Ice Trail Tarentaise 2014 – Race Start Images

Posted on July 13, 2014 by talkultra

The 2014 Ice Trail Tarentaise got underway at 0400 Sunday 13th July. It was a wet start but temperatures were mild and everyone was enthusiastic at the tough challenge that would be ahead.

Ones to watch in the men are Francois d’Haene winner of the ITT in 2012 and 2nd in 2013 behind Kilian Jornet and Luis Alberto Hernando who beat Francois in Chamonix just 2-weeks ago.

For the ladies, Emelie Forsberg 2013 champion returns but she will have strong competition from Francesca Canepa and Maud Gobert amongst others.

Race Preview HERE

The Coastal Challenge 2014 – Trail Magazin

Posted on April 15, 2014 by talkultra

Excellent 9-page feature on the 2014 The Coastal Challenge, Costa Rica in the current edition of Trail Magazin in Germany.

Images by iancorless.com and words by Martin Gaffuri (New Balance)

Magazine available in PDF from HERE

Places are currently available for the 11th edition of the 2015 The Coastal Challenge, once again it will prove to be an exciting and exhilarating experience for each and every participant.

UK entries HERE

The Coastal Challenge website HERE

Transvulcania La Palma 2014 – the excitement begins!

Posted on March 19, 2014 by talkultra

Dakota is back! But so are Kilian and Emelie, Anna Frost, Luis Alberto Hernando, Sage Canaday and Timothy Olson…the star-studded cast doesn’t end here however! Read the press release by the ISF on the up and coming, 2014 Transvulcania La Palma.

The Transvulcania Ultramarathon on the Spanish island of La Palma has made quite a name for itself. Just a small speck in the Atlantic ocean, the race chosen to launch the Skyrunner® Ultra Series in 2012 has grown to represent a hub for many of the world’s top ultra runners, and has never looked back. This year, a Vertical Kilometer® up the gruelling downhill, gives a new twist.

The extraordinary line-up is headed by Salomon superstars Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg (Salomon) winners here last year and 2013 Skyrunner® World champions. However, look out for 2012 winners, Anna Frost (Salomon), and Dakota Jones (Montrail), returning to the Transvulcania stage after a year’s absence from the skyrunning scene. Anna’s 2012 record still stands.

Sage Canaday (Hoka One One) 3^rdlast year, arrives fresh from his second win at Tarawera in New Zealand and is joined by Timothy Olson (TNF) 4^th, who successfully started off the season with a third place at the recent Transgrancanaria.

The strong American line-up doesn’t end here, but first, let’s take a look at the other big-league Spanish runners: Luis Alberto Hernando (adidas), always a podium placer, he crossed the line hand in hand with Kilian to share the gold at the European Championships and moved on to win Cavalls del Vent. The question is, can he pare down those 4’ that separated him from Kilian last year? Tofol Castanyer (Salomon), 2^nd at Cavalls, Agustí Roc (inov-8) three-time SWS champion and Jordi Bes (FEEC),CCC winner, join the mix.

From France – UTMB winner Xavier Thevenard (TNF), 11^th in 2013, is no doubt looking to move up for a podium spot; Patrick Bringer (Sigvaris Sports), 5^th, is making a determined come-back, together with Martin Gafurri (New Balance) 19^th and a great top-10 at Tarawera recently and first-timer Sylvain Couchaud (Mizuno), 4^th at the Mont-Blanc 80K.

Among the top ranked talent, Germany’s Philipp Reiter (Salomon) finished an excellent 12^thlast year, despite illness, and Florian Neuschwander (16^th ISF ranking) who, like many other first timers, will fulfil a dream running this iconic race.

Tom Owens – Trofeo Kima

From the UK, an array of impressive newcomers to the race: Tom Owens (Salomon), 2^ndbehind Kilian at Kima 2012, is up and running after a year-long lay-off. Ricky Lightfoot (Salomon), 2013 AIU Champion and 2009 Zegama winner is joined by Stu Air (SCOTT Sports) and Robbie Britton (inov-8).

Robbie Britton – inov-8

From Italy, Giuliano Cavallo (Salomon) 9^th in 2012, returns after a year’s absence from running, together with Fulvio Dapit (Crazy Idea), a consistently top performer in the Sky distance over the years, he now moves up to tackle his first 83K.

