ISF 2013 World Ranking – Skyrunning

Posted on March 15, 2013 by talkultra

Crowds supporting at a Skyrunning event copyright Ian Corless

The ISF announces the 2013 World Ranking Races with 50 races selected from 14 countries and four continents which, at the end of the season, will establish the world’s 100 élite athletes in the three disciplines: Sky, Ultra and Vertical.

The ranking is based on a consolidated formula also used in other sports but for the first time, adapted to mountain courses. The formula comprises an exclusive ISF algorithm, which also takes into consideration factors such as the number of élite athletes participating and the winners’ advantage over the other top finishers.

The three best results in each category are counted with a correction factor for races with at least five élite athletes from the current year’s ranking present. The fifty 2013 ranked races are based on:

2013 World Race Ranking – Sky

Tom Owens behind ‘Hernando’ in the early stages of Zegama 2012 copyright Ian Corless

3 Peaks Race	April 27	GBR
Elbrus Vertical SkyMarathon	May 9	RUS
Maratòn Zegama-Aizkorri	May 26	ESP
Ziria Cross Country SkyMarathon	June 2	GRE
International SkyRace	June 9	SUI
Maratón Alpino Madrileño	June 16	ESP
Mont-Blanc Marathon	June 30	FRA
Olympus SkyMarathon	June 30	GRE
Kilian’s Classic	July 7	FRA
Maratona del Cielo	July 7	ITA
Challenge Irazu SkyMarathon	July 14	COS
Dolomites SkyRace	July 21	ITA
Fuji Mountain Race	July 27	JAP
Giir di Mont SkyMarathon	July 28	ITA
Course de Sierre Zinal	August 10	SUI
Marathon du Montcalm	August 17	FRA
Pikes Peak Marathon	August 18	USA
Matterhorn Ultraks 46k	August 24	SUI
The Ben Nevis Race	September 7	GBR
Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon	September 10	MAS
Skyrunning Xtreme	September 13	ITA

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

2013 World Race Ranking – Ultra

Tom Owens running a ridge at the stunning Trofeo Kima copyright Ian Corless

Tarawera Ultramarathon	March 16	NZL
Ultra Trail Mt Fuji	April 26	JPN
Transvulcania Ultramarathon	May 11	ESP
Ronda dels Cims	June 21	AND
Zugspitz Ultratrail	June 22	GER
Mont-Blanc 80 km	June 28	FRA
Lavaredo Ultra Trail	June 28	ITA
Western States Endurance Run	June 29	USA
Ice-Trail Tarentaise	July 14	FRA
Trans d’Havet	July 27	ITA
Speedgoat 50K	July 28	USA
Leadville Trail 100 Run	August 18	USA
Le Grand Raid des Pyrenees	August 23	FRA
CCC	August 30	FRA
UTMB	August 30	FRA
Run Rabbit Run	September 13	USA
Ultra Race of Champions UROC	September 28	USA
Cavalls del Vents	September 29	ESP
La Diagonale des Fous	October 18	FRA
Les Grand Trail des Templiers	October 27	FRA

2013 World Race Ranking – Vertical

Elbrus Vertical Kilometer	May 7	RUS
Cara Amón Vertical Kilometer	MAY 18	ESP
Orobie Vertical	June 2	ITA
Mont-Blanc Vertical KM	June 28	FRA
Chilometro Verticale Lagunc	July 14	ITA
Dolomites Vertical Kilometer	July 19	ITA
Gerania Vertical Kilometer	September 8	GRE
Le Km Vertical Du Fully	October 4	SUI
Xtreme Vertical Kilometer	October 11	ITA
Kilometro Vertical del Puig Campana	November 4	ESP

In January, the ISF published a first list of élite athletes based on the analysis of the results of the most significant races in 2012 in twelve countries in three continents. At the end of the season the 2013 élite ranking will be published and, in 2014, the goal is to include one hundred races.

To give a global vision of who the world’s top athletes are, the ISF has devised a ranking system based on a number of variables including the number of élite athletes present at each event. In order to create a basis for 2013 for the Sky, Ultra and Vertical Kilometer® distances, a first list of élite athletes has been drawn up based on an analysis of the results of the most significant races in 2012 in twelve countries and three continents.From 2013 an exclusive algorithm will also be applied. The 2013 ranking will be based on 50 selected races (20 Sky, 20 Ultra, 10 VK), with the aim of reaching 100 races in 2014.

