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adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra Review

Posted on September 10, 2024 by talkultra

The adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra shoe was one of the most anticipated trail shoe releases of 2024. Let’s be honest, this shoe was a long time coming…. We had seen early versions of the shoe on the podiums of Transgrancanaria, MIUT, Transvulcania, Western States, UTMB and more. There was a soft launch of the shoe at UTMB 2023 that only whet the appetite of runner’s even more, however, it was the spring of 2024 before the shoe became commercially available.

adidas did a great job of building the anticipation and it is fair to say, that until the release of this new shoe, adidas were not really considered a contender in the trail market. This new incarnation most definitely changed things and I have seen the shoes on countless runner’s feet, in countless races, all over the world in 2024.

I have been testing the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra shoes for a year. I picked up my first pair in August 2023 and I have been through two pairs in the last twelve months.

The previous ‘Speed Ultra’ shoe is my personal favourite adidas shoe, it was developed with the input of Tom Evans and was the shoe the helped Tom place third at his first Western States. This new incarnation has nothing to do with the one that has gone before, the only connection, sadly, is the use of the Speed Ultra name. So, if you liked the first shoe, there is no guarantee you will like this new one! They are like chalk and cheese.

Serious cushioning and rocker ©iancorless

A whopping 42mm of cushioning at the rear, 34mm at the front gives an 8mm drop. The shoe has Energy Rods and an extremely curved rocker. The outsole is Continental rubber with 2.5/ 3mm lugs. The cushioning is Lightstrike Pro. The upper is extremely light and breathable with overlays for durability and a gusseted tongue provides foot hold and support. Sizing is hit and miss, so, I recommend trying this shoe on before purchasing to ascertain what size is correct for you.

The shoe has the ‘Terrex’ branding, which means trail running, but it feels like an adapted road shoe, if you are familiar with the Adizero range, there are similarities.

The shoe is promoted as ‘Our fastest trail running shoe yet.’ And in all honesty, it’s hard to argue with this based on the results of the adidas Terrex team in the last two to three years, and just recently, once again, we saw this shoe on the podium of Transvulcania, OCC and the CCC.

But is this shoe for you?

I must be honest here, it is definitely NOT for me. I have tested and tried to adapt wanting to really like this shoe, but I just don’t get on with it. It’s light, it has an incredible propulsion phase and it’s very fast. But…

If you go on any trail with just minor technicality, the shoe is horrendously unstable. Quite simply, it’s too high and the outsole footprint is not wide enough, especially in the middle and rear. This causes the shoe to twist left and right; they are an ankle injury waiting to happen.

The rocker is so pronounced, that walking is unpleasant. Of course, it is maybe fair to say, this is not a shoe to be walking in! But any shoe that has the ultra-tag in it’s name, will almost certainly mean that walking will be required at some point, maybe with the exception of the top athletes, for example, the adidas Terrex team!

So, is this shoe for you?

The answer is yes! If you are fast, have great running form (forefoot striking) and are training or racing on fast, single-track trails with little or no technicality. Go buy them.

However, if you are an average trail runner like me, looking for a comfortable and durable shoe that will see you through many training days or ultra races, with and without technicality, then no. This is not a shoe for you!

Just as the Nike Alphafly for road running will not make me Kipchoge, the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra will not make me Tom Evans. The shoe may well be state of the art and fast, but they need a fast athlete inside the shoe, otherwise, they are actually more of a liability.

IN USE

This is a premium trail shoe from adidas, years of development and with a string of results from the Terrex team that makes you desire to rush out, get your own pair and run like Ruth Croft or Tom Evans and set PR’s, CR’s and top the podium of the races that you enter.

No matter how good the shoe, 99.9% of us just don’t have the Ruth or Tom natural ability to bring the best out of a super shoe like this.

Peba energy rods visible in the midsole ©iancorless

This is a fast shoe, four pronged Peba Energy Rods are encapsulated between a Lightstrike Pro midsole. An extreme rocker and 42/34mm cushioning make this a beast to be unleashed. It’s a Ferrari for trail running on non-technical trail.

It is bold in looks, so much so, even the three stripes are subtle with TERREX in striking in white. There is no mention of adidas!

When you put the shoe on, you immediately feel the height and sadly, you also feel the instability. I am going to scream this again and again, the ‘footprint’ is not wide enough for the stack height of the shoe.

