Salomon Sense ULTRA

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The long awaited ‘Sense Ultra‘ has arrived. THANK YOU Santa……

As many of you will know, the ‘Sense‘ has become the shoe of choice for those who are wanting to run on trail with a minimalist and responsive shoe. However, we can’t all be as efficient as Kilian Jornet or Andy Symonds.

The Sense Ultra offers a little more but holds true to all the elements that have made the ‘sense’ so popular.

The Salomon S-LAB Sense Ultra Racing is one of the lightest trail shoes ever made. It is heavier than the Sense but has added strengthening of the sole for longer and harder races.

It has the new lacing system: Quicklace this reduces the weight of Sense.
Dynamic Traction:  allows the Salomon S lab Sense  optimum grip in all conditions. It wasdeveloped by Solomon with the greatest athletes without any compromise. It has different grip and texture which has been designed to optimize grip when it is necessary.
EndoFit: has an inner liner to the shoe designed for positioning the foot optimally.
Drop: a low 4mm drop to provide a natural contact and feel with the ground.
OS TENDON: Thanks to this system inserted in the sole of the S lab intermediare sense, there is a natural flow with excellent energy return.
Profeet Film: is a protection film that will protect your foot area from angular or sharp objects that are on the trail. The Sense offers maximum protection despite its lightness.
Weight: 240g in 8.5 U.S.

When you lift up the box you think wait a minute… they forgot the shoes! Not so. These ‘runners’ are super light.

The lacing system as with all Salomon in reassuring and holds the foot firm.

The addition of the internal ‘Endofit’ makes the shoe more comfortable than you would ever imagine. They can be a little tight to get on at first and you may initially think; uh oh, wrong size. But once your foot is it is snug and supremely comfortable. The most comfortable shoe I have ever worn.

I am not a small guy and the therefore I always felt the original ‘Sense‘ was maybe just a little too minimal for me… certainly on longer runs! not so with the ‘Ultra’. The additional cushioning is immediately apparent.

The sole has grip but nothing like the ‘SLab Softground‘ or ‘Speedcross‘. The shoe is therefore certainly more suited to road and hard pack (or rocky) trail. If your running in soft ground they perform perfectly but if you are a great deal of mud the added grip of the Soft Ground or Speedcross may be a better choice.

In use they are a dream to wear. On the roads they are light, responsive and provide that feel that I have had with traditional racing flats. The bonus with the ‘Sense Ultra’ is the hold of the foot. The speed lacing and Endofit provide supreme comfort. On the trails this becomes even more apparent as the foot moves from left to right with changes in terrain.

It’s early days in testing but this shoe will not be of my feet for a while… they are so comfortable I would even be tempted to use them as slippers.

Now then, I need to go run…..

Get Ready For – The Otter

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For this last episode of 3rd season of Get Ready For. Seb bring us to the heart of the Tsitsikamma National Park, South Africa. The Otter African Trail Run is one of the most popular trail in South Africa, because of its difficulty, originality and location.

It is most certainly a race for the bucket list.

Magnetic South has been given permission to run the Otter in alternate directions on a yearly basis.

2012:  from WEST to EAST, the “Up-Run” – the RETTO

2013:  from EAST to WEST, the “Down-Run” – the OTTER

The OTTER – African Trail Run – the iconic and South Africa’s most popular 5 day hike, the Otter, has been walked from Storms River to Nature’s Valley right from its inception. Following this route the Otter – African Trail Run took place 3 years in a row from East to West.

The RETTO (Otter spelt backwards) –  Two scouting runs have been done in the last month to ensure our Safety Management Plan has considered all the variables associated with running the trail in reverse. The 2012 ”Retto” as it has been nicknamed, will still include over 2600m of elevation in its 42km traversed, however the experience of running the route with the sea constantly on your right is going to give you a completely different thrill and perspective to this spectacular challenge.

The OTTER course record is held by Ryan Sandes 4:40:15 and Jeannie Bomford 5:17:12

The RETTO course record is held by Iain Don Wauchope 4:23:24 and Krissy Moehl 5:24:59

Les Templiers race coverage

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Coverage for the 2012 ultra Skyrunning Les Templiers starts today with photos, tweets and facebook posts coming live from Millau.

