Episode 54 – Gary Robbins & Vlad Ixel

Posted on February 7, 2014 by talkultra

This is episode 54 of talk Ultra we speak with Gary Robbins on his repeat victory at Hurt 100 and his plans for 2014. We also speak to rising star, Vlad Ixel who recently placed 3rd overall at HK100. We have the news, a blog, up and coming races and of course Speedgoat Karl.

NEWS

Results Coldwater Rumble

Catlow Shipeck 15:09:52
Tsutomu Nagata 16:14:21
Jeremy Bradford 18:29:30

Gina Dhaliwai 20:05:43
Katelyne Fishbeck 21:00:52
Emz Eliason 23:26:14

Arrowhead 135

Scott Hoberg 43:26:00
Juhn Storkamp 46:30:00
Alicia Hudelson 47:59:00 and 1st lady

Rocky Raccoon coming up with Pam Smith and Michele Yates and Ian Sharman.

Looks like Michele is going to shoot for a new CR… also, Ian Sharman.

Shaun O’Brian 50 coming up

Wings for Life World Run – http://www.redbull.com/uk/en/stories/1331613656531/wings-for-life-world-run

On the recent episode of Talk Ultra I interviewed Johan Van De Merwe. For those who don’t know, running in SA can sometimes be a little risky… however, has anyone ever experienced this anywhere else in the world?

“My mid-week long run was cut short at the 18km mark by two robbers with knives. Had to walk 7km’s back home on my socks. Took my shoes and bottle-belt but luckily left my Garmin!!” Johan Vd Merwe

BLOG

Not a blog but a great post that had many fooled…. http://athleticsillustrated.com/humour/dubai-marathon-winner-mekonnen-not-18-years-of-age/

“Just as the worldwide running community suspected, it turns out that the supposed “18-year-old” Ethiopian, Tsegaye Mekonnen Asefa, who won the Standard Dubai Marathon Sunday, January 20^th, in a near world-record time of 2:04:32 is not 18 years of age. It turns out that the brand new “world junior” record holder is actually just 12. When interviewed shortly after his race he said, “When I grow up I want to be an Injera and Wat Chef.”

Mekonnen currently trains between 175 and 190 kilometres per week. His training week includes a three hour long run, done without a watch, as well as a two interval sessions. One is a fartlek session, the other is made up of long intervals, “I run two kilometre repeats at 9000 metres elevation in 6:20 with a one minute jog recovery 10 times,” said the shy athlete as he played on the village swing set. Mekonnen’s next goal is a sub-27 minute 10,000 metres during the IAAF Diamond League, this spring.”

TALK TRAINING

with Karl Meltzer preparing to run your first long ultra, be that 100km or 100-miles

Hint’s n Tips

1. Choose a race

2. What time period to prepare

3. Key sessions

4. Recovery

5. Core & Strength

6. Warm up races

7. Prepare the mind

8. How long is long in training

9. The taper

10. the race

INTERVIEW

Gary Robbins once again returned to the tough and technical HURT100 course and came away with another victory. We caught up with him for a blow-by-blow account and he tells us his plans for 2014.

INTERVIEW

Vlad Ixel from Australia recently placed 3rd overall at the HK100 ahead of impressive runners such as Vajin Armstrong, Dave Mackey and Jez Bragg. We caught up with him to find out about his story and expectations for the coming year.

MELTZER MOMENT

Good

Bad

Ugly

UP & COMING RACES

Australia

Queensland

Caboolture Historical Village Dusk to Dawn 100km | 100 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Caboolture Historical Village Dusk to Dawn 50km | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Victoria

Dendy Park Urban Trail 50K | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Belgium

Wallonia

Trail des bosses – 65 km | 65 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Chad

TREG | 170 kilometers | February 12, 2014 | website

Chile

El Cruce Columbia | 103 kilometers | February 07, 2014 | website

Finland

Lapland

Rovaniemi 150 | 150 kilometers | February 14, 2014 | website

France

Aude

Gruissan Phoebus Trail | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Aveyron

Trail des Ruthènes | 65 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Côtes-d’Armor

Défi Glazig (45 + 18) | 63 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Germany

Lower Saxony

Brocken-Challenge | 86 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

India

Run the Rann 101 km | 101 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Italy

Marche

Maratona sulla sabbia – Ultra maratona | 50 kilometers | February 09, 2014 | website

Jordan

Sahara Race | 250 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Nicaragua

Fuego y Agua 100k | 100 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Fuego y Agua 100k Relay | 100 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Fuego y Agua 50k | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Fuego y Agua Survival Run | 70 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Oman

Wadi Bih Run | 72 kilometers | February 07, 2014 | website

Philippines

Hardcore Hundred Miles | 100 miles | February 21, 2014 | website

Senegal

100 km du Sénégal | 100 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

South Africa

Three Cranes Challenge | 106 kilometers | February 20, 2014 | website

Wild Coast Ultra | 270 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Sweden

Ice Ultra | 230 kilometers | February 14, 2014 | website

Thailand

The North Face 100® – Thailand | 100 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

