Once again, the races of The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® have gathered at the heart of the valley more than 50 000 people who came from around the world to be a part of this celebration of ultra running. Today early afternoon, the young frenchman, Xavier Thévenard from the Jura région won the TNFUTMB, along with an absolutely incredible performance by TNF athlete, Rory Bosio who not only set a new course record but placed 7th overall.
Press conference Transvulcania 2013 – copyright Ian Corless
Fernanda Maciel, Timothy Olson, Emelie Forsberg, Kilian Jornet, Nuria Picas, Anton Krupicka and Luis Alberto Hernando attended the 2013 Transvulcania La Palma press conference at Hotel Sol Palma on the morning of Thursday May 9th.
It was a buzz of activity as press from all over the world discussed the exciting prospect of the battles that would unfold on the beautiful trails of La Palma.
Timothy Olson Transvulcania 2013 – copyright Ian Corless
Timothy Olson, “I am just excited to be able to race in Europe. I have spent many days in the last two weeks running the trails here and it is fantastic. A beautiful island and beautiful trails”.
Anton Krupicka Transvulcania 2013 – copyright Ian Corless
Anton Krupicka was in La Palma for the 2012 edition of the race but was unable to race. “I am thrilled to be back” he said, “I decided last year when I watched the race that I would return and test myself on this course. It’s a course that just makes so much sense and of course, it is beautiful”.
Fernanda Maciel Transvulcania 2013 copyright Ian Corless
As we all know, Anna Frost will not be running in the 2013 edition of the race. Fernanda Maciel, Emelie Forsberg and Nuria Picas all expressed sadness that the 2012 winner and course record holder would not be able to race.
Nuria Picas Transvulcania 2013 copyright Ian Corless
Emelie said, “Of course we are sad. I have raced and run with Anna so much. Not to have her with us is a great shame but a priority for Anna is that she gets well and thinks about running and running well into the future”.
Emelie Forsberg Transvulcania 2013 – copyright Ian Corless
Luis Alberto Hernando had some laughs with the press and Kilian Jornet at the prospect of running his first ultra against some of the best in the world. Kilian also smiled and teased his sparring partner. It will be great to see how this battle unfolds.
Kilian Jornet Transvulcania 2013 – copyright Ian Corless
Luis Alberto Hernando Transvulcania 2013 – copyright Ian Corless
A common bond was expressed by all. Transvulcania is a beautiful race on a beautiful island. In just 48 hours runners will be spread all over the 83km’s of the GR131 between Fuencaliente and Los Llanos and we will be rewarded with two new champions.
Follow @talkultra on Twitter and Talk Ultra on Facebook for updates.
copyright Ian Corless
Just five days to go to the 2013 Transvulcania La Palma on the island of La Palma in the Canaries. Without doubt one of the racing highlights of the 2013 calendar. It is a who’s who of ultra running and here is the current confirmed line up for May 11th.
Make sure you follow all the race build up by Talk Ultra. I will be uploading images and commentary to Facebook, Twitter and this website. In addition, I will be conducting pre race audio and video interviews.
On race day we will keep you informed of all the action, phone connections allowing. Rest assured, we will be providing all the information and excitement as this iconic event unfolds.
Mohamad Ahansal – UVU
Nicola Bassi – Vibram
Jennifer Benna – Hoka One One
Patrick Bringer
Miguel Caballero – La Sportiva
Adam Campbell – Arc’teryx
Sage Canaday – Scott Sports
Cameron Clayton – Salomon
Sylvain Couchaud – New Balance
Yann Curien – Sigvaris Trail
Francois D’Haene – Salomon
Nuria Dominguez
Emelie Forsberg – Salomon
Uxue Fraile – Adidas
Anna Frost – Salomon *Anna will not race see HERE
Maud Gobert – Adidas *update 7th May, Maud will not race
Lidia Gomez – Studio54, Helly Hansen, Team A
Joe Grant – Inov-8
Miguel Heras – Salomon Santiveri *update 7th May, Miguel will not race
Luis Alberto Hernando – Adidas Trail Running
Zigor Iturrieta
Dave James
Kilian Jornet Burgada – Salomon Santiveri
Anton Krupicka – New Balance
Emelie Lecomte – Quechua
Thomas Lorblanchet – Team Asics
Fernanda Maciel – The North Face
Giuseppe Marazzi – Vibram
Nathalie Mauclair – Lafuma France
Sebastien Nain – Vibram
Luke Nelson – Patagonia Ultra Running Team
Santiago Obaya
Timothy Olson – The North Face
Nuria Picas – FEEC/Buff
Yanis A Povea
Philipp Reiter – Salomon
Gustavo Reyes – Salomon
Stefano Ruzza – Vibram
Karine Sanson
Armando Teixeira – Salomon Portugal
Xavier Thevenard – Team Asics Trail
Sean Van Court – Vibram
Information
Taken from his blog which you can view HERE
I am honored to announce I am officially a part of The North Face global athlete team. This is such a huge opportunity with unending possibilities. I feel so blessed and grateful to join such an outstanding company and a team of athletes that inspire me to live my dreams.
