It was another great day in Lanzarote. The sun shone, the sky was blue and the temperatures were in the 20’s.
It was a long day with a coastal run, some technical trail and stunning views. The walkers covered 24km with Marie-Paule, the ‘mid-pack’ runners covered 28km with Niandi and the faster runners covered 36km with Elisabet.
Lots of smiles, lots of laughs and as this camp progresses, the confidence of each runner is growing; it’s on view to see! One-by-one, they are slowly but surely understanding what it’s going to take to complete, their next multi-day adventure.
The arrival of Sondre Amdahl on the camp (9th at MDS, 6th at Oman Desert Marathon) was a real boost and within hours, Sondre was proactive in a talk/ demonstration of what goes in a typical multi-day pack. This talk was very much directed to Marathon des Sables. Niandi, Elisabet and Sondre all discussed what to, and what not to take to the race. Of course, all three had unique ways of looking at the race and what was and what is and what is not important.
An early evening run of just 20 or 40-minutes with a disappearing sun concluded the day. Tomorrow is a full-on day and tomorrow, the participants of the 2017 training camp will bivouac inside a (dormant) volcano.
I am pleased to announce that Sondre Amdahl will join us as a special guest at our Lanzarote Training Camp which will take place in just 1-week at Club La Santa.
Sondre is an experienced and highly successful ultra-runner. In 2016, he placed in the top-10 overall at the Marathon des Sablesand he also had a very successful race at the Oman Desert Marathon later in the year placing 6th.
Recently he won a 115km race in Hong Kong and he is now in his final preparations to race The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica in February (preview HERE).
Needless to say, Sondre will be a great addition to the training camp and his advice on kit, training, food and survival in a multi-day race will enhance everyones training camp experience.
As a reminder, we also have the 2015 Marathon des Sables and Oman Desert Marathon ladies champion, Elisabet Barnes as head-coach for the entire week.
Our 2017 Training Camp is full but we are already taking bookings for 2018 HERE
You can also read daily reports from the 2016 edition HERE
Episode 126 of Talk Ultra is here, Happy New Year! – We have an interview with Stevie Kremer, we chat with Lindsey Topham about her movie, ‘The Trails Are Free’ and Sondre Amdahl tells us about racing in Hong Kong and how is preparation for The Coastal Challenge is going… Speedgoat is back too!
New Year and Talk Ultra needs your help!
We are five year’s old this January and as a show we are proud that we have produced a wealth of content for free. The show will always be free! However, demands on time, production costs, editing really impact on Talk Ultra, therefore, if you love the show please help us out. You can make a one-off donation, a yearly donation or maybe donate monthly… just £1 or $1 would make a huge difference. We are currently in the process of setting up a Patreon page that will allow you to gain access to the Patreon Activity Feed that will be for Patreon supporters ONLY! This is the easiest way to support Talk Ultra and help us continue to create!
RUNNING BEYOND BOOK is travelling the world and of course I recommend it as a great Christmas present… we mentioned in the last show about Running Beyond Event which will take place 3, 4 and 5th March in London, plans are progressing for that… in addition, Niandi and myself will now be in Amsterdam on Feb 3rd, 4th and 5th for a Trails in Motion event and Running Beyond book signing with Mud Sweat and Trails and I will be also going to Sofia in Bulgaria on the 17th, 18th and 19th March for a trail, mountain and Skyrunning expo.
00:26:32 NEWS
Across The Years – 24, 48, 72-hours and 6-Days
24: Kelly Agnew and Chavet Breslin ran 124 and 119-miles
48: Karen Bonnett Natraj and Alex Ramset ran 140 and 177-miles
72: Iso Yucra and Anne Lang ran 248 and 200-miles
6-Day: Ed Ettinghausen and Liz Bauer ran 451.4 and 418.9-miles
Ultra-Trail Tai Mo Shan
Gediminas Grinius and Andrea Huser won the 100-mile in 20:04 and 26:01.
Sondre Amdahl and Marie McNaughton won the 115km in 16:15 and 16:20
“TCC will be my main target for the winter/spring of 2017. I have had a couple of easy months after a DNS at the Tor des Géants (due to injury). I have had a good block of training in November, December, I raced at Ultra-Trail Tai Mo Shan in Hong Kong (115km) on New Year’s Eve which I won and then in January I will go to Gran Canaria to prepare for TCC.”
