Episode 131 – Tom Owens, Jo Meek and Inge Nijkamp

Posted on March 23, 2017 by talkultra

Episode 131 of Talk Ultra and we bring you an interview with TCC winner, Tom Owens. We also speak with Jo Meek who recently placed on the podium in Hong Kong at Translantau 100km. Niandi brings us a ‘one-on-one’ interview with Inge Nijkamp. We have the news and ultra-chat!

Niandi still is injured but back in the pool

Ian has been to Bulgaria w/ Dean Karnazes, Sean Conway and more…

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Niandi is joining me and yes, her foot is still in a moon boot. How’s the fracture?

Lets kick off with Niandi’s next ‘one-on-one’ interviews, this week she talks with Inge Nijkamp who attended our training camp in Lanzarote. In early April, Inge will toe the line at MDS and here Niandi discusses balances life, children and how you fit it all in…

INTERVIEW with INGE NIJKAMP

NEWS

Chuckanut 50k

Max King once again showed his speed ahead of Hayden Hawks. However, both went under to old CR! It was close with Hawks just over 30 seconds back. Max gets an auto qualifier for the IAU Trail World Champs. Sage Canaday placed 3rd.

Ladia Albertson-Junkans (?) won the race in 4:17 and the IAU slot ahead of Yiou Wang and Rachel Jaten

Trail du Ventoux

Marc Lauenstein and Caroline Chaverot too top honours in a race that also gave IAU qualificition. Lauenstein from Switzerland didn’t qulify (obviously) for the French place and this went to UTMB winner Ludovic Pommeret.

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.

Antelope Island Buffalo Run

Great to see Sondre Amdahl take the win for the men and Sage Balloock Dixon for the ladies – 6:45 and 8:087 respectively.

Translantau 100km

Harry Jones from the UK took the win ahead of Jacky Leung and Jeremy Ritcey, their times 12:47, 13:28 and 13:44. Marie McNaughton 14:10 once agin won the ladies’ race ahead of Brit Jo Meek 15:05 and Wei-Ling Tseng 17:42.

I caught up with Jo to hear about the race.

INTERVIEW with JO MEEK

INTERVIEW with TOM OWENS

UP & COMING RACES

Algeria

Ultramarathon des Ziban | 100 kilometers | April 06, 2017 | website

Argentina

50 km | 50 kilometers | April 02, 2017 | website

80 km | 80 kilometers | April 02, 2017 | website

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

Australia

Victoria

100 km | 100 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

50 km | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

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

Ultra SkyMarathon | 75 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Belgium

Wallonia

55 km | 55 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Chile

Ultra Fiord 100K | 100 kilometers | April 06, 2017 | website

Ultra Fiord 100M | 100 miles | April 05, 2017 | website

Ultra Fiord 70K | 70 kilometers | April 06, 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

France

Bouches-du-Rhône

58 km | 58 kilometers | April 02, 2017 | website

Essonne

Rendez-vous de la marche nordique | 100 kilometers | April 02, 2017 | website

Jura

Le Savagnin | 58 kilometers | April 02, 2017 | website

Landes

80 km | 80 kilometers | April 03, 2017 | website

La Ronde des Pains | 80 kilometers | April 03, 2017 | website

Morbihan

66 km | 66 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

Puy-de-Dôme

52 km | 52 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

Germany

Hesse

Eschollbrücker Ultra-Marathon 50 km | 50 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

Hungary

BSI Half Lake Balaton Supermarathon | 95 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

BSI Lake Balaton Marathon+ Balatonfüred – Siófok | 51 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

BSI Lake Balaton Marathon+ Fonyód – Szigliget | 52 kilometers | March 24, 2017 | website

Italy

Lombardy

100 km di Seregno | 100 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

60 km di Seregno | 60 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

Tuscany

Ultratrail delle Valli Etrusche | 50 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

Malaysia

50 km | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

70 km | 70 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Mexico

50 km | 50 kilometers | April 02, 2017 | website

Morocco

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

Morocco Tizi N’Trail | 120 kilometers | March 24, 2017 | website

New Zealand

Oxfam Trailwalker NZ | 100 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Norway