The foot hold from the gusseted tongue is very good and the sawtooth laces work well. However, the tongue lacks padding and when the laces are tied tight, there is pressure on the navicular bone. The heel cup is minimal but holds well. The toe box is wide and expansive which only makes the middle and the rear of the shoe feel very narrow. The rocker is immediately noticeable, you rock while standing still. If you are NOT a forefoot runner, forget this shoe. If you are a heel striker, you may as well leave this review now!

Seamless overlays
Lightstrike Pro
Energy rods
Dynamic rocker
Continental outsole

The combination of rocker, rods, cushioning and amazing propulsive phase make this shoe fly. As soon as you build cadence, the shoes start to propel you forward asking you to go faster and faster. I quite simply cannot keep up with the shoe. This is a positive if you have the fitness, speed and run form to do this.

Uphill and climbing, the shoes work exceptionally well. Downhill not so. The instability really comes to the fore and they just feel scary and unstable.

The shoes zip along and are nimble, lightweight and quick on slick trails, gravel roads and single-track.

Too narrow in the middle and rear result in instability ©iancorless

Encounter rocks, tree routes, uneven terrain and the ride becomes worryingly unstable with constant twisting and rocking. They are not good on anything technical. The Energy Rods work like fingers, so much better than a single plate (also seen in Hoka Tecton X2 and the new X3) as it allows more adaptability and flexibility on trail, but here it doesn’t work due to the stack height and narrow footprint.

Continental rubber for the outsole is good with excellent grip, however, with 2.5/3mm lugs, this is only ‘just’ a trail shoe. But I guess that is the point! This shoe is meant to be fast for a Western States type of course where ‘grip’ is not really required. They are not for tough, technical and challenging mountain terrain.

Forefoot running required for this shoe ©iancorless

Ultimately, don’t be fooled by the performances of the adidas Terrex team, they are superb athletes with the speed, great run form and ability to really make the Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra shine. If you are running slower, trying to walk or just out for an easy run, these shoes are clunky and awkward.

The shoe also requires adaptation. Early runs will work muscles in a different way, particularly calf and glutes. If you get these shoes, adapt over time and distance adding a day off with another shoe between runs until you feel adapted.

CONCLUSION

I this a bad shoe? Absolutely not, it is state of the art and the results of the adIdas Terrex team endorse that. A fast shoe for slick trail and on the right feet a real joy.

Sadly though, most of us are not fast, don’t have great run form and this shoe will not only be a waste of money, but ultimately may well result in in a worse performance and maybe injury, especially if trying to run on technical terrain.

The Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra is quite simply not for me!

However, should you wish to pursue an adidas shoe, the Terrex Agravic Speed (review to follow) with 34mm/ 26mm cushioning and no Energy Rods may well be a better consideration. I have used this shoe considerably more than the big brother Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra with better sensations and run feel. Sadly though, despite the reduced stack height, it is still worryingly unstable on technical ground.

Finally, if a super shoe is what you require, the Hoka Tecton X3 is a revelation. Hoka understand that if you increase stack height, you must also increase the platform on which this increased height sits. The Tecton X3 has a superbly wide base at front, middle and especially the rear with a great Vibram outsole. In addition, the two parallel carbon rods have now been developed with ‘wings’ that come up the sides of the shoe providing a considerably more stable platform. This is how a cushioned, plated super shoe should feel. Yes, it’s a super light and responsive shoe and while the adidas requires a top athlete and great running form to bring out the best of the shoe, the Hoka does not. The Hoka is superb when running fast but equally at home when running slower or walking. A full review HERE.

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TRANSVULCANIA 2024 – THE RETURN

Posted on May 14, 2024 by talkultra

Transvulcania is back!

The iconic race of sea, to summit and back to the sea has returned to its roots and the people of La Palma. Few races, anywhere in the world, have the magic of Transvulcania.

It’s more than a race, it’s an experience that transcends running. A 360 journey of location, culture, emotion and a journey to the core of what makes the sport of trail and mountain running so special, a unified glory of experience.

From the early morning start at the Fuencaliente lighthouse, the pounding drums and guitar of AC/DC and the words, THUNDER, THUNDER, THUNDERSTRUCK…!

The blackness illuminated by the glow of 100’s of headlights and then the upward journey begins through a landscape that makes the most well travelled smile with joy at the magic the GR131 route brings.

