at the front and as his reputation confirms, he has all the ability and potential to make the podium.*injured
Philipp Reiter romped to a great podium place at Ice Trail Tarentaise and was ready to repeat his performance or move up the podium at Trans D’Havet, however, a bad fall in the first 30% of the race unfortunately meant some time in hospital and recuperation. At this stage his recovery is progressing well and we hope that he will toe the line in Zermatt.
Cameron Clayton has had a very impressive rise in the ultra world. He is young and races just one-way; hard! He applied that principal at Transvulcania La Palma and lead the race in the early stages but later faded to still secure a top placing. At Western States, his first hundred miler, he applied the same principal but came unstuck. Just the other weekend he raced at Speedgoat 50k but I am sure this was very much ‘getting back into racing’ race post Western. If he is making a trip from the US to Zermatt, you can be sure of one thing; he will turn up to run hard and win. Question is, will he be able to? Most certainly he has all the ability to mix it up at the front and push his peers. Cameron is an exciting addition to the race line up.
Nicola Golinelli had a great race at Mont Blanc Marathon and then placed in the top fifteen at Dolomites Skyrace. It wasn’t a great race for him; he certainly would have expected to be at the front end of the race. So, with that in mind, Nicola will be looking to put the record straight at Ultraks.
Florian Reichert and Didier Zago, both had similar stories to Arc’teryx teammate, Nicola Golinelli. Great racing and top ten placing’s at Mont Blanc and then below par performances in Canazei at the Dolomites Skyrace. Didier is experienced and will bounce back, Florian however is new to Skyrunning and once again found the Dolomites and its combination of steep gradients and snow another learning curve. However, he is a sub 2:30 marathon runner and the Ultraks course will suit his abilities.
Ben Abdelnoor is coming to Zermatt after an impressive win and new course record at the Lakeland 50 in the UK. For sure he is going to relish the opportunity to push against some of the best in the world. Joining Ben we have his new inov-8 teammate, Erik-Dagsson Haugsness. Erik from Norway placed fifth at Mont Blanc Marathon and is certainly a name to watch in the future.
Tadei Pivk has consistently performed in 2013 with great results at Zegama and Dolomites Skyrace; without doubt he will be coming to Zermatt to move from third place on the podium to second or even the top. Watch this space, without doubt he will add spice to the front of the race.
Stuart Air from the UK is starting to get a reputation for himself within the Skyrunning calendar. With little fanfare he turned up at the brutal Ronda dels Cims and placed thirteenth overall, he then followed this up with nineteenth at Ice Trail Tarentaise. He will participate at Matterhorn Ultraks as a guest for Scott Running. At 46km, the race may very well be a little too short and too fast for him, but it will be great to see how he performs.
The men’s field at Ultraks has great depth, Nicolas Pianet, Dai Matsumoto and representation from Russian Skyrunning, Diedre-Matxacuca, Euskal Herriko Mendi Lasterkarien Selekzioa and the FEEC will mean that an iconic and fast race awaits us.
Ladies
Emelie Forsberg, how can you bet against her? Her rise in the sport is meteoric and after winning at San Francisco in late 2012, Emelie has rarely been off the top of the podium. Her 2013 result sheet is incredible and like Kilian, she is becoming a dominant leader in the sport. Her recent results and performance ability at any distance from VK to Ultra puts her way ahead of the competition at Ultraks. I honestly don’t see anyone coming close, particularly if Emelie decides to push.
Silvia Serafini does offer a glimmer of hope at the front of the race and like Emelie, Silvia has also had a speedy rise in the sport. Just recently everything has started to click. A podium place at Dolomites Skyrace and while Emelie was dominating Trans D’Havet; Silvia topped the podium at Giir di Mont. For sure, Silvia will be Emelie’s biggest rival at Ultraks.
Anna Lupton had a troubled performance at Zegama and then found some consistency at Mont Blanc Marathon. She has recently raced in Poland and will be coming to the Matterhorn with several weeks’ recovery and training, so, she may well perform as she would expect and add some pressure to the front of the race.