Runners from around the world will arrive, register and prepare for Sunday’s race.

Race day coverage will start at approximately 4am and run all day. You can read a preview of the race HERE.

I will be covering key points of the race as follows:

  • Peyrelau – old village
  • Route Alleyrac – provides a view of Causse Noir it’s a technical spot
  • St Jean des Balmes/ La Rougarie
  • Roquesaltes – a protected sight with a giant stone arch
  • Montmejean – old castle
  • La Roque Ste Margurite – old cobbled streets witht he beginning of an ascent to Larzac
  • Massebiau – old bridge and descent to Larzac
  • La Pouncho D’ Agast – a highpoint view of Millau
  • La Grotte Du Hibou – the owls cave
  • Finish – Millau

Photographs will be tweeted live and uploaded to facebook as and when possible and images will be uploaded to my blog with a report and summary the evening after the race.

Please spread the word and encourage following the race. This is the final of the ultra World series. Kilian Jornet will be crowned champion but the ladies race is open… it’s going to be an exciting race!

A race preview from Skyrunning is available below:

Les Templiers pre-dawn start. ©Festival des Templiers

The final of the Skyrunner® Ultra Series raises the curtains on the 72 k Course des Templiers in Millau, France on October 28 with a larger-than-life start-line that has become the hallmark of skyrunning events.

Sunday’s race will pit the world’s top runners against each other and particularly the women’s field is set for battle with stars like Anna Frost, Nuria Picasand Emelie Forsberg competing for the Ultra Champion title.  Maud Gobert, last year’s winner, will not only have to deal with the top three ranked runners but will face heavy-duty competition from Lizzy Hawker, Silvia Serafini and Francesca Canepa.  The men’s title has, to all effects, already gone to Kilian Jornet who boasts 300 points – unattainable even if Andy Symonds wins.

Andy Symonds is of course a firm favourite for a repeat performance and other British runners feature strongly as podium contenders: Tom Owens, ranked 3rd in the recent World Series final in Malaysia, will no doubt excel, while Terry Conway, forced to retire at the Ultra Cavalls del Vent, is ready for another shot at a big international event.

©Festival des Templiers

Spain’s Miguel Heras who, like Conway, was a victim to the weather at the last event, is a consistent top performer. Of the French runners competing in the Ultra Series, Francois d’Haene, fourth at Transvulcania and 6th here last year is joined by Greg Vollet, while sadly Thomas Lorblanchet, second last year, and three-times race winner, is injured.

The end of the long racing season is taking its toll and counts several other notable absentees which include American Dakota Jones, Germany’s Philipp Reiter and Italy’s Giuliano Cavallo.  (See Ultra Series ranking)

Look out for Stephanie Jimenez (France) and Fulvio Dapit (Italy), a husband-and-wife team but respectively Salomon and La Sportiva on the racing scene. Both are recent Ultra “converts” who are expected to perform well in this incredibly deep field which also includes past race winner, Nepal’sDawa Sherpa, together with a long list of first-rate French runners.

With such a dazzling line-up let’s not forget all the 2,500 competitors who will face a total 3,200 metres of ascent and ascent along 73 kilometres together with a forecast of… zero temperatures.  The steep rocky course along the secret paths of the Templars promises to close the season in the best possible way where everything can only be described as “ultra”.

5 Races 5 Continents

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If possible, you may want to check out this movie as part of the festival AFF 2012 (link here) – Endurance Adventure will take you across the world. From Antarctica, with the world’s first unsupported expedition to walk to the South Pole and back again, to ultra-running across five continents (as outlined below) and chasing the disappearing Colorado River.

5 Races 5 Continents

At the beginning of the 2011 trail running season Kilian Jornet set out to win five races on five continents. The lengths varied in distance, climate and altitude – from a 100 mile race in the scorching heat of the Sierra Nevada Mountains to the vertical ascent of South East Asia’s highest mountain in Malaysian Borneo, Mount Kinabalu.

