2017 #VK Vertical Kilometer Youth World Championships – ISF, International Skyrunning Federation

The KV Arinsal kicked of the 2017 ISF Youth Skyrunning World Championships in the Principality of Andorra following on from the success of the inaugural event held in Italy in 2016.

Sixteen countries (double the 2016 number) from four continents participated. Competing in three age group categories:

  • A (16-17 years)
  • B (18-20 years)
  • and U23 (21-23 years)

18 medals were at stake – Gold, Silver and Bronze.

The KV Arinsal is a 3.5 km long Vertical Kilometer® which started in the town of Arinsal and finished at Alt de la Capa summit, 2,570m altitude.

RESULTS

16-17 age group category A

Nicolas Molina (ESP), Arnau Cases (ESP), Diego Gomes (POR), Jana Aguilar (ESP), Erin Margill (USA), Andreu Sinfreu (AND).

18-19 year-old B category

Jan Margarit (ESP), Roberto Delorenzi (SUI), Luca Lizzoli (ITA), Giorgia Felicetti (ITA), Sora Takizawa (JPN), Irati Zubizarreta (ESP).

U23 category

Alex Oberbacher (ITA), Antonio Alcalde (ESP), Daniele Felicetti (ITA), Fatima De Diego (ESP), Claudia Sabata (ESP), Barbora Chica (CZE).

Countries competing in the 2017 Youth Skyrunning Championships are: Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Greece, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Peru, Romania, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, UK and USA.

The Youth Skyrunning World Championships are held annually in different countries with a view to developing and promoting the sport and to highlight young skyrunners, giving them an opportunity to shine on the international stage.

With thanks to the La Massana Ministry of Tourism, Federaciò Andorrana de Muntanysme (FAM) and SkyRace® Comapedrosa organisers Ocisport.

 

Olympus Marathon 2017 Summary and Images – 2017 Migu Skyrunner® World Series

Olympus Marathon 2017 Summary

It’s not every day that you get to run with the gods, but nearly 1000 runners toed the line to participate in the 2017 Olympus Marathon, the next race in the Migu Skyrunner® World Series. 

The course is tough and beautiful with two directions, up and down. The first half of the race climbs from just 3m above sea level in the sacred city of Dion and the runners climb to 2700m and the impressive Mt. Olympus. Will they be a sacrifice to Zeus? From here, the race drops down and the runners retrace history and myth and finish in Litochoro.

 The race was very much controlled by two outstanding Skyrnunner’s, Aritz Egea and Ragna Debats. Egea just last weekend placed 2nd behind Tadei Pivk at the Livigno SkyMarathon, here he led from the front setting a blistering pace. Victory was never in doubt and this was confirmed when he crossed the line with a new course record 4:24:26.

 “I am feeling very good this year, I think it’s maybe the best form I have ever had. Last year I wasn’t motivated… Sometimes you need a break and I am now reaping the rewards.”

 Previous course record holder, Jessed Hernandez was 2nd in 4:43:12 and a late surge placed Kiril Nikolov 3rd ahead of local favourite and one of the pre-race favourites, Dimitrios Theodorakakos, their times 4:44:32 and 4:46:13.

 For Debats, a very full racing calendar is pushing this lady to the limits but she is handling the strain well. Under the intense heat of a Greek sky she lead the race from the front and took victory with a new course record 5:18:20.

“It was a good day, I am very happy with the victory. I will need to make sure I plan some rest but I am feeling good.”

 Laura Sola de Miguel ran in 2nd place for the whole day and this was her finishing position almost 10-minutes behind Debats in 5:32:05. Glykeria Tziatzia had run in 3rd for the duration of the race and looked strong and confident, however, in the closing miles the heat and strain of the day took over and her pace dropped allowing Hillary Allen to pass and take the final podium place in 5:37:13. A heartbroken Tziatzia crossed the line in 5:46:04 – a name to watch for the future! 

It was a long, hot and tough day for all, when crossing the line the fatigue and dehydration from a tough race was clear to see. The consensus confirmed an incredible course – beautiful and brutal!

A break in the Migu Skyrunner World Series next weekend will see the action continue in Spain and France, with the Buff Epic Trail and High Trail Vanoise.

 

Olympus Marathon 2017 Preview – 2017 Migu Skyrunner® World Series

Olympus Marathon Preview – 2107 Migu Skyrunner® World Series

Reaching for the SKY turns to Greece and the Olympus marathon, the 3rd race in the 2017 Migu Skyrunner® World Series

Coming just one week after the Livigno SkyMarathon, this 44km course with 3200m of vertical gain will be a hard-fought battle for victory and valuable SWS points. Reaching a high-point of 2780m, the race is a real challenge.