The ISF 2013 World Ranking represents the first major step towards an instant panorama of the world’s top races and élite runners – an indispensable tool for athletes, organisers and sponsors alike.

ISF website http://www.skyrunning.com

Joe Grant joins Inov-8

Posted on February 21, 2013 by talkultra

February 21, 2013

HARDCORE new inov-8 athlete Joe Grant is preparing to tackle the extremes of Alaska in a 350-mile race described by organisers as the world’s longest human powered winter ultra-marathon.

An interview with Joe is available on Episode 27 of Talk Ultra and just THIS WEEK, Ian from Talk Ultra caught up with Joe before he headed out to the race. You can listen to that audio in Episode 29 of Talk Ultra released on February 22nd.

The 29-year-old, who will form part of a new global inov-8 team of athletes set to push boundaries and stretch limits in 2013, begins the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Knik, Alaska, on Sunday.

Born in the UK, raised in France and now based in Colorado, US, Joe will wear inov-8’s roclite™ 286 GTX boot to tame the snow and ice in a race that can take runners anything between four-and-a-half and ten days, depending on conditions in the Alaskan wilderness.

There are just seven checkpoints on the course where food and lodging is available. Between checkpoints racers have only each other.

Joe said: “It will be the longest ultra I’ve done in terms of distance and the extreme cold will make it tough but it’s a super exciting challenge. I just hope I can keep all my toes until the end!

“When racing over 350 miles in such wilderness and conditions it’s crucial to have trust in your footwear.

“The roclite™ 268 GTX is light and close to the ground, which is good on uneven snow. It runs like a low top trail shoe, but has all the advantages of a high top for these kinds of conditions.

“The GORE-TEX membrane helps keep my feet dry and warm, while the height of the boot in combination with gaiters prevents snow from getting in.”

Following that, Joe hopes to go head-on with the world’s best mountain runners at the opening race in the 2013 Skyrunner ultra series.

May’s 83km Transvulcania ultra-marathon monster on the island of La Palma in the Atlantic Ocean, which features 4,415m of elevation gain, was last year won by Dakota Jones, with Joe in joint 11^th.

Joe went on to record an outstanding second place finish at the epic 2012 Hardrock 100-mile race in the US – an achievement he wants to better this year.

“I want to be on the start line for Transvulcania but it will depend on how my recovery goes after the Iditarod Trail Invitational,” said Joe, who has finished top-20 at the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB).

“The Hardrock 100 is a big one for me this year. It’s an awesome race, which embodies everything I like about racing in the mountains. I really want to do a fast time there in July.”

Joe will wear shoes from inov-8’s trailroc™ and roclite™ ranges to race over trails and mountains across the world in 2013.

He said: “I’m super excited about the roclite™ 243 (new for spring/summer 2013). Its specifications are spot-on and I couldn’t think of a better shoe for trail and mountain running.”

More details on Iditarod Trail Invitational visit http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/alaska_ultra_home_page.html

Skyrunning World Series Participants 2013

Posted on February 15, 2013 by talkultra

SWS – champions choice

Building on the 2012 Skyrunner® World Series success and the introduction of the Ultras, 2013 prepares for an even bigger star-studded cast.

The line-up of champions is headed by 2012 SWS winners Kilian Jornet, Emelie Forsberg and Nuria Picas, joined by past world champions Emanuela Brizio, Oihana Kortazar, Luis Alberto Hernando and Tofol Castanyer and WMRA champions Marco De Gasperi and Stevie Kremer.

Nuria Picas copyright Ian Corless

Philipp Reiter copyright Ian Corless

Emelie Forsberg copyright Ian Corless

With some of the big American ultra legends crossing the pond last year to get a taste of skyrunning, the word is out! Joining them this year: Anton Krupicka, Dakota Jones, Rickey Gates, Mike Foote, Timothy Olson, Joe Grant….

Kilian and Tony Krupicka copyright Ian Corless

Dakota Jones copyright Ian Corless

It’s full immersion for Kilian Jornet who, with his unique skills, will participate in no less than all three Series: Vertical, Sky and Ultra!