Follow his experiences over the year, from the pressures of high-end competition to his unprecedented performance and success. This story is not just about what he has achieved, but rather what he has learnt from running in these surroundings and the emotions they bring. The film immerses itself in the trail communities around the world as Kilian and his teammates, friends and competitors try to understand the desire they have for the mountains and running.

For many, it is the simplicity of running, its meditative nature and the freedom it offers to explore new landscapes that drives their passion for the sport. 5 Races, 5 Continents is an inspirational ode to the beauty of trail running, a sport that is inherently simple and pure.

Length – 26 minutes

Director – Dean Leslie from The African Attachment

Dean Leslie is young South African Filmmaker and Co-Owner of Cape Town based independent film production company, The African Attachment. He has experience on a wide range of local and international productions and has worked as a producer, director, cinematographer, photographer and editor. He was the cinematographer for ‘Interviews Unit’ in the Academy Award nominated feature film, ’District 9’. He edited the International short film,‘Pumzi’, for Focus Features (USA) and Inspired Minority Pictures, which was won Best International Short at Cannes Independent Film Festival and was a favourite at the 2010 Sundance International Film Festival.He produced, directed and edited the critically acclaimed South African documentary,’12 Mile Stone’, alongside Greg Fell, and has directed a string of music videos for some of South Africa’s top bands including  Die Heuwels Fantasties, The Parlotones, The Dirty Skirts, aKING andAshtray Electric. He is currently in post-production on his debut documentary feature film‘Wandering Fever’, a film that has seen him shoot on all 7 Continents over 4 years  as he explores the idea of why we run through the story of South African elite ultra runner Ryan Sandes. Dean  has a distinctive visual style and his projects have a strong narrative element layered with underlying themes and tones. His work has been widely praised for its cinematography, style and underlying mood – all testaments to Dean’s continued growth and progress as a Director. Taken from Vancouver International Mountain Festival.

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

Episode 4

Episode 5

La Course des Templiers – Preview

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The final race in the ultra Skyrunning series comes to an end this weekend in Millau, Southern France. The iconic ‘La Course des Templier’ has one of the best fields ever assembled for this race. The inclusion of Skyrunning certainly has made a difference.

The Great Race of the Knights Templar was founded in 1995 with a humanitarian purpose. To financially support an orphanage in Chad

Sighting the Leadville Trail 100 miler in the US as an influence, Odile and Gilles Bertrand decided to embark on this adventure in March 1995. The project was launched and a date was selected, the last Sunday of October.

But the format of 100 miles as at the Leadville race was considered too long and Odile and Bertrand decided to offer a more appealing distance of 65 km.

In October 1995 before the fortress of St. Eulalie de Cernon 500 runners assembled and the first edition was undertaken. La Course des Templiers gave birth to trail running in France. This first edition of Templiers was won by Patrick Fox and Corinne Favre.

Mens field

Andy Symonds the 2011 winner of Templiers knows the course extremely well and after a great 2nd place at Transvulcania La Palma you can surely expect to see him up at the front. A top 3 placing is a distinct possibility and of course he may well get a consecutive win

Thomas Lorblanchet had a stunning win at Leadville 100 and has figured highly at other significant races in 2012. In particular Transvulcania La Palma and Salomon 4 Trails.

Miguel Heras is without doubt a top performer but he has had a mixed 2012 with injury. He dropped at Cavalls del Vent with hypothermia so he will be looking to put the record straight at Templiers. If he has a good day. Top 5.

Philipp Reiter has gone from strength to strength in 2012. A super talented young athlete with the ultra world ahead of him. In 2012 he has consistently performed at the highest level with wins and top 10 places in pretty much every event he has entered. I think Templiers won’t play to his strengths, having said that I would consider him to place in the top 10.

Terry Conway had his introduction to Skyrunning at Cavalls del Vent and fell victim to the foul weather. However, he knows what is required now and is just back from 2 weeks running in Italy. He has told me that he is ready for this race and he is ready to race!

