Scott Trail Rocket Shoe

Posted on February 18, 2014 by talkultra

Following on from the extremely successful and popular T2 Kinabalu (review HERE and ladies review HERE) Scott have produced an out and out trail running race shoe aptly named the Trail Rocket.

Sporting many features from the T2 Kinabalu this new incarnation in principal is a completely different beast. The aggressive outsole from the T2 is gone leaving a shoe (and grip) that will fly along on dry and hard pack trail, however, if mud is your thing on first impressions the T2 will be a far better choice.

Following the trend for low drop shoes, the Trail Rocket now has a 5mm heel to toe drop in comparison to the 11mm drop of the T2. However, don’t look at this as an either/ or option. The T2 and Trail Rocket are worlds apart and as such the appropriate shoe should be chosen depending on many factors. I very much see owners of the T2 purchasing the Trail Rocket for faster and shorter sessions and Trail Rocket owners looking to purchase the T2 for longer days when terrain could be very unpredictable.

The upper is very breathable with a wide toe box, snug heel compartment that provides a solid and secure fit and importantly, toe protection is good should you have any unwanted encounters with rocks or obstacles on the trail. The shoe is designed to work well with or without socks, the choice is yours. Sizing is true to size, however, if you are going without socks you may want to check what works for you. Lacing is solid and depending on your preferred lacing method the shoe holds firm to the foot and is extremely comfortable. The laces themselves have stretch and once tied hold firm and don’t come loose. Missing from the front of the shoe is the elastic bungee that could hold and retain excess lace (see T2 review). I don’t understand this? It was a simple addition that added no weight but provided a really practical solution to a problem that exists for all runners unless you use Salomon!

They are lightweight and versatile trail shoes designed for maximum performance for racing and fast training and as such they won’t appeal to everyone. The minimalistic design in combination with the eRide™ Technology promotes an efficient, natural and fast running style. Arguably, the eRide™ (rocker) is not required for this model of shoe as a 5mm drop will almost certainly mean that your run form should already be good and mid to forefoot landing is normal. However, should you be transitioning to lower drop shoes the eRide™ will help guide you on your way.

As you would expect, the shoes weigh in at a light 260g (UK9) which is obviously due to the minimalist design and Aerofoam.

Forefoot cushioning is 17.5 and rear cushioning 22.5 providing a shoe that still provides good cushioning and protection. How far can you run in them? Well it very much depends on your form, adaptation and technique. Without doubt I think we will see many efficient runners covering 100-miles in this shoe, however, for many it will be a great mountain marathon shoe, 50k or 50-mile race option shoe.

Importantly, the shoe has no rock plate and that my prove an issue for many?

Slipping the shoe on you have that confirmed comfort feeling inherited from the T2 Kinabalu, so, it’s fair to say that if you are a fan of its beefier brother you are going to like the Trail Rocket.

You zip along feeling very light and although this is considered a more minimalist racing shoe, overall comfort is great.

On road it performs exceptionally well, that is a real bonus for many of us who may need to transition to trail either by connecting roads or maybe you need to access trail with a jog to and from home.

On hard trail and rock you fly along. The Trail Rocket has great response and promotes a faster pace… that may or may not be a good thing? Certainly if you are new to ultra racing or looking to complete rather than compete, the Trail Rocket may not be the shoe for you. I would recommend the T2 and use the Trail Rocket for faster training sessions or shorter trail races.

The lack of a rock plate was noticeable when on continued rocky or gnarly ground. It wasn’t an issue or caused any problems, BUT if I was doing a long race over continually tough and technical terrain then this would become a problem and for sure, my feet would be tired. This is not a fault of the shoe, one just needs to choose the appropriate shoe for the terrain and length of session

Ultimately, the Trail Rocket is a great shoe. It doesn’t replace the T2 in any way, in actual fact it compliments it and I therefore I see Trail Rocket owners having a pair of T2’s and vice versa.