Kilian Jornet copyright Ian Corless

Lizzy Hawker will be toeing the start-line at the Series’ first 100-miler while Anna Frost will take part in both the Sky and the Ultra Series. The mix includes Phillip Reiter and Julia Böttger from Germany, top French names: Francois d’Haene, Julien Chorier, Michel Lanne, Yann Curien, Maud Gobert and Stephanie Jimenez, Britons Andy Symonds and Tom Owens, Canada’s Adam Campbell.

Marco de Gasperi – copyright Ian Corless

Anna Frost copyright Ian Corless

Strong team participation is engaged right across the Series headed by the heavy-duty Salomon team as well as hefty, international line-ups from inov-8, La Sportiva, Salomon Agisko and Arc’teryx, The North Face, Haglöfs, Montrail, Scott as well teams from Spain, Italy, Russia, Japan

Take a look at the mix here. Have we got everybody?

You’re still in time to join the throng and remember, if you’re competing in the World Series, there’s always a slot available for you.

Follow the action on Skyrunning HERE

Follow on Talk Ultra HERE

On Twitter @talkultra

2014 SKYRUNNING WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Posted on January 31, 2013 by talkultra

A recipe for success – the world’s top athletes, a dream location, three challenging events.

Two important firsts are announced by the International Skyrunning Federation today: the 2014 Skyrunning World Championships will include the ultra distance for the first time and Chamonix, the most iconic outdoor sports arena, will host the events at the end of June, 2014.

January 30, 2013

Chamonix, France, offering the most famous and spectacular mountain panorama, will stage the second Skryunning World Championships at the end of June, 2014.

Three distances will be disputed:

– The short, steep Vertical KM – 1,000 metres skywards – by night. A timed race, it will test your VO2 max to the limit.

– The Mont-Blanc Marathon – the 42 km course starts in Chamonix and finishes at 2,016m altitude, gathering 2,511m elevation gain and 1,490m on the downhill, this beautiful trail offers some of the best scenery of the Mont Blanc massif.

– The Mont-Blanc 80KM – an exclusive, new course to be inaugurated this year, it features a challenging 6,000 metres of vertical climb along ridges, over snow fields, crossing into Swiss territory and traversing glaciers in a point to point loop from the town of Chamonix.

The races are open to both individuals and teams. Individual World titles are at stake in each discipline as well as a combined title, based on the best results of two out of three races. Countries will be ranked according to the best results of three men and one woman in all three disciplines.

Held every four years, the Championships represent the second edition since the inauguration of the ISF in 2008 and the first time that the ultra distance is included.

In occasion of the first Skyrunning World Championships in 2010, winners of the individual titles were Urban Zemmer (Italy) and Laetitia Roux (France) for the Vertical Kilometer^®; Kilian Jornet (Spain) and Laetitia Roux (France) for the SkyMarathon^®, and the combined titles went to Nicola Golinelli (Italy) and Laetitia Roux (France). The country ranking was headed by Italy, followed by Spain and France for a total of 13 nations.

The bid for the 2014 Skyrunning World Championships has been awarded to the experienced and highly competent local organiser, the Club des Sport Chamonix, which manages year-round major international sports events.

Marino Giacometti, ISF President, commented: “We’re proud to present the World Championships in Chamonix and, with the support of the Club des Sport, we’re confident the events will be a perfect showcase for skyrunning and draw the best in the world for some intense competition.”

In 2013, the Vertical KM and the Mont-Blanc Marathon will feature on the Skyrunner^® World Series calendar for the first time, an occasion to gather the world’s top athletes and thousands of participants for a preview of what is to come in 2014 – a competition to set your heart racing – starting right now!

Programme, race and entry details will be published at a later date. In the meantime see here for details of the 2013 events. Subscribe to our newsletter for all the news and follow us on twitter and Facebook for updates.

Skyrunning website HERE

Vertical World Circuit

Posted on January 28, 2013 by talkultra

Thomas Dold once again confirms his prowess as the world’s number one skyscraper racer, despite his second place in the VWC final in Brazil won by Italian Fabio Ruga. Australia’s Suzy Walsham wins the race and takes the title.The King of skyscraper racing, German Thomas Dold, was crowned Vertical World Circuit Champion for the fourth time, despite coming a close second to Italian Fabio Ruga in the Corrida Vertical in Sao Paolo, Brazil on January 25. The ladies’ winner, Australian Suzy Walsham, also took the World Champion title based on ranking points scored in the eight-race Circuit.