Tackling their first “European” style race will be top Americans, Dylan Bowman (Pearl Izumi), Jason Schlarb (Altra), David Laney and Ryan Ghelfi (Nike Trail Team) and Ty Draney (Patagonia), while teammate Luke Nelson is back for more.

Emelie Forsberg – Transvulcania 2013

The women’s field too, represents the deepest in the five-year history of the race with new competition coming from across the Pond. The stacked field is headed by Salomon’s Emelie Forsberg and Anna Frost, respectively 2013 and 2012 winners. Nuria Picas (Buff) UTMB (2nd) and Cavalls winner, after a hard-fought 2^ndplace last year, she returns with a victory from the recent Transgrancanaria under her belt. Look out for Emma Roca (Buff), 3^rd at UTMB, and Uxue Fraile(Vibram) 3^rd here, another Spanish talent who is steadily but surely racking up the podiums.

Nuria Picas – Transvulcania 2013

Italy’s young star Silvia Serafini (Salomon), 4^thon the ISF Sky Ranking, has set her sights on the longest race of her rocketing career. Also from Italy, Federica Boifava, 5^th at the European Championships and new talent Alessandra Carlini, 2^nd in the Mont-Blanc 80K. From France, Aurelia Truel (2^nd IAU and 3^rd at Les Templiers and Maud Gobert, 6^th here in 2012.

Anna Frost

Three top level American runners taking up the challenge are Krissy Moehl (Patagonia), UTMF winner, Jodee Adams-Moore (SCOTT Sports), 2^nd at Speedgoat, and Cassie Scallon (Salomon) winner at Lake Sonoma and the recent MSIG Sai Kung 50 in Hong Kong.

From Japan, Hiroko Suzuki (Salomon), 2^nd at UTMF last year, may find the distance a little short and the elevation a little high for her long distance running skills.

The Ultramarathon presents a daunting 8,525m ascent and descent over the 83 km course, which starts at sea level on the Atlantic coast and travels along the island’s backbone to the summit of the volcano at 2,423m before descending again to the sea and finishing in the town of Los Llanos. The records to beat are:6h54’09” Kilian Jornet (2013) and 8h11’31” Anna Frost (2012).

The Vertical Kilometer® ascends the steep cliff face from the sea front at Tazacorte for 6.6 km single track with a 40% incline before settling into a “flatter” final section to finish at 1,160m altitude. The overall incline averages 30%.

The world’s top Vertical specialists will race on this newly designed course for the first time, with the super-strong La Sportiva team headed by World ChampionUrban Zemmer and top ranked athletes Marco Facchinelli, Marco Moletto, Nejc Kuhar and Nadir Mague.

Brothers Bernard and Martin Dematteis and Oscar and Marc Casal (Race Land) also stand out in the men’s field.

The women’s field is strongly represented by Salomon with World Champion Laura Orgue together with Emelie Forsberg, Anna Frost, Silvia Serafini and Antonella Confortola, joined by Sierre Zinal winner Elisa Desco.

Kilian Jornet, like his team mates, Emelie, Anna and Silvia, will,of course, race both!

Note the dates:

May 8, Transvulcania Vertical Kilometer®, and May 10, Transvulcania Ultramarathon.

Links:

Follow on Twitter @talkultra

Follow on Facebook – Here

Skyrunning Here

Credits:

Press Release ©ISF
All images ©iancorless.com

Vibram Tarawera 2014 Race Summary

Posted on March 15, 2014 by talkultra

Kapiti’s Jo Johannsen only started running a year ago and she’s raced just a handful of times.

But on Saturday, she blitzed some of the world’s best trail runners in the central North Island’s Vibram Tarawera Ultramarathon.

Johannsen, 33, took the lead about 15km after the Rotorua Redwoods start. Showing powerful composure in difficult conditions, she steadily opened a nine-minute gap over Claire Walton (UK) and Dawn Tuffery (NZ), stopping the clock at 7hrs 2min after 69 demanding kilometres.

“I felt comfortable the whole way,” Johannsen said at the Lake Okareka finish, while pelted by heavy rain. “I was just making sure my legs were ticking over, tick-tick-tick-tick, and keeping my back straight.”