00:53:34 INTERVIEW with Sondre Amdahl
Read a preview of the 2017 The Coastal Challenge HERE
01:20:36 INTERVIEW with Stevie Kremer
02:12:14 INTERVIEW with Lindsey Topham about the film ‘The Trails Are Free’
The Trails are Free tells the story of how Boston based trail running club, the Trail Animals Running Club (TARC), promotes and preserves the culture of ultra running through a series of grassroots, community based races in the greater Boston area. The film captures the history of the club and how it has grown from a few members to over 4000 since its founding in the early 1990’s. From its start TARC has been more focused on camaraderie and community among runners than on competition and winning. The club’s motto “Leave No Animal Behind” exemplifies their welcoming spirit, as well as their humility, level playing field, and love for the outdoors. Trail Animals come from all walks of life and all abilities and there is no pecking order.
The club’s rapid growth has mirrored a nationwide trend in the sport in recent years. Where ultra running used to be considered an oddball sport, it is now the subject of many books and is gaining more mainstream coverage in film and on television. The threat of this community spirit becoming consumed by competition and commercialisation is becoming a realistic, legitimate concern.
In 2011 the club introduced the TARC Trail Series, a group of 10 trail races of varying distances, from 10K to 100 Miles. This film documents the ways these races have become a vehicle for preserving, promoting, and sharing the culture of the sport with new members. Race organisers keep race costs down by organising volunteers to mark courses, maintain trails, and provide support, provisions, and food for potluck-style aid stations. First place finishers win handmade trophies. There is no prize money.
“The Trails Are Free” was shot on location at various TARC races over the years. It is quintessentially New England. There is snow, mud, peepers, rocks, roots, and bright foliage.
Jason Schlarb shot to notoriety after winning Run Rabbit Run 100-mile race in 2013. What has followed is a rise through the ultra ranks. A 4th place at UTMB placed Jason as one of the most successful Americans ever to perform at the big dance in Chamonix – a race that has proven elusive for Americans to crack until recently. The true sign of a true champion is when they go back to a race and win again… Jason did this at Run Rabbit Run winning again in 2015. However, all previous results pale into insignificance after Jason crossed the line hand-in-hand with Kilian Jornet at the 2016 Hardrock 100.
Hardrock, a low-key event in comparison to some of the big ‘hundos’ is for many the epitome of the mountain ultra world – with 100 miles to cover and relentless vertical gain at altitude, it is the grandad event that all other races look up to. For Jason to win it alongside arguably the greatest mountain runner in the world is a huge accolade.
However, before Jason ran the Hardrock 100 event, in winter of the same year, he covered the Hardrock 100 route on skis – a first! It was quite the event and experience and what followed was an immersion into the heat of the Sahara.
Jason raced the 2016 Marathon des Sables and found it a real challenge, I wondered, what was it about multi-day racing that appeals to him, after all, he has a reputation of being a single stage racer.
“One of the aspects of stage racing I appreciate the most, is being able to spend quality time with other athletes over multiple days. There are great opportunities to make life long friends at stage races. I really look forward to reuniting with my Norwegian Altra teammate Sondre Amdahl at TCC. Sondre and I have raced together on a number of occasions and we both raced at Marathon des Sables, he placed 8th and I was 12th. I wouldn’t mind setting things right and beating Sondre at the Costal Challenge in February :)”
But I wondered, is racing for multiple days harder than racing for one day?
“Stage racing creates prolonged drama, excitement and amazing entertainment for both spectators and athletes alike, what is there to not like about that? Stage racing, to me, is far more difficult. One must perform well day-after-day and juggle an extended game of being patient and balancing effort.”
At Marathon des Sables I had noticed that a lack of rest and a lack of calories made the Sharan challenge difficult for Jason, although TCC is not a completely self-sufficient race, I asked Jason what are the challenges he thinks he may encounter during The Coastal Challenge?
“For me, the Coastal Challenge presents a unique obstacle of performing well in a hot and humid climate while living and training in a snowy and cold climate. I will also need to focus on speed training this winter to be ready for faster, lower altitude running verse my usual high altitude, mountain running. Staying blister and generally injury free over multiple days of racing is also a big task at the Coastal Challenge.”
Snow and cold temperatures are not ideal preparation for the heat, humidity, rainforests, long stretches of beaches and technical trail of Costa Rica – is this going to be perfect running terrain or a real challenge?
“Traveling through wild lands is always a thing of perfection in my mind, but that perfection always presents challenge – that’s why we do it! I love Costa Rica. My family lived there for 2 years while I was at University, so, I always look forward to going back.”