Recommended!

Specs:

Drop 5mm
Upper – mesh with synthetic overlays
Lower – eva/ rubber

Scott Running website HERE

RAB MOUNTAIN MOUNTAIN™ – NEW ORGANISING TEAM FOR 2014!

Posted on February 17, 2014 by talkultra

©johnbrooke

The popular Rab Mountain Marathon™ has new owners after a transfer of ownership by Peak District based Dark and White, to Ourea Events. The event is a two-day fell running and navigation challenge for solos and pairs with an overnight camp, which moves to a new location each year.

With events like the Dragon’s Back Race™, the Great Lakeland 3Day™ and Marmot Dark Mountains™, Shane Ohly and his team from Ourea Events have been steadily building a reputation for delivering high quality mountain running events in recent years and this move puts the iconic Rab Mountain Marathon™ in safe hands. A self confessed mountain marathon addict, Ohly, was clearly delighted with the move, “Since its launch in 2007, the Rab Mountain Marathon™ has proved a firm favourite with the mountain marathon community and we have no intention of changing the event format in any way, which I know is excellent having taken part myself”.

The Rab Mountain Marathon™ has a score only format, which minimises the chance of ‘snakes’ of runners all heading to the same control, maximises route choice and offers a more personal mountain marathon experience. Over the years the event has built up a deserved reputation for being relaxed and welcoming with a fun and friendly atmosphere. The lack of prescribed start times, the wide spread of prize categories (including Veteran and Super Veteran) and the opportunity for younger competitors (aged 14+) to participate have all helped to cultivate this unique mountain marathon experience.

©johnbrooke

Ohly continued, “The Long Score and Short Score options put the competitors in control of how long they spend out each day, and also provide an almost unlimited challenge for the leading elite runners. It is a great format that Dark and White have devised and I would like to thank Adrian Boyes and his team for all their hard work over the years”.

Adrian Boyes, the owner of Dark and White explained his decision for the change, “Due to personal/family circumstances I am unfortunately no longer able to devote the necessary time to organising and controlling the Rab MM. The event has been very successful over the past 7 years and it was not an easy decision to relinquish control. After lengthy discussions with Shane Ohly I am 100% confident that the event is in very safe hands and that the spirit and ethos of the event will continue for many years to come.”

Rab Marketing Manager, Dan Thompson said, “Rab would like to thank to Adrian Boyes and the whole team at Dark and White for building the Rab Mountain Marathon™ into a popular and important event in the mountain running calendar. All of us at Rab are excited about working with Shane and his team at Ourea Events in the future – they have lots of experience of participating in and delivering these type of events, and they have no plans to make changes to what is a popular event format. We’re looking forward to an exciting future for the Rab Mountain Marathon™.”

The 8th Rab Mountain Marathon™ will be held on the 27th and 28th September 2014 and entries have opened today.

For further Information about:

Rab Mountain Marathon, please visit www.RabMountainMarathon.com or contact Shane Ohly on 07771516962 or info@RabMountainMarathon.com

Key Event Information

Website: www.RabMountainMarathon.com

Date: 27th & 28th September 2014

Venue: Northern England

Entry: from £47.50

Courses: Long Score and Short Score

The Dragon’s Back is back!

Posted on February 17, 2014 by talkultra

I am now able to confirm the dates for the third iconic Dragon’s Back Race™ in 2015. The race will depart from Conwy on Monday 22nd June and finish five days later at Carreg Cennen Castle in South Wales.

In the last few weeks there has been a comprehensive update of the Dragon’s Back Race™ website and the majority of details for the 2015 race are now available online.