“I didn’t know what to expect beforehand — if I could keep up with the elites. I’m so new to all this. But I must be doing something right!”

Jo Johannsen © Graeme Murray

She reckons she’s become “obsessed” with ultra trail running the last year, packing in 30 hours a week training, starting at 4am before work. According to her running friend and crew support at the Tarawera Ultra, she also has mental toughness in spades.

“I like pushing it to the limit,” is how Johannsen expressed it.

In the face of Cyclone Lusi, the Ultramarathon had revised courses of 69 km and 55km. The field of 850 from 28 countries still experienced the Bay of Plenty’s lakes and bush clad slopes. But the forecast proved accurate and there was no question race director, Paul Charteris made the right call in revising the route.

Sage Canaday © Graeme Murray

The men’s title was superbly defended by 2013 Tarawera Ultramarathon champion, Sage Canaday of Colorado, USA — whose online blog was a key inspiration for Johannsen.

Canaday was one of a large bunch that formed over the early kilometres, alongside other contenders including Kiwi’s Michael Aish, Vajin Armstrong and Scott Hawker and Mike Wardian from the USA.

Top Coast to Coast athlete Sam Clark of Whakatane dangled out front until about the 20km mark, at which stage Canaday, Aish and Armstrong moved clear.

“After Millar road [about half way] I made my big move on a very hard mile uphill. I kept pushing. I didn’t look back,” Canaday recounted. Fifteen kilometres later, he’d established a seven-minute lead, and by the finish, that had more than doubled.

Canaday kept the effort dialled up all the way, finishing in 5hrs 33min.

“You’re always on a fine line,” he said. “It was an honour to win for a second year – I love New Zealand and this race and it was great to be back.”

Second place in the men’s race went to China’s Yun Yanqiao, who put in a sterling display of smart pacing, moving up from fourth spot over the challenging Okataina Trail, which peaks out at almost 700m.

Yanqiao has little English, but his delight was abundantly clear: “Very enjoyed! In China [there are] no trails this way,” he said, beaming. His time was 5hrs 52min.

Next home was a trio of flying kiwis, with Armstrong (5hrs 57min) besting Aish by under a minute, and Hawker another eight minutes back. As late as 3 kilometres to go, Armstrong and Aish were almost neck and neck.

“For me it’s a learning curve — I left it all out there,” said Aish, who’s just starting out on the trails after retiring from road racing four years ago. “But Sage was in a different category today.”

Report by: Jim Robinson ©
Images by: Graeme Murray ©

RESULTS

Men

Sage Canaday – Hoka One One 5:33:38
Yun Yan Qiao – The North Face 5:52:30
Vajin Armstrong – MacPac 5:59:49
Mike Aish – Mizuno 5:58:37
Scott Hawker – Hoka One One 6:06:32
Martin Gaffuri – New Balance 6:21:31
Moritz Auf De Heidi 6:22:21
Mike Wardian – Hoka One One 6:28:46
Matt Murphy 6:36:27
Manuel Lago 6:37:30

Ladies

Jo Johansen 7:02:43
Claire Walton 7:11:48
Dawn Tuffery 7:16:16
Beth Cardelli – Salomon 7:18:54
Meghan Arbogast – Scott Running 7:26:24
Shona Stephenson – inov-8 7:26:24
Fiona Hayvice 7:40:54
Katrin Gottschalk 7:44:33
Katherine Macmillan 7:44:33
Sandy Nyper – Ink n Burn 7:57:24

Tarawera 100km 2014 Race Preview

Posted on March 11, 2014 by talkultra

Sage Canaday ©iancorless.com

Just two weeks after Transgrancanaria, the UTWT show continues. The stellar line up in Gran Canaria is not reflected in New Zealand as only certain races in the UTWT circuit have the relevant point coefficient that will make an outright win a possibility, so, expect to see Sandes, Olson, Chaigneau, Picas, Maciel, Canepa and other ‘top’ contenders toe the line at UTMF in Japan.