Starting at just 3m above sea level at Dion, a renowned archaeological site, the incredible Mount Olympus provides a stunning backdrop. Reaching 2780m, the route climbs with mountain views to the surrounding higher peaks. Passing below the ‘Throne of Zeus’ the route goes through the Mount Olympus National Park and comes close to Olympos Orgs. The route is classic Skyrunning, starting low, getting high and then returning low.

Course records stand at 5:21:36 for the ladies, set by Stevie Kremer and 4:33:37 by Jessed Hernandez.

Aritz Egea heads-up the male race after placing 2nd in Livigno SkyMarathon behind Tadei Pivk just last weekend. He is without doubt in great form. Strong competition will come from his teammate Hassan Ait Chaou and Kiril Nikolov. Dimitrios Theodorakakos won the 2016 edition of the race and although he is on the start list, we are unsure if he will run, therefore, keep an eye on Julien Martinez De Estibariz, Aleksandr Ivan, Babiano Marconi, Franco Sold, Artem Rostovstev, Alexey Kurochkin, Roberto Sancho and Oscar Carrasco.

Ultra SkyMarathon Champion Hillary Allen, heads up the ladies’ race but she will be in for a battle from Ragna Debats, Aitziber Ibarbia and the UK’s Holly Page. Laura Sola, Paloma Lobera and Eugenia Miro are also racing and are likely to contend the top-5.

Action starts in the early hours of Saturday June 24th and you can follow on this website and via Skyrunning Facebook and twitter.

Episode 132 – Dean Karnazes, Wardian and the Barkely and Janine Canham

Episode 132 of Talk Ultra and we talk ‘The Road To Sparta’ with Dean Karnazes. Mike Wardian tells us how difficult it is to cover 20-miles at Barkley and Janine Canham tells us about multi-day running, the Hong Kong run scene and the 9 Dragons race.

I am going solo this week. Karl is on the road and has been for sometime promoting his up and coming movie on his Appalachian Trail FKT (info HERE) and Niandi is busy with work…

So here I am, recording solo literally just before I jump on a plane and head for Morocco and the 32nd Marathon des Sables.

Just a little info on Niandi – the cam boot is off and slowly but surely she is moving around more. Pool sessions daily and strength work in the gym are all falling into place and we have set ourselves a little 3-day fast packing for early May as a target. Running may be a way off yet, this fracture was more serious than the one a year ago.

Me? Well, I had a weekend off work with Niandi in Paris which was pretty awesome and then I followed that with a trip to Norway to work as a stills photographer on a feature film. Something new for me and I loved it… I am a real fitm fan so to work behind the scenes with the crew and actors was just incredible. I will be back in Norway at the end of April for 2 more days on set

Talk Ultra is now on Tunein – just another way to make the show available for those who prefer not to use iTunes – HERE  You can download the Tunein APP HERE

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NEWS

Barkley

Well the big news is all about a little race in Tennessee that usually nobody finishes. This year one person did, John Kelly. The 15th finisher. However, his incredible victory in many ways was overshadowed by what first looked like Gary Robbins missing the 60-hour cut-off by 6-seconds. The reality was, Gary had gone off course and navigated his way back to the yellow gate the wrong way – he would have been a DQ even had he been inside the 60-hour time. It all makes for a great story and you can read more HERE. However, lets celebrate John Kelly being the 15th finisher of what is arguably, the toughest race in the world.

If you need clarification on ‘toughest’ – I caught up with Mike Wardian who got lost on lap-1 and eventually finished the first 20-mile loop outside the 12-hour cut-off.

 INTERVIEW with MIKE WARDIAN

Georgia Death Race

Avery Collins won the 74-mile race ahead of Kyle Boykin and in the process obtained a Western States slot. What has followed is a Tweet/ FB storm as Dave Mackey has called Collins out for smoking dope (a banned substance on WADA’s list). There has been much chatter with in the community and this will rumble on. Bob Shebest was 3rd.

Aliza Lapierre won the ladies race ahead of Jackie Merritt and Alondra Moody – 14:00, 14:24 and 14:58 respectively.

Kilian Jornet

Kilian announced his year! Everest figures and an attempt at the Bob Graham Round.

Surprisingly, his run calendar is full, no doubt due to the run series that is currently a little under the radar…. Mont Blanc Marathon, Sierre Zinal, a return to a super stacked UTMB and of course Hardrock 100 and Ultra Pirineu figure. From a UK perspective, KJ will race at Glen Coe which is awesome news.