There is bound to be much speculation about the first day of the race, which in 2012 included all the Welsh 3000ft peaks, and the notoriously exposed Grib y Ddysgl ridge between Crib Goch and Garnedd Ugain. Some competitors felt that the route was too hard. This is something I have consider very carefully and just like 2012, I shall be keeping the details of the final route secret until the competitor briefing on the night before the race. However, the keen eyed will have spotted that the estimated distance for Day 1 in 2015 is 7km / 600m less than 2012. Competitors can certainly infer that the Day 1 route in 2015 is going to be slightly different, but they should not make the mistake of thinking it is going to be easier!

The 2015 course will be similar, but not identical, to the 2012 route. The 2012 route took its inspiration from the original 1992 Dragon’s Back Race™ and again for 2015, it is our absolute intention to stay true to the original concept of running the mountainous spine of Wales.

Also new for the 2015 race will be live tracking of the competitors so that friends and family can watch all the action unfold in real time each day.

The deadline for Dragon’s Back Race™ 2015 applications is Monday 8th September 2014. Please do not delay if you are intending to enter and get yourself registered and familiar with the online process.

If you were interested in volunteering as a marshal at the Dragon’s Back Race™ the Application process is now open.

The Dragon’s Back website HERE
Check out the DVD HERE it’s a great watch!

The Coastal Challenge 2014 #TCC2014 – Image Gallery

Posted on February 13, 2014 by talkultra

All images are available to purchase from iancorless.photoshelter.com

Please respect the ©copyright on these images.

No reproduction, sharing or adding to social media please.

: Julia Bottger ©iancorless.com

Interested in the 2015 Coastal Challenge?

Early bird discounts HERE

The Coastal Challenge Images #TCC2014

Posted on February 12, 2014 by talkultra

Images from the 10th edition of The Coastal Challenge are now available on my photoshelter website.

You can view them HERE

A portfolio of images will be updated on this website in the coming days.

Like the Wind Magazine is launched

Posted on February 11, 2014 by talkultra

Like The Wind Magazine is launched

Really pleased to see this project come together. Like the Wind provides a new perspective on running and I am really pleased to have provided content for the first edition.

Please check it out!

Website: http://www.likethewindmagazine.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/likethewindmag

Twitter: @LikeTheWindMag

Tweeted by @Gearselected

“Buy @LikeTheWindMag if you live & breathe running: check out this spectacular Skyrunning photo by Ian Corless”

Interview Brigid Wefelnberg – Ladies in Ultra

Posted on February 11, 2014 by talkultra

LADIES IN ULTRA

A new series of interviews about everyday women doing extraordinary things…

be inspired!

“The only horrible thing in the world is ennui,” Oscar Wilde once wrote, suggesting that boredom doesn’t feel much better in French. “That is the one sin for which there is no forgiveness.”

And no surprise that that is Brigid’s motto or leitmotiv in life! This ultra-lady has tons of energy to spare and boredom is not part of this athlete’s vocabulary. She’s permanently on the go or shall I say “on the run”, the penultimate globe-trotting ultra-runner. But make no mistake – tough as nails and metronomically endurant she might be but Brigid knows how to remain glam, look after 2 teenage kids and incidentally hold down a full time job.

She’s run through deserts, jungles, up and down mountains all over the globe. Multi-stage, ultra-long, exotic, extreme ……those are her pre-requisites for entering an event.

Marathon des Sables, Bhutan Ultra, Cambodia Ultra, The Volcano Ultra, Kalahari Augrabies Extreme …..she’s been there, she’s done it, you can’t miss the long blonde mane amidst the pack of tough sinewy seasoned ultra runners. But enough said over to Brigid ……

How did your passion for running start?

I live in the Black Forest and while I was studying, I discovered hiking and trekking here, then moved on to speed and alpine walking. Somehow this was too slow for me, so I started running to cover greater distances. But it actually wasn’t until a friend called my attention to the Marathon des Sables in 2005 that my running passion really got cooking – and is still very much cooking.

What makes you tick in ultra-running?

I have a great passion for extremely long distances on difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions. Sounds strange, but that’s what “cooks my noodle” as it were. When I realized I had a talent for this, it made it easier to put up with the hard times and whatever pain my body had. Crossing a finish line after so many hard kilometers is always such bliss!