Bergen Maratonkarusellen no3 – 1 1/2 Marathon | 63 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Bergen Maratonkarusellen no3 – Ultra 100km | 100 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Poland

Beskidzka 160 Na – Long Distance | 84 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Portugal

Inatel Piódão Trail Running – 50 km | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Réunion

62 km | 62 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Spain

Andalusia

TrailRunning BRIMZ “Guzmán el Bueno” X Sierra Morena – 60 km | 60 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Catalonia

Long Trail Barcelona | 69 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Marxa dels Castells PLUS | 81 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Oxfam Intermón Spain – Girona | 100 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Ultra Trail Barcelona | 100 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Sweden

Silva Ursvik Ultra – 75 km | 75 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

United Kingdom

Calderdale

The Calderdale Hike – Long | 36 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

Cheshire West and Chester

Chester Ultra | 50 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

East Lothian

2x25K Relay | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

50K | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Glasgow City

Glasgow – Edinburgh Double Marathon | 55 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

Highland

2XU Jogle | 860 miles | March 24, 2017 | website

Lancashire

The Canalathon 100 km | 100 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

The Canalathon 50 km | 50 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

The Canalathon 75 km | 75 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

USA

Alabama

Oak Moutain 50+ | 50 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Alaska

White Mountains 100 | 100 miles | March 26, 2017 | website

Arizona

100 Mile | 100 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

50K | 50 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

50 Mile | 50 miles | March 26, 2017 | website

Crown King Scramble 50 Km Trail Run | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

California

50km | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

American River 50-mile Endurance Run | 50 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

Beyond Limits Ultra and BLU Relentless 100 Miler | 100 miles | April 06, 2017 | website

Beyond Limits Ultra and BLU Relentless 50K | 50 kilometers | April 06, 2017 | website

Beyond Limits Ultra and BLU Relentless 50 Miler | 50 miles | April 06, 2017 | website

Nine Trails 35 Mile Endurance Run | 35 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

Old Goats 50K Trail Race | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Old Goats 50 Mile Trail Race | 50 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

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

Florida

Fort Clinch 100M | 100 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

Fort Clinch 50M | 50 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

Georgia

Georgia Death Race | 60 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

Idaho

Pickled Feet 100 Mile Run | 100 miles | March 24, 2017 | website

Kansas

Prairie Spirit Trail 100 Mile Ultra Race | 100 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

Prairie Spirit Trail 50 Mile Ultra Race | 50 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

Rocking K Trail 50 Mile Run | 50 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

Maryland

50K HAT Run | 50 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Minnesota

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

Mississippi

150 miles | 150 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

New Jersey

100K Trail Race | 100 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

100M Trail Race | 100 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

50K Trail Race | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

50M Trail Race | 50 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

North Carolina

Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run | 100 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

Umstead 50 Mile Endurance Run | 50 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

Ohio

Fools 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Oregon

Shotgun Trail Blast 50K | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Pennsylvania

Mt. Tammany 10 | 40 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

South Carolina

70 mile | 70 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

Palmetto200 Relay | 200 miles | March 24, 2017 | website

Tennessee

Ragnar Relay Tennessee | 196 miles | March 24, 2017 | website

Texas

Hells Hills 50 km Endurance Trail Run | 50 kilometers | April 01, 2017 | website

Hells Hills 50 Mile Endurance Trail Run | 50 miles | April 01, 2017 | website

Utah

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

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

Behind the Rocks 50 K | 50 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Behind the Rocks 50 Mile | 50 miles | March 25, 2017 | website

West Virginia

Haulin’ in the Holler 50K Trail Race | 50 kilometers | March 25, 2017 | website

Vietnam

Ultra ASIA Race | 160 kilometers | March 26, 2017 | website

Close

01:41:21

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.

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Episode 97 – Bonnet Symonds Pierson

Posted on October 16, 2015 by talkultra

Episode 97 of Talk Ultra has an interview with Andy Symonds about his return to running and top results after prolonged injury, we speak with Remi Bonnet rising star of the VK and SKY distance and Mariepaule Pierson is back from Atacama and tells us all about it. We have Talk Training, the News and Speedboat Karl.