Tom Owens is the UK’s most consistent performer at Skyrunning events in 2012 and this is reflected in his 3rd place at the World title. He is without doubt a contender for the overall win at Templiers.

Francois d’Haene has had a great 2012 and with 4th place at Transvulcania La Palma and the overall win at UTMB he will be coming to Templiers brimming with confidence.

Greg Vollet team manager at Salomon is a top quality athlete and this course will suit him. He has performed consistently well in 2012 and has had some great podium finishes. He is not as experienced at the ultra distance and he may very well just be running Templiers for fun…. You can’t rule him out!

Ladies Field

Lizzy Hawker is a late entry to the race and will without doubt raise heads within the female competition. Within the last 3 months she has had a stunning period of racing with a win at the shortened UTMB, a win at Run Rabbit Run 100 miler and then a win and third place overall at the iconic Spartathlon. Not only does this show incredible consistency but it also shows incredibile ability over a variety of distances and terrain.

Francesca Canepa was 2nd behind Lizzy Hawker at UTMB and then just one week later went to the brutal Tour des Geants and won that race. Templiers may very well not be tough enough for her but she will figure.

Anna Frost needs no introduction. Always a top top performer but after her 2nd place at Cavalls del Vent she has had some injury and therefore her performance at Templiers has question marks. If she is in form expect a top three.

Emelie Frosberg has performed and performed at the highest level in 2012. Templiers may very well not have enough vertical gain for her but that descent at the end will suit her abilities and if she is in contention expect he to open the throttle and potentially pull away.

Silvia Serafini is the newbie to the ultra series and this is only her second ultra. However, this race is not as demanding as other Skyrunning races and the ability to open up the engine and run quickly will suit her. She recently won the Royal Parks Ultra and placed highly at Kinabalu.

Nuria Picas is always in form and a fierce competitor. Always smiling, passionate about running she is a pleasure to watch. She has raced hard all year and after her win at Cavalls del Vent she said Templiers would be fun. Even Nuria having fun is a dominant force and I wouldn’t rule her out winning. However, the course is less technical and has less vertical gain than Nuria prefers.

Anne Valero is my outsider and placed well at the CCC in 2012. She runs well on the road and that combination of hill strength and road speed may very well see her pull something out of the bag at Templiers.

THE RACE

THE GREAT RACE OF THE TEMPLARS

  • . Distance: 72 km – altitude: 3200 m +
  • . Departure: 5:15 (note time change), Millau, Millau Plage road (attention, 1h 20 ‘night in the morning) and arrive in Millau, Millau Beach Road 1.2 km from city center
  • . 4 stations (Peyreleau, St André de Vézines, Pierrefiche, The Cade)
  • . Registration limited to 2500 runners

Sunday, the weather seems to be confirmed with a cold, dry and sunny day but temperatures may even be below zero at times.

Therefore the race organisers have stipulated that runners must have suitable equipment for the cold. However, no equipment is compulsory other than a space blanket.

If the cold continues recommendations are as follows: gloves are essential, also a head cover such as a buff. A light jacket is recommended for the start and long tights/leggings or long shorts short + long socks are a suitable compromise.

A weekend of racing – Festival de l’Endurance

The Templiers race is part of the Festival de l’Endurance. The main event takes place on Sunday, the Grande Course – THE GREAT RACE OF THE TEMPLARS is steep and rocky, so steep that the race organisers place ropes in many areas so that runners can ease their way through rough spots without falling.

The racing at Templiers starts on Friday and goes through to Sunday with a selection of races as follows:

FRIDAY

ENDURANCE TRAIL

. Time limit: 22 hours.

. Distance: 105 km – altitude: 4800 m +

THE TRAIL OF VIADUCT

. Distance: 26 km – altitude: 680 m +

SATURDAY

MARATHON CAUSSES

. Distance: 38 km – altitude: 1600 m +

MONNA LISA TRAIL.