What are your criteria for event selection?

Definitely ultra distance, difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions which usually means desert. I also love jungles and polar areas. I do not do any events that are close to home. My events have to be in far away exotic places. When I’m older and don’t have any sponsors, then I’ll have to/want to stay closer to home. But for now, the further away the better!

Tell us about your training?

I am not one of those people who has very strict training or nutritional plans. I train hard and long, but I do it at the times of the week where work and time allow. I only do long stretches, i.e. I don’t leave the house for any distance shorter than 20 km. I run anywhere between 20 and 50 kms in training, depending on how soon it is till the next race.

How do you manage to look so good and yet complete these tough events?

Oh wow, thanks for the wonderful compliment! Sport and sweating out toxins is wonderful for the skin. I am also not your typical too-thin runner. I’ve always had a few more pounds on my ribs, a bit more baby fat (I’ll call it…) which gives the skin perhaps a healthier glow.

At the moment, I’m hopelessly in love with my boyfriend Jürgen, which they say makes one look younger. A lot of people are telling me I look really good and I credit Jürgen for that.

I also think state of mind and where you put your mental energy actually play a major factor in looking good. I don’t worry about things like diet or being envious of other people or things that aren’t worth stressing about. I had quite a turbulent childhood, life seems easy now. I think that is definitely reflected in the way we look.

You are a single mother of two – how do you fit this in your schedule?

I have a very convenient working arrangement with my employer, Nagarro Software, an Indian software company based in Delhi, and that is that I do most of my work from my home office in the Black Forest. My kids are also a bit older now (17 and 21) so they don’t need constant attention – and the days of Hotel Mama are over! I can arrange my work schedule and my training schedule as I need and can cater to everything I have on my plate at any given time.

Another factor is that I don’t spend time doing ANYTHING that does not bring me closer to my goals – no shopping sprees or sitting in cafes for hours, etc. Nothing that is just time-consuming but doesn’t get me anywhere. This gives me more time to work on things that are really important to me.

How do you approach to diet and nutrition?

I love this question, ’cause it’s so easy to answer! I eat what I want, when I want and how much of it I want. Most of what I eat is healthy stuff, as sports tend to make us feel like eating healthy. But I don’t spend a lot of mental energy I need for high-performance sports on thinking too much about food. I basically just enjoy whatever I feel like!

What about your best running memory?

I have just completed one of the most difficult ultra-races on earth, the TransOmania, a 300 km non-stop race across the Omani Wahiba Desert. After many years of running experience, I have to say this race is best the damn running thing that has ever happened to me!

And your worst?

I’m not sure what my worst running memory is but I’m thinking of one bad memory from a race that was actually an incredible experience as well, the Cambodia Ultra which I did just this past December. Everything was going great on the first two stages – but suddenly I got diarrhea from the third to fifth stages, which totally slowed me down. I had to stop more often and longer to “enjoy the landscape” as I had ever wanted. And I often had to pit stop in front of locals, not having enough time to go behind the bushes. Was pretty embarrassing and frustrating!

You have done so many races, can you recommend a couple?

I can highly recommend the Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon 250 km in South Africa, or Les Volcans de l’Extreme 250 km on Java in Indonesia. I could only recommend the TransOmania for those who really want to torture themselves over 3 or 4 days!

What events do you have coming up?

Just having finished the TransOmania so shortly after the Cambodia Ultra 220 km, I’ll be taking a break from training for a few weeks, then I’ll be preparing for the Madagascar Ultra of 250 km and the other big highlight of this year the TransArabia, another 300 km non-stop ultra across Jordan. I guess I just can’t get enough!