00:01:30 Show Start

00:07:30 NEWS

Help Nepal – Nepal images ‘FACES of NEPAL’ – order a print and all funds donated to Nepal charities HERE

TRAINING CAMP in Lanzarote with Elisabet Barnes 28th Jan to Feb 4th HERE

LANTAU 2 PEAKS

1 – Remi Bonnet 2:14:07

2 – Manuel Merillas 2:24:29

3 – Tadei Pivk 2:26:39

1 – Yngvild Kaspersen 2:42:04

2 – Laura Orgue 2:49:58

3 – Maite Maiora 2:51:19

00:12:56 INTERVIEW

REMI BONNET

UTAT 105km/ 6500m +

1 – Andy Symonds 13:41

2 – Julien Chorier 14:20

3 – Omar Bouhrim 15:32

1 – Andrea Huser 15:47

2 – Francesca Canepa 19:34

3 – Geraldine Leroy 23:08

Other races are 68km, 42km and 26km

WARRIOR DASH

Max King 2-years in a row wins $30,000 – F***!

CROWN OF THE CONTINENT TRAVERSE

Mike Wolfe and Mike Foote run an incredible 600-mile FKT from Missoula to Banff. We will have both Mike’s on the next Talk Ultra to tell us all about it. Read HERE

LAKE TAHOE FKT

Krissy Moehl 47:29 new record by 2-hours Read HERE

GRINDSTONE 100

1 – Brian Rusiecki 20:24

1 – Amy Rusiecki 23:36

FLAGSTAFF SKY RACE ULTRA

1 – Dan Kraft 5:49

2 – Gabe McGowan 5:54 ?

3 – Josh Arthur 6:00

1 – Ashley Erba 6:47

2 – Meredith Edwards 7:39

3 – Jen Benna 7:47

FLAGSTAFF SKY RACE SKY

1 – Martin Anthamatten 3:59

2 – Joe Gray 4:06

3 – Tim Parr 4:39

1 – Megan Kimmel 4:29

2 – Kristi Knecht 5:04

3 – Corinne Malcolm 5:12

TNF CHALLENGE WISCONSIN

1 – Tyler Sigi 5:55

2 – Dylan Bowman (went of course) 6:28

3 – John Knudson 6:49

1 – Molly Culver 8:10

2 – Christine Murphy 8:18

3 – Emily Kratz 8:22

LAKES IN A DAY

1 – Kim Collison 9:12:07

2 – Marcis Gubats 10:27:48

3 – Stuart Dickson 10:49:05

1 – Helen Leigh 11:00:10

2 – Sabrina Verjee 11:29:59

3 – Lucy Spain 11:58:48

00:48:27 INTERVIEW

ANDREW SYMONDS

01:22:46 INTERVIEW

MARIEPAULE PIERSON

02:11:42 TALK TRAINING

TALK TRAINING – BASIC STRENGTH TRAINING read the document HERE

UP & COMING RACES

Andorra

Els 2900 Alpine Run | 70 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Australia

New South Wales

Buckley’s Chance 50km Off-trail Ultra | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Hume & Hovell 100 | 100 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Hume & Hovell 50 | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Survival Run Australia 75km | 75 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Washpool/Gibraltar World Heritage Trails 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Queensland

Blackall 100 | 100 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Blackall 100 – 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

South Australia

Heysen 105 | 105 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Victoria

Ned Kelly Chase 100km – Wangaratta Fitness Fun Addicts | 100 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

Austria

Bécs-Pozsony-Budapest Szupermaraton | 317 kilometers | October 19, 2015 | website

Costa Rica

Q50 Costa Rica Ultramarathon | 86 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Finland

Western Finland

Wihan kilometrit – 100 km | 100 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Wihan kilometrit – 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

France

Aude

Raid des Bogomiles | 96 kilometers | October 16, 2015 | website

Aveyron

Endurance Trail | 106 kilometers | October 23, 2015 | website

Grand Trail des templiers | 71 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