However, Tarawera 100k does (or should I say did) have a battle royal to look forward too… Sage Canaday (last years winner) going head-to-head with Rob Krar was going to be quite a prospect. However, just a couple of days ago, Krar took a tumble and is out. This leaves ‘the showdown’ to reappear somewhere else in the calendar at another time of the year.

For the ladies, Ruby Muir was looking to defend her title after illuminating the trails in 2013 with a stunning win and top overall placing, however, Muir has too fallen foul of the injury demons.

Who to watch out for?

Men

Sage Canaday returns as defending champion and after a disappointing end to 2013 will without doubt be firing on all cylinders for a race win. Sage had a great first half of ‘13’ with wins and CR’s a plenty. However, maybe racing too much and some bad timed illness found him falter a little at Sierre-Zinal, UROC and he didn’t make the start at San Francisco 50. When on form, Canaday is unstoppable and without doubt he is ‘favourite’ for the 2014 race.

Michael Wardian never stops and has already raced extensively in 2014 and won. He produced a stunning and impressive performance against top competition at The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica, and his recent 2^nd at the 50k champs shows he has all it takes to push Canaday on the NZ trails.

Two-time Olympian and sub 2:15 marathon runner, Mike Aish may well mess things up for Wardian and Canaday. Racing on home soil, Aish must be fired up for the opportunity to compete against such quality competition. Known to go out hard, Aish has faltered in the past; his impressive blow-up at Leadville a great example. However, in 2013 he put the Leadville demons to bed with a podium place and 18:27 finish.

Brendan Davies inov-8 ©iancorless.com

Local talent is in abundance with Brendan Davies, Scott Hawker and Vajin Armstrong. All three have had great results recently, Armstrong raced and placed well at Tarawera in 2013, Hawker raced well at HK100 and Davies recently had top-3 at MSIG50 in Honk Kong. You can expect all of them to push the front of the field and it’s only going to take an error by Wardian or Canaday and a ‘good’ day by one of the other 3 to make the Tarawera podium look very interesting.

Yoshikazu Hara won UTMF in 2013 and that firmly places him as hot tip and a potential surprise win at Tarawera. He has a great record of results from 2013 with wins at: Tapei 24h (273.650km), River Shimanto 100km and UTMF. Word from friends in Asia say; Hara’s form is excellent… winner? Injured and will not run

Yun Yanqiao was 5^th at HK100 in 2012 and the only other result I have for him is 30^th at San Fran 50km in 2009. Rumors say that Yanqiao has good form so he may well be a top-10 surprise.

Martin Gaffuri ©iancorless.com

Martin Gaffuri from France placed 4^th overall in the Skyrunning World Series in 2013 and his form is on the rise. In December he placed well at San Fran 50 and his recent run at The Coastal Challenge will put him in a great place for the 100km. Gaffuri will be up there, top-10 would be a great result.

Ladies

With Ruby Muir out all eyes will fall on Meghan Arbogast. She had 8-results on Ultra Signup for 2013 with 4^th at Western States and 13^th at TNFUTMB as highlights. Arbogast also won Ice Age Trail 50km and Way to Cool 50km, however, her recent win (Jan 11^th) at Bandera 100km in 10:12:57 surely means that Tarawera will play in the hands of Arbogast.

Beth Cardelli Ice Trail Tarentaise 2013 ©iancorless.com

Beth Cardelli had a great time in Europe in 2013 and without doubt this will have added an extra skill level to Cardelli’s armory. A win at TNF100km, 2^nd at Tarawera Ultra and 4^th at Lavaredo Ultra Trail certainly will mean that Arbogast won’t have her own way!

Shona Stephenson ©iancorless.com

Shona Stephenson, like Cardelli, spent time in Europe with mixed results. However, when everything clicks into place, Stephenson can push the best in the world. Stephenson’s result at UTMF a shining example in 2013.

Tomoko Hara won River Shimanto 100km and Yatsugatakae Nobeyama 100km in 2013 and also placed 2^nd at Sarom-See 100km. Without doubt, comfortable at the 100km distance, I personally think we will see a surprise from Hara and a podium place.

Finally, Sandi Nypaver from Ohio will definitely make top-10 and has the potential for top-5. In 2013, Nypaver was 2^nd at Cayuga Trails 50km and 11^th at Speedgoat 50km. A winner at Grindstone 100-mile in 2010 confirms that she has not only the mental but physical requirements for a solid Tarawera.