Run4Water 24-hour

Jon Olsen and Gina Slaby took top honours running 154.58 and 142.38 miles respectively.

American River 50

Scott Trummer beat Zach Bitter by 13-mins 6:03 to 6:13 and Rich Hanna was 3rd. Vanessa Taylor was top lady ahead of Melissa Penwell and Kelly Cronin – 7:29, 7:37 and 8:26.

El Reventon Mountain Race

Aritz Egea is back taking a win ahead of Miguel Heras by 12-min – 3:48 to 4:00. Cristofer Clemente placed 3rd. Dominique Van Mechgelen won the ladies’ race in 5:09.

The racing scene in Hong Kong is growing and growing and I caught up with Brit, Janine Canham who has lived there for 25-years. She has witnessed the run scene grow and she tells us about her running, multi-day running and the recent 9 Dragons race.

INTERVIEW with JANINE CANHAM

Recently I was in Bulgaria with Dean Karnazes and it was just too much of an opportunity to pin him down and talk about his up and coming book The Road To Sparta which is currently being released worldwide and will be available in the UK from late April. Read more HERE

INTERVIEW with DEAN KARNAZES

UP & COMING RACES

Argentina

Patagonia Run 100k | 100 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Patagonia Run 130k | 130 kilometers | April 07, 2017 | website

Patagonia Run 63k | 63 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Patagonia Run 84k | 84 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Australia

Australian Capital Territory

Australian Running Festival Ultra Marathon | 50 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Queensland

Wildhorse Criterium 50 km | 50 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

Wildhorse Criterium 70 km | 70 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

Victoria

Down Under 135 | 135 miles | April 07, 2017 | website

Western Australia

3 Waters 50km Ultra Marathon | 50 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Belgium

Brussels Capital Region

Trail 50 km | 50 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

British Virgin Islands

Tortola Torture | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Canada

British Columbia

Diez Vista 50k Trail Run | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Croatia

100 Miles of Istria | 108 miles | April 07, 2017 | website

100 Miles of Istria – 110 km | 110 kilometers | April 07, 2017 | website

100 Miles of Istria – 69 km | 69 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

France

Ariège

Trail des Citadelles – 70 km | 73 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

Bas-Rhin

Le Challenge des Seigneurs | 100 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Le Défi des Seigneurs | 74 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

L’Intégrale | 132 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Eure

53,1 km | 53 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Finistère

Extrême Duo 54 km | 54 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Trail Extrême 54 km | 54 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Gironde

Tour du Canton de Fronsac 60 km | 60 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Lozère

100 km | 100 kilometers | April 17, 2017 | website

Grand trail Stevenson 126 km | 126 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

Grand trail Stevenson 144 km | 144 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

Grand trail Stevenson 179 km | 179 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

Grand trail Stevenson 224 km | 224 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

Grand trail Stevenson 59 km | 59 kilometers | April 18, 2017 | website

Grand trail Stevenson 65 km | 65 kilometers | April 17, 2017 | website

Mayenne

53 km | 53 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

53 km | 53 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

53 km Relais 2 coureurs | 53 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

53 km Relais 2 coureurs | 53 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

Var

La Trace des Montrieux 51 km | 51 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

L’Ultra de Signes 80 km | 80 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Nord Eifel Ultra | 56 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Guadeloupe

GUADARUN : ultra-marathon des îles de Guadeloupe | 136 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Italy

Lombardy

BVG Trail | 73 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Kuwait

240 km RunKuwait Challenge | 240 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Malaysia

168 km | 168 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

50 km | 50 kilometers | April 16, 2017 | website

84 km | 84 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Morocco

Ecotrail de Ouarzazate | 111 kilometers | April 18, 2017 | website

Marathon des Sables | 250 kilometers | April 07, 2017 | website

Nepal

Mustang Trail Race | 170 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Trail des Trois Vallées | 353 kilometers | April 07, 2017 | website

Netherlands

North Holland

Castricum Ultraloop | 60 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

New Zealand

5 Person Relay | 60 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

62 km Ultra marathon | 62 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Portugal

Gerês Trail Aventure® | 130 kilometers | April 13, 2017 | website

Gerês Trail Aventure® Starter | 70 kilometers | April 13, 2017 | website

Peneda-Gerês Trail Aventure® | 280 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Singapore

64.5 km | 64 kilometers | April 14, 2017 | website

South Africa

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon | 56 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Spain

Basque Country

Long Trail | 68 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Ultra Trail | 85 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Catalonia

Half | 60 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Ultra | 87 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Extremadura

