Statement from Michel Poletti UTMB® re: EPO Positive Test

Posted on July 19, 2016 by talkultra

It is never nice to have to report and document on doping, particularly in a sport I love. However, in the past 24-hours many questions have been raised re a positive test for EPO at the worlds largest trail running event, the UTMB®

I must thank Robbie Biritton for bringing the positive test of Gonzalo Calisto to the limelight. I recommend that you read my post from earlier today HERE.

This positive test raised many questions. Most importantly, how was it possible that the IAAF could have this information available to the public and the UTMB® or UTWT not notify the world media and runners of this positive decision?

I was proactive and I emailed UTWT and UTMB® and within a relatively short period of time, the UTMB® released a ‘press release’ which acknowledged all our claims. You can read that HERE.

Problem is, myself and many of the ultra running community still have many questions. How was it possible that Robbie, myself and other journalists were the ‘first’ to release this information?

And I quote:

Dear UTMB®

Many thanks for this and thank you for responding so quickly.

It does pose some serious questions though and I would like clarification why it has taken myself (and a few others) to bring this to everyones attention.

How long have the UTMB known about this positive test?

Kind regards,

Ian

This evening I have received a reply from Michel Poletti. He provides the following answers to my question?

Dear Ian,

We have learned this news this morning at 7 AM (Paris time) by an email from Anne who has been asked by other journalists.

Indeed, the anti-doping procedure is so discreet that :
– the organizer has no information about the doping controls operated on his race
– when a national or international federation make a decision, this decision is published on the web site of the federation, with no other announcement
Thus, if an organizer want to know something about the anti-doping controls which were made on his race, he should need to look every day on the web site of the federations…or to wait to be warned by someone else…

Do not hesitate to ask for any other question

Best regards

I have to say that I welcome this response. However, I struggle with it…. I responded:

I appreciate your email and I thank you for the clarification.

I am somewhat bemused and perplexed by this situation?

I became aware of this some 12 hours before the UTMB organisation? I find this hard to believe… this has been ‘public’ knowledge on the IAAF website since June 24th. Are you telling me, that it was myself that informed UTMB of a positive test?

The IAAF have found Gonzalo Calisto ‘positive’ of EPO at ‘in competition testing’ after placing 5th at ‘the’ most prestigious trail running event in the world and they did not inform the race, you or Catherine?

Could I ask the following please?

1. Why are you not informed of a positive test?

2. Which authority took the test and on who’s authority?

3. Who does Gonzalo Calisto approach to review the test?

4. Under who’s authority is Gonzalo Calisto suspended from racing?

These are fundamental points and please rest assured, I want to ensure that Gonzalo Calisto is not the subject of a witch hunt.

*****

I will inform you of a reply when I receive it.

BREAKING NEWS – Disqualification of a runner from the 2015 UTMB®

Posted on July 19, 2016 by talkultra

Disqualification of a runner from the 2015 UTMB®

The UTMB® organisation has today seen the list of recent infringements concerning the rules of anti- doping published by the IAAF and the penalties applied to the offenders.
Gonzalo Calisto (Ecuador) is included in the list of athletes who are suspended, following a positive result of an anti-doping test which was carried out in Chamonix on August 29th 2015 at the finishing line of the UTMB®.

Read my original post HERE

Consequently, Gonzalo Calisto (ranked 5th in the UTMB® 2015) has been officially disqualified and has been instructed to return his trophy and finisher’s jacket. The 2015 official results will be corrected as soon as possible on the UTMB® web-site.

The trophies given to the top ten men were unique works of art, each runner placed from 5th to 9th place will receive a new plaque, while the 10th runner will receive the trophy to which he is entitled.

At the same time, the organisation would like to remind you that to maintain the spirit of the event, and its authenticity, a health policy has been in place for the UTMB® since 2008.

It includes, in particular, a preventive initiative regarding health matters. This action is carried out in collaboration with Athletes for Transparency (since 2008) and the ITRA (since 2014).This action has neither the vocation, nor the competence to be a substitute for current national and international regulations concerning the fight against doping but has the objective of reinforcing the medical supervision wished for by the Organisation and it may allow for a better orientation of doping tests prompted by various anti-doping organizations.