Web: http://www.brigidwefelnberg.com/

Niandi Carmont

Interview by Niandi Carmont

Niandi is South African born, a former resident of Paris, she now lives in the UK. A runner for over 20-years; Niandi has completed Comrades Marathon 13-times, Washie 100 2-times and has finished well over 100 marathons and ultras all over the world. Currently residing in the UK, Niandi splits her work life between the UK and France.

LADIES IN ULTRAI think this quote pretty much sums up what Ladies in Ultra is about:

“I’m strong, I’m tough, I still wear my eyeliner.” – Lisa Leslie (Basketball)

Personally I have never entered any events reserved solely for women and am unlikely to do so but that is another debate. For me the appeal in ultra-running lies in the fact that it is a sport where you will find yourself on the start-line with like-minded runners sharing the same goal and passion irrespective of sex, race, gender, ability or age.

However, as an ultra ‘lady’ myself I always wear my lipstick. And yes it’s OK to wear those pink N—trainers with the Swarovski crystals. Heck it doesn’t make me run any faster but let’s say it’s just that feminine touch – a statement. Tough, hard, sweaty, gritty and going for pit-stops on ultra-routes does not mean you can’t be or don’t feel the need to be feminine. It does not mean that your vocabulary cannot compete with that of a paratrooper’s when the going gets tough. Some of us feel the need to be feminine, some of us don’t. We all want to achieve and compete either against ourselves, other women, or the whole field (and chick guys too!).

Basically, the Ladies in Ultra interviewees are from a heterogeneous background in terms of nationality, age, experience, profile. Some fit their passion in in busy schedules and juggle with personal and professional commitments. Others are sponsored athletes but the common denominator is “the fairer sex”.

So that excludes Tony, Mike, Bruce …..have I forgotten anyone?

Ladies in Ultra will be a new series of interviews about everyday women doing extraordinary things… be inspired!

The Coastal Challenge – Stage 6 – Drakes Bay to Drakes Bay

Posted on February 7, 2014 by talkultra

All good things must come to an end and today on the beaches of Drakes Bay, the 10^th edition of the 2014 The Costal Challenge came to a close.

It has been an epic race that has thrown daily excitement from all angles. The men’s race in particular has been a nail biter with a constant battle for the top slot. However, Mr.Consisitent, Mike Wardian produced the goods on a daily basis with some of the most impressive running I have had the pleasure to witness. Jeez does Mike like to win and boy does he know how to dig deep!

Mike Wardian TCC2014 Champion ©iancorless.com

Jo Meek from the UK dominated the 10^th edition producing a stand out performance on a daily basis. Setting her stall out on day-1, Jo won with a convincing 45-min margin. However, she didn’t relax, consistently pushing, consistently running scared, Jo took each day as an individual race and on the beach at Drake she was crowned the 2014 Champion.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Today’s stage was very much a celebration of the previous 5-days racing. With the ‘GC’ established, a unanimous decision was made by all the front-runners that stage-6 would be a Tour de France style victory lap.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

It was great to see the fun and the laughter between all the runners on the trails. Tired and aching bodies once again managed to produce another effort to cover the wonderful circular route of the Corcovado National Park.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Pura Vida TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Starting with a gentle road incline, participants dropped into a long river section before climbing out and negotiating rocks and a waterfall. Climbing up through lush green vegetation, they then ran through plains and plantation fields before finally making the journey back to the start by weaving in and out of the coast. Beach after beach, cove after cove the finish line at Drakes was a welcome and well earnt reward for each and every participant.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

It was quite a sight to see the top-5 men run to the line as one!

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Michael Wardian said post race, “The Coastal Challenge was a test in so many ways. So much varied terrain. It suited different strengths and weaknesses. I feel really honoured to have the over all victory. The other guys really did push me and I had to fight… I guess it’s a shame a race can only have one winner. But it was a pleasure to have a victory loop on the last day. A memory I won’t soon forget.”