LXVII Milhas Romanas | 100 kilometers | April 21, 2017 | website

United Kingdom

Carmarthenshire

Pendine Sands Ultra | 32 miles | April 16, 2017 | website

Devon

Coastal Trail Series – Exmoor – Ultra | 34 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Dorset

The ONER | 78 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

The ONER Half Day Section | 39 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

East Sussex

South Downs Way 50 | 50 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Hampshire

Compton 40 mile Challenge | 40 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Liverpool

Liverpool to Manchester Ultra | 47 miles | April 15, 2017 | website

Northumberland

100 km | 100 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

50 km | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

80 km | 80 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

USA

California

Diablo Trails Challenge 50K | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Grizzly Peak 50 Km Trail Run | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Lake Sonoma 50 | 50 miles | April 15, 2017 | website

Oriflamme 50k | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Ragnar Relay So Cal | 200 miles | April 07, 2017 | website

Ruth Anderson 100k | 100 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Ruth Anderson 50k | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Ruth Anderson 50M | 50 miles | April 15, 2017 | website

Woodside Crossover 50K | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Colorado

50K | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Rattler Trail Races 50K | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Connecticut

Traprock 50 | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Florida

100 Miles | 100 miles | April 15, 2017 | website

50 Miles | 50 miles | April 15, 2017 | website

75 Miles | 75 miles | April 15, 2017 | website

DTR Endurance Race 50k | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Idaho

Menan Butte Trail Challenge 50K | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Illinois

Chicago Lakefront 50K George Cheung Memorial Race | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Potawatomi 150 Mile Trail Run | 150 miles | April 07, 2017 | website

Iowa

Hawkeye 50k | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Kansas

Free State Trail Runs 100 km Trail Ultra | 100 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Free State Trail Runs 40-Mile Trail Ultra | 40 miles | April 15, 2017 | website

Kentucky

50K | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Yamacraw 50k | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Massachusetts

Cape Cod Trail Race – Run Forward. Give Back – Ultra | 50 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Don’t Run Boston 50K | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

TARC 50M | 50 miles | April 15, 2017 | website

Michigan

Kal-Haven Trail Run | 33 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Minnesota

Zumbro 100M | 100 miles | April 07, 2017 | website

Zumbro Midnight 50 Mile | 50 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Missouri

Double Chubb 50k | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Ozark Foothills 50K | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Nevada

55K | 55 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

New Mexico

Spaceport America Relay Race | 200 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

North Carolina

50-KM | 50 kilometers | April 09, 2017 | website

Ohio

Forget the PR Mohican 50K | 50 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Oklahoma

Tatur’s Lake McMurty Trail Race 50K | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Oregon

Gorge Waterfalls 100k | 100 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Gorge Waterfalls 50k | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Peterson Ridge Rumble 40 Mile Trail Run | 40 miles | April 09, 2017 | website

Texas

50K | 50 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Brazos Bend 50 | 50 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Utah

100k | 100 kilometers | April 07, 2017 | website

100 Mile | 100 miles | April 07, 2017 | website

50K | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Washington

Lumberjack 100 K Run | 100 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Lumberjack 100 Mile Run | 100 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Lumberjack 50 Mile Run | 50 miles | April 08, 2017 | website

Palouse 100K Relay – 2-3 runners | 100 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Palouse 100K Relay – 4-10 runners | 100 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Palouse 100K Solo | 100 kilometers | April 15, 2017 | website

Squak Mountain 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

West Virginia

50 km | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Wisconsin

Mad City 100K | 100 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Mad City 50K | 50 kilometers | April 08, 2017 | website

Close

02:38:00

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I’m Ian Corless

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Skyrunning European Championships

The ice at Ice Trail Tarentaise hasn’t even melted and just 48 hours later we ae looking ahead to the third edition of the European Skyrunning Championships which start this coming Friday, the 19th. with the Vertical Kilometer®. The series of events will have seven world champions representing sixteen nations.

Please Note:

A course recce for Trans D’Havet will take place on Tuesday July 23rd and Wednesday July 24th. You can download a PDF document with information HERE

On July 25th at 1500 we will have an introduction to Skyrunning with Salomon athlete, Philipp Reiter. This will involve a ‘live’ interview followed with Q&A and then ISF President, Marino Giacometti and Dr Roi (Sky Doc) will provide a small talk and answer questions. Information available HERE

Schedule:

The Dolomites will again host two of the events in the three-year history of the Championships.  The record on the unforgiving Vertical Kilometer® course just 2,1 km long, stands at 33’16” by world record holder Italian Urban Zemmer and Antonella Confortola in 39’13” back in 2008 when the course was inaugurated.