I remember being this little kid, freezing my butt off in Wisconsin winters, chipping ice off my drive way so I could play basketball. I spent countless hours trying to chip the ice away so I could practice dribbling figure-eights between my legs and perfecting a layup. I would not go to bed until I made 10 free-throws in a row. I wanted to be a professional athlete. I remember late nights with callused, burning hands from the cold. I didn’t want to stop. I did not want to go to bed. I wanted to push myself and be the best I could at what I enjoyed.
Many years have passed since then. That little stubborn kid still exists and has found a new passion for running in the mountains that grows and grows each day. I love it. I feel so alive, content, wild, peaceful and free. Some may think you need to travel far to discover true happiness. I hope to keep exploring this beautiful world, but I believe true happiness is blissful contentment within each moment. I try to be happy all the time; I fail. I’m always called back to the realization that I don’t need to try so hard, I should just be. Whether that be sitting by myself, rocking my son to sleep, taking a walk, a run, even washing dishes or taking out the recycling. I need to remember true happiness is always within.
2012 was epic. 2013 has many things to look forward to as well. I hope to keep enjoying the highs with the lows, learning from my struggles and always moving forward, staying focused and giving my all in everything I do. I’m very blessed and not a moment goes by that I’m not grateful and thank God for all that I have. I hope my passion for running can spark something in others to discover their bliss, wherever they are and in whatever they do.
Spending countless moments outside connecting with nature, family and friends is good for the soul. As my career progresses forward, I look forward to many incredible times with my North Face family. There is something truly special when you travel by foot over many miles; you find out who you are and just how much strength you have to persevere. It’s just as tough mentally as it is physically and running for a day through the mountains humbles you and also magnifies the beauty and strength of our earth. I look forward to partaking in these journeys and experiences with fellow teammates that will push me to new highs and also form life long bonds in sharing these memories with friends.
Thank you The North Face for making this possible.
Cheers,
Timothy
Oregon Ultrarunning Stars Olson, Koerner to Headline Waldo 100K RaceWomen’s field includes Joelle Vaught and Denise Bourassa
Race Day Aug. 18, 2012
WILLAMETTE PASS, Ore. — Western States 100 champion and Montrail Ultra Cup winner Timothy Olson and Hardrock 100 winner Hal Koerner top the start list for Oregon’s premier ultramarathon,Waldo 100K.
They will be joined by Waldo women’s course record holder Joelle Vaught and 2011 second place finisher and Montrail Ultra Cup champion Denise Bourassa, along with some of the nation’s finest ultrarunners. The demanding 62-mile race takes place on mostly single-track trails southeast of Eugene, Ore.
“We’re fortunate to have deep fields on the men’s and women’s sides of the race,” said Craig Thornley, Waldo race director and Western States 100 assistant race director. “However it goes down, we can guarantee there will be some exciting competition.”
The excitement of the race is ratcheted up a notch by the fact that Waldo, once again, kicks off the Montrail Ultra Cup race series, and the top two male and female finishers will earn automatic entry spots into the 2013 Western States 100. Top finishers will earn cash prizes thanks to event sponsor Sunsweet Growers. The first place male and female finishers will each earn $500.
Top talent on the men’s side includes Joe Uhan, winner of the 2011 McKenzie River 50k, and 2012 McDonald Forest 50k winner Nick Triolo. 2011 Rocky Raccoon 100 mile champion Ian Sharman will also be competing, along with 2011 Forest Park 50k winner Yassine Diboun and young gun Jacob Rydman, who was third at this year’s American River 50 mile race.
On the women’s side, Ray Miller 50k winner Jen Benna will be in the mix, along with Mountain Masochist 50 mile champion Alison Bryant. Blackhills 100k winner Helen Lavin and Capitol Peak 55k champ Kathleen Egan are both on the start list.
About Waldo 100k
Founded in 2002, Waldo 100k is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization supporting the Willamette Pass Ski Patrol. The challenging mountainous race takes runners over three major climbs of more than 2,000 feet each for a total of 11,000 feet of elevation gain and an equal amount of loss. Sponsored by Sunsweet Growersand Mountain Hardwear, Waldo 100k is funded in part with room tax funds from the city of Oakridge/Westfir Area Chamber of Commerce. The event is part of the Oregon Trail Series and the Montrail Ultra Cup. For more information, go to waldo100k.org.
IAN CORLESS 