Los Canarious offers an opportunity for refreshment before single-track of black sand and rock weaves through pine trees and the eventual magnificence of the route of the volcanoes coinciding with the first light of a new day. A glimpse to the right, the sky a mixture of orange and blue, Tenerife and Teide visible and suddenly you feel like a plane, floating above the clouds in what many considering a life-changing moment.

The route winds and climbs down the spine of La Isla Bonita. From the highest point in the lower sections of the GR131 (1908m) in the Cumbre Vieja, the route drops to the micro-climate of El Pilar, one-third approximately of the route completed.

From here, cloud encapsulates the runner, some easy trails eventually give way to climbing, a myriad of single-track that weaves left and right and finally you break through the cloud to the most amazing views of Caldera de Taburiente National Park.

Reventon arrives, it’s one of the highlights of the route. With 40km’s covered, the GR131 is now above 2000m and ever so slowly the route creeps over the next 10km’s to the highest point at Roques de los Muchachos at 2403m, a rollercoaster ride of undulating and at times technical trails that offer a 360 panorama of this stunning island.

What goes up, eventually must come down and what follows is a 16km drop back to the ocean; a relentless knee, quad and mind blowing war of attrition that must be overcome. The iconic zig-zag descent provides an entrance to Tazacorte beach and the final aid station.

Beach gives way to canyon, canyon gives way to weaving paths through banana plantations before what seems like never-ending road before the glorious arrival in Los Llanos and the roar of the Palmero people.

This is La Palma.

This is Transvulcania.

The 2024 Race

Men:

As expected, the early pace was fast and a core group of pre-race favourites dictated the pace with 2023 champion, Dakota Jones at the front. Behind, Jeshrun Small, Jon Albon, Tom Evans, Dmitry Mityaev, and more.

As the km’s passed and the arrival of El Pilar came, Dakota suffered from the early pace and now, pre-race favourite, Jon Albon took over at the front with an inspired Jeshrun Small. Tom Evans, Thibaut Baronian and Dmitry Mityaev followed.

The elastic finally snapped and Jon made his move and opened a gap. It was on the final descent that Jeshrun relinquished second to his adidas Terrex team mates, Tom who had moved up from fifth and Dmitry who were now charging to the ocean in pursuit of The North Face athlete.

Jon arrived at Tazacorte and a course record looked possible. But as the climb to the finish came, the early pace and now heat was taking its toll. Jon was having to dig deep and the behind, the Terrex duo were pushing each other, Dmitry looking stronger than Tom.

But Dmitry did not attack… Maybe he didn’t know the 4-minute gap to Jon at the beach was reducing with each stride?

Jon crossed the line, exhausted, the 2024 Transvulcania champion. Behind, less than 2-minutes later, the duo arrived, hand-in-hand.

There was no course record but it was darn close. One hell of a race.

At the finish line, Albon (7h.03:10) crossed first, followed by Dmitry Mytiaev (7h.05:16) and Tom Evans who entered together at de finish line (7h.05:17)

Women:

Ruth Croft set the early pace and what a pace! For much of the day, it was a display of style, power and confidence. The performance only faltered at Roques de los Muchachos when a charging Ida Nilsson, three times Transvulcania champion, closed the gap to seconds.

It gave Ruth the wake-up call to push hard to the line, and push she did, not only resulting in victory but a new course record. It was a stunning performance that only confirms that currently, along with Courtney Dauwalter, Ruth Croft is one of the most exciting and dominant trail runners in the world.

It was glory day for Ida Nilsson, a La Palma favourite who ran another stunning race to secure second.

As always happens, there was drama behind and it was Nepali, Sunmaya Budha who finished third looking very fresh… There is more to come from this strong woman!

Ruth Croft (8h.02:49, record) won, Ida Nilsson (8h.16:32) finished second, and Sunmaya Budha (8h.20:31) closed the podium.

The Story:

As with all races, we have champions and we celebrate them. But the story of the 2024 Transvulcania is a return of the race to the island and people of La Palma.

“I didn’t have the day I wanted today,” said one runner. “But how can I be disappointed? It’s such a privilege to be on this island with these people enjoying what is one of the greatest races and places in the world.”

It was a sentiment that was echoed by many. There is something special here on this Canary Island.

I for one am already waiting for the 2025 countdown. This race should be a fixture for every dreaming trail runner and trust me, once experienced, one edition is not enough.

The boss, Luis Alberto Hernando, his last victory.