Julia Bottger TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Julia Bottger and Jo Meek ran together early in the stage but Bottger said post race, “that was by far the most beautiful stage. I was just having fun out there so I hope Jo didn’t mind I pushed on ahead.” As Meek crossed the line, the relief was clear, “I really did not have anything left today. I just took it easy and had comfort in my almost 60-min lead. It’s been a real honour to have such an incredible race with such wonderful people.” Veronica Bravo smiled her way around the TCC course and placed a solid 3rd place. Her joy was visible on the line as the realisation that a tough week was over.

Veronica Bravo TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Finish lines are all about emotion and I love to see 6-days effort unfold in a split second. Cheers and laughter, hugs and screams; it’s why we all do our sport.

Carlos Sa TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Nick Clark TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Beneito TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Philipp Reiter TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

The Coastal Challenge is one of the toughest races out there… relentless heat, plenty of climbing and multiple terrain variations require a runner to be ‘rounded’. Each and every person, first or last, can take comfort in a great achievement and the medal should take pride of place as a just reminder of what was achieved in February 2014.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Pura Vida!

RESULTS Stage-6

Mike Wardian all same time
Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito
Philipp Reiter
Marti Gaffuri
Nick Clark

Julia Bottger
Jo Meek
Veronica Bravo

Results and times to follow

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION Confirmed

Wardian 23:26:23
Beneito +0:25:32
Reiter +0:31:31

Meek 29:17:19
Bottger +0:57:02
Bravo +3:07:06

Episode 54 – Gary Robbins & Vlad Ixel

Posted on February 7, 2014 by talkultra

This is episode 54 of talk Ultra we speak with Gary Robbins on his repeat victory at Hurt 100 and his plans for 2014. We also speak to rising star, Vlad Ixel who recently placed 3rd overall at HK100. We have the news, a blog, up and coming races and of course Speedgoat Karl.

NEWS

Results Coldwater Rumble

Catlow Shipeck 15:09:52
Tsutomu Nagata 16:14:21
Jeremy Bradford 18:29:30

Gina Dhaliwai 20:05:43
Katelyne Fishbeck 21:00:52
Emz Eliason 23:26:14

Arrowhead 135

Scott Hoberg 43:26:00
Juhn Storkamp 46:30:00
Alicia Hudelson 47:59:00 and 1st lady

Rocky Raccoon coming up with Pam Smith and Michele Yates and Ian Sharman.

Looks like Michele is going to shoot for a new CR… also, Ian Sharman.

Shaun O’Brian 50 coming up

Wings for Life World Run – http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/stories/1331613656531/wings-for-life-world-run

On the recent episode of Talk Ultra I interviewed Johan Van De Merwe. For those who don’t know, running in SA can sometimes be a little risky… however, has anyone ever experienced this anywhere else in the world?

“My mid-week long run was cut short at the 18km mark by two robbers with knives. Had to walk 7km’s back home on my socks. Took my shoes and bottle-belt but luckily left my Garmin!!” Johan Vd Merwe

BLOG

Not a blog but a great post that had many fooled…. http://athleticsillustrated.com/humour/dubai-marathon-winner-mekonnen-not-18-years-of-age/

“Just as the worldwide running community suspected, it turns out that the supposed “18-year-old” Ethiopian, Tsegaye Mekonnen Asefa, who won the Standard Dubai Marathon Sunday, January 20^th, in a near world-record time of 2:04:32 is not 18 years of age. It turns out that the brand new “world junior” record holder is actually just 12. When interviewed shortly after his race he said, “When I grow up I want to be an Injera and Wat Chef.”

Mekonnen currently trains between 175 and 190 kilometres per week. His training week includes a three hour long run, done without a watch, as well as a two interval sessions. One is a fartlek session, the other is made up of long intervals, “I run two kilometre repeats at 9000 metres elevation in 6:20 with a one minute jog recovery 10 times,” said the shy athlete as he played on the village swing set. Mekonnen’s next goal is a sub-27 minute 10,000 metres during the IAAF Diamond League, this spring.”