You have already mentioned that you will have snow and cold temperatures to deal with in the build up to TCC. You have also said that you will need some speed but will you do any specific training for Costa Rica and what are the race plans for later in 2017?
“TCC is my only winter race this year, so most all of my training this winter will be geared towards performing well at TCC. Transvulcania in May will be my next focus race followed by a return to Hardrock 100 in July and hopefully Grand Raid/Diagonal des Fous in October.”
Have you thought about equipment, shoe choices and other details for the race?
“I have not figured out my race kit for TCC yet. While I almost always race in Altra Paradigms, I am pretty confident I will be racing in a different, higher traction shoe called the Altra King MT (coming out next year). I’ll use a Ultimate Direction racing vest, but besides that, I have some work to do selecting equipment.”
TCC and Costa Rica has a reputation for being a relaxed and enjoyable race – do you think holidays that combine a race are a good idea?
“Absolutely. I’ve paired holiday travel both alone and with my family my whole trail running career. Europe, New Zealand, Iceland, you name it! Importantly though, holiday and racing can be two in the same for me, but it isn’t easy to do. I have failed before at properly managing the balance (UTMB this last summer, for example) between traveling, holiday, fun, training and racing abroad. Balancing things with clear boundaries, a plan and discipline is essential. As far as enjoying myself before and after each stage, that just depends on the day, my mood, physical condition, performance etc…”
As one season comes to an end and Jason prepares for 2017, I ask what he is most looking forward to?
“I look forward to escaping winter for a fantastic world class event in Costa Rica. I am very excited to both prepare for and experience the Costal Challenge.”
The Coastal Challenge is a multi-day race over 6-days starting in the southern coastal town of Quepos, Costa Rica and finishing at the stunning Drake Bay on the Osa Peninsula, The Coastal Challenge is an ultimate multi-day running experience.
Intense heat, high humidity, ever-changing terrain, stunning views, Costa Rican charm, exceptional organisation; the race encompasses Pura Vida! Unlike races such as the Marathon des Sables, ‘TCC’ is not self-sufficient, but don’t be fooled, MDS veterans confirm the race is considerably harder and more challenging than the Saharan adventure.
Hugging the coastline, the race travels in and out of the stunning Talamanca mountain range via dense forest trails, river crossings, waterfalls, long stretches of golden beaches backed by palm trees, dusty access roads, high ridges and open expansive plains. At times technical, the combination of so many challenging elements are only intensified by heat and high humidity that slowly but surely reduces even the strongest competitors to exhausted shells by the arrival of the finish line.
The Coastal Challenge which will take place Feb 10th – 19th, 2017.
This is Episode 115 of Talk Ultra and we have an interview with Hardrock 100 winner, Jason Schlarb. We also speak with Elisabet Barnes about her Richtersveld Transfrontier Wildrun and Big Red Run double. Speedgoat Karl is with us on the countdown to the AT and of course we have the news from around the world.
Timmy Olson – American Tarzan…. Discovery Channel HERE“When Tim gets low on energy, he goes into his trademark “Animal Mode,” and enters the “Pain Cave” to get through it – training which will serve him well in the jungle!”
Coming up – Skyrunning World Champs this weekend HERE
02:07:00 INTERVIEW ELISABET BARNES
03:10:16 AUDIO – the meaning of life see the post HERE
Episode 72 of Talk Ultra has a full and in-depth interview with Jason Schlarb after his recent 4th place at the 2014 UTMB. Donnie Campbell talks about his running career and winning the recent 3×3 80km High Terrain Events in the UK and Claus Rasmussen talk about running Spartathlon… in sandals. The News a Blog, UP & Coming Races and Speedgoat Karl Meltzer.