UPDATES

UTMB PRESS RELEASE HERE
MICHEL POLETTI RESPONSE HERE
IAAF RESPONSE HERE

UTMB and UTWT face first positive drug test of EPO abuse

Posted on July 19, 2016 by talkultra

©iancorless.com_TCC2016-9574

Twitter came alight on the evening of Monday 18th July when British ultra runner Robbie Britton broke the news that Ecuador athlete, Gonzalo Calisto had tested positive for EPO.

Calisto_EPO

You can see a screenshot of the IAAF website HERE

The test was taken on the 29th August 2015 – the day that Calisto placed 5th at arguably the most high profile race on the ultra calendar – Ultra Trail Mont-Blanc.

Needless to say this is devastating news for the sport! Drug taking and awareness of drug abuse is something that gained a high profile at the end of 2015, highlighted at San Francisco 50 (see post here).

More importantly why have UTMB and UTWT not responded to this and sent out a media release and if this positive test is confirmed, as the IAAF suggests, why is Calisto still listed as 5th at UTMB?

I have contacted both UTMB and UTWT. I have received no reply from UTMB but the UTWT did respond immediately saying:

“We will communicate very shortly on this matter. “

I have also contacted Calisto and asked for feedback. I know him, not very well I must add, but I did spend an extended time with him earlier this year while he raced in Costa Rica.

Ultimately, there are two sides to every story and we should hear a balanced argument. However, the lack of response from UTWT, UTMB and Calisto himself is somewhat alarming. I think it’s important now to be proactive, not hide our heads in the sand and fight this face on. If not, we are doomed….

UPDATE 19th July 17:43 Europe time – UTMB respond

“Hi Ian, UTMB® is preparing a news release which is ready tonight or tomorrow morning.”

BREAKING NEWS UTMB PRESS RELEASE 19th July 1930 hours

HERE

Look at the current mess in athletics, the mess cycling has been in. We don’t want this for trail, ultra, mountain and Skyrunning.

Doping sanctions – News 174

The above document dated 24th June is worrying. Go to the IAAF website and look at how many athletes are currently sanctioned according to information received by IAAF as of June 24th. http://www.iaaf.org/about-iaaf/documents/anti-doping click on the ‘EN’ black box:

screenshot_22

Or download the list HERE

In Callisto’s case his test is confirmed as ‘in competition’

In competition testing is imperative and more importantly, out of competition testing and blood passports are the way forward. It’s time we have these protocols put in place, in particular for key events such as UTMB. Ironically, UTMB has no prize money!

UPDATES

UTMB PRESS RELEASE HERE
MICHEL POLETTI RESPONSE HERE
IAAF RESPONSE HERE

Welcome your thoughts and I am sure we will have many!

Dolomites SKYRACE 2016 Race Summary and Images – Skyrunner® World Series

Posted on July 17, 2016 by talkultra

At 22km long with 10km uphill and 12km downhill The Dolomites SkyRace is a tough Skyrunning race that perfectly shows the ethos of the sport – start low, get high and then return as quickly as possible. Piz Boe at 3152m is the high point of the course and what follows is a technical descent to the starting town of Canazei.

Kilian Jornet and Megan Kimmel hold the current course, their times 2:00:11 and 2:25:57 recorded in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Starting in Piazza Marconi, Canazei at 0830, 4 hours 30 minutes are allocated for participants to complete the course.

From the gun Aritz Egea dictated the pace and lead a chasing trio of 2015 champion Tadei Pivk, Stian Overgaard and Martin Anthamatten. On the slopes leading up Piz Boe, Egea was relegated to 4th and a battle was on for victory.

At the summit, Pivk took the lead and descended without fear as Anthamatten and Overgaard chased.

Pivk was too strong though crossing the line in 2:03. Overgaard in his first Skyrunning race placed 3rd in 2:04 and 2015 Matterhorn Ultraks champion, Anthamatten placed 3rd.

In the ladies’ race, Laura Orgue was always going to be the lady to beat, the only question mark would come on her ability to descend from the summit of Piz Boe… easier this year she broke her leg in a skiing accident.