The classic Dolomites SkyRace® favoured by the world’s top runners offers a new challenge after record-breaking performances here this year by Kilian Jornet in 2h01’52”, and the three top women, Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg, American Kasie Enman and Spaniard Mireia Mirò – all under record time.  Forsberg’s record stands at 2h26’00”. The challenging and often technical course represents one of the toughest proving grounds for the relatively short distance: 22 km but with 1,750m climb to the summit of the Piz Boè which, at 3,152m altitude, towers above the start and finish of the race in Canazei.

The much anticipated Ultra is embodied by the Trans d’Havet, a point to point 80 km long with 5,500m vertical climb traversing the Piccole Dolomiti in the Veneto Region.  The route, technical in stretches, includes 6 km of tunnels dating back to the First World War, created by General D’Havet, to whose name the race is dedicated. At the launch this year, the men’s winning time was 10h58’44”, no doubt destined to fall with the top European runners participating here in 2013.

Participants

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Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg will test their powers of recovery and just five days after impressive victories in what many are now considering an iconic Skyrunning race, the Ice Trail Tarentaise, they will toe the line for all three events in the European Championships.

It is going to be difficult to bet against them, certainly Kilian has the ability, powers of recovery and experience to top the podium in all three events. However, Luis Alberto Hernando has pushed Kilian close in three events already in 2013 and he will most certainly be keen to move one place on the podium higher.

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Nuria Picas missed Ice Trail Tarentaise so that she could save all her energy for the ultra race, she desires the Euoropean Championship crown and keeping in mind Emelie Forsberg’s recent calendar and the fact that she will have participated in the VK and Sky race the weekend before, one has to say that Nuria may well be the favourite for the Trans d’Havet race.

Michel Lanne joint winner of the Mont Blanc Mrathon Ultra race will almost certainly be a hot favourite at Trans d’Havet along with an in-form Philipp Rieter who took third place at Ice Trail Tarentaise.

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The Sky distance race will be extremely competitive, Nicola Golinelli (4th Mont-Blanc Marathon) Florian Reichert (9th at Mont Blanc), Tadei Pivk (3rd at Zegama), Matheo Jaquemoud, Augusto Roc (three time world champion), Didier Zago and Dimitris Theodrakakos will go head-to-head for the title.

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However, so will Kilian Jornet. On this course, I don’t see Kilian loosing, however today, 17th July, we have had confirmation that Kilian’s favourite sparring partner, Marco De Gasperi will toe the line. Not only is this great news for the race but it is great news for us. No doubt after the head-to-head battle at Mont Blanc we will see a repeat performance on the slopes os Canazei.

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The ladies Sky race will be equally competitive with Emelie Forsberg, Celine Lafaye (2nd Mont Blanc), Maite Mayora Elizondo and Silvia Serafini as strong favourites. However, nobody will have an easy run with strong competiton coming from Zhanna Voueva, Laura Orgue, Stephanie JiminezRagna Debats to name but a few.

Maite Mayora Elizondo at Haria Extreme

Maite Mayora Elizondo at Haria Extreme

The Vertical at Canazei is regarded as one of the toughest. It is incredibly steep, to put this in perspective, even Kilian Jornet used ‘poles’ in 2012. Without doubt Kilian is a strong favourite but the men’s field has real quality and ‘VK’ specialists; Urban Zemmer will lead the charge for the title, closely followed by Marco Facchinelli, Tadei Pivk, Didier Zago, and Augusti Roc.

Antonella Confortola will be the hot favourite for the ladies. Emelie Fosberg will push hard but she is still learning in the VK as is Zhana Vokueva. Tessa Hill from the UK is slowly becoming a VK specialist and she stated at Mont Blanc that she was already seeing a progression from her 2012 form. The ever present Corinne Favre is always a contender, as is Laura Orgue. Sivia Serafini, Celine Lafaye, Maite Mayora Elizondo and Ragna Debats will double up with the Sky race and have every possibility to make the podium in both races.

Antonella Confortola

Antonella Confortola

To date, the sixteen countries entered are: Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden.

The winning formula?  Easy: the European Skyrunning Championships are open with individual titles at stake in each discipline. Ranking is based on the sum of the highest points scored in two out of three events.  The national title is based on the score of the first three men and one woman in all three events.