Finally, I give a special (personal) mention to a true inspiration of Transvulcania, the Maestro ‘Luis Alberto Hernando’, a three time champion of the race. He told me before the start, I am now 1-hour slower and I will be happy with top-20. He placed 12th after Thibaut Baronian acknowledging ‘The Boss’ on the line, bowing, and allowing the master to pass. What a moment.

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Cappadocia Ultra Trail 2023 Summary

Posted on October 19, 2023 by talkultra

Kim Schreiber victory and 3rd overall in the CMT

Quite simply, Cappadocia is unique. If you haven’t experienced the place, you need to add a trip very close to the top of your ‘to-go’ list now.

IMAGE GALLERY HERE

Iconic balloons, landscape and early morning light.

You’ll have seen the images, two in particular appear everywhere when you do a search on the internet, one will be the unique fairy towers and the other, hot air balloons gliding over the aforementioned landscape with the glow of early morning light.

Running and racing is a wonderful double edged sword, we look for new destinations to practice our sport and then when in these locations, we get to explore them in the best way possible, by foot!

Salomon Cappadocia Ultra Trail, now in it’s 10^th edition provides the opportunity to mix the best of both worlds.

The races start and conclude in Ürgüp (closest airport Kayseri) in Nevşehir province. It’s the perfect hub for exploration. Located at 1044m, access to key tourist attractions and hot air balloon flights, are just a phone call away, particularly if you communicate with Argeus Travel, who also happen to be the team behind Cappadocia Ultra Trail.

Other than say Montserrat, Colorado and north America, the landscape of Cappadocia is unique. The ‘Hoodoo’ (fairy chimney) actually translates to tent rock or earth pyramid is in abundance and a key feature of the landscape here. Created by earth erosion, they typically consist of soft rock topped by harder rock. These Hoodoos became home to Troglodytes (cave dweller) who carved into the formations to create a place to live. Varying in size, Hoodoo can be up to 10 storeys high and they are unique with a conical shape. Today, there are no permanent settlements but Persians, Ottomans, Romans, Byzantines and others, over time, have used these Hoodoo as shelter. Notably, Christians fleeing persecution made their homes in Cappadocia and they built churches. This was a key phase in the development of the Hoodoo, they ‘added’ to the natural structure and also built a network of underground cities and caves.

And so, Salomon Cappadocia Ultra Trail offers a unique opportunity to run through history.

With three key races, CUT at 119k,, CMT at 63km and CST at 38km, there is a race distance for all. While CUT provides the full and immersive 360 experience, the CMT arguably provides the most spectacular and concise journey. The CUT and CMT cover the same trails starting in Ürgüp and passing on a circular route through key locations such as Ortahisar, Ibrahimpasa, Göreme and the Rose and Red valley, where surreal rock formations, pinkish-red colours, and ancient cave churches make this a highlight. Ürgüp follows and the CMT concludes, for the CUT they continue on for a tough and arduous loop passing through Mustafapasa, Damsa Dam, Cemil, Taskinpasa, Karlik, Egrim Tepesi and finally Ürgüp for the finish.

The CST passes through Ibrahimpasa, Göreme and concludes in Ürgüp and while the route has its moments, it’s less spectacular than the CMT.

With over 2400 runners from over 70 nations, Cappadocia Ultra Trail has become Turkey’s key trail running event. It sets the bar for how an event should be. Talking with the team at Argeus, they have a simple philosophy, they wanted to create an event for Turkish people that was of the highest standard and importantly, affordable. The growth of the event and the landscape on offer has made this one of the key events in the world to travel to and it’s easy to see why. Ürgüp in itself has grown through the tourism generated and as such, accommodation is in abundance and much of it with a boutique style, I for example stayed inside a cave at Deer Suites.

Racing was fast and furious and the presence of the Adidas Terrex Team certainly provided a new impetus to the racing with Dmitry Mityaev and Ekaterina Mityaeva winning the CUT, Ekaterina also 3^rd overall. Kim Schreiber winning the CMT and placing 3^rd overall! Martin Dematteis and Dion Gorla both placing 2^nd in the CST. Full results HERE.

CUT – Dmitry Mityaev completed the 360 degree journey of Cappadocia in a course record time of 10:59:32 with Farkhad Isakov and Mohammadreza Jelodar placing 2^nd and 3^rd, 12:14:25 and 13:12:15 respectively. Ekaterina Mityaeva also set a course record 13:00:23 and placed 3^rd overall, a stunning run. Ksenila Avdeeva was 2^nd in 14:23:45 and Sergio Baysal 3^rd in 15:24:41.