Intégrale des Causses | 60 kilometers | October 23, 2015 | website

Corse-du-Sud

Corsica Coast Race – 95 km | 95 kilometers | October 29, 2015 | website

Haute-Corse

Corsica Coast Race – 170 km | 170 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

Ille-et-Vilaine

Entre Palis et Mégalithes | 64 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Saône-et-Loire

Com Com Trail 68km | 68 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Savoie

Grand Trail du Lac – 72 km | 72 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Germany

North Rhine-Westphalia

Röntgenlauf Ultramarathon | 63 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

Greece

Rodopi Advendurun 100 miles | 100 miles | October 16, 2015 | website

India

West Bengal

Himalayan 100 Mile Stage Race | 100 miles | October 30, 2015 | website

Israel

Ultra Marathon Sovev Emek – 100 Km Run | 100 kilometers | October 23, 2015 | website

Ultra Marathon Sovev Emek – 100 Mile Run | 100 miles | October 23, 2015 | website

Ultra Marathon Sovev Emek – 200 Km Run | 200 kilometers | October 23, 2015 | website

Ultra Marathon Sovev Emek – 61 Km Run | 61 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Italy

Campania

Amalfi Coast Trail | 79 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Cormorultra | 69 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Piedmont

Lago d’Orta Ultra Trail – 55 km | 55 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Lago D’Orta Ultra Trail – 80 km | 80 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Puglia

Run & Go 100 km | 100 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Run & Go 100 Miglia | 100 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Sardinia

Sardinia Ultramarathon | 81 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Sicily

Etna Tour Trail | 67 kilometers | October 29, 2015 | website

Japan

Inagawa 100km Ultra “TOASHI” Fun Run | 100 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Jordan

Jordan Running Adventure Race – 190 km | 190 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Jordan Running Adventure Race – 70 km | 70 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

Mexico

Carrera de Baja Mexican Trail | 100 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Nepal

Everest Sky Race | 360 kilometers | October 16, 2015 | website

Solukhumbu Trail | 289 kilometers | October 30, 2015 | website

Portugal

Azores Triangle Adventure | 103 kilometers | October 30, 2015 | website

Ultra Trail das Aldeias do Xisto | 100 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Réunion

La Mascareignes | 67 kilometers | October 23, 2015 | website

Le Grand Raid | 164 kilometers | October 22, 2015 | website

Trail de Bourbon | 93 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

South Africa

Bonitas Golden Gate Challenge | 70 kilometers | October 22, 2015 | website

Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon | 250 kilometers | October 22, 2015 | website

Spain

Andalusia

Ultima Frontera – 166 km | 166 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Ultima Frontera – 55 km | 55 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Ultima Frontera – 83 km | 83 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Ultra-Trail Gran Vuelta Valle Del Genal | 125 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Canary Islands

Tenerife Bluetrail 60 km | 59 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Tenerife Bluetrail 94 km | 94 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Catalonia

Ultra Trail de la Serra de Montsant | 100 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Valencian Community

Mondúber Utrail | 80 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Sweden

Markusloppet | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Taiwan

UltraTaiwan 100 | 100 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

UltraTaiwan 50 | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Tanzania

Kilimanjaro Stage Run | 260 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Turkey

Cappadocia Trail 60km | 62 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

The North Face Cappadocia Ultra Trail | 110 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

United Kingdom

Cumbria

Ennerdale 50k Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Oxfordshire

Autumn 100 | 100 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Rotherham

Rowbotham’s Round Rotherham International Trail Event | 50 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Somerset

West Deane Way Ultra – Black Route | 51 miles | October 16, 2015 | website

West Deane Way Ultra – Blue Route | 36 miles | October 16, 2015 | website

West Deane Way Ultra – Red Route | 44 miles | October 16, 2015 | website

Suffolk

Coastal Trail Series – Suffolk – Ultra | 34 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

West Sussex

Olympic Way Ultra – Black Route | 44 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Wiltshire