. Distance: 26.5 km – altitude 1000 m +

KINDER TRAIL

. Distance: 1.5 km and 3 km for young

KD TRAIL – JUNIOR TRAIL

. Distance: 9 km – altitude: 300 m + (same course cadets and juniors)

THE Templar

. Distance: 9 km – altitude: 300 m +

VO2 TRAIL

. Distance: 19 km – altitude: 700 m +

SUNDAY

THE GREAT RACE OF THE TEMPLARS

NOTES

To add to that magical ambiance, it helps to know that Nant was one of many points in a network of secret trails built by the Knights Templar, the monastic, international military order formed at the end of the First Crusade with the mandate of protecting Christian pilgrims traveling to Jerusalem. The Knights Templar, known for their architectural skills and fighting alongside Richard I were the first warrior monks and were prevalent in that part of France until their downfall in 1307.

The race route uses the secret paths of the Templars which ncludes two long tunnels that had been used as shortcuts to beat enemies to strategic locations. The region has become a popular tourist attraction primarily due to the success of Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code.

FOLLOW the main race live on Twitter by ‘following’ @talkultra and ‘Like’ our Facebook page and see updates and images as the race unfolds HERE

Vertical K records fall

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Urban Zemmer, new VK world record holder. ©ISF

Both the men’s and women’s world records in the Vertical Kilometer® tumbled yesterday in the fourth Vertical Series race in Fully, Switzerland.

It was a race among champions where boundaries were pushed to the limit. Italy’s Urban Zemmerrocketed up the 1,000m vertical course, only 1.9 km long, in just 30’26”, 20 seconds faster than the standing world record set here in 2011 by fellow countryman Manfred Reichegger who was second in 30’42”.  Slovenian Nejc Kuhar was third in31’00” and Italian Marco De Gasperi, fourth in31’37”.

Christel Dewalle, new VK world record holder. © ISFIn the ladies’ field the top four all closed under record time. French runner Christel Dewalle was first in 36’48” followed by Axelle Mollaret in37’44” and third, Maude Mathys from Switzerland in 37’56, all beating the previous world record set two years ago by Italian Valentina Belotti in38’50”.

The new men’s record nears a speed of 2,000 vertical metres per hour(precisely 1,971m) an incredible ground-breaking performance that the ISF has been monitoring for many years in a scientific research project.  (As a matter of interest, the maximum vertical gain in cycling, 1,850m, was established by Marco Pantani in 1998).

Depending on the course and type of start, poles are permitted and yesterday, most of the runners used them.  However, to date, the advantages of using poles has not been scientifically demonstrated.

Leading the Vertical Series to date are:

Men

1. Urban Zemmer (ITA) – 200 points

2. Nejc Kuhar (SLO) – 178 points

3. Marco De Gasperi (ITA) 168 points

 Women

1. Laura Orgué Vila (ESP) – 172 points

2. Silvia Leal Augé (ESP) – 150 points

3. Zhanna Vokueva (RUS) – 148 points

Faces of Ultra

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One of the advantages that I have covering races is that I am often in the very fortunate position to capture images that many just don’t get the opportunity to capture.

We have all seen running pictures and action pictures but earlier this year I started to document the ‘Faces of Ultra‘. It started as a personal project but interest and demand for the images I captured increased…

I have therefore set up a Faces of Ultra website to allow me to showcase the images and offer them as limited edition prints in a variety of sizes.

The maximum print run will always be 20 or less and each images will be signed and numbered.

It’s early days but please keep an eye on the site and what prints and options will become available.

Website: www.facesofultra.com

Emelie Lecomte GR20 by Niandi Carmont

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The GR20 is very topical at the moment, particularly with Salomon athlete Julien Choriers‘ imminent attempt at the course record set by Kilian Jornet in 2009. Read HERE

However, earlier this year, Emelie Lecomte broke the female record. Unfortunately this didn’t get much coverage outside France, however, Niandi Carmont actually was trekking on the GR20 route when this attempt took place and later caught up with the new female course record holder. Here is what she had to say:

Emelie Lecomte GR20 by Niandi Carmont

Corsica is affectionately known by the French as the “Ile de la Beauté” (Island of Beauty) and Nicolas Hulot the well-known French adventurer and journalist aptly said even the most beautiful islands in the Pacific cannot compare with this French island in the Mediterranean South of France and off the West coast of Italy.

