Episode 246 of Talk Ultra is with Nicki Marsh as we countdown to Marathon des Sables – The Legendary. With a 50th birthday looming in 2024 Nicki had been toying with lots of ideas of how to celebrate… The only thing that truly excited me (and could fit around work!) was MDS. Her husband had done it in 2017 and said never again. However, it took him all of 30 seconds to agree to do it again, with Nicki!
“I have degenerative disc disease and osteoarthritis, 4 foot surgeries on and another one on the cards I am determined to keep moving. My goal for the race when we entered was to get to the start line, then do the best I can to finish, the plan was to walk. I believe setting the right goals helps you develop the right mindset and avoid disappointment.”
Ian Corless has created a career as a running photographer and has the whole world as his field of work. Text: Sussi Lorinder.
Photo: Ian Corless
Ian Corless is in his hammock outside his tent with a beer in hand, I sit in a sun lounger with my bottle of recovery drink. We are located in Drake Bay on the Corcovado Peninsula in Costa Rica. The sun is about to set and colors the sky rose-orange. We have both just finished a race; a six-day adventure that Ian photographed and I ran. The soundscape is almost deafening, waves crashing against the shore, howler monkeys in the palm trees above us and cicadas hissing.
Ian Corless cleans one of his cameras from dust and dirt. The week has been a tough week as he followed the elite in the race. The environment and the weather are the biggest challenges when photographing running competitions and above all The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica. The humidity is high here and the roads are very dusty. Ian also prefers to stand in the most spectacular places, which requires him to get there before the elite.
Photo: Ian Corless
“Pressing the button and actually taking the picture itself is what takes the least time and energy,” he says.
The logistics of a race are often a big challenge. Getting by car between two places where he wants to photograph can take significantly longer than it takes to run. They might run across a mountain but often he has to drive around. Here in Costa Rica, the roads are harsh dirt roads, so keeping a high speed with the car is impossible.
“Most of the nicest places are far away from the road, so it also requires good physical fitness to get there,” he says.
Lucky that Ian is a strong runner himself. His career started with him running the races himself with a camera. Then he only got pictures of the runners who were about as fast as himself.
“The advantage when you run the race yourself is that you actually get to all the places and know where the coolest environments are,” he says. “But sweat is a big opponent in Costa Rica due to the humidity. You sweat profusely after just five minutes of running; my cameras don’t feel so good about that,” he adds.
For several years Ian worked as a food and advertising photographer and ran in his spare time. In 2011, he was going to run a race and brought his camera to coincide with the start of a trail running podcast, Talk Ultra. He took some pictures and realised that no one was doing what he was doing. From races, Ian had only seen pictures taken of the runners smiling into the camera, pictures taken without much thought. He wanted to do something different, build up the image in the environment where the race took place, to sell the race and the place. Most of the time, he photographs without the runners seeing him, in order to get authenticity and more feeling in the pictures.
Photo: Ian Corless
Working as a race photographer can look glamorous on social media. Ian has travelled to some really exotic places and has about 175 travel days a year. But often he doesn’t go home to Norway between trips, but like now, for example, he directly travels from Costa Rica to Gran Canaria. Then it is important to have an understanding family and be able to plan ahead. Ian usually makes his annual calendar in November and since his girlfriend Abelone is a runner, they check which races she wants to run too and plan the calendar together. In this way, they meet even when he travels a lot. On stage races, you also usually live in tents close to each other. Sleep is easily disturbed when it is very hot or very cold or the tent neighbour is snoring loudly.
– But it’s worth it, says Ian and looks out over the magnificent sunset.
Photo: @cusukofotografiacr
Name: Ian Corless Age: 57 Lives: in Norway but travels about half the year Dream destination: Patagonia Instagram: @iancorlessphotopraghy
As I get deeper into my love for photographey, I want to speak to those whose work is not only technically profound but unique. Being unique is the key to unlocking a world of opportunities and experiences that others can learn from and see what is possible. That is why I reached out to connect with Ian Corless.
Photography enthusiasts, if you’ve ever scrolled through Ian Corless’s Instagram feed, you’ll understand why I was eager to connect with him. His extraordinary work stands out, but it’s not just his talent that sets him apart. Ian’s remarkable willingness to engage and network, both with clients and during this interview, is a testament to his character. He takes photography to the extreme, whether it’s capturing high-profile commercial assignments, scaling a mountainside for a passion project, or sharing as much knowledge with the photography community as he can. Check out his work and the words he shared with me about his journey in photography.