Clarendon Way Ultra – Black Route | 48 miles | October 22, 2015 | website

Clarendon Way Ultra – Red Route | 37 miles | October 22, 2015 | website

Worcestershire

Halloween 7in7 | 295 kilometers | October 26, 2015 | website

USA

Arizona

Cave Creek Thriller 50K | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

California

Coyote Ridge 50 Km Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

EC 100 | 101 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

EC 50 | 51 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Lake Hodges 50K | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Ragnar Relay Napa Valley | 186 miles | October 23, 2015 | website

Stinson Beach 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Twin Peaks 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Twin Peaks 50 Miler | 50 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Colorado

Indian Creek 51 km | 51 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Indian Creek 52 Mile | 52 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Connecticut

Bimbler’s Bluff 50k | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Delaware

Sinnemahone Ultra Marathon 50K | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Florida

Jacks 50k Trail Race | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

Mutual Mine 50K | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

“Running for the Bay!” 50K | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Hawaii

Peacock Ultramarathons 100K | 100 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Peacock Ultramarathons 50K | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Illinois

Des Plaines River Tail 50 Miles | 50 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Maine

The Pounder | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

The Punisher | 50 miles | October 18, 2015 | website

Maryland

Patapsco Valley 50K | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Minnesota

Surf the Murph 50K | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Surf the Murph 50M | 50 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Missouri

Dogwood Canyon 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

Nebraska

G.O.A.T.z 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

New Hampshire

Ghost Train Ultra Race 100M | 100 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Ghost Train Ultra Race 45M | 45 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Ghost Train Ultra Race 60M | 60 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Ghost Train Ultra Race 75M | 75 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Ghost Train Ultra Race 90M | 90 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

New Mexico

Deadman Peaks Trail 50 Mile Run | 50 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

North Carolina

Triple Lakes Trail 40 Mile Run | 40 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Uwharrie 100K Trail Run | 100 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Uwharrie 100 Mile Trail Run | 100 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

WC-50 Ultra Trail Marathon 50k | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

WC-50 Ultra Trail Marathon 50M | 50 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Ohio

Stone Steps 50k Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

Oklahoma

Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 100K | 100 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Pumpkin Holler Hunnerd 50K | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Oregon

Elk-Kings Mtn Traverse 50K | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

Pennsylvania

Quad State Quad Buster | 46 miles | October 17, 2015 | website

Tussey mOUnTaiNBACK | 50 miles | October 25, 2015 | website

Tennessee

Ragnar Relay Tennessee | 196 miles | October 23, 2015 | website

Texas

Big Cedar Endurance Run 100 Miler | 100 miles | October 30, 2015 | website

Big Cedar Endurance Run 50K | 50 kilometers | October 30, 2015 | website

Big Cedar Endurance Run 50 Miler | 50 miles | October 30, 2015 | website

Cactus Rose 100 Mi Trail Run | 100 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Cactus Rose 50 Mi Trail Run | 50 miles | October 24, 2015 | website

Trans-Pecos Ultra | 163 miles | October 18, 2015 | website

Utah

Goblin Valley Ultra 50K | 50 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

Pony Express Trail 100 | 100 miles | October 16, 2015 | website

Pony Express Trail 50 | 50 miles | October 16, 2015 | website

Virginia

50K | 50 kilometers | October 17, 2015 | website

The Wild Oak Trail 100 “Hot” TWOT | 100 miles | October 23, 2015 | website

Washington

Ft. Steilacoom 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 18, 2015 | website

SCOTT Cougar Mountain Series 50k | 50 kilometers | October 25, 2015 | website

West Virginia

Run Around the Gorge | 69 kilometers | October 24, 2015 | website

02:39:23 CLOSE

02:42:12

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Lantau 2 Peaks 2015 – Race Summary and Images

Posted on October 4, 2015 by talkultra

Hong Kong is a cacophony of noise, colour and experiences. Add heat and high humidity and it provides a very unique setting for the 4^th race in the 2015 Skyrunner® World Series.

The race run by Action Asia Events starts and finishes in Tung Chung on Lantau Island and as the name suggests, takes in the 2 peaks; Sunset Peak and Lantau Peak. In just 23km’s the races climbs and drops a total of 3975m. ‘Steps’ offer unique terrain that signifies a Hong Kong race and ones’ ability to go up and down is taken to a new level by this demanding terrain.