Who are your picks?

Links:

Race date – 15th March
Race website – http://www.taraweraultra.co.nz
Live Race Results – http://www.sportsplits.com/Live?id=531&clientId=34

The Coastal Challenge – Stage 6 – Drakes Bay to Drakes Bay

Posted on February 7, 2014 by talkultra

All good things must come to an end and today on the beaches of Drakes Bay, the 10^th edition of the 2014 The Costal Challenge came to a close.

It has been an epic race that has thrown daily excitement from all angles. The men’s race in particular has been a nail biter with a constant battle for the top slot. However, Mr.Consisitent, Mike Wardian produced the goods on a daily basis with some of the most impressive running I have had the pleasure to witness. Jeez does Mike like to win and boy does he know how to dig deep!

Mike Wardian TCC2014 Champion ©iancorless.com

Jo Meek from the UK dominated the 10^th edition producing a stand out performance on a daily basis. Setting her stall out on day-1, Jo won with a convincing 45-min margin. However, she didn’t relax, consistently pushing, consistently running scared, Jo took each day as an individual race and on the beach at Drake she was crowned the 2014 Champion.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Today’s stage was very much a celebration of the previous 5-days racing. With the ‘GC’ established, a unanimous decision was made by all the front-runners that stage-6 would be a Tour de France style victory lap.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

It was great to see the fun and the laughter between all the runners on the trails. Tired and aching bodies once again managed to produce another effort to cover the wonderful circular route of the Corcovado National Park.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Pura Vida TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Starting with a gentle road incline, participants dropped into a long river section before climbing out and negotiating rocks and a waterfall. Climbing up through lush green vegetation, they then ran through plains and plantation fields before finally making the journey back to the start by weaving in and out of the coast. Beach after beach, cove after cove the finish line at Drakes was a welcome and well earnt reward for each and every participant.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

It was quite a sight to see the top-5 men run to the line as one!

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Michael Wardian said post race, “The Coastal Challenge was a test in so many ways. So much varied terrain. It suited different strengths and weaknesses. I feel really honoured to have the over all victory. The other guys really did push me and I had to fight… I guess it’s a shame a race can only have one winner. But it was a pleasure to have a victory loop on the last day. A memory I won’t soon forget.”

Julia Bottger TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Julia Bottger and Jo Meek ran together early in the stage but Bottger said post race, “that was by far the most beautiful stage. I was just having fun out there so I hope Jo didn’t mind I pushed on ahead.” As Meek crossed the line, the relief was clear, “I really did not have anything left today. I just took it easy and had comfort in my almost 60-min lead. It’s been a real honour to have such an incredible race with such wonderful people.” Veronica Bravo smiled her way around the TCC course and placed a solid 3rd place. Her joy was visible on the line as the realisation that a tough week was over.

Veronica Bravo TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Finish lines are all about emotion and I love to see 6-days effort unfold in a split second. Cheers and laughter, hugs and screams; it’s why we all do our sport.

Carlos Sa TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Nick Clark TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Beneito TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Philipp Reiter TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

The Coastal Challenge is one of the toughest races out there… relentless heat, plenty of climbing and multiple terrain variations require a runner to be ‘rounded’. Each and every person, first or last, can take comfort in a great achievement and the medal should take pride of place as a just reminder of what was achieved in February 2014.

TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Pura Vida!

RESULTS Stage-6

Mike Wardian all same time
Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito
Philipp Reiter
Marti Gaffuri
Nick Clark

Julia Bottger
Jo Meek
Veronica Bravo

Results and times to follow

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION Confirmed

Wardian 23:26:23
Beneito +0:25:32
Reiter +0:31:31

Meek 29:17:19
Bottger +0:57:02
Bravo +3:07:06

The Coastal Challenge – Stage 5 – Sierpe to Drakes Bay

Posted on February 7, 2014 by talkultra

The Coastal Challenge, Costa Rica TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

What a beautiful day! A short bus drive from camp to Sierpe; a ferry crossing to the other side of the river and on the stroke of 0600 runners departed on the journey to the beautiful and iconic Drakes Bay. It was already humid and as the sun burnt the morning mist away, temperatures rose.

