The Coastal Challenge Costa Rica 2025 – Stage 5

Posted on February 13, 2025 by talkultra

Nobody really expected more drama for stage 4 after the epic battle between Erick and Pierre. However, as darkness arrived, the heavens opened for a relentless downpour that lasted hours and hours. Camp was wiped out with flooded tents and countless runner’s seeking refuge in any shelter possible.

It made for a night of wet clothes, broken sleep and very tired bodies come the 0300 wake up call.

With a tough day ahead, many, looked less than happy at the prospect of 23 or 41km’s. Pierre Meslet summed it just with his look, he was exhausted and somewhat resigned to ‘getting through the day’ and saving it all for the last day.

An early crossing of the Sierpe river and the race was soon underway, gladly, Erick Aguero was running, albeit with his arm in a sling.

An incredible golden sunrise gave optimism to the day.

However, this optimism soon disappeared with the withdrawal of Erick. The pain was all too much and he emotionally took of his number and said goodbye to TCC2025.

Pierre was leading the race but the sight of Erick waiting at cp1 was all too much for him. The duo had an emotional exchange and with the lack of pressure from a great competitor, a very tired mind and body, Pierre took his foot of the gas and ran easy all the way to the finish.

Allan Barrielle and Sergio Turull took advantage of the situation and they ran hard to the line for a well deserved victory on the stage.

For the women, Katie Young once again dominated the day, but she was feeling the fatigue from a sleepless and exhaustive night.

Lucia Jarquin and Maria Jose Corrales once agin ran strong days to secure their respective 2nd and 3rd places.

The stage, for many, is a ‘real’ Costa Rica experience. Gravel roads interconnect rainforest, farms, the locals, wildlife and in the latter stages, the beach and ocean lead you to Drake Bay.

Tomorrow, the 6th and final stage is a victory loop that manages to compress the best of the previous 6-stages in one incredible course of rivers, waterfalls, farmland, beach, ocean and coasteering.

Race Results HERE

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The Coastal Challenge Costa Rica 2025 – Stage 1

Posted on February 9, 2025 by talkultra

It was an 0330 departure from San Jose to arrive at Quepos at the start of stage 1 at 0800.

The heat and humidity was already high and a tough day, as always was expected. The iconic Del Rey beach a backdrop to the start and the Pacific Ocean splashing on to the beach.

The day, 33km’s with the opening km’s, all the way to cp1 and beyond, were flat and runnable. Always dangerous. Day 1 should be taken slow and steady, easing in to the week and the heat/ humidity. Boca Naranjito at 13.5km was the first cp, followed by Londres at 19.5km. Los Campenos at 30km was the 3rd cp to provide some refreshment before a tough final 3km. The finish at Rafiki Lodge.

Last years TCC champion Katie Young, started like a rocket running the opening 10km’s solo at the front.

Pierre Meslet and Erick Aguero finally caught her and took the lead two places, but Katie never stopped and ran all the way to the line with a convincing victory and 3rd overall.

Pierre and Erick were always expected to be the duo battling at the front but finally, around 16km’s the elastic snapped and Pierre broke away soloing to the line with a very strong lead ahead of the Costa Rican and local favourite.

Sergio had a tough day in the heat – Photo by Ian Corless

Full results will be available in due course HERE

With two races, Expedition and Adventure, the participants fought hard to tackle the terrain, which became increasingly difficult as the stage progressed. The final section the toughest with a challenging water crossing to conclude the day.

Both races were 33km, but the expedition had more vertical gain, 1115m in contrast to 894m.

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Oman Desert Marathon 165km 2025 – Stage 2

Posted on January 19, 2025 by talkultra

Stage 1 was a tough day, the talk in bivouac was all about the relentless sand and how the final 10km was relentlessly tough.

It was an early sleep for most and the night was a cold one. Temperatures plummeted, especially in the early hour of the following morning.

Bivouac came to life around 0500 and stage 2 eventually started at 0700.

The early km’s were relatively easy and cool. So cool that Rachid wore a windbreaker and gloves… He actually did not remove them all day despite the temperatures rising to 27-degrees.

The highlight of the day was a dune section with sunrise. Pure magic with high views of the surrounding landscape.

While there is no ‘easy’ running here in Oman, the km’s after the dunes were relatively flat and easy.

With Mohamed taking victory on stage 1, a slender 4-seconds ahead of his brother, Rachid, all the action would be around the Moroccan.

The local Omani runner’s, especially Salah Al Saidi did all they could to put him under pressure but Mohamed is too strong. In the final 10km’s he made his move and opened a gap for the stage win in 3:05:54.

Stage 2 of the 2025 Oman Desert Marathon was full of action and spectacular dunes. Mohamed El Morabity and Aziza Raji took the stage wins! — Mohamed – Photo by Ian Corless

Rachid did an amazing job to finish 2nd, 3:09:26 and Saleh 3rd in 3:10:01.

Rachid by contrast was taking it easy, with 20km’s covered he was 5-minutes behind the leaders, however, the attack came and he closed the gap effortlessly and then forged ahead with on of the Al Said.

For the women, Aziza Raji was once again making the sand and the dunes look easy. Lydia Oldham, Sally Ford and Tanja Schoenenborn are all close together, but they are fighting for second.

Tomorrow is another 40km stage, followed by stage 4 which starts late afternoon and goes into the night.

