Episode 134 of Talk Ultra brings you two interviews. Niandi Carmont talks with Kate Driskell who is about to take on an epic multi-day challenge and Ian talks with Timothy Olson about his return to the top of the podium. We have the news and Speedgoat is back to talk about winning again and his new film about the Appalachian Trail FKT.
00:05:50 INTERVIEW with KATE DRISKELL
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Tom Owens had victory in his grasp but went of course in the latter stage opening the doorway for Murray Strain. Tom finished 2nd and Chris Holdsworth 3rd – 2:49, 2:53 and 2:54 the times.
Victoria Wilkinson won once again and set a new CR 3:09:19. Nichola Jackson and Charlotte Morgan placed 2nd and 3rd.
The Canyons 100k
Bob Shebest and Cat Bradley took top honours results HERE
Highland Flag Race
Rob Sinclair, Andrew Turkey and Michael Jones placed 1, 2 and 3 in 6:41 (new course record) 7:17 and 7:29.
Nicola Adams Hendry won in 8:16 ahead of Morgan Windram and Rachel Newstead in 8:37 and 8:55.
Thames Path 100
Mari Maurland and Michael Stocks took respective female and male victories in 16:55 and 14:57.
Zane Grey 50
Karl Meltzer won again in 9:32 and Amber Reimondo took the ladies honours in 11:29. Results HERE
Finally, mountaineering legend Ueli Steck was killed whilst in the Himalayas. Reports are mixed on what exactly happened, however, Steck was on Nuptse and apparently fell several 1000 feet to his untimely death. Outr thoughts go out to his family and the climbing community.
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As a year comes to end, it’s always nice to be able to look back and appreciate some of the highlights that all come together that allows one to decide if it was a good or bad year. For me personally, 2016 was a cracker and I am truly thankful for all the opportunities that came up.
Looking back and deciding on what a highlight is, is of course a tricky thing. It’s very personal and it also requires a great memory. So, I will declare right from the off that these are ‘my’ highlights and yes, I am going to miss some key performances, runners, experiences and so on that should be in the list. So, please feel free to comment and remind me.
It would make sense to start in January and move through to December in a logical way… I am not going to do that, I am writing this off the cuff.
Jim Walmsley has been on fire in 2016 and ironically, despite an amazing run and course record at JFK50, FKT’s for the Rim-to-Rim and Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim in the Grand Canyon and countless other victories, it will be his Western States performance that well and truly cements Jim as one of the most exciting runners to rise in 2016. He said pre Western States that he was there to win and win with a course record. He flew along the trails and at one point was almost 30-minutes under the record. As he passed 90-miles everyone was re-writing the history books and then boom! Jim went off course. I caught up with a full and in-depth interview with Jim and you can listen to that HERE and read it HERE. Jim for many is the male Ultra-runner of the Year with victories at Stagecoach Line 55km, Franklin Mountains Trail Run, Lake Sonoma, Mesquite Canyon, Moab Red Hot 55k, Bandera 100k and the recent JFK50. 2017 is going to be a very exciting one.
Rob Young set off on a journey Across the USA looking for a new record, fame, glory and an opportunity to raise a load of money for charity. Somewhere along the way he lost a grasp of reality, perspective and ruined what was a remarkable story be cheating and deceiving the whole ultra running community. Ultimately, Rob is a story of an individual who tried to do good and maybe we should ask what went wrong rather than preach about his morals.
That brings me on to Mark Vaz. What is it with FKT’s and delusional behaviour? Mark seemed to think that running from Land’s End to John O’Groats 31-hours quicker than anyone else for the 860-mile journey was a good idea. It’s not even a convincing lie. As many pointed out, the god of ultra -running, Yiannis Kouros, couldn’t have done it as quick as Mr. Vaz claimed… oh dear!
Pete Kostelnick by contrast embraced the FKT concept and showed the world that the claims made by Rob Young are possible by smashing a 30+ year old Guinness record out of the ether by running Across the USA a full 4-days quicker than anyone else. As records go, this is an absolute doozy and when you look deep and hard into this 40+ day journey, you soon start to understand the difficulty and complexity of running 70+ miles a day. You can listen to an in-depth interview with Pete HERE and read the story HERE. In addition, we must also add to this story, Pete’s incredible and record breaking run at Badwater 135. This achievement has been overshadowed by the USA run but as a stand alone run, it’s also a cracker.
