Tag Archives: everesttrailrace2017

Episode 147 – Felix Weber and Everest Trail Race 2017

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Episode 147 of Talk Ultra brings you an interview with the amazing running nomad, Felix Weber. We also bring you a selection of interviews from the 2017 Everest Trail Race with Elisabet Barnes, Paul Allum, Becks Ferry, Sondre Amdahl and Ester Alves. We also have the Godfather of Trail, Kurt Decker, co-host the show.
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00:11:07 NEWS
TNF 50
Tim Freriks and Ida Nilsson do the Transvulcania / TNF 50 double, In the ladies race, Clare Gallagher 2nd and Megan Kimmel 3rd, times 7:07, 7:12 and 7:19. For the men, Zach Miller and Hayden Hawks placed 2nd/ 3rd in 6:15 and 6:20 to Tim’s 6:02.
EVEREST TRAIL RACE
What a race! Sumun Kulung and Chhechee Sherpa took Nepali victories in a super competitive 6-day race through the Himalayas. Luis Alberto Hernando lead the race throughout until the last day…. Sondre Amdahl placed 3rd. For the ladies, Ester Alves and Elisabet Barnes placed 2nd and 3rd behind the Nepali. Full results and images HERE.
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00:22:11 Interview with ETR Participants – Elisabet Barnes, Sondre Amdahl, Ester Alves, Becks Ferry and Paul Allum
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JFK 50
Eric Senseman took a big win ahead of Michael Owen and Anthony Kunkel – 5:46, 6:03 and 6:05 respectively. Emily Torrence took the ladies top slot in 6:27 ahead of ~Jackie Merritt and Sabrina Little, 6:57 and 7:01.
Camille Herron
Wow, what a 100 at TunnelHill. New WR. 12:42:39
SKYRUN South Africa
Lucky Miya took the win in 12:58 ahead of Sange Sherpa and Christiaan Greyling. Tracey Campbell took the ladies top slot in 19:26 ahead of Misty Weyers and Kate Swarbeck.
Cat Bradleyset a new FKT in the Grand Canyon, rim-to-rim-to-rim in 7:52:20 and Alicia Vargo did a one-way crossing in 3:19:23.
Kelvin T Reid : Hi Ian, I want to ask you a favor. I was always my hope to run Western States. I run qualifying races but never got in. Travis McWhorter after following my story on Facebook he sent me is Western States buckle. I was hoping you could give him a shout out on your podcast.
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02:06:57 Interview with FELIX WEBER
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UP & COMING RACES

Australia

Victoria

Alpine Challenge 100 km | 100 kilometers | November 25, 2017 | website
Alpine Challenge 100 Mile | 100 miles | November 25, 2017 | website
Alpine Challenge 60 km | 60 kilometers | November 25, 2017 | website

Belgium

Wallonia

Olne-Spa-Olne | 67 kilometers | November 26, 2017 | website

Cambodia

The Ancient Khmer Path | 220 kilometers | November 24, 2017 | website

Cape Verde

Boavista Salt Marathon | 71 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
Boavista Ultramarathon – 150 km | 150 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

France

Aveyron

L’astragale Trail | 61 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website

Côtes-d’Armor

Le Grand Menestrail | 53 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Haute-Garonne

Trail Toulouse Métropole | 50 kilometers | November 26, 2017 | website

Loire

La Saintélyon | 72 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website

Manche

50 km | 50 kilometers | November 25, 2017 | website

Vendée

Corrida mothaise | 100 kilometers | November 26, 2017 | website

Germany

Lower Saxony

3. Lauf PSV Winterlaufserie 100 KM | 100 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
3. Lauf PSV Winterlaufserie 50 KM | 50 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
4. Lauf PSV Winterlaufserie 100 KM | 100 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website
4. Lauf PSV Winterlaufserie 50 KM | 50 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website

Rhineland-Palatinate

Kleiner KoBoLT | 106 kilometers | November 25, 2017 | website
KoBoLT | 140 kilometers | November 25, 2017 | website

Greece

Feat in the Footsteps of Minos | 70 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website

Hong-Kong

50 km | 50 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website

India

Maharashtra

Oxfam Trailwalker India – Mumbai | 100 kilometers | December 08, 2017 | website

Tamil Nadu

Nilgiris 100 km Men-Only Ultra | 100 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
Nilgiris 100 km Women-Only Ultra | 100 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website
Nilgiris 50 km Men-Only Ultra | 50 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
Nilgiris 50 km Women-Only Ultra | 50 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website

Indonesia

Gede Pangrango 100K | 100 kilometers | December 08, 2017 | website
Gede Pangrango 300 | 300 kilometers | December 08, 2017 | website
Gede Pangrango 50K | 50 kilometers | December 08, 2017 | website
Gede Pangrango 75K | 75 kilometers | December 08, 2017 | website