Race results are HERE

Oman Desert Marathon website HERE

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MDS Jordan 2024 – Stage 2

Posted on November 5, 2024 by talkultra

It was a cold night, the temperature plummeted when the sun disappeared and bivouac became a place of camp fires and groups of runner’s huddled together trying to keep warm.

As always, MDS events are about planning and being prepared, the need for a jacket, and ideally a down jacket, was never more important. Those with sleeping bags that were too minimal, had a cold and shivering night.

A new day was welcomed and today two starts, 0700 for the masses and 0800 for the top-50.

Stage 2 of MDS is special due to the three route option, 20km, 40km and 60km. The decision can actually be made on the course, the first option obviously 20km and then 40km. Pass the 40km turn and you are doing the 60km.

The three route option is as much a mind game as a physical game. Given the option, do you choose to go easier or harder, it’s a tough question to answer for some, especially after a challenging stage 1 that gladly saw everyone finish.

Due to the nature of the three distances, the true story of who leads each distance will come at the closing of the stage, so, check LiveTrail HERE for 120km, HERE for 100km and HERE for the 70km.

Notably, Salameh Alaqra chose the 40km option today after picking up a slight injury on stage 1.

The true star of stage 2 is the magical and unique landscape of Wadi Rum. It’s a very special place.

Tomorrow, a rest day. An opportunity to relax and recover before the final stage 3.

Marathon des Sables website HERE

Since 1986, the MARATHON DES SABLES has crossed the world’s most stunning deserts with several unique concepts: the MARATHON DES SABLES THE LEGENDARY (252 km in the Sahara Desert in Morocco), the MARATHON DES SABLES (70, 100, or 120 km spread over 3 stages), and the new 2024 concept, the MDS TREK (4 stages with a total distance of up to 120 km), offering an accessible adventure with optimal comfort. These international events have seen over 50 editions in various countries such as Morocco, Fuerteventura Island, Peru, Jordan, Turkey, and offer adventures that combine running/hiking in the desert with tourism.

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MDS Jordan 2024 – Stage 1

Posted on November 4, 2024 by talkultra

Is Jordan the jewel in the MDS line-up of races? It is hard to pick any one location with so many stunning options, but, Jordan offers something very unique.

The runner’s are surrounded by ampitheatres of rock, canyons, gorges and the glow of intense light making Wadi Rum a very special place.

Stage 1 started with an early wake up and a 4am depart from the race hotel, ahead, a 4-hour journey to the desert.

Starting a little after 0930, 550 runner’s were released for the adventure of a lifetime, ahead 27.4km and 980m+.

The passage of a narrow gorge and climb came early and then the track weaved through mountains, much of the time, the terrain soft sand. It’s a tough day 1.

After cp2, the track is more open and flat allowing for an ‘easier’ run to the finish line of the day and bivouac, home for the next three nights.

As with all MDS races, the journey is unique and challenging for each person, run or walk. However, at the front a race takes place and today, Rachid El Morabity was the victor ahead of Theo Detienne and Dorian Louvet, 2:07:52, 2:12:47 and 2:14:58 respectively. Salameh El Alaqra, the Jordanian was 4th in 2:30:44.

MDS The Legendary champion in 2022, Sylvaine Cussot was the clear winner for the women, crossing the line in 3:18:24. Pauline Thinus was 2nd and Maine Canas was 3rd, 3:40:10 and 3:43:14.

Tomorrow, stage 2, is the long day where participants can choose 20km, 40km or 60km.

Marathon des Sables website HERE

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Marathon des Sable – The Legendary : STAGE 5 2024

Posted on April 19, 2024 by talkultra

Time allowance 09-hours 30-minutes / 0700am start

B3 and back to B3, the heart stage at 31.4km’s takes place in a new area for Marathon des Sables.

One could say that this is a classic MDS stage with a little of everything and while the participants may be feeling a little too tired to enjoy the views, there is much to appreciate here.

Jebel Tafeguenat a highlight followed by wadi, stony terrain and small dunes. CP’s ease the journey at 6.8km, 13km and 23km.

The day started under cloud and cool temperatures after a night of sandstorms. The early pace easy, with Rachid El Morabity and Mohamed somewhere in the middle of the pack. However, this soon changed with Aziz Yachou dictating the pace.

Rachid El Morabity followed and the race was on.

Was this the day that Mohamed El Morabity would relinquish his lead and allow his brother the opportunity for a 10th MDS title? The simple answer, yes!

As the stage progressed, Rachid and Aziz pushed a relentless pace and Mohamed dropped farther and farther back.

Mohamed watched the race pull away, strapping on his leg…

Within the final 8km, the duo of Rachid were at full pace, it was superb to watch as the master, Mr MDS, Rachid El Morabity opened a gap pushing at almost 17km’s and hour.

Aziz grimaced trying to keep up. This was the make or break day and Rachid crossed the line in 2:11:43. Aziz followed with 2:12:23.

Now, what time was Mohamed going to cross in? No doubt he was calculating a pace to make it all very close for the last day, his time, 3:04:06 (35th place) and 52:23 after Rachid.

The ranking going in to the last stage:

Mohamed El Morabity 19:19:39
Rachid El Morabity 19:20:14 (35 seconds behind)
Aziz Yachou 19:22:30 (2:51:00 behind)

The strategy for stage 6 is simple, Mohamed will recover from his leg problem but relinquish the 35 seconds to his brother whist also making sure he does not lose time to Aziz so that he finishes second. It has been a stunning El Morabity game plan, once again!