TALK TRAINING

with Karl Meltzer preparing to run your first long ultra, be that 100km or 100-miles

Hint’s n Tips

1. Choose a race

2. What time period to prepare

3. Key sessions

4. Recovery

5. Core & Strength

6. Warm up races

7. Prepare the mind

8. How long is long in training

9. The taper

10. the race

INTERVIEW

Gary Robbins once again returned to the tough and technical HURT100 course and came away with another victory. We caught up with him for a blow-by-blow account and he tells us his plans for 2014.

INTERVIEW

Vlad Ixel from Australia recently placed 3rd overall at the HK100 ahead of impressive runners such as Vajin Armstrong, Dave Mackey and Jez Bragg. We caught up with him to find out about his story and expectations for the coming year.

MELTZER MOMENT

Good

Bad

Ugly

UP & COMING RACES

Australia

Queensland

Caboolture Historical Village Dusk to Dawn 100km | 100 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Caboolture Historical Village Dusk to Dawn 50km | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Victoria

Dendy Park Urban Trail 50K | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Belgium

Wallonia

Trail des bosses – 65 km | 65 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Chad

TREG | 170 kilometers | February 12, 2014 | website

Chile

El Cruce Columbia | 103 kilometers | February 07, 2014 | website

Finland

Lapland

Rovaniemi 150 | 150 kilometers | February 14, 2014 | website

France

Aude

Gruissan Phoebus Trail | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Aveyron

Trail des Ruthènes | 65 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Côtes-d’Armor

Défi Glazig (45 + 18) | 63 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Germany

Lower Saxony

Brocken-Challenge | 86 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

India

Run the Rann 101 km | 101 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Italy

Marche

Maratona sulla sabbia – Ultra maratona | 50 kilometers | February 09, 2014 | website

Jordan

Sahara Race | 250 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Nicaragua

Fuego y Agua 100k | 100 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Fuego y Agua 100k Relay | 100 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Fuego y Agua 50k | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Fuego y Agua Survival Run | 70 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Oman

Wadi Bih Run | 72 kilometers | February 07, 2014 | website

Philippines

Hardcore Hundred Miles | 100 miles | February 21, 2014 | website

Senegal

100 km du Sénégal | 100 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

South Africa

Three Cranes Challenge | 106 kilometers | February 20, 2014 | website

Wild Coast Ultra | 270 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Sweden

Ice Ultra | 230 kilometers | February 14, 2014 | website

Thailand

The North Face 100® – Thailand | 100 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

The North Face 100® – Thailand – 50 km Solo | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

United Kingdom

Devon

Coastal Trail Series – South Devon – Ultra | 34 miles | February 08, 2014 | website

Kent

Moonlight Challenge | 32 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

USA

Alabama

Black Warrior/Phillip Parker 50k Trail Run | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Alaska

Little Su 50K | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Susitna 100 | 100 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

Arizona

Black Canyon Trail 100K Run | 100 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Pemberton Trail 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Ragnar Relay Del Sol | 200 miles | February 21, 2014 | website

Arkansas

Sylamore Trail 50k | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

California

American Canyon 50K Ultramarathon | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Bandit Ultra Trail Run 50K | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

West Coast 50K | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Florida

Destin 50K Beach Ultra | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Destin 50M Beach Ultra | 50 miles | February 16, 2014 | website

Iron Horse 100 km | 100 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Iron Horse 100 Mile | 100 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

Iron Horse 50 Mile | 50 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

Manasota Track Club 50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Ragnar Relay Florida Keys | 199 miles | February 07, 2014 | website

Kansas

Psycho Wyco Run Toto Run 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Nevada

Jackpot Ultra Running Festival 100 Miler | 100 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

North Carolina

Maysville to Macon 50 Mile Run | 50 miles | February 08, 2014 | website

Ohio

Run for Regis 50K | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Oregon

Bristow 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Hagg Lake 50k Trail run | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