Ragna Debats, Aitziber Ibarbia Beloki, Anna Comet Pascua, Paloma Lobera Grau and Eugenia Miro Figueras all have the potential to make the podium and it will be interesting to see who has the strength on the day to push the outright favorites to the line.
I posted today on my Talk Ultra Facebook page, ‘Question? Who is excited to see how Scott Jurek does at Leadville 100 on the 17th August… I am for sure!’
Now, Scott is a legend of the sport, but for a while now he hasn’t raced in anger… to be honest, he has hardly raced! He has paced Anton Krupicka at Leadville and most recently he paced Seb Chaigneau at Hardrock 100, but, Scott has not toed a line for himself for some time. Probably the 24-hour was his last big race when he set an American record?
Now of course, he may be just turning up at Leadville to run for fun. I am sure all will become clear… to be honest, I am not too concerned. First or last, I for one am just going to be really happy to see him out on the trails.
With that in mind, I was thinking, who else would I love to see back in the mountains, back on the single track mixing it up with everyone else?
I laughed a little.
Of course, I would love to see Ann Trason back in a race again.
Then I thought to myself, my good buddy, Marcus Warner over at Ultra168 told me how Ann was pacing at Western States this year. In actual fact, Marcus spoke with her and ran with her. So, never say never!
Ping!
My email alerts me…
The contents are simple. Just a link. A link that says, click HERE
Now I know who this email is from, so my concerns about it being a problematic email are eased, however, I do wonder, is it a joke? If I click ‘here’ what will happen?
I press.
It’s a list of runners.
At the top it says, ‘2013 IMTUF 100 – Idaho Mountain Trail Ultra Festival – Registered Entrants’
I look down.
BINGO! all becomes clear.
RANK it says 99.5%
AGE RANK it says, 100%,
RESULTS it says, 51,
TARGET it says, 34:24:53,
F53 and the name…
ANN TRASON, Kensington, CA
Now, lets get one think clear. Ann Trason has been away from our sport for a long time. To see her name on a start sheet means just one thing.
She is back running.
For me, that is enough… I won’t discuss what can she do, why, what if or maybe.
Kilian Jornet very kindly signed a copy of his photo book, “TRAIL RUNNING, FOR ME, IS NOT ABOUT RUNNING.”I realised that this would be something that many listeners to Talk Ultra and followers of my website would like, so, with that in mind, I asked the question, “What is trail running?”
The winner will be selected and the signed book by Kilian Jornet will be posted to you. This is the last chance to add to this list. The winner will be announced on Friday August 9th.
Here are the responses:
Michael Roberts Trail running is living and everything else is just waiting.
Kevin McFaul Trail Running is peacefully, a way to escape the every day.
Bazimus Dunn Infinite horizons and broken limitations.
John Gaivin Trail running for me is a release…a time to just let go and zip through the trees and rocks and fell without a worry in the world!
La cave à Jaife Trail running is my way to discover the beauty of nature!
Benj Lance Trail running is freedom and pure bliss. Trail running is hard lessons and suffering that makes the rest of life seem much easier. Trail running is exploring the world and tapping into your primal self to move quickly through the mountains and woods. Trail running is an attitude and a lifestyle.
Kevin O’Rourke Trail running for me is about kissing goodbye to asphalt and saying hello to nature .
Andrew Morley Trail running is getting away from burks in cars!
Christopher Wiley Trail running for me is the opportunity to experience God’s creation and have an adventure!
Iain Wallace Trail running is moving through nature, swiftly, lovingly, and peacefully.
Torsten Stuart Norgate Trail running is using your physical body, your strength, your sweat, your ability to push yourself, to take your spirit into new landscapes and adventures.
Henrik Modin It’s my escape from health-issues and work-related stress. A valve through which I can release tension. A way to get closer to nature. And my legs look great!