Two days of great Hong Kong weather unfortunately deteriorated the day before the race and many of the elite runners’ worst fears came true on race day when rain continued to fall accompanied by gale force winds that were rated as a level-3 typhoon. It’s not that elite runners don’t like running in the rain; not all. However, slick stone steps with a layer of water are a potential accident waiting to happen in any scenario, add ‘racing’ to the max and pushing the pace require a leap of faith. The wind was so strong at times you would be lifted of your feet and thrown like a piece of rubbish on the trail.

Yes, the 2015 Lantau 2 Peaks was one to remember!

The race was ultimately about the rising of two stars; Remi Bonnet and Yngvild Kaspersen. Young guns having some fun with a smile and a passion. They really did show the rest of the field a master-class in running in the extremely tough conditions.

Race Report

Runners had arrived in Hong Kong a couple of days before the race to check out the course, adjust to the humidity and explore a little of what Hong Kong has to offer. Two days of excellent weather unfortunately turned sour the day before the race as storms came in from the sea, torrential rain and the possibility of a typhoon!

The island of Lantau provides a very different race experience to what one can expect in Europe. Stairs (stone steps irregularly placed) provide a key element of the course not only going up but coming down. The wet adds an additional element and one that would test each and every runner on race day.

Starting in Tung Chunk at 0730, the runners had a fast and furious start over 2km’s before the climbing would start to the first peak of the day, Sunset Peak. The predicted typhoon hit in a force 3 making conditions ‘off-the-scale’ as rain flooded down the mountain creating impromptu rivers and waterfalls. Add to this gale force winds that would lift you off your feet and the stage was set for an epic battle.

For the men, Remi Bonnet pushed the pace from the gun ahead of Manuel Merillas and Aritz Egea, in pursuit Tadei Pivk, Marco De Gasperi and the remainder of the elite runners were spread out over the mountain. Yngvild Kaspersen like Remi set a blistering pace at the front, behind Laura Orgue pursued and then Elisa Desco and Maite Maiora.

Over Sunset Peak (3^rd highest in Hong Kong) steps provided a sharp and sudden drop to CP1 and the 2^nd climb to Lantau Peak at 934m. The hard steps, slick conditions and fierce competition made the course extremely challenging.

Pushing upward to Lantau, the trail closed in, opened up and then intersperses steps once again. The course requires a unique style of running (or hiking) as the irregular height and depth of the steps makes finding a rhythm awkward.

Pre race, Laura Orgue had said, “Hong Kong will be an absolutely different race to what we are used to.” She was correct. The combination of mixed terrain and inclement weather on race day all made for a unique challenge.

Remi Bonnet and Yngvild Kaspersen were leading the respective men’s and ladies’ races with two master-class performances, one could even say they made it look easy! At the summit of Lantau Peak, barring an accident they both would be crowned 2015 champions. But with a huge drop from the summit and slick conditions to contend with, the final rankings were still open.

With 23km’s covered and 1987m of vertical gain and more importantly maybe, 1988m of vertical loss, Remi arrived triumphant at Citygate in Tung Chung, a circular trip completed taking in the Lantau 2 Peaks in a time of 02:14:07. Manuel Merillas fought a hard battle for 2^nd and Tadei Pivk took 3^rd place ahead of a charging Greg Vollet. Artiz Egea who had run in 3^rd place earlier dropped to 5^th.

Yngvild Kaspersen won the race for the ladies in 02:42:04 and Laura Orgue held on to 2^nd. Maite Maiora in the closing stages overhauled Elisa Desco on the descent and placed 3^rd. Stevie Kremer placed 5^th having struggled with jet lag having only landed in Hong Kong the night before the race after 24-hours of travel.