South Carolina

Mill Stone 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Texas

Cross Timbers Trail Runs 50M | 50 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

Piney Woods TrailFest 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Valentine Golden Hearts 50K | 50 kilometers | February 09, 2014 | website

Valentine Romantic Couples 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Valentine Romantic Couples 50 Mile | 50 miles | February 08, 2014 | website

Utah

Moab’s Red Hot 55K | 55 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Virginia

Holiday Lake 50K | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

The Wild Oak Trail 100 | 100 miles | February 08, 2014 | website

Washington

Fishline 50K | 50 kilometers | February 09, 2014 | website

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The Coastal Challenge – Stage 5 – Sierpe to Drakes Bay

Posted on February 7, 2014 by talkultra

The Coastal Challenge, Costa Rica TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

What a beautiful day! A short bus drive from camp to Sierpe; a ferry crossing to the other side of the river and on the stroke of 0600 runners departed on the journey to the beautiful and iconic Drakes Bay. It was already humid and as the sun burnt the morning mist away, temperatures rose.

The stunning river journey to meet runners at CP2 TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

If Philipp Reiter or Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito had any chance of taking overall victory away from Mike Wardian, they would need to work hard in the middle section of the course whilst running through the rainforest and plantation fields and hopefully gain enough time to put ‘Mr. Consistent’ in the hurt locker. The only problem in this scenario was Wardian! After CP2 he had gained a 3min lead and with a course profile that suited him down to the ground it was going to take a blow up of epic proportions to see him loose not only the stage but also the overall race. “I felt good man, I opened it up when the running was good and held on when the running was more technical,” said Wardian.

I have to say, Wardian has been an absolute star and a great ambassador for ‘our’ sport in this race. He’s pushed hard, fought back on tough days and irrespective of the outcome has had a huge smile on his face… okay, maybe he wasn’t smiling too much when he was 14-min down on stage-3 but he sure was at the finish when he not only pulled back the gap but went on for a joint stage win with Reiter.

Jo Meek ready for the off! TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Meek, as one would have expected, started the day at the front of the ladies race and although Bottger caught her back at CP3, Meek took the stage by the scruff of the neck and rand hard to the finish for another stage win! “I was hurting today and didn’t feel great. When Julia caught me at CP3 I panicked… I know it’s crazy as I had an hour lead but the racer kicked in and I flew out of the CP and buried myself to the line,” said Meek after the race.

Meek has been phenomenal in this race, like Wardian she had moments when things did not go well (stage-3 at the start) but Meek played to her strengths, pushed hard and has quite literally dominated from the front.

Clark ran easy today, his issues from yesterday strong in his mind, he just wanted to finish without causing any damage. He ran with Gaffuri for a while but later dropped to 5^th.

Beneito however, seized the opportunity to run strong and pursued Wardian all the way to the line with Reiter running in 3^rd place for most of the day. The lack of any steep vertical played into Wardian’s hands and once again he was first past the post; 2-stage wins and a joint stage win with Reiter, not bad for 5-days racing.

Reiter couldn’t close the gap on Beneito, so once again Beneito finished 2^nd.

Once Meek had a ‘scare’ at CP3 she ran like a lady possessed and finished almost 5-mins ahead of Bottger and Bravo was 30-mins back. With Gemma Slaughter out of the race due to stomach issues, fellow Canadian and teammate, Van Dyk finished 4^th on stage and this moves her up on the overall GC.

Drakes Bay, the mangroves, the rainforest, the plantation fields and the beaches are the best of Costa Rica. Today’s stage may have lacked elevation but it was replaced with beauty.

Stage-6 is a circular route of Drakes Bay and will be a victory lap for all runners. The overall GC is not going to change (barring a disaster) so it’s a great moment to celebrate the company of others and soak up the surrounding of the best of Costa Rica, The 10^th edition of The Costal Challenge has been an epic!

RESULTS Stage-5