NEWS
Kilian is King! Skyrunner World Series Champion for VK, SKY and ULTRA
Limone Extreme SKY results:
Petro Mamo 2:14:25
Kilian Jornet 2:14:55
David Schneider 2:19:58
Maite Maiora 2:47:05
Stevie Kremer 2:49:03
Elisa Desco 2:52:40 3×3 80k
Donnie Campbell 8:28:56
Lee Kemp 8:38:49
Ed Batty 9:00:17
Ed Catmur 9:23:48
Stephen Birkinshaw 9:29:24
Lizzie Wraith 10:42:23
Sally Ozanne 10:50:18
Kerstin Rosenqvist 11:12:21
Jamie Aarons 11:18:02
Lauren Woodwiss 12:15:08 INTERVIEW with Donnie Campbell GRINDSTONE 100
Jeff Browning 18:34:40
Brian Rusiecki 19:08:01
Michael Owen 19:32:26
Robin Watkins 22:53:13
Megan Stegmiller 23:35:41
Jacqueline Palmer 25:04:56
BLOG Jez Bragg on the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa –HERE INTERVIEW
Carl Rasmussen ran the 2014 Spartathlon in sandals INTERVIEW Jason Schlarb placed 4th at the recent UTMB GOOD, BAD & UGLY
UP & COMING RACES
Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Stromlo Running Festival – 100 km | 100 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Stromlo Running Festival – 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
New South Wales
Hume & Hovell 100 | 100 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Hume & Hovell 50 | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Washpool/Gibraltar World Heritage Trails 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
South Australia
Heysen 105 | 105 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Victoria
Go the Extra Mile Melbourne | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Ned Kelly Chase 100km – Wangaratta Fitness Fun Addicts | 100 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Austria
Bécs-Pozsony-Budapest Szupermaraton | 317 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Cameroon
Challenge des Montagnes F4 | 160 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Costa Rica
Q50 Costa Rica Ultramarathon | 86 miles | October 18, 2014 | website
France
Aveyron
Endurance Trail | 106 kilometers | October 24, 2014 | website
La course des templiers | 71 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Corse-du-Sud
Corsica Coast Race – 95 km | 95 kilometers | October 29, 2014 | website
Haute-Corse
Corsica Coast Race – 170 km | 170 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Ille-et-Vilaine
Entre Palis et Mégalithes | 64 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Saône-et-Loire
Com Com Trail 68km | 68 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Savoie
Grand Trail du Lac – 72 km | 72 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Germany
North Rhine-Westphalia
Röntgenlauf Ultramarathon | 63 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Greece
Rodopi Advendurun 100 miles | 100 miles | October 17, 2014 | website
India
Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race | 100 miles | October 31, 2014 | website
Israel
Ultra Marathon Sovev Emek – 100 Km Run | 100 kilometers | October 24, 2014 | website
Ultra Marathon Sovev Emek – 100 Mile Run | 100 miles | October 24, 2014 | website
Ultra Marathon Sovev Emek – 200 Km Run | 200 kilometers | October 24, 2014 | website
Ultra Marathon Sovev Emek – 61 Km Run | 61 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Italy
Campania
Amalfi Coast Trail | 79 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Emilia-Romagna
Tartufo Trail 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Tartufo Trail 66 km | 66 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Ultramaratona del Tricolore – 100 km | 100 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Cormorultra | 69 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Piedmont
Lago d’Orta Ultra Trail – 55 km | 55 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Lago D’Orta Ultra Trail – 80 km | 80 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Sardinia
Sardinia Ultramarathon | 81 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Japan
Inagawa 100km Ultra “TOASHI” Fun Run | 100 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Mexico
Carrera de Baja Mexican Trail | 100 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Morocco
Trans 333 | 333 kilometers | October 31, 2014 | website
Ultra Runners Race 777+++ | 777 kilometers | October 31, 2014 | website
New Zealand
Blackmores XTERRA Trail Challenge Waihi Ultra Marathon | 60 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Portugal
Ultra Trail das Aldeias do Xisto | 100 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Réunion
La Mascareignes | 67 kilometers | October 24, 2014 | website
Le Grand Raid | 164 kilometers | October 23, 2014 | website
Trail de Bourbon | 93 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
South Africa
Bonitas Golden Gate Challenge | 70 kilometers | October 23, 2014 | website
Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon | 250 kilometers | October 30, 2014 | website
Ultra-Trail® Cape Town – 100 km | 100 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Ultra-Trail® Cape Town – 62 km | 62 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Spain
Andalusia
Ultima Frontera – 166 km | 166 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Ultima Frontera – 55 km | 55 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Ultima Frontera – 83 km | 83 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Ultra-Trail Gran Vuelta Valle Del Genal | 125 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Canary Islands
Tenerife Bluetrail 60 km | 59 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Tenerife Bluetrail 94 km | 94 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Castile and León