Are you up for an adventure in an incredible part of the world?
If the answer is yes, Home Of The Giants is for you!
JULY 21ST TO JULY 28TH 2024
A multi-day adventure through the magical and amazing playground that is Jotunheimen, Norway. Unlike a race, this journey is a finely balanced exclusive trip for just 12 participants. A challenge at a more relaxed pace, taking in an amazing route whilst moving light in a semi self-sufficient mode.
The iconic ‘The Church’ we go to the summit on day 2
Spread over 5-days, our journey starts from Bygdin Fjellhotel with an overnight stay, the following morning we depart via the iconic M/B Bitihorn boat covering the length of Bitihorn lake to our start point at Eidsbugarden. A magical journey, on foot, covering 100kmand 4774m+
Snow fields, water crossings and morraine
You will encounter snow, water crossings, airy and exposed sections, plenty of climbing and descending and full days on the trail. Each day will conclude at a DNT cabin where you will have a bed, shower facilities, 3-course dinner and breakfast included.
Rock and snow transitions to lush green and single-track
WANT TO JOIN US?
Only 12 places are available for what will be a journey of a lifetime.
Episode 163 of Talk Ultra brings you a chat with Luke Sanchez who just. finished Javelina Hundred 100 mile race – aged 15 years! We also speak with rising skyrunning star, Petter Engdahl. Finally, we chat with Lily Dyu about her new book, all about fastpacking. Speedgoat Karl co-hosts.
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
Talk Ultra needs your help!
We have set up a Patreon page and we are offering some great benefits for Patrons… you can even join us on the show! This is the easiest way to support Talk Ultra and help us continue to create!
Many thanks to our Patrons who have helped via PATREON
Bartłomiej Przedwojewski was out front early and added to that throughout for a 3:40 finish. That was 10 minutes in front of everyone else and 14 minutes better than the former course best. Marc Lauenstein (Switzerland), former course-record holder, was second in 3:50, and Oriol Cardona (Spain) was third in 3:51.
Holly Page (U.K.) has had great success in Skyrunning in 2018, and, just like the men’s winner, beat the former course best, too, 4:37 was 12-minutes better than the previous record. Second-place Ruth Croft was less than a minute back in 4:38, and third-place Toni McCann finished in 4:41.
RAID DE LA REUNION
Benoît Girondel and François D’Haene found themselves together and the pair crossed together in 23:18. Maxime Cazajous was third in 24:40, and 2015 winner and 2017 runner-up Antoine Guillon was fourth in 25:07.
Jocelyne Pauly was first woman in 28:54, followed by Audrey Tanguy and Juliette Blanchet also tied in 29:23.
TEMPLIERS
Sébastien Spehler made it two in a row as men’s winner in 6:36 and Azara García (Spain) was completely unmatched running 7:38 and won by over 30 minutes in the women’s race.
JAVELINA JUNDRED
Patrick Reagan followed up winning last year with repeat victory in 13:42. Second- and third-place Dave Stevens and Kenneth Hawkes followed in 15:39 and 16:22.
Ever-present Darcy Piceu’s won another 100 miler in 18:49, she has also won HURT 100 Mile, Ronda dels Cims 105 miler, and Angeles Crest 100 Mile in 2018, impressive! Dana Anderson and Tonya Keyes were second and third in 19:31 and 19:50, respectively.
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Interview with LUKE SANCHEZ
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BIG’S BACKYARD ULTRA
After 68 hours, Johan Steene won after a huge 283 miles! Ouch. Courtney Dauwalter pushed him close and was second with 279 miles and 67 hours, and Gavin Woody was third with 270 miles over 65 hours. Just bonkers, no?
Importantly, go to iTunes and subscribe so that you automatically get our show when it’s released we are also available on Stitcher for iOS, Android and Web Player and now Tunein.
Please support Talk Ultra by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/talkultra and THANKS to all our Patrons who support us. Rand Haley and Simon Darmody get a mention on the show here for ‘Becoming 100k Runners’ with a high-tier Patronage.
I recently wrote an article about why I switched from using Canon to Sony (here). Writing about equipment can be a little boring, after all it is just a tool that I use to do my job. However, it was my switch to Sony that prompted me to write as I felt I had finally had something to write about.
On the back of this, I was approached by Sony to write an article.