The GR20 in Corsica is arguably Europe’s greatest and most spectacular mountain trail. In French G.R. stands for “Grande Randonnée” (great trek). Over a distance of 200 km of crests, pinnacles, rocky mountains, pine forests and snow-capped peaks the GR20 crosses the island from Northern Corsica to Southern Corsica. It is traditionally divided into 15 stages and takes an experienced hiker about 2 weeks to complete.  With 14 500m of positive incline it is also considered Europe’s toughest trail and its spectacular scenery  and free roaming wildlife are only accessible to experienced hikers  who are prepared to do some serious rock climbing and looking for a physical challenge.

The GR20 was created in 1971 and since then has been the playground of many an experienced athletes looking for personal challenges and setting records. It is here that Kilian Jornet astonished the ultra community by setting a new course record of 32h54 in 2009.

But today all the focus is on 32 year old French female trail runner Emilie Lecomte, a Team Trail Quechua sponsored athlete, who smashed the previous female record held by Corsican Stéphanie Samper knocking an amazing 9 hours off the previous record to finish in 41h22.

I happened to be hiking in Corsica when Emilie set the new record and the day before I finished my hike she literally flew by me towards victory looking fresh as a daisy.

Emilie is not what you imagine a tough ultra trailer to look like: feminine, nymph-like with big blue eyes she exudes an aura of calm and self-control. But make no mistake this girl is immensely talented, tough, focused and determined.  Modest and generous too Emilie was very excited about sharing her experience with UK readers.

Can you take us back to your beginnings in trail running? What motivated you to start sport seriously only 4 years ago and especially trail running?

I started trail running in 2009. The Raid de la Réunion (160km, 9000m+ and 9000-) was my first ultra. My partner got me interested in sport. Before 2007 I did some cycling. When I started cycling 12 years ago I quickly developed a passion for endurance and adventure sports. Then in 2007 I started multi-sport events. The notion of pushing yourself to your limit was an eye-opener and suddenly there was new meaning to my life. I work in sales so I can relate to the idea of competitivity. You have to work really hard to achieve your goals. . Having said this today I identify more with the values in sport than in the working world – basic values – like sharing emotions and achievements.

What made you decide to set the GR20 record?

It’s a long story. 12 years ago before my passion for sport I hiked the GR20. It felt great to be in Corsica in the mountains. It was amazingly beautiful – a bit like being on another planet- back to basics. Also it’s the toughest trail in Europe. I returned 12 years later to hike the GR20 in 7 days, then in 5 days –that was last year. It was obvious to me that the next logical step would be to do it non-stop. What I was interested in was the sports challenge – a challenge against myself – a personal challenge. I was competing against time. Would I be able to cover 180km non-stop with more than 12 000m+?

What makes this so different from an ordinary race is the team work. I was seconded and assisted by a team of close family members including my partner, mother and friends from the Marseille Trail Club.

This was not about claiming a trophy it was about sharing a challenge with my team.

How did you train for this?

Like you would train for any other ultra mountain event. What’s important when preparing for this kind of challenge is managing your race.  Race management is key – you need a good combination of physical training and race management to succeed.

When I saw you on the course you were with Stéphane Talotti – what was the role of your seconds?

The seconds ran mostly behind me – they were not ‘pacers’ but more like ‘guardian angels’ – giving advice, protecting me. Pacing was OK on the fast runnable stretches but I set the pace.

In your blog you mention your ‘Dream Team’. Tell us about them.

I wanted a small close-knit team of people bonded by mutual trust. I met the Marseille Trail Club in 2009 on the GR20 – we hit it off immediately and became very good friends. They have done a fantastic job. They gave up their time in preparation for the challenge, during the challenge and after the event. They had to carry 12kg ruck-sacks in the mountains to provide me with food and water. Most of them had to take holiday leave and go through white nights.

Your partner Franck was on the course too – what was his role and was it difficult to get the timing right?