Results:

Remi Bonnet 2:14:07
Manuel Merillas 2:24:29
Tadei Pivk 2:26:39

Yngvild Kaspersen 2:42:04
Laura Orgue 2:49:58
Maite Maiora 2:51:19

RANKING

Sky Series ranking provisional results (after Lantau 2 Peaks & US Continental Championships)
Men
1. Tadei Pivk (ITA) Crazy Idea – 366 points
2. Manuel Merillas (ESP) Mammut/Compressport – 332 points
3. Tom Owens (GBR) Salomon- 268 points
3. Ionut Zinca (ROU) Valetudo – 268 points
5. Aritz Egea (ESP)E MF – 252 points

Women
1. Laura Orguè (ESP) Salomon – 364 points
2. Elisa Desco (ITA) SCOTT Sports/Compressport – 350 points
3. Maite Maiora (ESP) La Sportiva – 322 points
4. Megan Kimmel (USA) Asics – 300 points
5. Stevie Kremer (USA) Salomon – 254 points

Full results HERE

Hong Kong and the Lantau 2 Peaks – First Impressions

Posted on October 1, 2015 by talkultra

Hong Kong, it’s a place I have wanted to visit for sometime! The noise, the bustle of life, it has an energy that is far removed from many places that I visit. Nepal I suppose in some ways come close but only on a noise level, here everyone has the latest phone, computer, camera and so on

It’s a long way from the UK or anywhere in Europe. A short 1 –hour flight to Amsterdam, a couple of hours’ stopover and then a 10.5-hour flight through the night and of course 7-hours time difference. You arrive mid morning but you feel like you be wrapped up in bed.

Once you leave the air conditioned confines of the airport or train station, the heat hits you. It’s like someone just turned a hair dryer on and the humidity? It’s uncomfortably high.

Most normal people would get a couple of hours sleep. A little RnR maybe? No, not us. The Salomon team were on my flight; Greg Vollet (team manager), Remi Bonnet, Laura Orgue, Martina Valmassoi and Yngvild Kaspersen. It’s a multi-national bunch with France, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Norway represented.

Active people don’t like being compressed in a cylindrical tube for any length of time, especially 10.5-hours. So it was a quick turnaround at the hotel, check-in, drop luggage in room, shower and go for lunch before heading out on the Lantau 2 Peaks course. Lunch was an interesting navigation of what felt like a lucky dip. We ticked boxes on a menu card and hoped for the best. Some of our choices were excellent, some average and the less we discuss the pork balls, the better!

Lantau 2 Peaks by Action Asia Events after all is why we are all here. Lantau is the 4^th race in the 2015 Skyrunner® World Series for the SKY distance and the top male and female honours are all to play for.

Our early arrival in HK affords an opportunity to check out the 2^nd section of the course, from Cp1 to the finish; it is one we seize. I get to look at some possible photo spots and loosen off from the travel, the Salomon team get a 13-14k mountain run in.

Running is easy! Navigating our way across Hong Kong via 2 trains, no ‘blue’ taxi’s meant that a bus was the only option. As it turned out it was a great adventure.

So here we are.

We have consumed food, used public transport, christened the trails and as darkness falls the place is coming to life in a glow of neon lights and sounds.

Hong Kong is an exciting place!

Lantau 2 Peaks (Hong Kong) 2015 Race Preview

Posted on September 29, 2015 by talkultra

Exciting and vibrant Hong Kong hosts the Lantau 2 Peaks this coming weekend, the 4^th race in the 2015 Skyrunner® World Series. Following on from the RUT 25km and just 3 weeks before the series final in Limone, the Lantau 2 Peaks is going to be a very exciting race!

Located at Citygate, Tung Chung the race has a total distance of 23km’s and an elevation gain of 1987m. It’s a very tough course that will involve and require plenty of hands-on-knee action. The race website warns:

Please make sure you do hill training before competing in this category as you will be climbing some of the biggest peaks in Hong Kong.

Estimated winning time for the 23km is 3 hours which puts the course into perspective, especially when one also considers the cut-off time is 8 hours.

MEN

Ionut Zinca, Remi Bonnet, Marco De Gasperi, Tadei Pivk, Manuel Merillas, Aritz Egea, Hassan Ait Chaou, Iban Letamendi and Greg Vollet head up a world-class field and as one can imagine, it will be a battle royal for top honors.

Remi Bonnet is the new kid on the block and showed everyone a clean pair of heals at the RUT VK and SKY race with 2 stand out performances. The race here in Hong Kong will suit his racing style, particularly coming so close after the challenging USA course.