We should have no questions! From the beginning Orgue pushed the pace and the only lady in close contention was Elisa Desco. Orgue summited first and then held that lead all the way to the line besting Desco by 2-minutes, 2:28 to 2:30.

Surprise of the day came in the ladies 3rd place, Celia Chiron who ran an incredible 2:32. Pre-race favourites Yngvild Kaspersen finished 5th and post-race said, “I had bad feelings today and my legs were just heavy.” It was a similar story for 2016 Transvulcania champion, Ida Nilsson.

Attention now turns to this coming weekend, the Skyrunning World Championships will take place in Spain with VK, SKY and ULTRA races

Thanks to the support of our Partner Migu Xempower, Sponsor Alpina Watches and Official Pool Suppliers, Scott Running, Compressport and Salomon.

About Skyrunner® World Series
Skyrunning was founded in 1992 by Italian Marino Giacometti, President of the International Skyrunning Federation which sanctions the discipline worldwide and sports the tagline:
Less cloud. More sky.

The Skyrunner® World Series was launched in 2004 and has grown to represent the peak of outdoor running defined by altitude and technicality. In 2016, the Series, composed of four disciplines, features 23 races in 15 venues on three continents.

iancorless.com is the official photographer and media partner for the Skyrunner® World Series Follow on:

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Kids of the future – Mini Dolomites SkyRace 2016

Posted on July 16, 2016 by talkultra

The fourth edition of the Mini Dolomites SkyRace took place today in Marconi Square, Canazei. It was a stunning day, blue skies, fluffy clouds and families of all ages participated in an inspiring few hours.

It’s here that Skyrunner’s of the future are created and it’s just so great to see. I wish this could become a regular feature of all races.

In particular, it was the race with the ‘youngest’ taking part that created the most inspiration, humour and yes, tears…. Father’s carried children in their arms, mums pushed babies in their prams and Skyrunning World Champion, Elisa Desco, ran side-by-side with her daughter.

Those that didn’t run, supported from the side lines, cheering with flags, shaking bells and encouraging all those who took part.

Skyrunning of the future starts here

Dolomites VK 2016 Race Summary and Images – Skyrunner® World Series

Posted on July 15, 2016 by talkultra

Kicking off a weekend of racing, the Dolomites Vertical Kiolmeter® started today, Friday 15th, in waves of 20 runners. The juniors started at 0930 in Cisates, just a short walk from the centre of Canazei.

It was a clear day but the wind was blowing and the temperatures were very cool. Great for running a VK but not when you stop – the wind was icy cold. Departing in approximately 4-minutes gaps, wave-after-wave departed until it came time for the elite men and elite women at 1100am.

Departing at an altitude of 1450m they reach the high point of Spiz 2465m with a total distance of 2.4km covered. The Dolomites VK is considered one of the toughest on the circuit due to the short, steep course and underfoot, much of the terrain is grass. Poles are not essential but recommended.

Course records date back to 2015 and 2014 when Philip Goetsch ran an incredible 32:38 and Laura Orgue ran 38:14.

Once again it was Goetsch and Orgue who dominated both fields. They were well ahead of their respective waves and unlike in the past, victory for either runner was not contested. So impressive was Goetsch, he soloed not only to victory but a new course record of 31:34 – almost 1-minute off his old record.

Equally Orgue was impressive coming back from injury with a time of 38:31 – just 17-seconds shy of her 2014 record.

They dominated!

With Urban Zemmer and Saul Antonio Padua not racing, Nejc Kuhar lead the chase for 2nd in 32:41 and Hannes Perkmann was 3rd in 33:02.

Valentina Belotti was the 2nd lady with a strong and gutsy run just 30-seconds behind Orgue and the ever-present Francesca Rossi sealed 3rd place in 40:00.