“It’s a fast course and one that compromises a photographer’s ability to not only make several points during the race, but also to reach those points. A highlight of the race coming at 3000m. I’m lucky, today I have a helicopter and it departs at 0715 – the race start coming at 0800.”
“My bag is packed and I’m soon on the road. I meet the mountain rescue team and before we know it, the helicopter is hovering at the summit as the team and I climb out.”
If you are interested, it’s called SHOOTING IN THE SKY and you can read the full post HERE.
All good things come to an end and today, unfortunately, was the last full day of the 2017 #multidaytrainingcamp.
It started at 0800 with a run to our hill rep volcano (by popular demand) and after a 30-minute easy run, we then played on one of the most amazing natural obstacle courses that provided everyone with a great workout and stunning views.
A short break and then at 1100 we had a 2-hour talk on nutrition looking at the day-to-day needs of a runner at a typical self-sufficient multi-day race. All aspects were covered and of course a few surprises made many of the camp attendees raise an eyebrow and then quickly write a note to make sure they didn’t forget these pearls of wisdom for the future.
Lunch was followed with our last group runs. By popular demand they were easy, really easy. Elisabet ran 8km at ‘long-stage’ pace to provide an insight for the ‘faster’ runners of how to pace an 80+km stage. Niandi and Ian ran nice and easy for 12-15km and Marie-Paule took the walkers out for a long 5-6 hour hike.
That’s it.
I will update more in the coming days on the many highs of the 2017 camp.
As I write this, the bar is open and many camp attendees are practicing re-hydrating… it would be a shame to miss out!
A glorious morning was followed by a windy and chilly afternoon but Lanzarote put a smile on every clients face as they arrived in 15-degree temperatures after leaving a -5 London behind.
It was an admin day as everyone checked in, stocks up on supplies, relaxed and then at 1700-hours it was an introduction to the terrain and conditions they will encounter for the next 7-days.
It was a stunning end to the day as we ran for 60-minutes in three ability based groups. The sun accompanied us and as we returned back to La Santa we were provided with one of this magical sunsets that made everyone realise in an instant, why they are here.
Light stretching followed the run and then in the evening it was casual drinks and a group meal.
Day 4 starts at 0800 with a full-on run that will see most participants on the trail for 4 to 6 hours.
Episode 127 of Talk Ultra is here with an in-depth talk with coach Mario Fraioli and Stephanie Howe Violett who is back after injury, not only with a ladies’ win, but an outright victory at Bandera 100k and a slot for Western States. Niandi is going me as co-host.
00:01:28 Show Start
New Year and Talk Ultra needs your help!
We are five year’s old this January and as a show we are proud that we have produced a wealth of content for free. The show will always be free! However, demands on time, production costs, editing really impact on Talk Ultra, therefore, if you love the show please help us out. We have set up a Patreon page and we are offering some great benefits for Patrons… you can even join us on the show! This is the easiest way to support Talk Ultra and help us continue to create!
RUNNING BEYOND BOOK is travelling the world many thanks for the support in purchasing the book. You can get a signed copy HERE. We mentioned in the last show about Running Beyond Event which will take place 3, 4 and 5th March in London, plans are progressing for that… in addition, Niandi and myself will now be in Amsterdam on Feb 3rd, 4th and 5th for a Trails in Motion event and Running Beyond book signing with Mud Sweat and Trails and I will be also going to Sofia in Bulgaria on the 17th, 18th and 19th March for a trail, mountain and Skyrunning expo.
00:14:17 NEWS
Bandera 100K
Steph Howe Violett 9:08 chicken the field and earned a WSER slot, Camille Herron 9:29 was 2nd and Nicole Kalogeropoulus was 3rd 10:06
Justin Ricks was 1st male and 2nd overall in 9:13, Jeff Ball 9:21 and Joel Frost Tift 3rd in 9:33
I caught up with Stephanie to talk about her great return to form after a year of injury, operations and fractures.
Yanqiao Yun 9:35:11 2n Daniel Jung, 3rd Sage Canaday, 4th Didrik Hermansen, 5th Tim Tollefson
In the UK The Spine is underway just as the snow and ice arrived.
On the last show we had an interview with Caroline Boller and with a new year starting and many of you planning a racing year, I thought it would be a good idea to catch up with Caroline’s coach, Mario Fraioli, and find out his thoughts on how to approach training and planning.
2016 is over and 2017 is here. Now is a good time to take a look back and refresh the mind (and ears) about all the great audio that we produced on Talk Ultra in the last year. Episodes 103 to Episode 125.