Tadei Pivk placed 2^nd at the RUT behind Remi Bonnet and just seconds ahead of Marco de Gasperi. Tadei has had a great 2015 with stand out performances at Zegama-Aizkorri and the Dolomites SkyRace. He will be looking to get ahead of the rest of the field and score another 100% points to lead the world series ranking going into Limone Extreme.

Marco De Gasperi can never be rules out in ‘any’ SKY race. The 20+km distance is Marco’s forte and it’s a distance that he excels at. His recent FKT’s and 3^rd place performance at the RUT show that he has plenty of great form.

Ionut Zinca adds even more firepower to the front of the race and he is an ever-present on the Skyrunner® World Series and one who consistently places on the podium. The battle here in China is a tough one but Ionut has the race to most certainly take one of the top-3 slots and of course, he can win the race!

Manuel Merillas was a rising star in 2014 and he has followed that up in 2015 with another string of tope performances. He has been a little quiet lately which will mean that he comes to Lantau with fresh legs. Considering the quality of this field it’s extremely difficult to say who will and who will not make the podium. Manuel for sure is podium material but we already have 4 runners listed above who potentially will take those slots… like I said, it’s going to be quite a battle!

Aritz Egea rounds up the hot favourites for the podium. Like Ionut Zinca, Aritz is a strong and consistent performer on the Skyrunner® World Series. Expect him to go out hard and potentially lead the race in the early stages. The question mark will come if he can hold on to that lead?

LADIES

Just like in the men’s race, the ladies race has a plethora of top female talent who in 2015 have excelled in the SKY distance: Laura Orgue, Yngvild Kaspersen, Stevie Kremer, Maite Maiora, Elisa Desco, Azara Garcia, Martina Valmassoi and Hanny Alston.

Elisa Desco in many respects heads up the ladies as arguably the most rounded athlete for this course. Her mixed ability to descend as well as she climbs makes her a hot contender to top the podium. Her recent victory at Matterhorn Ultraks confirms this. However, Elisa has had a mixed year?

Laura Orgue is a VK specialist who has started to race more often at the SKY distance. Strong performances at the RUT and the Dolomites have elevated Laura as ‘one-to-watch’ and I expect a podium placing here in Hong Kong. Climbing ability has sometimes been let down by descending, however, Laura is improving with every race.

Stevie Kremer has been racing in Europe less in 2015 and as a result has increased her profile within the USA. No stranger to Hong Kong, Stevie will be without doubt a force at the front of the race. In the early stages we can expect her to be up at the front with Laura as they charge up the climbs. My gut reaction says Laura, Elisa and Stevie may well be 1,2,3 but in what order?

Yngvild Kaspersen like Remi Bonnet is Salomon’s new secret weapon(s) for the future. Without doubt a star in the making, Yngvild has consistently run strong performances over VK and SKY distance. She won the Tromso SkyRace and placed 2^nd in the VK just 1-second behind Emelie Forsberg. One to watch!

Maite Maiora has raced a great deal in 2015 and Lantau 2 Peaks adds to an already impressive list. On her day, Maite can run with the best and win. For me though, this has been a long season and the edge required for victory may well be missing. Don’t get me wrong though, she will be in the mix.

Azara Garcia won at Zegama-Aizkorri and looked set for an incredible 2015. Injury hit though. If fully recovered, Azara may well topple the whole race and come out with victory despite my 1, 2, 3 predictions. Without doubt she will be fresh and hungry.

Martina Valmassoi raced at the RUT and made the podium for the ultra distance; her 1st ultra! She comes to Hong Kong as a potential contender for a top placing. The question will come down to how fast she can turn the legs over? By all accounts, she is a great descender!

Hanny Allston rounds up the top contenders. The Aussie orienteer has turned heads recently and comes to Hong Kong as a potential dark horse who may well create quite a stir.

Needless to say, I have previewed the elite runners who are travelling to China to participate on the Lantau 2 Peaks race. Without doubt, local talent will figure in the overall results. So, if you have an ear to the ground and know of any hot tips for the win, please let us know.

Race website HERE

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