Kenya

TsavoEkiden84 | 84 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
TsavoRide | 120 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
TsavoRun84 | 84 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Mexico

130 km | 130 kilometers | December 01, 2017 | website
50 km | 50 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Namibia

100 km of Namib Desert | 100 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website

New Zealand

Kepler Challenge Mountain Run | 60 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Peru

250 km | 250 kilometers | November 26, 2017 | website

Réunion

Mafate Trail Tour | 75 kilometers | November 25, 2017 | website

South Africa

Ultra-Trail® Cape Town – 100 km | 100 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
Ultra-Trail® Cape Town – 62 km | 62 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Spain

Region of Murcia

Ultra 100Km | 100 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Turkey

Kaz Dağları Ultra | 78 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

United Kingdom

Buckinghamshire

50 Miles | 50 miles | November 25, 2017 | website

Dorset

Coastal Trail Series – Dorset – Ultra | 34 miles | December 02, 2017 | website

Kent

Gatliff 50 km | 50 kilometers | November 26, 2017 | website

USA

California

50 Mile | 50 miles | November 25, 2017 | website
High Desert 50K Ultramarathon | 50 kilometers | December 03, 2017 | website

Florida

100 Miles | 100 miles | November 25, 2017 | website
50 Miles | 50 miles | November 25, 2017 | website
Caloosahatchee Ultra 50K | 50 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Indiana

50k | 50 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website
50mi | 50 miles | December 02, 2017 | website

Kentucky

Redbird Crest 100K | 100 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Massachusetts

32M | 32 miles | December 02, 2017 | website
40M | 40 miles | December 02, 2017 | website

North Carolina

Derby 50k Ultra Run | 50 kilometers | November 25, 2017 | website

South Carolina

50K | 50 kilometers | December 02, 2017 | website

Washington

Ghost of Seattle 50K | 50 kilometers | November 25, 2017 | website
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02:43:30 CLOSE
02:50:53
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I’m Ian Corless and he is Speedgoat Karl Meltzer.
Keep running
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Website – talkultra.com

Everest Trail Race by The Elements Pure Coconut Water #ETR2017 – STAGE 6 TENGBOCHE to LUKLA

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Day 6 #ETR2017

On paper, today’s stage of the Everest Trail Race was mostly downhill with 3183m of descent in comparison to 2105m of ascent over the 29.5km course. Don’t be fooled though, it’s a tough day.

Leaving Tengboche the race retraces stage-5 to Phakding via a diversion at Sensa to the amazing Kumjung Valley where the runners have an incredible backdrop of Everest, Lohtse and Ama Dablam. Finally, they arrive at Namche Bazaar and re-trace stage 5 and then branch left to climb to Lukla and the finish of the 2017 ETR.

Suman Kulung had it all to fight for today, he lay 2nd behind Luis Alberto Hernando 6-minutes and 53-seconds back. It was tough ask to take this amount of time out of one of the best trail runners in the world, Luis Alberto Hernando. But as we had seen on previous day’s, the Nepali runner can fly when going down-hill! After CP1 he had gained a lead of 4-minutes and Luis Alberto was chasing hard. At Namche Bazaar, the Spaniard lost some time after a wrong turn and tried to chase hard but the writing was on the wall and Luis Alberto knew it. He eventually eased off knowing that Suman had earned a well fought 2017 ETR victory, he placed 4th on the stage. Jordi Gamito moved up from his usual 4th on stage and placed 2nd and as per usual, Sondre Amdahl placed 3rd.

Chhechee Sherpa in reality already had the 2017 ETR sewn up on the start of the final stage, her lead of 12-minutes and 22-seconds was almost impossible to claw back on a stage with so much downhill running, something the Nepali loves! It went like clockwork, she forged away at the front and not only took the stage victory but extended her overall winning time. Ester Alves chased hard all day in the hope of a miracle and once again she placed 2nd ahead of Elisabet Barnes who placed 3rd.

Suman Kulung and Chhechee Sherpa are crowned the 2017 ETR champions but all credit goes to each and every finisher. At 100-miles, this race may not be the longest but it is surely one of the toughest! The combination of tough technical terrain, relentless climbing and descending and of course altitude, all combine to make the ETR a race to do!