Ruga, the man who beat the seemingly invincible Dold by a mere two seconds, reached the summit of the 140 metre builing in 3’04”, Dold was second in 3’06” and third, Belgian Omar Bekkali in 3’16”. The women’s times were 3’45” for winner Suzy Walsham, and Brazilians Criastina Marcia was second in 4’40’ and Alnmeida Ligia, third in 5’19”.

Race winner Fabio Ruga, together with three hundred runners, raced up the 672 steps and 29 floors wearing a pair of Vibram^®FiveFingers^®– the “barefoot sports shoes”, winning Friday’s Vertical World Circuit final outright.

January 25^th was the date chosen by the Corrida Vertical to celebrate Saõ Paolo’s foundation in 1554. On the same day, an annual “Skyrunning Day” has been introduced to create awareness of the health benefits of tower running to the sports-loving Brazilians.

walsham-dold

Skyscraper racing, governed by the International Skyrunning Federation, is becoming increasingly popular: last year more than 7,000 runners from 30 countries took part in the Vertical World Circuit which unites some of the world’s most iconic skyscraper races in eight major cities across four continents – from the Americas to the heart of Europe and the Far East.

Look out for the 2013 Vertical World Circuit to be announced shortly by the ISF, where Brazil aims for a repeat performance as one of the major venues.

2012 VWC ranking:

Men

1. Thomas Dold (GER) – 494 points

2. Fabio Ruga (ITA) – 450 points

3. Omar Bekkali (BEL) – 428 points

Women

1. Suzy Walsham (AUS) – 520 points

2. Cristina Bonacina (ITA) – 294 points

3. Kristin Frey (USA) – 224 points

See http://www.corridavertical2012.com.br and www.verticalrunning.org for full information.

About Mountain Running…

Posted on January 27, 2013 by talkultra

Yes, I openly admit I work for Skyrunning and I attend the events that they organize. I love the philosophy, the courses and the people.

To be honest, I love our sport. Don’t we all?

The WMRA – World Mountain Running Association, are once again making sure that WE understand what Mountain Running is and I guess what Mountaineering, Orienteering and Skyrunning is…

Taken from the WMRA website – link HERE

Mountain Running is Athletics. Differences with Mountaineering, Orienteering and Skyrunning.

To distinguish the sport of mountain running from mountaineering or orienteering or skyrunning we can look at the philosophy of each sport.

The philosophy of mountaineering is based on contact with and challenge to nature. The time factor is only important in relation to our planning and safety. Climbers seek their adrenalin rush climbing on rock faces, looking for new routes and overcoming the danger inherent in their sport. A considerable amount of technical equipment, (ropes, pitons, etc) is needed. It is a question of combat between man and nature.

The philosophy of orienteering is to work out the quickest router between two points. Speed is important but it is useless without map-reading, compass, and route finding skills. In a few competitions, orienteering moves out of the forest, its natural habitat, and onto the mountains but its philosophy is still distinct from that of mountain running.

The philosophy of skyrunning seems to be an adventure on the mountain, trying extreme difficulties: in fact skyrunning is the discipline of running in the mountains above 2.000 meters, where the incline exceeds 30% and the climbing difficulty does not exceed II° grade. Ski poles and hands may be used to aid progress.

The philosophy of athletics, in our case mountain running, is based on the time factor, how to reach the finish taking the defined way as fast as possible. This is the objective of those who take part in competitive mountain running. Courses are designed to eliminate danger. No equipment is needed, no ropes, no compass. Athletes find their challenge in matching their speed against that of other runners, a competition between man (woman) and man (woman).

Are we clear?