CMT – Kim Schreiber was the star completing the 63km in 05:38:39 and placing 3^rd overall. Behind, the Terrex athlete was followed by Varvara Shikanova and Aysel Yalac Dolay. 06:02:58 and 06:24:50 respectively. Mestan Turban set a blistering pace for the men and set a convincing victory in 05:03:49 followed by Irem Can Ayaz in 05:17:40 and Ryan Farrugia in 05:42:15.

Mestan Turban passing through Ibrahimpasa

CST – Alejandro Forcades and Martin Dematteis had a hard fought battle for victory, Alejandro finally crossing first in 02:39:40 to Martin’s 02:41:34. Yury Shtankov rounded the podium in 02:48:29. The women’s race also had a tight battle for victory with Simone Brick edging out Dioni Gorla, 03:25:53 to 03:26:35. Tugce Karakaya placed 3^rd in 03:31:24.

In addition to the stand-alone races, the CUT, CMT and CST were also done in relay format. Results CUT, CMT and CST.

Ürgüp was a stunning location and hub for the 2023 Cappadocia Ultra Trail, in conjunction with excellent organisation from Argeus, many are now already looking ahead to 2024. See you there I hope!

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Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp 2023 – Day 2

Posted on January 14, 2023 by talkultra

Day 2 of the Lanzarote Multi-Day Training Camp kicked off with a nice easy run/ warm up to the infamous volcano hill-rep location.

At just 70 (ish) meters of vertical, the route may well not seem to hard, however, when you repeat it enough times, it becomes very tough. The target was 10-reps, of course it varies what each individual can achieve…

The decent is a single-track trail of loose stone and gravel and the ‘recovery’ phase is a flat gravel road back to the start. It’s always a great session.

In the afternoon, a ‘How To Use Poles Session’ gave an introduction to the technique required to effectively use poles for a trail or mountain race.

This was followed with adidas Terrex athlete, Tom Evans, holding a talk on Process over Outcome and then a Q&A.

The day concluded with a short recovery session of 30-minutes as the sun set over the lagoon and sea that surrounds Club La Santa. It was a perfect day and stunning weather. Tomorrow, soft-sand.

Interested in joining us? 2024 is open for booking HERE

#multidaytrainingcamp

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Episode 232 – Petter Engdahl Special

Posted on October 30, 2022 by talkultra

Episode 232 of Talk Ultra is a Petter Engdahl Special. After making the podium of OCC in 2021, Petter focussed his attention on the 2022 CCC – He won in a course record time. And now he has followed up with a dream victory at Transvulcania by UTMB. We talk in-depth about his training and preparation for these two incredible performances.

Petter victorious at CCC – adidas TERREX Team ©iancorless

Petter leading Miguel Heras in the early section of Transvulcania by UTMB – adidas TERREX Team©iancorless

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UTMB 2022 with the adidas TERREX #oneteam

Posted on August 29, 2022 by talkultra

I am decompressing.

In the last 4-days I have had around 10-hours broken sleep. That is the reality of working on multiple events during UTMB week.

It all started though the week before, arriving in Chamonix on Thursday to join the adidas TERREX team for a full 10-day UTMB extravaganza. It was my 3^rd time at UTMB with the TERREX team so I was under no illusion of what was ahead – amazing friends, quality time with athletes and crew and once the TDS got underway, little sleep.

On the trails with adidas TERREX team ©iancorless

It’s a privilege and honor to work the TERREX team, I have seen them grow and grow in the sport and the ethos of #oneteam personifies what goes on before, during and after every event. Just look at the finish line footage of Emily Hawgood crossing the line to take 6^th place at UTMB. The whole team was waiting, they surrounded her and unplanned, went into a frenzied bounce fest to celebrate not only an incredible run but an incredible team effort. No other pro-team does this and it’s noted by all the other media… The TERREX team are doing something very special.

You may well say I am biased. And I am not going to deny that I have a professional and working relationship with the brand. However, this is a choice. Working with the team management, the media crew and the athletes is a dream come true and one that is immensely rewarding.

adidas had once again rented multiple chalets and one huge chalet would act as a base for meeting up and all meals. The chalet had three chefs who provided meals for the entire team and in so doing, dietary needs could be looked after and the need to try to find a restaurant in Chamonix was removed. Physios were literally ‘hands-on’ every day from morning and Charlie and Robert managed the day-to-day team plans.