Karl Meltzer did it, he finally completed the Appalachian Trail in a new record breaking time after failing on two previous occasions. His time was some 10-hours quicker than Scott Jurek’s set in 2015, however, Karl did run in the opposite direction and has said, post run, he feels that they are two records. Notably, Karl helped Scott in 2015 and Scott helped Karl in 2016. It’s a remarkable story and one that truly reflects our sport of ultra-running. Karl’s record of 45-days, 22-hours and 38-minutes now sits in the record books and well and truly establishes Karl as one of ‘the’ greatest ultra-runners in the world. This is also backed up with his 38 100-mile victories and 5 victories at Hardrock 100. Listen to the in-depth interview HEREand readHERE
Talking of Hardrock 100, Kilian Jornet and Jason Schlarb held hands and crossed the line together in 2016. It was a wonderful moment that split the ultra-running audience in two. Some would have preferred a race to the line while others discussed the wonderful gesture and statement this moment made. Whichever camp you sit in, it was back-to-back victories for Kilian and a career defining moment for Jason Schlarb. Something he discussed in my in-depth interview HERE. For equality, we also need to mention Anna Frost nailing a back-to-back ladies victory. As I understand it, these three Musketeers will all return in 2017.
Aaron Denberg got a bee in his bonnet about Hardrock 100 lottery and decided to create a law suit. Many believe Mr. Denberg makes some good points but questioned if his approach was the correct one? Hardrock 100 released statements and have since removed the payment of a fee by each runner to enter the lottery, something which was apparently illegal! This will run and run (pardon the pun) but ultimately, is Hardrock a victim of it’s own success?
Caroline Chaverot for me, without doubt, female ultra-runner of the year. This French lady has been on fire all the way from victory in Transgrancanaria early in the year to a most recent win in Hong Kong on December 2nd. Along the way, Caroline won UTMB, became Skyrunning World Champion for the ultra distance and won the IAU World Trail Championships in Portugal. Add to these incredible results, victories at Madirea Island Ultra Trail, Mont-Blanc 80km and the UTWT world title for 2016 and I lower my head and bow to Queen Caroline. Plus she has made the lottery for Hardrock in 2017… exciting!
Adam Campbell survives a horrific fall and not only lives to tell the tale but has a remarkable recovery, listen to the interview HERE and read HERE
Lizzy Hawker sneaked from under the radar and once again picked up the gauntlet testing her personal boundaries and voyage of self-discovery. After years of injury, Lizzy completed the GHT (Great Himalayan Trail). A 1600km, east to west journey across Nepal. It was, as Lizzy promised, a “beautiful, rough, hard and unforgettable journey”. It was about many things, but also about trying to raise money to give opportunities to Nepali runners, particularly girls, for whom one chance can be a catalyst for much wider change.
Damian Hall set a new FKT on the UK’s South West Coast Path 10-hours, 15-minutes and 18-seconds for the 630-mile jaunt.
Jeff Browning, what a year…! Winner Hurt 100, 3rd at Western States, 4th at Hardrock 100 and 4th at Run Rabbit Run – that is some year, the WSER/Hardrock double a stand out and fastest combined time.
Kilian Jornet won Hardrock 100 and attempted to summit Everest. The Summits Of My Life project continues on into 2017 after Kilian and his team decided to pull the plug on a 2016 attempt as weather detonated.
Emelie Forsberg was quiet in 2016 after damaging her ACL and having an operation, she did however return to Trofeo Kima and put the record straight with a victory… she hopes the course record will come in 2018 when the race will take place once again. Emelie discussed her injury HERE
Beth Pascall went from strength-to-strength in 2016 and elevated the Lakeland 100 (UK) record to a whole new level by placing 4th overall. Listen to her interview HERE
Zach Miller did what he always does and lead from the front. At UTMB many predicted, me included, that it was going to be a story of glorious victory with a stunning ‘off-the-front’ performance or carnage with a monumental blow-up! In reality it was both, the blow-up came and he somehow managed to hold on for grim death to still get a top-10 place, he will win this race one day! Jump forward to December and Zach did it again at San Francisco 50. This time he had company and many are saying that ‘this’ race was one of the highlights of the year as Zach and Hayden Hawks traded blows at the front. Zach won with a course record and he took home the $10,000 prize. Hayden finished just 2-minutes back. Note that name! If you want to know what it’s like to put it ALL on the line, take a look at Zach’s final 2-minutes of that incredible 5:56:03 run.