Men

Philip Goetsch (ITA) – 31’34”
Nejc Kuhar (SLO) La Sportiva – 32’41”
Hannes Perkmann (ITA) La Sportiva – 33’02”
Manuel Da Col (ITA) Scott Running – 33’11”
Patrik Facchini (ITA) La Sportiva – 33’48”

Women

Laura Orguè (ESP) Salomon 38’31”
Valentina Bellotti (ITA) La Sportiva – 39’06”
Francesca Rossi (ITA) La Sportiva – 40’00”
Beatrice Deflorian (ITA) La Sportiva – 40’52”
Maite Maiora (ESP) La Sportiva – 41’36”

Full race results

Attention now turns to Sunday and the Dolomites SkyRace (preview HERE). Weather systems are currently moving in and out of Canazei and yesterday it snowed! Currently, Piz Boe summit has plenty of snow on it… we could be in for a very exciting and dramatic day of Skyrunning!

Thanks to the support of our Partner Migu Xempower, Sponsor Alpina Watches and Official Pool Suppliers, Scott Running, Compressport and Salomon.

iancorless.com is the official photographer and media partner for the Skyrunner® World Series Follow on:

Facebook/iancorlessphotography
Twitter (@talkultra)
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Follow the Skyrunner® World Series on social media platforms

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Dolomites SkyRace 2016 Race Preview – Skyrunner® World Series

Posted on July 13, 2016 by talkultra

It’s a classic, no doubt about it and as such the Dolomites SkyRace personifies the ethos of the pure and simple act of starting low racing high and returning as quickly as possible – Skyrunning!

The race is 22km long with 10km uphill and 12km downhill. Depending on the weather, the route may or may not have snow which only adds to the complexity of the terrain. The route changes constantly and on the ascent the runners must fight gravity trying to reach the high point of the course, Piz Boe at 3152m.

From the summit, runners must defy gravity and drop like a stone with no fear, this race is often won on the descent!

Piazza Marconi, Canazei is the start and finish point and 4 hours 30 minutes are allocated for participants to complete the course. Course records currently stand with Kilian Jornet and Megan Kimmel. Their times 2:00:11 and 2:25:57 recorded in 2013 and 2015 respectively.

Added interest can be noted in the record for the ascent and descent, a key feature of this race. Augusti Roc Amador and Laura Orgue have recorded 1:16:47 and 1:29:30 of the ascent and Fabio Bonfanti and Angela Mudge hold the records for the descent, 00:43:35 and 00:58:47.

In 2015 Tadei Pivk (2:02:47) beat Ionut Zinca and Pascal Egli to the top of the podium. In the ladies’ race, Megan Kimmel (2:25:57) beat Laura Orgue and Elisa Desco with a stunning descent and a course record time.

What is in store for 2016?

As one would expect, the line up in both the men’s and lady’s fields is stunning. Tadei Pivk heads up the men’s field after his victory in 2015 and his SWS 2015 title. He has been racing regularly in Italy and was the winner at Livigno SkyMarathon recently. However, he did play 5th at Zegama-Aizkorri.

Tadei will definitely not have things his own way. A last minute entry by Remi Bonnet will almost certainly raise the Italians eyebrows. Remi raced the VK in Val D’Isere this past weekend and placed 3rd (28 seconds off the lead), not a position he is used to but he has been nursing an injury and may well not be in full shape in Canazei? That said, he is a formidable competitor over the SKY distance.

Manuel Merillas, 4th at Zegama-Aizkorri always races consistently well over the SKY distance and almost certainly he will contest the top 5 and more than likely the podium.

Marc Casal Mir, 2nd on the SWS ranking is a consistent performer but has never made the podium in Canazei. For sure he will be in contention but more likely in the top 10.

Andre Jonsson has been somewhat of a revelation in 2016, he goes out hard, puts it all on the line and races full on. He currently lies 3rd on the SWS 2016 ranking.

Martin Anthamatten will also be one to watch, he had a great result at Matterhorn Ultraks and in the USA at the RUT series of races. The Dolomites will suit him!

Saul Antonio Padua may well be the first to the top but he always falters on the descent, a key element of the Dolomites race, I wonder, this year can he string the two together?

Other top names to watch out for are Francois Gonon, Alexis Sevennec, Aritz Egea, Dmityr Mityaev, Jan Magrit Sole, Hassan Ait Chaou, Daniel Garcia Gomez, Jessed Hernandez, Nil Cardona, Hector Haines and many more.