Just to make sure:

WMRA Council: definition of mountain running for IAAF Rule Book

During the final day of meetings for the WMRA Council in Monte Carlo, the definition of mountain running was discussed at length which resulted in proposed language for a new rule to appear in the IAAF rule book: this new rule numbered 251 could replace actual rule 250.10.
It was agreed by the Council that there are extreme variations in conditions in which Mountain running is practiced worldwide. The difference between very successful and unsuccessful events often lies in the natural characteristics of the venue and the abilities of the course designer.
The proposed rule from the WMRA Council is intended as a guide and incentive to assist countries to further develop Mountain running.
Guidelines are included to support worldwide race directors in the organization and logistics of their events.
The proposed rule will be forwarded to the IAAF for consideration with hopes for final approval by the IAAF Congress in August 2013, at Moscow.
The rule would then appear in the IAAF Rule Book

Salomon Sense Hydro S-LAB Set

Posted on January 22, 2013 by talkultra

No pun intended, okay, it is a pun… but I got my hands on these babies in 2012 at Transvulcania La Palma and Zegama. I was with the R&D guys from Salomon at Zegama and was provided with a couple of these beauties try while out on our run up to the top of the Zegama course.

The Salomon Sense Hydro S-LAB Set is an interesting concept. Many of us have struggled and played around with many different ways to carry fluid while out on a run. For many a bladder is too problematic; you don’t know how much you have drunk, awkward to refill, sometimes they hold a taste, potentially un-hygienic if you don’t clean them properly. Of course an option is a pack that takes bottles on the rear or on the front in chest pockets. For me, if I am doing a longer race or training run this is my preferred option. Bottles are user friendly, easy to refill and of course you can see how much you have drunk.

An issue can arise though when running lighter, faster or shorter. A pack may very well be just too much… bottle belts? Mmmm, well so many of them are just not comfortable. Way too much bottle bounce (that is until THIS came along, the S-Lab Skin Belt).

For me an option has always been hand bottles for my hydration and if required a light belt for carrying essentials (but not bottles).

Hand bottles, you either love them or hate them. Personally I love them… they help free up your body and make drinking easy and regular. However, they can have downsides. Start with a bottle that is too big and you will know about it in the arms, shoulders and neck after a first run of any length… so start light and small.

Another problem is, quite obviously, your hands are ‘full’. Now on a non-technical or easy terrain this may not be an issue but as soon as the trail becomes ‘technical’ your hands may well be required, or at least your fingers. Bottles then can be a problem…

Step in the Salomon Sense Hydro S-LAB Set.

On first look you may very well think that this is a simple drink method over engineered. I guess in some ways it is… BUT it works and it works like a dream.

It’s simple and comes in two parts – the glove and the flask.

Imagine a cycling glove that just slips onto your hand with all 4 fingers poking through a large opening and your thumb through a separate gap. The glove fits tight offering a secure comfortable fit with no seams to cause irritation.

Turn the hand over and you have two large elastic straps. Quite simply pull your soft flask through the securing straps and then pull the loose elastic cord that sits on top of the glove over the nozzle and pull to the required tension and there you have it. A bottle secured in your hand but with full hand movement.

Currently the soft flasks are available in limited sizes but apparently the range will be available from 150 ml to 1000 ml. Now I am not sure if a 1000 ml flask would sit comfortably in the hand but I do know a 500 ml flask does!

In use I found not only the freedom of my fingers a revelation over previous bottles I had used but I also found that when I slipped, stumbled or had to use my hands to move debris or trees I could do so without having to worry about what was going to happen to the bottle. In addition, opening gels or food wrappers was equally no problem. I had full hand and finger movement (admittedly not as free as if I had no bottle) but certainly I had more finger dexterity with the Salomon Sense Hydro S-LAB Set than any other bottle I have used.

The other plus? The back of the glove is soft towelling… get a runny nose or a sweaty brow, no problem. Just use the back of the glove and wipe away in comfort.

A perfect fit can be found as they come in an option of sizes S, M and L and I understand the standard bottle will be 250 ml. Just as a note, my size was medium but I also had a large so if I needed warm gloves I could then put the Sense Hydro S-LAB Set over the top and keep my hands warm.

This product has been tested in race environments by the Salomon Team and if you look back at Western States and say Transvulcania La Palma you will see this product being put through it’s paces by the likes of Kilian Jornet, Andy Symonds, Rickey Gates and so on…

In summary, it works, it’s comfortable and it provides added dexterity. Recommended.