Andrew Miller became the youngest winner of the iconic Western States and today, myself and so many others still know very little about this 20-year old. Certainly, Jim Walmsley had an impact on the kudos and plaudits that Andrew should have received. Running 15:39:36 at WSER takes some doing but I can’t help but think that Biology and chemistry are a priority as Andrew starts his sophomore year at Northern Arizona University. He will be back at WSER in 2017!
Kaci Lickteig has been nailing it and nailing it and finally got the Western States victory that she has longed for and then contrasted it with victory at the Bear 100. You can listen to Kaci’s post Western States interview HERE
Andrea Huser runs and races it would appear ‘every’ weekend. She is relentless. As I understand it, Andrea raced on thirteen occasions but I may have missed some/ She had victories at Raid de La Reunion Swiss Irontrail T201 Eiger Ultratrail 101km, Lavaredo, Trail d’Albertville, Trail Des Allobroges and Maxi-Race Annecy. Phew… any other year and the lack of Caroline Chaverot and Andrea would be female ultra-runner of the year.
Luis Alberto Hernando won Transvulcania, became Skyrunning World Champion for the ultra distance and became IAU World Trail Champion. That is a solid year and Luis has raced less having become a Dad. Had his feet not fallen apart at UTMB, he may well have been in the running with Jim for male ultra-runner of the year.
Diego Pazos is a name to watch and has surprised many in 2016. He’s my heads-up for the future. He had a notable result at Transgrancanaria early in 2016 but what followed was quite incredible, his victory at Mont-Blanc 80km a highlight!
Didrik Hermansen won Transgrancanaria and then placed 2nd at Western States. That is solid and shows real diversity. What will 2017 hold for him? Listen HEREand as Sondre corrects me, Didrik ran 6:45 and 6:38 for 100k.
Running Beyond Book was released in October and November to a worldwide audience and has been translated into Spanish, Italian, German, Swedish and of course is available in English. Containing 240-pages, this large coffee table books documents the sport of trail, ultra, mountain and skyrunning in images and words, HERE
Dan Lawson (UK) won the IAU 24 Hour European Championships in 2016 with a distance of 261.843 kilometres (162.702 mi).
Jasmin Paris has elevated herself to a whole new level in 2016. This quiet and shy fell runner set new records for the UK’s ‘Rounds’ and in the process placed 6th at UTMB (her first 100) won Tromso SkyRace, won Glencoe Skyline, became the Skyrunner World Series Extreme Champion 2016 and in addition to countless other races, also placed on the podium at the Skyrunning World Championships for the ultra distance behind Caroline Chaverot. Interviews with Jasmin Paris HERE, HERE, HERE and HERE
Joe Grant set a new record on the 14’ers in 31-days by cycling between trailheads and then summiting all the 14’ers (50+ of them) on foot to then return back to his cycle and then continue on his journey. He was self-sufficient for the whole trip. “I did set a speed record, but that wasn’t my goal,” says Grant, 33, an accomplished ultrarunner who finished second at the 2012 Hardrock 100. “The goal was to challenge myself and see the state, although the previous record served as a reference for how long I could take.” taken from trailrunningmag.
Megan Hicks also completed a ’14’ journey, the Nolans 14 in Colorado. She completed the journey in 57:19:19 to the summit of the 14th peak and then completed the journey back to the Fish Hatchery Trailhead in under 60-hours – 59:36. Her time is the fastest ever completed by a woman.
Nicky Spinks continues to inspire and while she may have lost her ‘Round’ records to Jasmin Paris, she went on to set a new benchmark with a record for a double Bob Graham Round – Nick is an inspiration! You can listen to an interview with her HERE
Ludovic Pommeret ran the most controlled and impressive UTMB ever moving from not being in contention to slowly but surely ticking off the runners ahead and taking the crown at the largest ultra in the world. Add to this victory four other victories and Ludovic is one to keep an eye on in ’17.’
Caroline Boller set new American Trail 50-mile record 5:48:01
Gina Slaby set new female 100-mile WR 13:45:49 for ‘any’ surface, Anne Trason had the previous record of 13:47:41 set in the early 90’s.