There were 8 refreshment stations. I drew up a road-book with a pacing chart to help my seconds. What made things complicated was when I was delayed or when I was ahead of schedule. On the GR20 there is hardly any mobile network.  When I was delayed the seconds worried I might be injured and when I was ahead of schedule the whole seconding chain had to recalculate the check point times so that they wouldn’t miss me. I needed seconds who could react quickly. Franck my partner was at 6 of the 8 refreshment stations which were accessible by road and he was responsible for liaising with and coordinating the seconds. The key to success is preparation. I couldn’t decently expect of my team to be available for me if they couldn’t count on me to be organized and prepared.

You started on Thursday morning at 4am and arrived on Friday at 21.30pm. How did you manage to run on this steep, rocky and very tricky course on mountain crests, with via ferrata and tricky dangerous descents at night?

I didn’t find it any harder at night. On the contrary I prefer running at night!! You are so much more in symbiosis with the elements. We had very good frontal lamps and on the technical stretch I was paced by the fire fighters from the Fédération Française de Montagne – all mountain experts.

What was the hardest bit?

I had 2 hard patches. The first was when I stopped at Vizzavonne for 15 minutes. It was 3 in the morning. When I started running again it took me a while to get back into it. I’m not so sure the break was a good idea.

The second was just before I got to the Col de Bavelle – it was like an oven – I was boiling hot – there was no shade – it was 42°C and the sun was beating down on us.

Friday was hard going on the mountain crests with soaring temperatures, lack of shade, forest and wind.

Your mum was with you on the course. What did this mean to you?

I really wanted her to be there. I needed her moral support.

In your blog she writes ‘Emilie is excessive in all respects as much in her energy, will-power, pugnacity, and stubbornness as in her affection, love and generosity towards others’ One really gets the impression that she’s 100% behind you.

My mum finds it much easier to express her emotions in writing – she wrote that straight after the GR20 –I felt she was very proud of my achievement and it was very touching to feel all that love. Even though she worries about me she will always back all my projects even the craziest ones!

Is it hard to juggle with your professional life and your training?

It’s really hard. A project like that is very time-consuming both in physical training and conception. It4s really hard juggling your professional life and your life as an elite athlete especially for someone like me who holds a full-time job in sales.

Do you intend to go back to Corsica to try and beat your record?

Not for the time being. To be honest I was aiming for sub 40 hours. I’m not disappointed just a little frustrated. Why not in the future? Right now I’ve got too many other projects and challenges in the pipe-line.

How do you see your future in trail running?

I’d like more recognition of the sport whether it is at a national level or with regards to the Federation. It’s an extremely demanding sport. Nowadays sports like football are disproportionately lucrative. If you consider the investment in terms of training I feel long distance trail running doesn’t get enough recognition considering that it is one of the few sports that conveys essential basic values to the younger generations.

Any future challenges?

Plenty!!!!

I do a lot of multi-sport adventure events, mountain-biking and road-biking.

Any role models?

I admire athletes who share the same philosophical values. For example Myriam Lamare (Boxing) or in sky-running Corinne Lefavre. She’s an icon. And also Derwa Sherpa not because he’s part of the Quechua Team but because of his way of seeing things – I can identify with that.

Last question Emilie – do have any advice for young women out there who would like to take on a tough challenge?

Don’t hesitate. Dreams enable us to move forward. Don’t be afraid of getting involved in a project. Women are genetically programmed to be tough and resistant – it’s our way of compensating for not being as physically powerful as men.

 

Emilie Lecomte

 

2011    1st female du Grand Raid 73

             1st female Andorra Ultra Trail

             3rd female Trail du Ventoux

             3rd female l’Ardechois

 

2010    1st female Trail des Aiguilles Rouges

             1st female 6666 Occitane

             2ND female Grand Raid 73

2009    1st female Grand Raid de la Réunion

             1st female Drayes du Vercors 

 

Objectives 2012:

 

Winner L’Ultra trail l’Ardéchois – 98km, 3930m + in 12 hrs31

The  GR20 female record  in 41h22 beating Stéphanie Samper by 50h52

L’UTMB August 31st – 168km, 9,600m+

La Diagonale des Fous La Réunion 18th to 21st Oct 

Julien Chorier – GR20 attempt

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October 12, Julien Chorier will attempt to break the record for crossing the GR 20. This is Julien’s first experience of running a solo challenge like this. Depending on weather conditions, the attempt may take place on the 11th or 13th.