Salomon Running can be viewed HERE

Lauri Van Houten on runtramp.com

Posted on January 21, 2013 by talkultra

2012 was something of a breakthrough year for the International Skyrunning Federation. Their ‘Skyrunner World Series’ attracted the cream of international trail and ultra running to the start lines of many of their spectacular races and the general consensus was ‘mind-blowing’. The jaw-dropping and eye-popping locations and lung-burning steep and technical courses, not to mention the outstanding performances, combined to ignite a massive groundswell of support for the concept of skyrunning. 2013 seems certain to build on the success of last year with even more amazing race destinations added to the calendar, including the ISF’s first 100 miler, plus many of the worlds best trail runners have signed up and are ready to resume rivalries. Its gonna be one hell of a show.

However, what we see coming to fruition now is a result of the vision and 20 years of hard-work by the ISF’s co-founders Marino Giacometti and Lauri Van Houten.

runtramp.com (Robbie) got the chance to talk to Lauri about how it all began, the pioneering early days and the breaking of a new dawn for the organisation.

YOU CAN READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Kladdkaka by Emelie Forsberg

Posted on January 19, 2013 by talkultra

KLADDKAKA

by Emelie Forsberg

Kladdkaka (lit. Gooey cake but more commonly known as “chocolate mud cake”) is a type of Swedish cake. This dense sticky chocolate cake is similar to the American brownie but has a soft and viscous centre. It is sometimes eaten with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

The cake is basically a chocolate-flavoured sponge cake without leavener which is prepared by gently stirring the ingredients instead of beating eggs and sugar.

Emelie Forsberg – Trofeo Kima 2012

RECIPE

2 eggs

2 dl (0.2 l) sugar

5 big spoons of kakao

A small spoon of vanilla sugar

Very little salt

100 g butter

1 dl (0.1 l) Wheat

A little coffee

Stir the and the eggs and sugar very gently ( no whisking!)

Things to add in the cake: everything you like! I prefer nutella, walnuts, m&m´s or chocolate pieces.

Then add all the ingredients, put it in the owen at 175 Celsius. 15-20 minutes depending how you like the consistent to be like!

Enjoy!

This was what I eat during my first mountain marathon! Nyam nyam!

Apparently best served with Almond Milk….

Courtesy of Emelie Forsberg… Master baker and awesome runner 🙂 shhhhh don’t tell Salomon Running or Greg Vollet

UROC – La Sportiva

Posted on January 19, 2013 by talkultra

January 18^th, Vail, CO and Boulder, CO– The Ultra Race of Champions (UROC) and La Sportiva have entered into a partnership for 2013. By signing on as a major sponsor, La Sportiva will support the Ultra Race of Champions’ mission as The Ultra Running Championship and bring together the best of the best, on one course, on one day. The Ultra Race of Champions is presented by Competitor Magazine.

The Ultra Race of Champions was recently selected as the 2013 Skyrunner® World Series Ultra Final: this is the first time that any Skyrunner® World Series Ultra Final has been held in the USA. “It’s a match made in heaven” says J. Russell Gill III, UROC’s Event Director and CEO of Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports. “With the Ultra Race of Champions as the Skyrunner® World Series Ultra Final, La Sportiva’s mountain heritage is a perfect fit for the race”.

“La Sportiva is headquartered in the Dolomites, Italy which is also where the International Skyrunning® Federation was born ” says Dr. Francesca Conte, Bad to the Bone Endurance Sports’ President and native of northern Italy. “La Sportiva’s history and experience with mountain running and World championship events makes it the perfect partner for UROC”.

The race, which includes three events, the Ultra Race of Champions 100K, the Über Rock 50K and Cruxy Half Marathon, will take place in Vail, Colorado on September 28^th, 2013. The courses for all three events are perfectly suited for the La Sportiva brand, and the three distances will challenge runners of all backgrounds. The Ultra Race of Champions course will start on Main Street in Breckenridge, Colorado and finish in Vail Village, crossing several high mountain passes. The 50K and Half Marathon courses will take place on and around Vail Mountain.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the 2013 Ultra Race of Champions and Skyrunner® World Series Ultra Final! We have a great history of working with Francesca and Gill and know they will put together a fantastic event. This is going to generate excellent exposure for the elite field of athletes here in the States as they’re pitted against the toughest of the international competitors and is a huge success for the Mountain Running community as a whole” says Ian Achey, Events and Promotions Manager for La Sportiva. La Sportiva will be an exhibitor at the Champions Village, the UROC Expo in Vail.