Skyline Scotland achieved a first with Glencoe Skyline achieving Skyrunner World Status in the Extreme category and as such, the 2016 edition of the race had arguably one of the best fields assembled on UK soil for a mountain race. HERE
Jon Albon transitioned from obstacle racing (something he still does and excels at) to Skyrunning and won the 2016 Skyrunner World Series Extreme category. We are going to see more of him in 2017! HERE
Samantha Gash ran across India in a project called ‘Run India’ as a means to create awareness and raise money. Covering over 3000km you can listen to her story in episode 125 of Talk Ultra out on Friday 16th December.
Ida Nilsson started the year with a win in Transvulcania, she took victory at The Rut and then in early December won San Francisco 50. Without doubt, Ida is a star of the future. Listen to Ida talk about Transvulcania HERE
Stu Leaney breaks Michael Wardian’s 50km treadmill record by just 7-seconds
Mina Guli ran 40-marathons across 7 deserts on 7 continents in 7 weeks to raise awareness for water, listen to the interview HERE
Jason Schlarb started his year by prepping for Hardrock 100 by skiing the course, listen to the interview HERE
Skyrunning and the world series (SWS) elevated to new heights with an increased circuit that traveled the globe and the addition of the new Extreme series.
And finally (maybe), Donnie Campbell just recently set a new Winter Ramsay Round record to finish a very solid year!
******
So what have I missed?
I am well aware that I will have missed some key performances in 2016 and I welcome you commenting and letting me know. Of course, many performances, races or experiences will resonate on a personal level for you. I can think of many British performances that are worthy of a nod – Jo Meek’s 2nd at the CCC, Paul Giblin 5th at Western States, Joasia Zakrzewski’s medal at the 100k World Champs for example.
The International Skyrunning Federation is pleased to announce that the Skyrunner World Series calendar will have a new addition to VK, SKY and ULTRA for 2016 and future years. See the full release and calendar HERE.
They are going Extreme!
Trofeo Kima has long been a pinnacle race for Skyrunning enthusiasts worldwide. A jewel in the Skyrunning crown and the words of Kilian Jornet sum it up so well:
“Picture a mountain terrain that has no paths, amidst glaciers; it is all crests, rocks, stretches of via Ferrata and all over a course that stretches 50-km. Kima is not athletics, it is mountaineering; pure Skyrunning!”
The bi-annual race returns in 2016 and due to increasing demand for adventurous and demanding courses, the ISF have created a new series called SKY EXTREME.
Three countries, three awesome races, a real opportunity to embrace the ethos of where earth meets sky!
The series will start in Norway with the TROMSO SKYRACE in August, we will then move to Italy for TROFEO KIMA in late August and then the final race will be in the UK with Scotland’s GLEN COE SKYLINE in September.
Although it will be possible to race each race in its own right, to qualify for the series you will be required to run two races.
The rewards? Skyrunner World Series Extreme Champion 2016.
“My vision of so many years ago is finally coming full circle,” said ISF President, Marino Giacometti. “I was ahead of my time! After our first records and races restricted to athletes-climbers on the summit of Monte Rosa and Mont Blanc, Trofeo Kima become the symbol of Skyrunning. Kima has always been for a select few but the growth and demand for more challenging races is now finally coming to fruition with the inspiration that Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg have provided. Tromso Skyrace and Glen Coe Skyline are great additions to the Skyrunner World Series and Sky Extreme is a new and exciting step for Skyrunning! ”
Needless to say, the addition of EXTREME to the Skyrunner World Series is great news for a UK audience and UK based runners.
“I had a dream 2-years ago when Skyrunning UK was launched in the UK that in 3-years we would host a SWS event. That dream is now a reality and with it the worlds best will come to Scotland in September to race in the mountains of Glen Coe!”– Ian Corless, Skyrunning UK Director.
Luis Alberto Hernando and Emelie Forsberg do the double! Skyrunning World Champions (2015) and now 2015 Skyrunning European Champion at the Ice Trail Tarentaise, Val d’Isere.
Following on from respective Transvulcania Ultramarathon victories, the dynamic duo of Hernando and Forsberg once again showed the Skyrunning ultra runners that they are the ones to beat.
Hernando was pushed close by rising star Manuel Merillas whereas Forsberg had a clear run to the line despite finding the conditions tough.