The stunning river journey to meet runners at CP2 TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

If Philipp Reiter or Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito had any chance of taking overall victory away from Mike Wardian, they would need to work hard in the middle section of the course whilst running through the rainforest and plantation fields and hopefully gain enough time to put ‘Mr. Consistent’ in the hurt locker. The only problem in this scenario was Wardian! After CP2 he had gained a 3min lead and with a course profile that suited him down to the ground it was going to take a blow up of epic proportions to see him loose not only the stage but also the overall race. “I felt good man, I opened it up when the running was good and held on when the running was more technical,” said Wardian.

Mr. Consistent TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

I have to say, Wardian has been an absolute star and a great ambassador for ‘our’ sport in this race. He’s pushed hard, fought back on tough days and irrespective of the outcome has had a huge smile on his face… okay, maybe he wasn’t smiling too much when he was 14-min down on stage-3 but he sure was at the finish when he not only pulled back the gap but went on for a joint stage win with Reiter.

Jo Meek ready for the off! TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Meek, as one would have expected, started the day at the front of the ladies race and although Bottger caught her back at CP3, Meek took the stage by the scruff of the neck and rand hard to the finish for another stage win! “I was hurting today and didn’t feel great. When Julia caught me at CP3 I panicked… I know it’s crazy as I had an hour lead but the racer kicked in and I flew out of the CP and buried myself to the line,” said Meek after the race.

Meek has been phenomenal in this race, like Wardian she had moments when things did not go well (stage-3 at the start) but Meek played to her strengths, pushed hard and has quite literally dominated from the front.

Clarky TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Clark ran easy today, his issues from yesterday strong in his mind, he just wanted to finish without causing any damage. He ran with Gaffuri for a while but later dropped to 5^th.

Beneito however, seized the opportunity to run strong and pursued Wardian all the way to the line with Reiter running in 3^rd place for most of the day. The lack of any steep vertical played into Wardian’s hands and once again he was first past the post; 2-stage wins and a joint stage win with Reiter, not bad for 5-days racing.

Reiter couldn’t close the gap on Beneito, so once again Beneito finished 2^nd.

Once Meek had a ‘scare’ at CP3 she ran like a lady possessed and finished almost 5-mins ahead of Bottger and Bravo was 30-mins back. With Gemma Slaughter out of the race due to stomach issues, fellow Canadian and teammate, Van Dyk finished 4^th on stage and this moves her up on the overall GC.

Drakes Bay, the mangroves, the rainforest, the plantation fields and the beaches are the best of Costa Rica. Today’s stage may have lacked elevation but it was replaced with beauty.

Stage-6 is a circular route of Drakes Bay and will be a victory lap for all runners. The overall GC is not going to change (barring a disaster) so it’s a great moment to celebrate the company of others and soak up the surrounding of the best of Costa Rica, The 10^th edition of The Costal Challenge has been an epic!

RESULTS Stage-5

Mike Wardian 4:14:11
Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito 4:23:19
Philipp Reiter 4:25:56
Marti Gaffuri 4:46:49
Nick Clark 4:51:52

Jo Meek 5:23:56
Julia Bottger 5:29:11
Veronica Bravo 5:57:43
Hailey Van Dyk 6:40:52
Kelly Ridgway 6:42:19

GENERAL CLASSIFICATION

Wardian 21:07:15

Beneito 21:32:47

Reiter 21:38:26

Meek 26:23:22

Bottger 27:28:19

Bravo 29:23:05

The Coastal Challenge – Stage 4 – Ventanas Beach to Sierpe

Posted on February 6, 2014 by talkultra

A heavy downpour of epic proportions last night didn’t dampen the spirits of the runners as they departed Ventanas Beach for another tough day in Costa Rica. Mike Wardian and Jo Meek have held convincing leads from day-1, however, neither have had an easy journey. Both struggled on the early technical sections of stage-3 but rallied and found something in the tank to reclaim lost time and finish a tough day-3 with stage wins. Mikes run was a classic… pulling back 14-mins was truly a remarkable run.