With Megan Kimmel missing from the race, Laura Orgue heads up the ladies race after a stunning performance in 2015. Laura’s only problem may well come on the descent… over the winter months she picked up an injury and the Dolomites SkyRace will be the first big test.

Laura though will have some serious competition from her Salomon teammates, Yngvild Kaspersen and Ida Nilsson. These two ladies are currently on fire and based on recent results they could take the top two spots? Yngvild won Zegama-Aizkorri and then went on the place 2nd at Mt Marathon in Alaska – for me, she is the favourite.

Ida had a stunning Transvulcania Ultramarathon has gone from strength-to-strength. Ironically, Transvulcania was a long way for Ida, the shorter distance will suit her running history. It’s going to be exciting!

Elisa Desco, 3rd in 2015 is back on form after injury and victory in Livigno. Elisa has the up and down game and without doubt is likely champion on Sunday.

2015 Zegama-Aizkorri champion, Azara Garcia has been looking for a return to form after prolonged injury and the Dolomites SkyRace may well be the opportunity to for her gain maximum points and challenge for the SWS ranking.

Maite Maiora has also had injury but if she is fit she will definitely be a contender for the podium. Maite races hard with 100% commitment in 2014 she placed 3rd behind Laura Orgue and Emelie Forsberg.

Marta Molist currently lies 2nd on the SWS ranking and she will be looking to gain valuable points, however, Russian Ekaterina Mityaev will be looking to topple the Spanish runner.

Ragna Debats and Sheila Alves heads up the other likely contenders for the top 5 followed by Aitziber Ibarbia, Eva Maria Moreda Gabaldon, Celia Chiron and of course, we may well have a few last minute entries…

Watch this space!

Kicking off proceedings on Friday, runners will take on the Dolomites Vertical Kiolmeter®. Starting at 0930 in Cisates just a short walk from the center of Canazei, runners will depart in groups of 20 with a time gap of 4-minutes separating the groups. Groups are categorized with slower runners departing early and elite runners departing last.

At 1100 the top runners as specified by the SWS ranking will depart.

Runners depart at an altitude of 1450m and reach the high point of Spiz 2465m with a total distance of 2.4km in length. The Dolomites VK is considered one of the toughest on the circuit due to the short, steep course and underfoot, much of the terrain is grass. Poles are not essential but recommended.

Course records date back to 2015 and 2014 when Philip Gotsch ran an incredible 32:38 and Laura Orgue ran 38:14.

Ferran Teixido heads up the men’s race field and he currently leads the SWS ranking however, he did have a below par performance at Face Bellevarde in Val d’Isere. Francois Gonon, Nejc Kuhar, Marco Moletto, Jan Margarit, Dimitry Mityaeva, Mirko Cocco and Oriol Cardona Coll will push the Andorran runner all the way to the line. As is always the case in Italy and on the VK circuit, La Sportiva will send a strong and deep field. Urban Zemmer if confirmed running of course will be a clear favourite along with Remi Bonnet and Saul Antonio Padua.

Laura Orgue heads up the ladies’ field and is the current course record holder but will have strong competition from Maite Maiora and Yngvild Kaspersen. Ekaterina Mityaeva, Maria Zorroza and Aitziber Ibarbia will provide competition but the ladies start list is definitely impacted by the Skyrunning World Championships that will take place the following weekend.

Thanks to the support of our Partner Migu Xempower, Sponsor Alpina Watches and Official Pool Suppliers, Scott Running, Compressport and Salomon.

iancorless.com is the official photographer and media partner for the Skyrunner® World Series Follow on:

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High Trail Vanoise 2016 Race Summary and Images – Skyrunner® World Series

Posted on July 10, 2016 by talkultra

©iancorless.com_HTV2016-2674

The Skyrunner® World Series continued at a pace today with the first edition of the High Tral Vanoise, a 67.4km race with 5355m altitude starting and concluding in the stunning location of Val d’Isere, France.