Magdalena Laczak fulfilled her potential by taking the 2nd place on the ladies podium and it was a blast from the past Anna Strakova put in a final surge for the final podium spot.
In the men’s race, Fulvio Dapit looked certain to take the final podium place but complained his legs were shot on the final climb. Clement Molliet seized an opportunity and relegated Dapit off the podium.
Waking up at 0400 to pouring rain is never a great way to start a day, particularly when you have 55km of tough, challenging and mountain terrain to get over. After a couple of recce runs in the days leading up to the race, it became very clear that the USM was going to offer a very tough challenge.
Stevie Kremer had flown in from Colorado and was praying for sun. Ricky Lightfoot and Aritz Egea are from Cumbria and the Basque country and ‘it always rains’ they told me, so no need to ask what they hoped for.
The USM course is a unique one. Weaving up and down mountains, around beaches, through dense undergrowth, up a riverbed and of course plenty of climbing and descending. It’s not your ordinary Skyrunning course!
Departing the start line at 0600 on the dot, the runners disappeared down a darkened lane with only head torches and rain for company. It was a brutal start to the day, just 1km to warm up and then a climb of 1400m.
Onwards and upwards the runners climbed and a section of via ferrata at around 6km provided a taster for the final push to the summit. It wasn’t easy going. The mist had come in and visibility was poor. Add to this constant rain and steep gradients.
Ricky Lightfoot and Zaid Ait Malek were the first to appear. The contrast between the two striking, Ricky is tall and well built and a fireman by trade. Zaid is Moroccan, small and probably only about 50kg in weight when completely wet through and wearing three layers of clothes.
They matched each other step-by-step. Minutes later, Aritz Egea appeared looking calm and relaxed in the wet and challenging conditions. With 90 minutes of the race elapsed, the main male contenders came thick and fast and with them, Stevie Kremer.
It was sometime before the 2nd lady Ester Alves came into sight and the writing was on the wall. Stevie was going to need to crumble to loose this race. Descending over the summit, an inversion came in allowing the surrounding vistas to come clear. It was quite special to see so many mountains and trails all above the cloud.
Running the ridges and several more climbing sections, the front of the race didn’t change until a decisive phase around the 30km mark. Climbing from the sea and beach, Ricky Lightfoot continued to extend his lead looking strong. However, Zaid Ait Malek looked in trouble and Aritz Egea was closing. After 5km of ridge running and a technical descent, a riverbed with boulder hopping awaited.
Ricky was long gone but here Aritz moved ahead of Zaid. It looked like a decisive move but as we know, nothing is guaranteed in racing. Behind, Clemente Mora and Nuno Silva were coming to life. In particular Nuno, he ran over the boulders in the river like a man possessed.
But another long climb needed to be ascended and descended before the finish line and here the podium changed. Zaid was having trouble and feeling dizzy. His only option to ease off the pace providing a gateway to third. As Clemente and Nuno battled for 3rd, Aritz exploded through a lack of calories and was forced to jog/ walk it into the finish. Seizing an opportunity, Clemente proved the stronger and finally pulled away from Nuno and they finished 6:17:22 and 6:24:57 respectively behind Rick Lightfoot’s new course record, 6:09:56.
Steve Kremer was almost in another race by the time the riverbed and the final climb came. However, she did say she wasn’t feeling great. This was the longest race she had ever run! It was academic, Stevie despite what she said ran into the finish looking strong in 7:33:37 almost 45 min ahead of 2nd placed Ester Alves in 8:14:45. Lucia Franco took the final podium place in 9:01:53.
Post race, Stevie went on to say, ‘USM is one of if not the hardest race I have ever done. I think it is a much harder race than Zegama-Aizkorri. It was relentless terrain and the conditions just made it so much harder. Race organisation was brilliant and course marking superb. It was brilliant but so tough.”
By contrast, Ricky seemed relaxed after his run, ‘It was a great course and one that embodies Skyrunning exceptionally well. However, the first hour of the course is not designed for someone as tall as me! All those trees that needed to be crawled under; I was bent double,’ he said with a laugh. ‘Zaid is only tiny so he could just run. I felt like I was crawling. The views when the mist lifted were incredible. It was almost as though I was running in another race.’