Morning in the rainforest, 6am TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Day-4 started and ended with technical sections. From the off runners would climb for over an hour on an overgrown forest path and then spend time going up and down in the plains before descending 3km on a tough trail that twisted, gnarled and one could almost say that the trails ‘bite back’. It was a day that Julia Bottger for the ladies would revel in and although the chances of pulling back her deficit on Meek was unlikely, I thought Julia might shine. By contrast, the middle section of the course would suit Wardian, but the tough climb and super tough final descent could potentially allow a stronger competitor on technical terrain to pull back time…?

Clark and Beneito TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

At the summit of the first climb Reiter appeared first dripping in sweat in the early morning humidity. Wardian appeared 3-min in arrears and then Clark and Beneito appeared once again attached at the hip 5-mins in deficit. The race was on!

Jo Meek loving stage-4 of TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

To my surprise Meek was having a great day… I don’t say that in a negative way but I certainly expected Bottger to take control on that first climb and pull away causing Meek to chase. “I loved today, it was a stage that had everything and the climbs weren’t so technical that I couldn’t use my strength and fitness,” said Meek.

Mike Wardian pulling back time on Reiter TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

On the rolling sections after the first climb Wardian once again started to close the gap. This guy is relentless…! Beneito and Clark seem to have found comfort in each others pace and certainly they move well together, however, as Wardian caught Reiter at CP3, the dynamic duo were starting to loose time on the other dynamic duo.

Beneito and Clark TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

For the ladies race, it was starting to take a very familiar format; Meek lead Bottger and Bottger lead Veronica Bravo. Focused on the end goal, Meek runs scared and pushing, “Anything can happen and I need to run the way that makes me feel secure and while I feel good I will utilize it.”

Victoria Bravo on her way to the high point of the course TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Reiter and Wardian ran through the plains together until the final descent, as I expected, Reiter pulled away, “I wasn’t sure if we should run together” said Reiter “Wardian is so much fun to run with, he talks constantly and makes me laugh. On the descent I stopped for a short while but he was nowhere in sight so I pushed on.”

Philipp Reiter powering up a climb TCC2 ©iancorless.com

Reiter gained another 3-mins and considering his day-1 experience, his form and dedication has been remarkable. Beneito placed 3^rd on the stage and unfortunately Clark had a tough day; he started to pass blood and therefore took his foot of the gas and walked in to the finish. Martin Gaffuri once again had another consistent day and his fifth place is secure.

Nick Clark showing the fatigue of hard days and heat TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

Meek crossed the line first, followed by Bottger and Bravo finished 3^rd. A big loss to the race and the overall GC was 2013 TCC champ, Gemma Slaughter. Unfortunately she had a tough night and was sick in the morning of the race… she did start but had to withdraw during the race.

Carlos Sa (leading) midway on stage 4. He's feeling the effort of his overlong first day! TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

With two days to go, the ladies race looks set. However, the men’s race is wide open; this has been one of the most exciting stage races I have ever had the pleasure to follow and it isn’t over yet!

Clark at a water crossing TCC2014 ©iancorless.com

RESULTS Stage-4

Philipp Reiter 4:19:11
Mike Wardian 4:22:07
Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito 4:32:14
Nick Clark 4:54:59
Marti Gaffuri 5:09:51

Jo Meek 5:38:42
Julia Bottger 5:44:55
Veronica Bravo 6:12; 42
Hailey Van Dyk 6:52:21
Sandra Meija 7:16:51

GC to be confirmed

Men

Wardian
Beneito
Reiter

Ladies

Meek
Bottger
Bravo

The Coastal Challenge #TCC2014 – Pre race audio and images

Posted on February 1, 2014 by talkultra

The stage is set for the 2014, 10th edition Coastal Challenge. Without doubt a quality field will toe the line in Quepos tomorrow for stage one of the race (route preview here).

We held an impromptu press conference and had an opportunity to chat to each of the lite runners on how they have prepared and how they thing this 10th edition will unfold. As you well be able to tell from the audio… spirits are high and we are going to see a very exciting race.

AUDIO HERE

http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/TCC2014_pre_race.mp3

Unfortunately, Anna Frost has to make the difficult decision to remove herself from the race on doctors advice. However, she will follow, help out and participate in her own unique way. You see her interview HERE