Ultra de Gredos | 82 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Catalonia
Ultra Trail de la Serra de Montsant | 100 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Sweden
Markusloppet | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Tanzania
Kilimanjaro Stage Run | 260 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Zanzibar Ultra Trail | 100 kilometers | October 24, 2014 | website
United Kingdom
Cumbria
Ennerdale 50k Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Derbyshire
Dusk’til Dawn Ultra | 50 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Devon
East Devon Way Ultra | 53 miles | October 21, 2014 | website
Two Moors Way Ultra | 50 miles | October 20, 2014 | website
Dorset
Wessex Ridgeway Ultra | 52 miles | October 22, 2014 | website
Durham
Original Mountain Marathon | 52 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Hampshire
Sussex Border Path Ultra | 49 miles | October 24, 2014 | website
Rotherham
Rowbotham’s Round Rotherham International Trail Event | 50 miles | October 18, 2014 | website
Suffolk
Coastal Trail Series – Suffolk – Ultra | 34 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
West Berkshire
Winter 100 | 100 miles | October 18, 2014 | website
West Sussex
Vangard Way Ultra | 44 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Wiltshire
Clarendon Way Ultra | 48 miles | October 23, 2014 | website
USA
Arizona
Cave Creek Thriller 50K | 50 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
California
100 Mile Endurance Challenge | 100 miles | October 18, 2014 | website
Coyote Ridge 50 Km Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Lake Hodges 50K | 50 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Stinson Beach 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Whiskeytown 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Connecticut
Bimbler’s Bluff 50k | 50 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Delaware
Sinnemahone Ultra Marathon 50K | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Florida
Mutual Mine 50K | 50 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
“Running for the Bay!” 50K | 50 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Illinois
Des Plaines River Tail 50 Miles | 50 miles | October 18, 2014 | website
Forest Glen 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Kansas
Lake Perry Rocks! 50K | 50 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Prairie Spirit Trail “Fall Classic” 50K Ultra Race | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Prairie Spirit Trail “Fall Classic” 50 Mile Ultra Race | 50 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Maine
The Pounder | 50 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
The Punisher | 50 miles | October 19, 2014 | website
Maryland
Fire on the Mountain 50K | 50 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Massachusetts
TARC Fall Classic 50K | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Minnesota
Surf the Murph 50K | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Surf the Murph 50M | 50 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Missouri
Dogwood Canyon 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
Spirit of the Osage 50K Endurance Run | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Nebraska
G.O.A.T.z 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Nevada
Las Vegas 100K | 100 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Las Vegas 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 18, 2014 | website
Las Vegas 150K | 150 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Las Vegas 50K | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
North Carolina
Table Rock Ultras 50K | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Table Rock Ultras 50 Miles | 50 miles | October 18, 2014 | website
Triple Lakes Trail 40 Mile Run | 40 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Ohio
Stone Steps 50k Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
Oklahoma
Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 100K | 100 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 18, 2014 | website
Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 50K | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2014 | website
Pennsylvania
Quad State Quad Buster | 46 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK | 50 miles | October 19, 2014 | website
Tennessee
Ragnar Relay Tennessee | 196 miles | October 24, 2014 | website
Texas
Cactus Rose 100 Mi Trail Run | 100 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Cactus Rose 50 Mi Trail Run | 50 miles | October 25, 2014 | website
Utah
Goblin Valley Ultra 50K | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Pony Express Trail 100 | 100 miles | October 17, 2014 | website
Pony Express Trail 50 | 50 miles | October 17, 2014 | website
Washington
Ft. Steilacoom 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 19, 2014 | website
SCOTT Cougar Mountain Series 50k | 50 kilometers | October 26, 2014 | website
West Virginia
Run Around the Gorge | 69 kilometers | October 25, 2014 | website
Episode 62 of Talk Ultra ia a Comrades Special show. We have a full and in-depth interview with Michael Wardian who is looking for a top-10 placing. Live from Durban, we speak to Jo Kelsey (Meek) who is having her first experience of this race. Nick Clark joins us to discuss UTMF, WSER and the up and coming Salomon SkyRun South Africa. We have a ladies perspective on running with children in Talk Training. The News, a Blog and joining me as a special Comrades Marathon co-host we have 2013 7th placed lady, Holly Rush.