The 2nd edition of the Ultra Skymarathon Madeira has been a great success. Madeira is an amazing island with a tough and challenging course. The future looks bright for this new addition to the Skyrunning calendar.
Episode 77 of Talk Ultra – It’s our Christmas Special. Ian and Speedgoat Karl Meltzer discuss 2014 and some of our highlights.
We have in depth interviews with Ellie Greenwood, Max King, Joe Grant and .Grant Maughan.
We wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. We thank you for your continued support and look forward to joining you on your ultra journeys in 2015. – Ian & Karl
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
All good things must come to an end… at least for this year! The 2014 Skyrunner® World Series concludes this weekend in the mountains that surround Lake Garda.
On Friday the VK will commence as the light fades and darkness surrounds the mountains. Sunday the SKY race takes place over a course of 23.5km’s and 2000m +/-. Two races, one great weekend of running and at conclusion we will have newly crowned male and female Skyrunner® World Series champions for both VK and SKY distances.
As one would expect, these two races are attracting a who’s who of the Skyrunning world.
Vertical Kilometre
In the VK, La Sportiva and Salomon are fielding two very strong teams. Illuminated by the glow of head torches, a very interesting battle will unfold.
Urban Zemmer is the outright favourite after winning Limone Extreme in 2013 and in the process winning the Skyrunner® World Series. However, La Sportiva teammates, Nejc Kuhar, Nadir Maguet, Marco Facchinhelli and Marco Moletto will be looking to pull rank and gain valuable points.
Kilian Jornet has been training hard and as we all know, can never be ruled out when it comes to head-to-head racing uphill. Add to the mix, Marco De Gasperi and Thorbjorn Ludvigsen and the Limone Extreme VK looks set to be a classic.
For the ladies, 2013 Skyrunner® World Series champion, Laura Orgue, like Zemmer is the outright favourite. This lady has been unbeatable uphill in 2013 and I don’t think Limone will be any different.
Stevie Kremer will push and push and look to gain an advantage as will Christel Dewalle, Antonella Confortla, Emelie Forsberg, Sara Longoni, Francesca Rossi, Beatrice Delflorian and surprise entrant, Julia Bleasdale. Julia is an exciting prospect from the UK and I am extremely keen to see how this Olympian performs.
SKY RACE
Do you want to bet against Kilian Jornet? No, me neither. Kilian has excelled in 2014 and other than placing 2nd to Luis Alberto Hernando at Transvulcania; the Catalan has won every rave (VK’s excluded). Kilian has been training hard and Limone will see one chapter close for 2014 before the transition to skis and another Summit attempt in December.
Marco, 11th August 2012 in the mountains above Zinal.
Marco De Gasperi if fit is potentially the one person to push Kilian all the way to the line and if firing on all cylinders, may well take the glory away from the Salomon runner. I personally have waited all year for this head-to-head to happen and the prospect is exciting.
Waiting in the wings is a plethora of Skyrunning talent who will be looking to upset the apple cart and history shows that anything can happen.
Manuel Merillas is hot property at the moment and after strong performances in the Skyrunner® World Series, his presence at Limone adds an exciting element to proceedings. Recent top-3 performances at Trofeo Kima and The Rut add weight to a very strong case that we see a surprise on the shores of Lake Garda.
Ionut Zinca had a great result at Limone last year and recently placed well, once again at Dolomites Skyrace. I would anticipate Ionut having a great race, he’s a fierce competitor and top performer.
Zaid Ait Malek won the Matterhorn Ultraks and is without doubt a contender for the podium at Limone. However, Aritz Egea has performed consistently all year and at just under 24km’s, the Limone course plays to his strengths.
Michel Lanne had a great run at the Skyrunning World Championships and a glimmer of that strength will intimidate the competition.
Alex Nichols is one again making the long journey from the USA and has great potential to mix it with the best, however, 2014 has been a tough year and his current form is unknown.
Tadei Pivk will also be a hot contender for the top-5.
Did we say THIS FIELD IS STACKED…. !
Rounding out the hot contenders for the top-5 places are Jono Wyatt, Alexis Sevennec, Thorbjorn Ludvigsen, David Schneider and Nicola Golinelli.