Results Stage

  1. Suman Kulung 2:47:59
  2. Jordi Gamito 3:19:48
  3. Sondre Amdahl 3:29:19
  4. Luis Alberto Hernando 3:31:17

 

  1. Chhechee Sherpa 3:50:26
  2. Ester Alves 4:25:57
  3. Elisabet Barnes 4:46:31

 

OVERALL RESULTS

  1. Suman Kulung 18:35:54
  2. Luis Alberto Hernando 19:12:49
  3. Sondre Amdahl 20:47:31

 

  1. Chhechee Sherpa 24:58:46
  2. Ester Alves 27:37:19
  3. Elisabet Barnes 28:09:45

 

 

Everest Trail Race by The Elements Pure Coconut Water #ETR2017 – STAGE 5 PHAKDING to TENGBOCHE

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Day 5 #ETR2017

Many say that the 16km route from Phakding to Tengboche is one of the most beautiful trails in the world. The view of the Himalayan peaks is beyond mind blowing. Especially when you arrive at the monastery and Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam await. It’s quite the picture postcard and the perfect finish line for the ETR.

However, to take in this spectacle a journey of 20km and 2124m of positive incline waits. It doesn’t sound too much does it? However, many runners crossed the line saying, ‘that was a seriously tough day!’

Departing Phakding (2700m), Namche Bazar (3600m) is the first port of call then Kumjung and Cp2 and Phungi Tenga (3300m) before the tough and steep ascent to Tengboche at 3900m.

Today was all about Luis Alberto Hernando and Suman Kulung. On past days, it was expected that Luis Alberto would have an advantage with the uphill tough finish. This proved to be true!

Luis Alberto won days 1 and 2, Suman days 3 and 4 and now the Spaniard takes day 5 and an invaluable 1-minute 57-seconds to extend his overall lead by 6-minutes 23-seconds. He is going to need all that time on the last day which will suit the Nepali runner as much of it is downhill! It is going to be an epic battle to the finish line.

As in previous days, Sondre Amdahl and Jordi Gamito were once again consistent placing 3rd and 4th.

For the ladies, it was expected that maybe Ester Alves would steal some time back today on Nepali, Chhechee Sherpa. It was not to be. As the days have progressed, Chhechee has got stronger and despite not climbing to expectation on day 2, today she pushed on the final climb to finish ahead of Ester by 6-minutes 53-seconds. The Nepali runner now has an overall lead of 12-minutes 22-seconds and it will take a disastrous last day for her not to be the 2017 ETR champion.

Ester had a solid day but had no extra energy to fight Chhechee and Elisabet Barnes safe in 3rd took a more relaxed approach to the penultimate day safe in the knowledge that 2nd was unattainable this late in the race and secure that the 4th lady could not catch her.

The finish line at Tengboche is arguably one of THE most amazing finishing lines of any race and this was reflected in some of the emotions shown as runners crossed the line today.

Tomorrow is the final day of the ETR 2017 and the runners run back to Lukla via Namche Bazaar.

 

Results top-3 

  1. Luis Alberto Hernando 2:33:47
  2. Suman Kulung 2:35:44
  3. Sondre Amdahl 3:00:34

 

  1. Chhechee Sherpa 3:50:26
  2. Ester Alves 3:57:19
  3. Elisabet Barnes 4:08:42

 

Everest Trail Race by The Elements Pure Coconut Water #ETR2017 – STAGE 4 KHARIKOLA to PHAKDING

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©iancorless.com_ETR2017-01090

Day 4 #ETR2014

Kharikola to Phakding is very much a transition stage. The first 3-days have been quiet with the occasional glimpse of life but now the runners are on the motorway of Nepal. Porters are transporting all manner of goods from food and drink to 8’x4’ sheets of wood and even fridges! In and amongst this frenetic relay of goods are mule and yak trains and a plethora of tourists moving up and down the trails.

The diversity is incredible. Children play, parents work and the runners navigate a way through this section to finish at what many consider to be the gateway to Everest, Phakding.

Leaving the sleepy monastery of Kharikola, 29.5 km’s awaited the runners and after a short and twisting technical descent, a vertical kilometre of elevation to CP1 (Kari La) provided a great way to start the day and brush off the cobwebs. The descent to Surke (Cp2) is a 17km ankle twisting and knee swelling series of switchbacks of technical trail. But there is no rest, more climbing, more technical trails and finally the wire bridge at Monjo offers the ETR finish line.