Episode 103 was look back at some of our all-time highlights and the show included: Timmy Olson, Kilian Jornet, David Johnston, Scott and Jenny Jurek and a bonus, Sir Ranulph Fiennes.
Episodes 104 to 125 looked at the sport of ultra, trail, mountain and skyrunning via in-depth interviews. What are the highlights? It’s so hard to say… I like to believe that all the audio we create is inspirational on so many levels.
However, for me, some of my highlights are:
Episode 104 – Zach Bitter running super-fast for 100-miles.
Episode 109 – Mina Guli
Episode 110 – Jasmin Paris
Episode 112 – Nicky Spinks
Episode 114 – Kaci Lickteig and Jim Walmsley
Episode 115 – Jason Schlarb
Episode 117 – Martin Yelling
Episode 119 – Karl Meltzer
Episode 122 – Pete Kostelnick
Episode 123 – Adam Campbell
2016 was a great year.
January 2017 is significant, Talk Ultra is five year’s old and as a show we are proud that we have produced a wealth of content for free. The show will always be free! However, demands on time, production costs, editing and so on, really impact on the Talk Ultra team, therefore, if you love the show please help us out.
We have set up a Patreon page and you can support the show from as little $1 per month. As you move up the Patron levels we are offering special offers and you can even appear on the show.
Please check out Patreon HERE and we hope you can support us.
Episode 125 of Talk Ultra is our Christmas Show – Happy Christmas everyone! We have interviews with Zach Miller, Caroline Boller and Samantha Gash. We also have a review of the year and Niandi Carmont is co-hosting. HERE
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Episode 124 of Talk Ultra is all about the Everest Trail Race with a selection of audio from 5 participants – Andreja Sterle Podobonik, Casey Morgan, Jennifer Hill, Tom Arnold and John Percy. We bring you news from the ultra world and Niandi Carmont co-hosts. HERE
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Episode 123 of Talk Ultra and this weeks show is a special, one off edition with Adam Campbell HERE
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Episode 122 of Talk Ultra and we have a 1 hour interview with Pete Kostelnick all about his amazing, record breaking run across the USA. Ryan Sandes talks Raid de la Reunion and Casey Morgan talks about Madeira’s EcoTrail Funchal and the Everest Trail Race. The show is co-hosted by my good buddy from the Twin Cities, Kurt Decker. HERE
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Episode 121 – On this weeks show we speak with Els 2900 Alpine Run race director, Matt Lefort, about his super tough Andorran race. Niandi Carmont brings us a selection of audio, recorded in the Simpson Desrert, as Australia’s 2016 Big Red Run took place. Ian is interviewed by a Portuguese magazine and Speedgoat is back co-hosting! HERE
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Episode 120 – Alex Nichols tells us all about his first 100-miler and how how he won it! Emelie Forsberg tells us about her return to Kima and finding solace and new skills in India. Jasmin Paris is on fire and we sum up an incredible 2016 and ‘another’ round record and finally Speedgoat Karl answers your questions about the Appalachian Trail FKT. HERE
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Episode 119 of Talk Ultra and we have a 1-hour special interview with Speedgoat Karl Meltzer on his incredible record breaking FKT on the AT. We also have interviews with the male and female winners of the Superior 100, Mallory Richard and Frank Pipp. We have the news and Niandi co-hosts. HERE
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Episode 118 of Talk Ultra and this week is going to be a short and sharp show… it’s all about the UTMB races and Trofeo Kima. We have interviews with Jo Meek who placed 2nd lady at the CCC and Damian Hall who placed 19th in the UTMB and recently completed a ‘FKT’ on the South West Coast Path in the UK. This weeks show is co hosted by Albert Jorquera.HERE
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Episode 117 of Talk Ultra and it’s a packed show. We talk with Jonathan Albon who last year won the Tromso SkyRace and this year placed 2nd. Debbie Martin-Consanitalks about running long and her recent CR at the North Downs Way 100 in the UK. We also speak to my fellow podfather and good friend, Martin Yelling, about his inspiring, ‘Long Run Home.’ The News and Niandi co-hosts. HERE
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Episode 116 of Talk Ultra and We speak with Beth Pascall who obliterated the female record at the UK’s Lakeland 100 and placed 4th overall in the process. We also speak with Donnie Campbell who won the Lakes Sky Ultra. We have the news, results and Niandi Carmont co-hosts while Speedgoat Karl goes for a jog on the AT! HERE