Look out for:
Didier Zago
Matheo Jaquemond
Fabio Bazzana
Florian Reichert
Oli Johnson
Gary Priestley
Hassan Ait Chau
Marco Moletto
Marc Pinsach
Stevie Kremer already has the 2014 Skyrunner® World Series sewn up, so, this will take the pressure off and allow Stevie a trouble and stress free run. As we all know though, she probably will still nail it and has every chance of taking away the victory.
Elisa Desco, Emelie Forsberg and Laura Orgue will do everything in their respective powers to ensure that Stevie does not have another victory. In all honesty, the ladies race is wide open. Laura Orgue has displayed pure class going up hill and certainly, the first half of the Limone course will suit her racing style. I expect to see Laura to be leading at the summit; the question will come if she can hold of the charging train of Forsberg, Desco and Kremer. Very few ladies can go downhill like Emelie Forsberg and if she is in contact during the 2nd half of the race, Emelie will potentially take top honours.
Elisa Desco is a very rounded athlete uphill and downhill, at 23.5kms the distance will suit the Italian and with valuable points at stake, we can expect a 100% committed effort for victory.
Maite Maiora started the year with a bang at Transvulcania and has continued to bang the drum all the way throughout 2014. For sure, Maite stepped up a level this year and along with Desco, Forsberg and Kremer, she has been a force to be reckoned with. The podium is a distinct possibility but it’s going to be a battle.
Victoria Wilkinson had a great race at the Dolomites Skyrace and has continued to excel on the UK Fell running scene. The podium may just be out of reach but top-5 is a distinct possibility.
Anna Lupton has been missed in 2014 with injury. Arguably, Anna has been the UK’s most consistent performer in previous Skyrunning events and it’s great to see her back on a start line.
Tessa Hill has been a little quiet in 2014 but has committed herself to Limone and has recently posted, ‘My main way of preparing for this is to get as much climb in the legs as possible and then top things up on the bike.’
Julia Bleasdale is a British Olympian who raced the 5000m and 10,000m at the London Olympics. She placed 8th in both finals. Julia tipping her toes into the Skyrunning world is a great boost for the sport and Skyrunning in the UK. However, Julia understands the challenge ahead, “I hear so many great things about Skyrunning, but I do not underestimate the strength required to compete in this extreme discipline! So I am delighted to mix things up at the end of the season for variety. I love running in the mountains as they give you depth in your strength, but track athletes cannot transform themselves in just a few weeks to be ready for this!”
Stephanie Jiminez excels at the Sky distance and Limone will suit the skill set of the Salomon athlete. Her experience sets her apart from the competition and on her day, she can beat the best in the world.
As runners arrived at 0400 on the morning of Saturday 4th October at the High Terrain Race HQ for the 3×3, Skyrunning UK’s 3rd race in 2014. They may very well have thought the apocalypse had started!
Yes, the rain was that bad!
The race had a capacity field of 300 entrants; expect the normal drop out race of 10% and after pre race registrations on the evening of Friday 3rd October, it was correct to assume that 250+ starters would toe the line. In reality, less than 190 started.
It’s a sign of how bad the conditions were. Ian Mulvey, race director for the 3×3 had consulted with his team and a decision had been made that the first summit at Scafell would be missed with an alternative re route in place. It was a great call… no race wants to make these decisions, however, safety is key and paramount. Remember folks, it’s only running!
Considering everyone taking part was likely to have 9-hours+ on the course, to take runners to such a low point in the first 2-3 hours would have potentially impacted on the race as a whole and may well have not only stretched the runners but logistics.
So bad were the conditions that I personally wasn’t able to make the first ascent due to severe flooding; yes, it was potentially 2009 all over again.
With just under 40km’s covered and on the ascent to Helvellyn, a clear pattern had started to form with Lee Kemp pushing the pace, Donnie Campbell chasing and ever present Skyrunning UK competitor and Peaks Skyrace winner, Jayson Cavill chasing 20-minutes back.
The ladies race had Lakeland 100 course record holder, Lizzie Wraith out front with a convincing lead chased by Sally Ozanne and Great Lakeland 3-Day winner, Kerstin Rosenqvist.
The weather was playing a key factor in the whole day, however, the Biblical conditions of the first couple of hours calmed to leave an ever changing and gusting day.
Over Helvellyn and then dropping down to Keswick runners headed up to Latrigg and then took on a tough anti-clockwise loop of Skiddaw. Over the summit the wind was gale force and the wind chill was close if not below zero. Cloud bursts; heavy rain and even a hale storm made the day impressive visually but something to endure from a running perspective.