Links:

Skyrunning HERE

Coverage and imagery will be provided by iancorless.com via Facebook Talk Ultra and Twitter

European Skyrunning Championships 2013

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Italy will host the third edition of the biennial championships. The Vertical and Sky disciplines will take place in Canazei, Trento, on July 19 & 21. The Ultra distance, for the first a championship discipline – will be celebrated in Vicenza, on July 27. The skyrunning “hall of fame” is unveiled

The third edition of the European Skyrunning Championships kicks off in Italy with not just Europe’s best, but no less than seven world championsrepresenting sixteen nations.  The events will mark the first European Ultra title, as well as the Vertical and Sky distances.

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Taking on all three disciplines will be super-champs Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg, for whom only the sky is the limit.  A number of other athletes will take on the three-race challenge but mostly the specialists are aiming for medals in their preferred categories.

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The strong Spanish team includes 2011 Skyrunning World Champion Luis Alberto Hernando who will take on the Ultra with 2012 Ultra Champion Nuria Picas.

Luis Alberto Hernando copyright iancorless.com

 

Nuria Picas copyright iancorless.com

The twelve team members also include three-time World Champion, Agustì Roc and Vertical Champion Laura Orguè

Silvia Serafini copyright iancorless.com

Italy will be aiming at the Vertical and Sky distances with a robust line-up headed by Vertical World Champion Urban Zemmer and Antonella Confortola who took third at the recent KM Vertical in Chamonix. The Italian squad is supported by Nicola Golinelli (4th Mont-Blanc Marathon), Marco Facchinelli currently heading the SWS Vertical Series together with Marco Moletto (ranked 4th).  Silvia Serafini (4th in Mont-Blanc Marathon), will race both distances while Stephanie Jimenez will take on the SkyMarathon®.  

Many more world-class names have signed up to represent their county in the European Championships.  Among them, the strong French team: Michel Lanne, Emilie Lecomte, Matheo Jacquemoud, Didier Zago, Celine Lafaye and Corrine FavrePhilipp Reiter and promising “new” skyrunner Florian Reichert (Germany); Ferran Teixido and Oscar Casal Mir (Andorra); Zhanna Vokueva (Russia); Csaba Nemeth (Hungary); Ionut Zinca (Rumania); Tessa Hill(Great Britain).  

Emilie Lecomte copyright iancorless.com

The Netherlands are not new to skyrunning after their first experience at the 2012 SkyGames®.  They are led by Ragna Debats, 5th at Mont-Blanc Marathon. New entries include a very strong representation from the Czech Republic with no less than thirteen team members they are determined to make an impression on the international skyrunning scene.

To date, the sixteen countries entered are: Andorra, Austria, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, France, Great Britain, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Netherlands, Rumenia, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden.

The events kick off on July 19 in Canazei, Trento, Italy with the Vertical Kilometer®, followed by the Dolomites SkyRace® on July 21.  The Ultra distance will be disputed at the Trans d’Havet just six days later in the nearby Veneto Region on July 27.

With such a deep field in every category, records are likely to tumble.

The record on the unforgiving Vertical Kilometer® course, just 2,1 km long, stands at 33’16” by Urban Zemmer and Antonella Confortola39’13”, back in 2008 when the course was inaugurated at the SkyGames® .

Antonella copyright iancorless.com

The Dolomites SkyRace® favoured by the world’s top runners offers a new challenge after record-breaking performances last year by Kilian Jornet in2h01’52 and Emelie Forsberg, in 2h26’00. The challenging and often technical course represents one of the toughest proving grounds for the relatively short distance:  22 km but with 1,750m climb to the summit of the Piz Boè which, at 3,152m altitude, towers majestically above the start and finish of the race in Canazei.

Moving on to the much anticipated Ultra, the Trans d’Havet is an 80 km point to point with 5,500m vertical climb traversing the Piccole Dolomiti in the Veneto Region.  The route, technical in stretches, includes 6 km of tunnels. 

Course records at last year’s launch were: 10h58’44” by Daniele Palladino (ITA) and Francesca Canepa (ITA) 11h44’45’’.

The winning formula?  Easy: the European Skyrunning Championships are open with individual titles at stake in each discipline. Ranking is based on the sum of the highest points scored in two out of three events.  The national title is based on the score of the first three men and one woman in all three events.

Vertical

Dolomites Vertical Kilometer®, Canazei, Trento, July 19

Sky

Dolomites SkyRace®, Canazei, Trento, July 21

Ultra

Trans d’Havet, 80k, Piovene R, Piccole Dolomiti, Vicenza – July 27

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Skyrunning Website HERE

Skyrunning Calendar 2013

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2012 saw the  ISF take running above the clouds to new heights. The vision of Marino Giacometti and Lauri Van Houten was fulfilled with the first event, the Transvulcania La Palma and this set the stage for an incredible year of racing. The inclusion of ultra distance races made some of the worlds greatest runners realise that Skyrunning had something new to offer. Tough, technical and gnarly courses at altitude with incredible competition.