Robert Nelson for me it’s all about the fun of jumping in muddy puddles.
Franz Dill A reconnection to true origins, primordial places, to distill to basics, and appreciate the simplicities in life.
David Monge Garcia Lol Simon Edwards, funnily enough we see trail running as opposites (forgetting / finding.
Nate Blouin it’s about seeing what I’m made out of physically and mentally. It started as a way to see more of the mountains I’m used to skiing and has become so much more.
Simon Dick Trail running is nuts, bonkers, and crazy. So I stick to pub-crawls…
Chris Valenti 1. To do what should not be possible, to be free, to explore an unknown, forbidden place. It is about using one’s physical body to transcend its own existence. The first thing that happens as you deplete yourself is that you find you have another self in there, trying to control you. Then, as you further your relationship with your dual self, and if you are lucky, you transcend both selves and become a…fleetingly…another consciousness.
Nicola’s Holy Trail running is nowhere, with everybody .
Dan Ripple For me, the trails are simply an analogy for life. Along those paths, whether it be high in the mountains of Chamonix or at the start of Badwater, I, along with others, come to find and connect with ourselves, with others, and with life itself. I can either be in a race with 2000 other runners or be completely alone in the mountains; I am, with each step, with each breath, and with each heartbeat, humbled and forever grateful to be given such an opportunity.
Tony Branam For me, trail running is The Way – If you are in The Way, you are of The Way and not in the way but are one with The Way. If you are not of The Way, you are in the way, and must be moved out of the way and toward The Way. We who are in The Way know The Way and follow therein. Those in the way know not The Way and must be shown The Way lest they remain in the way. Some seek The Way and need guidance. Some seek The Way and need no help to find their own way to The Way. Some seek not The Way and need guidance to see their need lest they remain in the way. We of The Way must seek our way to guide those poor wayward souls not in The Way to The Way so that they may become one with The Way the way we of The Way are now.
Marlon Voorn Trailrunning is for my freedom and are one with the nature!!!
Pablo Aznar It’s a place without time where you can meet yourself. At the same time that you enjoy all around and get worried on the basics: breathing, eating, and drinking.
Ronan Hickey It’s about leaving the crowds behind. We all start in the same place, but trail runners reach heights no one else can.
Gavin Markey Trail time is dreamtime. Everything that a dream can hold is within reach while on the trail/mountain.
Amanda Hyatt Trail running is the runner’s mirage; always calling, forever a little further away; filled with dreams and possibilities and maybe, just maybe, if you take just one more step, there’s a runner’s oasis on the other side.
Jp Syverud Trail running is my religion. There is no place I feel more alive and happy as when I am outdoors exploring nature and running. Most people go to church on Sunday mornings. I hit the trail.
Emanuel Simoes trail running is a way out of myself, a way to forget the world’s problems and merging with Mother Nature. I feel as small as an ant when I run in the mountain, and that feels so good.
Daniel Henderson Trail running is about the adrenaline fuelled terrifying descents.
Eje Carlos Navarro Trail running is another way to stay in the mountains…
Phil Beeston Trail running is an escape. An escape from the urban jungle and cluttered life that man has created that takes us back to the ‘real world’. A world where we can take a moment to breathe, to see, and where our soul is stripped bare.
Antonio Moreno Trail running is going back to the roots, to a time when being fast on your feet meant the difference between life and death, between progress and decay. If we are here today it’s only because our ancestors ran… in nature. It’s only natural that we crave to follow in their footsteps!
Reece Ingram Trail running is about being at one with yourself & nature!
John Bryant Trail running is always a “get to know you” session with myself. I rediscover who I am, gain perspectives that probably wouldn’t be gained anywhere else, and simplify my life to it’s barest essentials. It allows me to strip away the fluff of the world and emerge free and satisfied, yet yearning for more.
Claire Akin-smith Being out on the trail: Space to think, feel & move at the same time.
Shirley Treasure Trail running clears my mind; quality time on some single track makes me ready to take on the FWY’s of life.