This show is dedicated to Manya Claassen – RIP
‘As you all know, Niandi my partner has run Comrades 13-times. She has been on the show and discussed it… this year she returns for her 14th. IT IS THE ULTIMATE HUMAN RACE, you need to experience it to fully understand the emotions and the coming together of so many people. For Niandi, this year will be the hardest race ever, not only Comrades but of all the races she has done. I’m very sad to say that last week, Niandi’s sister, Manya, lost a 6-year long battle with cancer. Words can’t express the loss but despite everything she went through, she was and is one of the strongest ladies I have ever known. I remember Manya running Comrades with Niandi whilst in remission a few years ago. I was glued to the live feed whilst home in the UK. The emotions when she crossed the line will last with me forever… on June 1st, at the crow of the cockerel, Niandi will run one more time, not for herself but for her sister, her sisters children and her family… run strong, run free, run proud.’ Ian Corless
Niandi Carmont has asked that we read these words on her behalf:
Manya
‘It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.”
― Ursula Le Guin
She was so perky and positive. I’ll will remember her this way.
Sifting through my e-mail I came across this message by my sister. These were words she’d written about a friend who like herself had lost the struggle against breast cancer. Manya had helped the same friend complete the Manya-Tough-One, a race in honour of breast cancer survivors.
Manya called herself a survivor. She was both a survivor and tough. And she loved a challenge. Nothing would irk her more than the words You can’t do that! Once she put her mind to something she did it, irrespective of the difficulty and the dissuasive arguments.
She ran 3 Comrades 2000, 2003 and 2010 – the latter in remission from breast cancer! Manya climbed Kiliminjaro, trekked Europe’s toughest hike the GR20 in Corsica with me, flew over at the drop of a hat to hike the UTMB route, did a crash course on artificial slopes in South Africa to ski on the black slopes in the Alps, bought a road bike and entered the Argus for the fun of it, drove from Jo’burg along the Mozambican coast on her own, transported tons of cement in her SUV to lay the foundations of a house she was building whilst raising 2 generations of kids.
I can honestly say she had no regrets – she lived life to the full and loved life. Manya’s leitmotiv was Carpe Diem but at the same time she was generous and thoughtful of those she loved giving of her time and energy especially to her sons Nathan and Dylan who meant the world to her.
I will miss my little sister – as will her boys, her family and all her friends.
Niandi
NEWS
ZEGAMA
THIS IS SKYRUNNING…. WATCH THE VIDEO Can you imagine it, one day, hopefully these scenes in the Lakes, the Peaks, Welsh mountains HERE
Men
1. Kilian Jornet (Salomon) 3h48’38”
2. Marco De Gasperi (SCOTT Sports) 3h50’38”
3. Luis Alberto Hernando (adidas) 3h50’57”
4. Ionut Zinca (Valetudo Skyrunning Italia) 3h53’14”
5. Zaid Ait Malek (Buff) 3h55’06”
Women
1. Stevie Kremer (Salomon) 4h46’44”
2. Elisa Desco (SCOTT Sports) 4h50’21”
3. Maite Mayora (La Sportiva) 4h51’48”
4. Emelie Forsberg (Salomon) 4h52’11”
5. Kasie Enman (Salomon) 4h53’35”
TNF100 Australia
Men
Stu Gibson – 9:31:11
Andrew Tuckey (The North Face) – 9:31:??
Brendan Davies (Inov-8) – 9:53:10
Jonathan O’Loughlin – 9:53:30
Ben Duffus (Hoka OneOne) – 9:56:16
Ladies
Núria Picas (Buff) – 10:57:46
Joelle Vaught (Montrail) – 11:45:15
Fernanda Maciel (The North Face) – 11:47:52
Gill Fowler (La Sportiva) – 11:56:01
Claire Walton – 12:05:30
GUCR – 145 miles
1st Pat Robbins 26:20
2nd Jon Kinder 27:48
3rd Stuart Gillet 29:35
7th Isobel Wykes 31:18 (1st Lady)
14th Heike Bergman 33:18 (2nd Lady)
19th Natasha Farid-Doyle 34:35 (3rd Lady)
NDW50
Richard La Cock 7:05:12
John Melbourne 7:47:36
Thomas Jeffrey 7:52:40
Annabelle Streams 8:18:32
Gemma Carter 8:36:15
Deborah Turner 8:54:36
Speedgoat Karl Meltzer puts in another day at the office at the Massanutten Mountain Trails 100 Mile Run this past weekend. Karl punched the clock for his 4th win at Massanutten in 18:40:23 extending his world record at the 100 Mile distance to 36 wins and counting. Karl’s win comes on the heels of a 100k win and course record in early April at the Zion 100k.
You have already mentioned that you will have snow and cold temperatures to deal with in the build up to TCC. You have also said that you will need some speed but will you do any specific training for Costa Rica and what are the race plans for later in 2017?
IAN CORLESS 