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Episode 115 of Talk Ultra and we have an interview with Hardrock 100 winner, Jason Schlarb. We also speak with Elisabet Barnes about her Richtersveld Transfrontier Wildrun and Big Red Run double. Speedboat Karl is with us on the countdown to the AT and of course we have the news from around the world. HERE
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Episode 114 of Talk Ultra and we have two interviews from Western States – Ladies champion Kaci Lickteig and the incredible Jim Walmsley who looked to break all WSER records only to go off course at 92 miles. We also speak with Joanna Williams, the outright winner from South Africa’s Richtersveld Transfrontier Wildrun. We have the news, ultra chat and Ryan Sandes co-hosts! HERE
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Episode 113 of Talk Ultra and We have a show with a selection of audio from participants who took part in the 8-day, 400km Cape Wrath Ultra (Ita Marzotto, Jenny Davis, Louise Watson, Luke Robertson, Richard Beard and Ted Kristensson)and the 190-mile, single stage, Northern Traverse (Angela White, Clare Turton and Eoin Keith). We have the news and Niandi Carmont co-hosts. HERE
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Episode 112 of Talk Ultra and we speak with Nicky Spinks about that incredible DOUBLE Bob Graham Round. Emelie Forsberg joins us to tell us all about her injury, how she feels and when (we hope) she will be back and we speak to ‘The Jeff’s’ an inspiring husband and wife who took respective 1st places at the Salt Flats 100. HERE
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Episode 111 of Talk Ultra and it’s all about Transvulcania. We speak with Chris Vargo who placed 5th, Alicia Shay who placed 4th and Ida Nilsson who blasted around the course to take the ladies victory. We have the news, a chat with Holly Rush and Speedgoat Karl is back. HERE
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Episode 110 of Talk Ultra. This weeks show is a Marathon des Sables special with a load of great content from the Bivouac by Niandi Carmont and then a series of post race interviews with Sondre Amdahl, Elisabet Barnes and Elinor Evans. If that wasn’t enough, we have an interview with Jasmin Paris who has just blasted the Bob Graham Round ladies record to a new level. HERE
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Episode 109 of Talk Ultra. We speak with inspiring adventurer and I2P ambassador Ray Zahab about his amazing Antarctica 2 Atacama expedition. We also speak with an amazing Australian lady, Mina Guli, who ran 40-marathons across 7 deserts on 7 continents in 7 weeks. We also have a little pre-MDS chat and Speedgoat is here. HERE
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Episode 108 of Talk Ultra. We speak with 2016 Transgrancanaria champion, Didrik Hermansen. We have a chat with Brit Paul Navesy about winning the 100km Anglo Celtic Plate and Jason Schlarb gives us the lowdown of skiing the Hardrock 100 route in 4 days. Niandi gives us a stress fracture update and brings us another Big Red Run interview and Speedgoat is here after ‘another’ 100-mile victory. HERE
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Episode 107 of Talk Ultra. This show has so much content, we speak with Lizzy Hawker about her amazing 200km Kathmandu Valley FKT, Ryan Sandes talks about his 2015 and his new book, Trail Blazer. Gavin Sandford tells us about his amazing double Marathon des Sables challenge. Niandi catches up with past participants of the Big Red Run in Australia who will return in 2016 and Speedboat is still on the AT. HERE
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Episode 106 of Talk Ultra. This show is all about The Coastal Challenge multi-day race in Costa Rica. We talk in-depth about Niandi’s experience and we bring you a selection of interviews to give you a feel for the race. HERE
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Episode 105 of Talk Ultra. Niandi and Ian are back from a multi-day training camp in Lanzarote, The Spine winner, Eoin Keith tells us all about his race and we speak with Rocky Raccoon and Fling Race winner, Matthew Laye. HERE
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Episode 104 of Talk Ultra and I am pleased to say Speedboat is back. On this show we talk with rising Australian star, Lucy Bartholomew. We speak to fast man, Zach Bitter about running 100-miles super quick and Candice Burt talks Hurt 100 and the appeal of 200-mile races. HERE
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Episode 103 A very happy new year! Talk Ultra is 4 years old and to signify this landmark we are bringing you 4 interviews from our back catalogue, one from 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015: Timmy Olson, Kilian Jornet, David Johnston, Scott and Jenny Jurek and a bonus, Sir Ranulph Fiennes. In addition, we may well bring you a few sounds, music and memories. HERE
IAN CORLESS 