Bernhard Rohrbacher Trail running is about freedom. Yes, you can follow a trail but the beauty is making a trail of your own.
Craig Calderwood Trail running is pain, sweating, sore quads; lost toenails, skin knees, blisters and chafing. Fun though.
Gabriel Drilea Trail running gives you the opportunity to be with yourself away from the life low-level distractions. It brings you closer to God and humanity.
Lior Sion Trail running for me is freedom in a busy world .
Amanda Hyatt Trail running … Comfort food for the sole(s)
Justin Rea Road running exercises the body. Trail running exercises mind and body
Mark McGinn It’s about the five foot of trail ahead of you and constantly scanning it to decide where your foot will land in 3 steps time. Until you lift your head and discover you 15 miles from where you started. People who admire the views when trail running have too much free time on their hands!!
Paul Hart Trail running is simply escaping from the man made and trying to reconnect with nature and our inner-selves .
Tammy Clauser Wuerth I wrote this several years ago… When I run the trails. I feel alive. I feel and believe I can conquer anything life throws at me… I am a free spirit who can soar to the highest mountains… endure distances unlike any other, and I can just “be” me…. w/o judgment, as I just flow and go deep into my soul… and, run… run. And run… through it all… conquer my deepest fears. And, just be…. and that my friends… is a beautiful thing…. to have found in this lifetime…. ahh. Yes. The “essence of trail running”
Simon Edwards Trail running is finding myself among the chaos, and learning to like what I find .
Nico Meunier Trail running is feeling like a superhero.
Larry Lobb Trail running is my silence. When I get to check my thoughts at the trailhead and just exist. It allows me to lose myself, settle myself, and find myself. A return to innocence. Trail running is my moment of Zen.
Miriam Riba Rossy It’s about being ourselves. It’s the way of mountain lovers. Trail Running are all days of our lives when rain, snow, thunder and lightning get together to test us, to feel what we love with our soul and what we are. What I am. It’s a beginning of my new life. Regards Catalonia, Miriam Riba-14 years old
Mike Saporito Trail running for me is a return to the basics of what life should be about – nature, simplicity – one with the world. It is at the same time very physical and very mental – it exhausts me and it rejuvenates me.
Ana Čufer Trail running is a gift, given to few. Every step brings us closer to becoming worthy of it, yet we never quite reach it. The trick is to never stop running. Like · Reply · 6 · July 23 at 8:11pm
Eric Ahern Trail running is what I do to work on becoming the best possible version of myself. (All respect to Rich Roll.)
Thomas Lelu Trail running is enjoy the life in all of its aspect s.
Suzanne F. Stroeer Trail running is the freedom, the ability to choose. Trail running is running fast to be completely still.
Paul Weir Trail running run for me is the ability to explore nature, to escape the trappings of human beings and become one with nature, the sights and smells and not to see a single sole for miles and hours
Sabine Heiland Trail running is loosing myself in nature.
Mark Warner I call it “trail meditation” Tune in, free your mind and the body will follow….
Mark McGoldrick Felling of been free, & clearing the mind, sense of adventure, meeting new friends & exploring new places .
Jono Mervis Trail running to me is the ability to leave the day-to-day world behind. It allows me to experience the numinous. To wonder at the incredible world & universe that we call our home. To feel true freedom. To feel the wind on my face and blood flow through my veins. To feel at one with myself, with the world and the people around me. It allows me to experience the joy of movement, the joy of health, the joy of nature and, more than anything before it, the joy of life. Every step, every breath and every meter out on the trails are the best of the day.
Ally Speirs The freedom to go where few can go, the silence at the top, and the peace within .
Mario Perez Bautista Trail running is all about free your mind and move your soul according with nature .
Richard Hurdle Trail running for me is about finding new amazing places, sometimes far away, sometimes on your doorstep, always in your soul .