It may come as no surprise that Suman Kulung and Luis Alberto Hernando dictated the pace from the start and arrived at Cp1 in less than 1-hour, Suman with a slender lead over the Spaniard.  It was a ridiculous time considering the technicality and elevation of the course. Sondre Amdahl was holding his ground but the writing was already on the wall. The Nepali runner was pushing hard and making Luis Alberto chase hard to retain his overall lead. It was a brave effort by both runners. At the line, Suman took the victory in 3:15:23 a 3+ min margin making the final 2-days of the 2017 ETR very exciting with it all to fight for between the Nepali and the Spaniard. Luis Alberto finished in 3:18:52 and still holds the number 1 slot on GC but it is close, really close! Sondre finished 3rd in 3:42:34 and Jordi Gamito 4th in 3:51:14

Chhechee Sherpa is one seriously impressive lady! She has a look of focus and determination that is softened by a smile. After a slow start in the 2017 ETR, this Nepali lady has been a force to reckon with. Once again, she was first to CP1 with a strong lead over Ester Alves who was chasing hard and then Elisabet Barnes who was further back. As the day unfolded though, Chhechee slowed. Firstly, Elisabet caught Ester and then the duo closed on Chhechee. For once, the first 3 ladies were separated by minutes and it remained that way all the way to the line. The Nepali crossed the line first in 4:45:04 and just 34-seconds later Ester crossed with Elisabet just 22-seconds later – that is a close and hard-fought race! The overall GC remains with Chhechee 1st, Ester 2nd and Elisabet 3rd – this is unlikely to change over the following 2-days.

Tomorrow, stage-5 is a short day of just 20km’s and 2124m of vertical gain. It culminates at the monastery at Tengboche with Everest, Lhotse and Ama Dablam providing arguably the most impressive finish line of any race!

Results top-3

  1. Suman Kulung 3:15:23
  2. Luis Alberto Hernando 3:18:52
  3. Sondre Amdahl 3:42:34

 

  1. Chhechee Sherpa 4:45:04
  2. Ester Alves 4:45:38
  3. Elisabet Barnes 4:46:00

 

Everest Trail Race by The Elements Pure Coconut Water #ETR2017 – STAGE 1 JIRI to BHANDAR

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Day 1 #ETR2017

The Everest Trail Race started today at the stroke of 0900 in the small Nepalese town of Jiri.

Low mist but a relatively mild night afforded everyone a comfortable night’s rest. A local group of musicians, as per usual providing a local soundtrack to the start of the first day. It was one full of anticipation and nerves,

Stage-1 for the ETR doesn’t reach the high mountains or break the tree line, but ha almost 200m of vertical gain and loss in just over 20km.

Luis Alberto Hernando set the early pace but was soon joined by fellow Nepalese, Suman Kulung. The two seemed to work together throughout the stage but Sondre Amdahl, as expected but up a battle. Luis Alberto stretched the elastic though and pulled away from the Nepalese runner finishing in an incredible 2:17:41 – a course record for day 1. Suman held a good pace despite the chase from the Norwegian and they crossed 2:19:56 and 2:21:20 respectively.

For the ladies’ race, Brit Rebecca Ferry was leading the race but unfortunately took a wrong turn and lost all the time she had gained, it was a real frustration for as she was running so strong – she eventually finished out of the top-3. Pre-race favourite, Ester Alves from Portugal took over the front of the race and took a convincing win in 3:22:22 ahead of Neplaese runner Chhechee Sherpa in 3:33:05. Elisabet Barnes, also took a wrong turn but re-traced and got back on route to finish 3rd in 3:36:25.

It’s only day-1 and a very tough stage lies ahead tomorrow with some tough climbing to the highest point of the race. The top-3 runners in both the ladies and men’s fields are only separated by 30-miutes so a tough day of running lies ahead.

Everest Trail Race by The Elements Pure Coconut Water #ETR2017 – Travel to JIRI

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Four 16-seater mini buses departed Kathmandu for the 8-hour drive to Jiri and camp one of the 2017 Everest Trail Race. The distance is only 200km but the roads are very slowly and often only wide enough for one vehicle. It can be a rollercoaster ride of twisting left-to-right and up and down, all with a constant soundtrack of car horns.

There is a lack of road rules, which actually makes the journey very safe as drivers are constantly expecting the unexpected.

Taking regular breaks, a prolonged 30-minute break came at two-thirds through the journey and picnic stop next to the river that flows through the impressive valley through which we travel.

Along the road, small refreshment stops appear with locals selling wares from small carts; anything from a vegetarian rice meal to crisps, chocolate and even Red Bull! As is normal in Nepal, the locals are always friendly – they beam with laughter and smiles.

Back on the bus the ride continues for 3 more hours and finally our arrival at Jiri came. The glow of yellow tents was a warm welcome as the day began to lose its light.

Arriving in camp, water and tents were allocated to the runners. These tents are home for the next 6-days as we all make our way towards Everest. Runners settled in and made final preparations as the reality hits home that tomorrow, the 2017 Everest Trail Race starts. The heat of Kathmandu soon disappeared with the arrival of darkness and t-shirts were replaced with down jackets.

Day 1 commences at 0900 Thursday 9th November.

Jiri (1850m) to Bhandar (2050m) – 21.5km 3795m+/-

The stage has two summits, one at 2400m and the high point of the day at Deurali Pass 2700m before descending to the finish at Bhandar.