©iancorless.com_BigRedRun2016_HTV2016-2008

This race in many ways personifies Skyrunning with a combination of fast trails, technical trails, snow, ice and altitude. The course has many key features with highlights coming at Col de Fresse (2500m), Le Panoramic (3000m) the highest point of the course, Grande Motte (3500m) and then a rollercoaster of climbs and descents that finally culminates with Aiguille Pers (2800m) before dropping down to the Col Iseran before the final push to the line.

Grand Parcours copy

fiche_grandparcours

Departing under darkness at 0400, it was very apparent that a warm and hot day lay ahead. However, the early hours were always going to be chilly ones, especially as the runners climbed from just under 2000m to Grande Motte at 3500m+ in the first 17.5km. In the early stages, a small group of runners pushed the pace lead by Russian Dimitry Mityaev, Nicolas Martin and Fulvio Dapit. In the ladies race, Anne-Lise Rousset opened up a gap very early in the race that would prove instrumental, Maud Gobert, Anna Comet and Gemma Arenas followed but were already some way behind.

©iancorless.com_HTV2016-2515

From the summit of Grande Motte, the arrival of sunlight facilitated the long fast descent past Lac de Tignes all the way to La Daille at approximately 34km. By now the runners were spread out all over the course with Dimity and Anne-Lise leading the respective male and female fields.

©iancorless.com_HTV2016-3217-2

A 4km climb to Lac Sassier was followed with a rollercoaster descent to Le Fornet at 46km, Dimitry was still first but Nicolas was on his heals and now Marcin Swierc had taken up the chase with Fulvio Dapit in 4th. Anne-Lise Rousset was now in her own race, leading Maud Gobert by 30-minutes with Anna Comet several minutes behind in 3rd. The French lady was running so fast she hovered between 5th and 6th placed man – incredible!

©iancorless.com_HTV2016-3121

Now the action was really unfolding and arguably, the next section of the course from Le Fornet to Aiguille Pers via Tete Cema was going to be instrumental as this section climbed for 10km with an altitude gain of 1400m +/-. Dimity finally crumbled with Nicolas taking the lead and then finally Marcin moved into 2nd, Dimity had a good lead over Fulvio though; would he hold on?

©iancorless.com_HTV2016-3123

Aiguille Pers blanketed in snow made an impact on the race and the stunning blue skies provided a stark contrast to the white snow as the early morning sun beat down. Nicolas and Anne-Lise were the first male and female to the summit.

From the summit a fast descent to the iconic Col Iseran was followed by a short climb with technical sections before passing through a tunnel through the mountains which was followed by a fast drop to the line and finish in Val d’Isere.

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The overall standings for the first 3 men and ladies didn’t change now – Nicolas Martin took a great victory in 9:28:34. Added to his podium place at Transvulcania and the DNF of SWS leader, Cristofer Clemente, Nicolas now leads the 2016 ranking. Marcin Swierc placed 2nd in 9:31:59 and Dimity Mityaev held off Fulvio Dapit for 3rd in 9:36:31.

Anne-Lise Rousset dominated the ladies performance with a stunning victory in 10:13:00 which ranked her 6th overall. Maud Gobert and Anna Comet placed 2nd and 3rd in 11:04:21 and 11:09:30.

The Alpina Watch prizes were awarded to Anne-Lise Rousset and Fulvio Dapit for their times to the summit of Grande Motte based on a clever equation that takes into account age.

The final big news is that the respective winners, both French, received a BMW car for 1-year!

Full results available HERE

Attention now turns to the Dolomites next weekend for the iconic VK and SKY races – the SWS 2016 rolls on at a pace!

Thanks to the support of our Partner Migu Xempower, Sponsor Alpina Watches and Official Pool Suppliers, Scott Running, Compressport and Salomon.

iancorless.com is the official photographer and media partner for the Skyrunner® World Series Follow on:

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Face de Bellevarde VK 2016 Race Summary and Images – Skyrunner® World Series

Posted on July 9, 2016 by talkultra

Christel Dewalle and Xavier Gachet set the trails of the Face de Bellevarde VK on fire yesterday as they not only went in pursuit of victory but the opportunity to win the use of a BMW car for 1-year – a special prize offered by the race!