Lee Kemp somehow lost the race lead over Skiddaw, as he ran past me he shouted that he had taken a wrong turn… I will clarify this later. This mistake by Lee opened the door for Donnie Campbell and looking strong he pushed to the line without actually realising he was the first to cross it! Lee Kemp held on to 2nd and Ed Batty placed 3rd after Jayson Cavill withdrew from the race. Ever present Centurion race winner, Ed Catmur placed 4th and local legend and recent Wainwrights FKT record holder, Steve Birkinshaw placed 5th.
Lizzie Wraith never relinquished the ladies race lead, however, over Skiddaw the gap was reduced considerably. Sally however couldn’t close and the positions remained the same all the way to the line with Kirstin Rosenqvist finishing out the podium.
The 3×3 was a real test. The conditions added to the adventure and from first to last, every single runner should be extremely proud of finishing such a tough race. Ian Mulvey and the High Terrain team did a great job of managing conditions, ensuring everyone’s safety and in the process they have made the 3×3 one of the must do events on the UK calendar.
At the awards ceremony, fell running legend Billy Bland arrived to provide a very natural and humble ending to a great weekend of running.
Attention now turns to the final Skyrunning UK race of 2014, the Mourne Skyline MTR in Ireland.
RESULTS
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
All results TBC
Race Images will be available HERE after Monday 6th October
Episode 60 of Talk Ultra – This weeks show has an interview with one of the best ‘closers’ in the ultra scene, Mike Foote. We have a series of interviews from the Iznik Ultra series of races, Marcus Scotney from the 130k, Jo Meek from the 80k and Robbie Britton from the marathon. We speak to British Bulldog, Steve Spiers. Marc Laithwaite is back for Talk Training. News, a Blog, Up and Coming Races and of course, Speedgoat Karl Meltzer.
NEWS
UTMF
Francois D’Haene 19:09:13
Ryan Sandes 20:18:59
Mike Foote 20:54:16
Nuria Picas 23:27:34
Fernanda Maciel 23:46:24
Maria Semarjian 27:16:13
ONER
Rob Sartin 18:19:29
Tom Sutton 18:40:08
Max Woods 20:13:19
Nicky Taylor 18:40:10
Erica Terblanche 20:36:34
Melanie Hawker 21:56:54
Iznik Races
130k
Marcus Scotney (Montane) 12:53:59 new CR
Mahmut Yavuz 13:11:55
Zhikica Ivanovski 13:53:41
Bakiye Duran 19:09:39
Svetiana Stojanoska 22:27:08
AUDIO with Marcus Scotney
80K
Jo Meek (Scott Running) 6:52:17 new CR first lady and first overall
Aykut Celikbas 7:41:34
Firat Kara 7:46:07 (tbc)
Jo Meek (Scott Running)
Yasemin Goktas 9:45:34
Ayse Beril Basliqil 9:54:45
AUDIO with Jo Meek
Marathon
Robbie Britton (inov-8) 3:08:19 new CR
Benoit Laval (Raidlight) 3:30:38
Duygun Yurteri 3:31:56
Elena Polyakova 3:47:26
Aysen Solak 3:51:01
Helen Southcott 4:14:07
AUDIO with Robbie Britton
Highland Fling Race
Sondre Amdahl (Norway) 07:29:15
Justin Maxwell 07:46:35
Neil Macnicol 07:49:08
Jo Zakrzewski 08:30:29
Sally Fawcett 08:38:41
Elaine Omand )8:49:33
SDW50 – correction to results
Louise Waterman Evans 7:06:08
Edwina Sutton 7:09:21
Sarah Perkins 7:19:43
**correction – Gemma Carter re SDW50
Oh Ian, that is really very kind of youI know it will mean a lot to Eddy and of course, it means a lot to me (I’m not in the big league YET, so every little result counts!) thank you… See below: 1st.Edwina Sutton- 7:09:21 2nd. Sarah Perkins-7:19:43 3rd. Gemma Carter-7:32:42
Transvulcania is next week… what a showdown awaits! In-depth previewHERE
Mike Foote has a great reputation for starting steady and moving his way up through the field. At UTMF he gave another prime example of how to do this….