With a season over and a new year ahead, we have great pleasure in releasing the 2013 calendar. Certainly from an ultra perspective the inclusion of the Ronda dels Cims in Andorra will set the stage for a battle ‘royal’ at the 100 mile distance. This course is renowned for its difficulty and altitude gain at 13,000m. As a season final, we have UROC (Ultra Race of Champions) in Colorado. At 100km this will provide an incredible closure to what I am sure will be the best Skyrunning year ever!

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As you will know, I have had great pleasure to be at many of the events in 2012 and this will continue in 2013. I will be bringing you news, reports, articles, images, facebook posts and tweets as an exciting year above the clouds unfolds…

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2013 SKYRUNNER® WORLD SERIES 

– new races, new format

Skyrunner® World Series celebrates 10 years!

November 30, 2012 Press release by Lauri Van Houten, ISF

It’s curtains up on the 2013 Skyrunner® World Series which celebrates ten years with some of the best and most exciting races across the world.  The new Series is divided into three stand-alone circuits: Sky, Ultra and Vertical, each with their own titles and prizes – clean and simple!

The introduction of the ultra distance this year wrote a new page in skyrunning.  The Series kicked off with the Transvulcania Ultramarathon on the Spanish island of La Palma, which saw probably the deepest field of world-class runners to date. The spectacular 83km course and 4,400m vertical climb will represent a major challenge to competitors in 2013 as once again the race opens the Ultra Series.

The success of the 2012 Ultra Series paved the way for our first 100-miler – the Ronda dels Cims.  With a gruelling 13,000m-elevation gain, the race will take place on the longest day under the full moon crossing the entire Principality of Andorra.

The Speedgoat 50K will be back with top runners and a fast course reaching three passes at 3,400m altitude in Snowbird, Utah, USA.

Two favourite skyrunning locations from the past also make a comeback:  Val d’Isère and Vail, Colorado.  The Ice Trail Tarentaise, 65 km with 5,000m vertical climb, will test the best against the spectacular backdrop of the Rhône-Alpes Region, site of the ’92 Winter Olympics while Vail in Denver, Colorado, will host the Ultra Race of Champions “UROC” – the Ultra Series final.  American and European legends will compete in this new 100 km race, very much at high altitude with four passes at 3,600m – a race of champions indeed.

Two of Europe’s most famous mountains feature in the Sky Series: the Mont-Blanc Marathon which will also host the KM Vertical in Chamonix the same weekend, and the new Matterhorn Ultraks, a fast, 46 km race in Zermatt, in the shadow of the world’s most famous peak will, without a doubt, attract top runners.

Spain’s long-standing testing ground of champions, the Maratòn Alpina Zegama-Aizkorri, launches the Sky Series and the popular Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado USA, will again feature.  To close, yet another new venue offers both a nocturnal Vertical and the Sky Series final: Skyrunning Xtreme, a short, steep technical race towering over Italy’s famous Lake Garda.

Russia’s Mount Elbrus Vertical Kilometer® launches the entire skyrunning season and the Vertical Series on May 7.  Entirely over snow, the VK reaches an altitude of 3,450m, the world’s highest race of its kind. The Vertical Series continues with the Ribagorza Vertical Kilometer® on the site of the 2012 SkyGames® in Spain, followed by Greece’s Gerania Vertical Kilometer®, dominating the Corinthian Gulf.

See below for the full calendars in each Series.

Some numbers from the 2013 Skyrunner® World Series: nine new entries, two brand new races – 653m kilometres and 43,632 vertical climb six races located in the world’s top ski resorts (Chamonix, Zermatt, Vallnord, Val d’Isère, Snowbird, Vail) – without a doubt some of the best places to run in summer…see you there!