Ian Campbell Running the way you feel. Taking a familiar route or exploring the options of new trails. I love running the same trails throughout the year, spring, summer, autumn or winter, day or night. They are all different and you experience everything that nature and this earth has to provide and it creates a love of this earth much more so than in the cities on Tarmac.
Abhishek Sengupta Trail running for me is about searching for those pockets of silence where I can root and grow.
Chris Schultheiss Trail running fro me is about the community of runners, I love the people!
Martin Pether Trail running is ‘special’, simple as .
Picos Xtreme Trail running is a lifestyle and a way of live that we love!!
Emanuel Simoes trail running is a way out of myself, a way to forget the world’s problems and merging with Mother Nature. I feel as small as an ant when I run in the mountain, and that feels so good.
Michael Roberts if you’re trail running, you’re living and everything else is just waiting.
Andrew Titus trail running for me is knowing that I am the part of the forest that is breathing.
David Eastham Trail running for me is about finding my ‘self’…. Who I am.
Marlon Voorn Trail running is for my…. freedom and are one with the nature!!!
Ellie Mackin Trail running is different things on different days: a chance to escape, a chance to push myself, a chance to meditate, a chance to sweat it out. Trail running is what you need it to be on the day.
Martin Pether Trail running is ‘special’, simple as .
Picos Xtreme Trail running is a lifestyle and a way of live that we love!!
Emanuel Simoes trail running is a way out of myself, a way to forget the world’s problems and merging with Mother Nature. I feel as small as an ant when I run in the mountain, and that feels so good.
Curt Krieger Hitting the trails each day is like hitting the reboot button and getting that fresh start!
Jill Buckenham Trail running teaches me to open my mind… to listen… to see… to be patient… to find peace and energy.
Geoff Smyth Being in the midst of beauty finding my inner self-losing the hectic world around us. If I were fit enough I would stay on the trails day and night.
Charlie Hunsberger Trail running for me is about re-convening with nature, and nurturing my soul!
d’Jo Vander Linden Trail running is one of the millions of ways to find sensations you are looking for, find yourself, freedom, escape from stress, break routine, get stronger and fitter…. But most of all, a motivation to live life, there’s always a new track for tomorrow .
Dave Deason Trail running is about the clean air, the freedom and the feel of a mountaintop as we summit .
Steven Stainthorpe trail is my way of meeting new people and new runs; it’s my new adventure .
Chris Tack is about not having to answer questions about what things are about!
John Dayton Trail running is pushing beyond your comfort zone and testing your limits all while being surrounded by nature. And sometimes she’s a mother.
David Monge Garcia What about ‘trail running is increasing the flavor of a beer x5’??? Everything smells and tastes of heaven after a trail LR!!!
Rannelle McCoy Trail running is harmony of mind, body and spirit, in the nurturing embrace of Mother Nature.
Tefal Trailrunner T – Trepidation, taking the first steps in to the wilderness – Rejoicing in what Nature can offer us. A – Adventure, going where you want, when you want. I – Inspiration, from all the scenery and experiences you run through. L – Laughing out loud during a fast descent or when on your own in the middle of nowhere.
John Meijberg Trail running is living your life and leave the trails.
Omar Rodríguez Rodríguez Trail Running brings you freedom when you’re running through the mountains and trees, while you’re breathing fresh air in the morning or in the evening. It doesn’t matter where you do it, always it feels the same. This is because Trail Running is a life way. Everyone can touch the sky, there’s no limit.
Mayte Pach Trail running for me is a mix of inside peace, mental relax and love the nature.
Darren Gillman It’s the part of my life that I love, and that keeps me just about sane enough to survive those parts of my life that I have to do.
Marcelo Jiménez Roqhuett Trail Running is about exploring my life thru that experience, and finding more inspiration around every corner I turn.
Gemma Carter Trail running is where I experience a deeper sense of myself- its the opportunity to dig down deeper. Under the layers that our superficial life can build around me that cause me stress and worry. It’s where I feel simply most me. Pure. Calm and free…
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IAN CORLESS 