My emphasis pre-racing was to recorded Season 2 of ‘The Chamonix Tapes’ and provide some photo content.

Ruth Croft decided to not race at UTMB after winning Western States ©iancorless

The shows:

UTMB WEEK

UTMB week may well be what you, the fan or follower sees. But as in all these scenarios, the reality for UTMB 2022 started at the conclusion of UTMB 2021. It’s a 12-month process of building and planning.

This time last year, Tom Evans missed UTMB and instead underwent surgery not knowing if he would be able to run professionally again. However, he there and then set the goal to target UTMB 2022 as a main goal and target. He would put all the processes in place to make that happen. And oh my word, look what happened… He completed the podium with an outstanding and awe-inspiring 3^rd place.

But with all the highs, the TERREX team also has lows.

TDS did not go to plan, 4-athletes hovered around the podium for much of the race only have dreams taken away. That is racing. There are no guarantees.

Sabrina Stanley, after meticulously planning and preparing for UTMB had her dream shattered even before the start of UTMB with a positive Covid test. There are no words to help here, just the unity and backing of oneteam.

Down but not out, the team rallied, and OCC turned out to be a stunning race with Sheila Aviles taking victory and Robbie Simpson making the podium.

Toni Mccann placing 5, Martin Dematteis placing 10^th and Kim Schreiber, Jeshurun Small, Dioni Gorla, Deborah Marti and Anna Hahner all having solid runs. The team was back on track.

CCC was up next and it’s fair to say that myself, and the whole TERREX team were quietly confident that Petter Engdahl could produce something. Little did we know then that the Swede who lives in Norway would light the fire of the UTMB.

He blazed a trail that made the competition look on in awe as he not only won the race but set a course record. Abby Hall from the USA once again had a stellar run placing 3.

Remigio Huaman, Stephen Kersch, Taylor Nowlin and Yngvild Kaspersen all brought the three stripes home and, on each occasion, the team was waiting with hugs and applause.

It’s a stressful week for adidas TERREX staff ©iancorless

The big dance, UTMB would conclude the week. The 171km loop through France, Italy, Switzerland and concluding in France has 10,000m of vertical gain, rugged terrain, variable weather and is arguably, the most competitive ultra of the year. This year, the event was off-the-scale with over 2700 participants and goodness knows how many fans and spectators.

The event is now huge! The TERREX team had Pablo Villa, Luis Alberto Hernando, Tom Evans, Emily Hawgood toeing the line and sadly, the omission of Sabrina Stanley due to Covid. It’s with noting here that a listen to ‘The Chamonix Tapes’ with Tom Evans provides a great insight not only to the event, but how to prepare for it is a ‘must’ listen. The race, despite a quality line-up was always going to be about Jim Walmsley and Kilian Jornet and for much of the race, this was the story. Jim had the lead, lost it to Kilian and and in-form Mathieu Blanchard. Kilian put the hammer down for the win against Mathieu and behind as Jim faded Tom Evans put his plan in action. He left Zach Miller who he had traded run steps with for many an hour and hunted Jim.

With Jim caught, Toms head went down, all the processes were put in place and the Brit placed 3^rd in the greater ultra in the world! Tears were shed by all… It’s difficult to put into words the emotions of the finish. Tom walked in, somewhat mind-blown about what he was about to achieve, he held hands together, covered his face and then stood stock still and saluted the world. Job done! The TERREX team were in pieces with emotion.

Hours later, Emily Hawgood arrived at Col de Montes, the TERREX team lining the climb to give her one last big push to the finish. Eventually the finish came and a 6^th place. Surrounded by her team, the worlds media were amazed at the unity of the TERREX team as they celebrated en-mass the success of one of their own.

This is the oneteam ethos, victories may be individual, but they are not possible without what goes on behind the scenes. We all had roles, but flexibility is key. Athletes became crew, office workers became car drivers, and everyone became a supporter both in a physical and mental capacity.

Once again, it was a real pleasure to be immersed with the adidas TERREX brand and follow closely the whole process that makes a race and team come together. We use the word family and without a doubt, the TERREX team is family. We are all #unitedbysummits

I spent much of the week with Stefan Durst but a huge thanks to Pfefferminzmich – Rapha, Andy, Yannick, Vinz and Christian.

I have the best job in the world!

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