Dewalle needed to beat Laura Orgue’s 40:52 and Gachet 34:51 set by Skyrunning legend, Marco De Gasperi who was also running in the race.

They did it!

New records stand at 38:11 and 33:34.

Starting at 1700 hours, runners departed on timed intervals of 1-minute. Temperatures were cool and cloud cover removed any strong and direct heat thus making conditions excellent for a hard effort.

Dewalle and Gachet was never going to have an easy run and strong threats came from A. Mollaret and E. Collinge in the ladies race, they crossed the line 40:33 (also under Laura Orgues’s old record) and 41:33.

For the men, A Perret produced a surprise 33:41 and VK and Skyrunning specialist, R Bonnet crossing the line in 34:06.

Bonnet had been a pre-race favourite but a niggling injury was still causing a little stress to the young body of the Swiss man. One runner who we had anticipated to do well was Zemmer – he did not start. Fern Tpeixido, Marco Moletto, Hannes Perkman, William Bon Mardion and Pascal Egli made up the rest of the main contenders in an impressive field.

Attention now turns to the Ultra – High Trail Vanoise which starts in the early hours of Sunday morning.

Read the race preview HERE

Thanks to the support of our Partner Migu Xempower, Sponsor Alpina Watches and Official Pool Suppliers, Scott Running, Compressport and Salomon.

iancorless.com is the official photographer and media partner for the Skyrunner® World Series Follow on:

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What is the meaning of life?

Posted on July 7, 2016 by talkultra

What is the meaning of life?

I was reminded today about a video clip that I had seen sometime ago that had an impact on me for so many reasons. You have to keep with me here, it has nothing to do with running… but maybe it does?

It made me question so much.

Firstly, like many people, I watched the clip and immediately judged the person talking. I thought to myself, ‘this guy is a crackpot… he’s on drugs… jeez, what crazy guy!’

But I stopped judging and listened and once I had put my barriers down I found the words spoken and his delivery to be quite magical. A little like the first time I heard Baz Luhrman’s – ‘Everybody’s Free To Wear Sunscreen‘

The video clip is available on multiple sources and I am actually not sure who the originator is? I believe it to be ©Sea101.3 / Rony Portillo

But I don’t want you to watch the video, at least not yet. I want you to be a blank canvas. You can watch the video later, for now, click on the play icon on the audio file below and then read the words.

I wonder,

will it have the same impact on you, as it did on me?

Let me know.

What is the meaning of life?

To live,

To live in the mystery

and to find purpose

and to live in the now

Magic.

Now!

What is your most adventurous memory?

This

I remember this

This is an adventure

This, this the memory

What advice do you have for younger generations?

Younger generations…?

Live in the moment

Don’t get old

Don’t judge people

Because you can’t be free if you judge people

Love now

Create

Inspire

How do you define free?

By doing what you love

What is that?

This

This is the moment

Love

Now

It repeats.

What other advice do you have for us?

That your always doing what is in your heart

You can’t get away from your heart

Life is a paradox

It’s a mirror of confusion

so,

Love…

Now!

Who do you love?

I love

All of you

*****

Mathew Silver

http://matthew-silver.com

Maybe you would now like to see the video?

About Mathew

My role as a clown, trickster and village idiot is to parody excessive seriousness by playing with taboos, rules, and social norms. My inspiration comes from my heart. I perform for smiles and laughter, loosening people’s armor, and opening up a portal for imagination, creativity and love.

Some people see me as a raving lunatic, pompous “artistic” hipster, or attention-starved 9 year-old, but people don’t consciously understand the role of a clown in society. Read between the lines and you will start to see things from a different perspective. By breaking down boundaries, I provide you, the viewer, with permission to open your mind and realize it’s okay to act silly from time to time. We may trick ourselves into believing we know everything, constantly striving for perfection in a society that requires a civilized, job-holding, serious individual. We cannot be perfect. If we allow ourselves the chance to be flawed perhaps we can let the obstacles humble us, rather than make us rigid. In the end we can let our guards down to attain our most basic need of giving and receiving love.