The GR 20 hiking trail crosses from the north to south of Corsica between Calvi and Conca. It is a long mountain route of 185 km and has an elevation gain exceeding 14,000 meters. The previous record held since 2005 by Pierrot Santucci in 36:53:5 was beaten in 2009 by Kilian Jornet and he set a new benchmark of 32:54:2.

“The GR 20 says Kilian Jornet has a beautiful layout with large technical trails and an uneven background of beautiful mountain views and the Mediterranean Sea. I could enjoy the journey and views even if the last few hours were very hard because of the distance. I like the competitive spirit, the strategic aspect, the 100% commitment and tactics compared to other routes or races. In a record there are many variables with or without assistance, pacer or not … and it’s hard to be fully engaged if you’re not very focused. I hope Julien has fun and the weather is kind. I think he’s ready, he is a good friend and I hope there will be a new time to beat on the GR 20 from mid-October!”

  1. Calenzana
  2. Refuge d’Ortu di u Piobbu
  3. Refuge de Carrozzu
  4. Refuge d’Asco Stagnu (Haut Asco)
  5. Refuge de Tighjettu
  6. Bergeries de Ballone (alternative to Tighjettu)
  7. Refuge de Ciottulu di i Mori
  8. Castellu di Verghio (alternative to Ciottulu di i Mori)
  9. Refuge de Manganu
  10. Refuge de Pietra Piana
  11. Refuge de l’Onda
  12. Vizzavona
  13. Bergeries de Capannelle
  14. Col de Verde (alternative to Prati)
  15. Refuge de Prati
  16. Refuge d’Usciolu
  17. Refuge d’Asinao
  18. Col de Bavella (alternative to Paliri)
  19. Refuge de Paliri
  20. Conca

Julien Chorier, Team Solomon explains his reasons for the attempt.

“This is the most legendary GR de France. The challenge in Corsica is a project a little more personal. You need to get involved: contact with the right people, recognize the path, analyze each sector, implement the whole strategy and logistics … An opportunity also to acquire more experience managing an effort of more than 30 hours. ‘

Julien had the opportunity to hike on some areas of the southern part of the GR 20.

“It was a first time to learn about the most technical parts of GR, including the north section and meet up with the people who will accompany me. The northern part is very technical, I will have to be careful and I do not try to go too fast in this sector. I can retrieve a lot of time in the southern section providing I am still fresh ‘
Other potential difficulties are the weather. If it rains the rocks will be slippery. Night vigilance must be optimal in order not to get lost and not to fall.. Julien has never done this type of solo effort over a long period.

“I hope to be ready physically and that I have given the course respect for its severity. I will also be accompanied by friends who know the route because it is their training ground every day. I think for example  William Peretti and his wife, Stephanie Semper, who is the previous female record holder.”

The female record was conquered in July 2011 by Stephanie Semper 50 h 52 min 10 s. Emilie Lecomte set a new record on June 22, 2012 with a time of 41:22:10 and you can read an interview by Niandi Carmont here

In his attempt, Julien Chorier be assisted by a team of guides and guards all coordinated by William Peretti and other runners. Among them, fellow team mate François d’Haene. Logistics will be handled by Solomon.

Julien says “It is very tiring. It’s a huge psychological challenge. Support is crucial to maintain a proper pace and keep me on track despite fatigue. Based on Kilian’s times, my team help will allow me to monitor supplies and equipment”

Benchmarks
Julien Chorier, Team Solomon, was born October 16, 1980 in Saint Martin d’Heres.

He won the 2011 160 km Hardrock Hundred Endurance Run, the 163 km Wide Raid Meeting, 80 km Ultra-Technitrail Tiranges. In 2012 he won 156 km of the Ultra Trail du Mont Fuji and won the 100 km from Zugspitz Ultra trail and second in the 73 km Trail Citadels.