iancorless.comNuria Cavalls

SKY

1. SPAIN: Maratòn Alpina Zegama-Aizkorri – 42k, Zegama – May 26

2. FRANCE: Mont-Blanc Marathon – 42k, Chamonix – June 30

3. USA:  Pikes Peak Marathon, Colorado – 42k – August 18             

4. SWITZERLAND:  Matterhorn Ultraks – 46k, Zermatt – August 24

5. ITALY: Skyrunning Xtreme – 23k, Limone sul Garda – October 13

ULTRA

1. SPAIN: Transvulcania Ultramarathon – 83k, La Palma May 11

2. ANDORRA: Ronda dels Cims 170k, Vallnord – June 21

3. FRANCE: Ice Trail Tarentaise 65k, Val d’Isère – July 14

4. USA: Speedgoat – 50k, Park City, Utah July 27 

5. USA: Ultra Race of Champions “UROC” -100k, Vail, September 28

 VERTICAL

1. RUSSIA: Mount Elbrus Vertical Kilometer® – May 7

2. SPAIN: Ribagorza Vertical Kilometer®, Barruera – May 18

3. FRANCE: KM Vertical, Chamonix – June 28

4. GREECE:  Gerania Vertical Kilometer®, Loutraki September 8

5. ITALYXtreme Vertical Kilometer®, Limone sul Garda – October 11

Information

Ranking points

The three best results in each Series are scored in ranking.  Ranking points in the final races of all three Series will be increased by 20%. Ranking points breakdown: 100-88-78-72-68-66-64-62-60-58-56-54-52-50 down to 2 points to 40th position for men and 15th position for women.

Legend 

SKY – races more than 22 km and less than 50 km long with at least 1,300m positive vertical climb (SkyRace® and SkyMarathon®)

ULTRA – races over 50 km long that exceed the SkyMarathon® parameters (Ultra SkyMarathon®)

VERTICAL – races with 1,000m positive vertical climb not exceeding 5 km distance (Vertical Kilometer®)

Contact:

Lauri van Houten, International Skyrunning Federation

Tel +39 335 8000061 lvanhouten@skyrunning.com

Spartathlon Preview

Twenty fours hours ago I sat down to write just a brief preview of two other races that would be taking place this weekend for those who may not be following Cavalls del Vent (not sure why that would happen). Firstly, Spartathlon.

Spartathlon is due to start as I write this, 0700 Friday. I guess ‘the race’ that got us all running! It is iconic in the ultra world for many reasons. The distance at 153 miles needs no explanation… it’s a long way. Taking place pretty much all on uninspiring road they throw in a tough mountain at around the 100 mile mark just to mess you up a little more oh and then they have cut off times throughout the race that you must achieve if you want to keep going.

2012 represents the races 30th birthday of the race that is conducted in the footsteps of Pheidippides, the ancient Athenian runner. Pheidippides was sent to Sparta in 490 BC, before the battle of Marathon, to ask for help in the war led by the Greeks against the Persians. According to Herodotus, Pheidippides arrived in Sparta the day after his departure from Athens.

The race has iconic winners and I guess the most notable are Yiannis Kouros who still has the record of 20:25 and Scott Jurek who won the race three times.

Just over 350 will take part this year and they represent over 30 countries. Greece always has plenty of participants but the race is also iconic within Japan. Many of the contenders such as , Noto Kimi winner in 04/05, Akiko Sakamoto winner in 07 and then 4 years earlier in 03, Sumie Inagaki who won in 09 and finally Hiroko Okiyama who I guess is an outsider as she won the race some 12 years ago in 2000. Last years winner though, Szilvia Lubics from Hungary is returning. Notable 2012 entrant is Lizzy Hawker, I spoke to Lizzy several times in recent weeks and months and she is fired up for this iconic race. Her prep was going to be UTMB and then come to Spartathlon, but with UTMB being shortened (she won again) she decided to squeeze in the gap a 100 mile race (as you do) the Run Rabbit Run (which she won). Anybody else and you would think 100 miler just a few weeks before Spartathlon; crazy! But we are talking about Lizzy! Her main issue is a fall she took early in RRR in which she banged her knee seriously. Just a few days ago she sent me a message and I quote:

“Hi Ian, thanks so so much for your good wishes for Spartathlon!!!! I’m really grateful …. need a little bit of magic out there 🙂 knee improves every day, but will it be good enough? & the head & heart?!! enjoy Cavals, I’ll be thinking of you all there :). best, Lizzy”

Lizzy at 2012 UTMB

If Lizzy has a ‘Lizzy’ day then she will be incredible. No doubt. Her 100k and 24hr times are prove enough of what she can do. Another UK entrant, Claire Shelley may well figure well. She has won the Grand Union Canal race in the UK which is 145 miles running up and down the Canal systems of the Midlands (I still don’t understand why?)

The mens race will be a battle. I just wish Mike Morton was toeing the line… after his Badwater performance and his 24 hour record I would love to see what he could do here.

Ivan Cudin from Italy, returns to defend his title but notably Valmir Nunes from Brazil, winner in 01 returns. Valmir holds the CR at Badwater which Morton missed by 75 seconds in the 2012 edition. Markus Thalmann from Austria won in 03 and had great races in 04 and 05.

My money is on Cudin and Hawker… and you?

You can follow the race live HERE

The 2012 program is available as a PDF HERE