The North Face 100® – Thailand – 50 km Solo | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

United Kingdom

Devon

Coastal Trail Series – South Devon – Ultra | 34 miles | February 08, 2014 | website

Kent

Moonlight Challenge | 32 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

USA

Alabama

Black Warrior/Phillip Parker 50k Trail Run | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Alaska

Little Su 50K | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Susitna 100 | 100 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

Arizona

Black Canyon Trail 100K Run | 100 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Pemberton Trail 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Ragnar Relay Del Sol | 200 miles | February 21, 2014 | website

Arkansas

Sylamore Trail 50k | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

California

American Canyon 50K Ultramarathon | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Bandit Ultra Trail Run 50K | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

West Coast 50K | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Florida

Destin 50K Beach Ultra | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Destin 50M Beach Ultra | 50 miles | February 16, 2014 | website

Iron Horse 100 km | 100 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Iron Horse 100 Mile | 100 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

Iron Horse 50 Mile | 50 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

Manasota Track Club 50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Ragnar Relay Florida Keys | 199 miles | February 07, 2014 | website

Kansas

Psycho Wyco Run Toto Run 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Nevada

Jackpot Ultra Running Festival 100 Miler | 100 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

North Carolina

Maysville to Macon 50 Mile Run | 50 miles | February 08, 2014 | website

Ohio

Run for Regis 50K | 50 kilometers | February 16, 2014 | website

Oregon

Bristow 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Hagg Lake 50k Trail run | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

South Carolina

Mill Stone 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Texas

Cross Timbers Trail Runs 50M | 50 miles | February 15, 2014 | website

Piney Woods TrailFest 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Valentine Golden Hearts 50K | 50 kilometers | February 09, 2014 | website

Valentine Romantic Couples 50K | 50 kilometers | February 08, 2014 | website

Valentine Romantic Couples 50 Mile | 50 miles | February 08, 2014 | website

Utah

Moab’s Red Hot 55K | 55 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

Virginia

Holiday Lake 50K | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

The Wild Oak Trail 100 | 100 miles | February 08, 2014 | website

Washington

Fishline 50K | 50 kilometers | February 09, 2014 | website

Woolley Trail 50K | 50 kilometers | February 15, 2014 | website

CLOSE

LINKS

http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/Episode_54_Robbins_Ixel.mp3
ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073
Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss
Website – talkultra.com

The Coastal Challenge #TCC2014 – Stage 6 Preview

Posted on February 6, 2014 by talkultra

Day 6 – Bahia Drake (Osa Peninsula Corcovado Park)

The final day is very much a procession. Depending on the overall standings of the race, this day is very much like the last day of the Tour de France. It’s a beautiful circular route over 23.7km that manages to encompass everything that has gone before it. An early morning run down the middle of a river, climbing and scrambling, dense forests followed by open pastures and then some of the most incredible beaches and coves will bring the 10^th edition of the 2014 TCC to a close. Nestled at the rear of the beach at San Josesito, the only checkpoint of the final day waits at 13km. Scenery and courses don’t come much better than this. Each and every runner will witness Corcovado Park in all its glory. The evening beach fire, beers and awards BBQ will be a memory that will last in each and every runners minds for a long time to come.

Follow the race at www.iancorless.com

Twitter @talkultrs

Facebook/talkultra

#TCC2014

The Coastal Challenge #TCC2014 – Stage 4 Preview

Posted on February 4, 2014 by talkultra

Day 4 – Ventanas Beach to Sierpe

2950m of climbing in 37.5km make day-4 a particularly testing day. The route is almost split into two halves. From the start runners immediately climb for the first 10km to the highpoint of the course. From here, the race is run over highland plains, weaving in and out, up and down before the final very tough and technical descent to Palmur Sur. In 2013 the heat beat down making this stage particularly difficult. Three checkpoints at; Cruce Trillo (6.4km), Cementery (12.9km), Donkey’s Hill (19.8km) and a final water station is almost 14-km’s to the finish; this can’t be underestimated in the 40-degree temperatures. From the finish line a short transfer awaits each and every runner to camp 4.

Follow the race at www.iancorless.com

Twitter @talkultrs

Facebook/talkultra

#TCC2014

The Coastal Challenge #TCC2014 – Stage 3 Preview

Posted on February 3, 2014 by talkultra

Day 3 – Dominical to Ventanas Beach

Waterfalls, long hot beautiful beaches, water crossings and an idyllic campsite at Ventanas Beach make the longest stage (48-km) of the TCC one to remember. It embodies the Costa Rican coastline and as tired bodies fight fatigue a couple of stings in the tail await, particularly in the final few kilometers when a dense forest section leads to a final stretch of road. Four checkpoints await; Lulo Bridge (10.1km), La Florida (24.8km), Hermosa Beach (36.8km) and finally Coastal Hwy (43km). It’s a day that all the runners will remember… on fresh legs they will see the incredible waterfalls as the sun rises and if they are lucky, in the evening whilst recovering on the beach, the sight of Whales breaching the water may well provide a stunning end to the day as the sun disappears on the horizon.

Follow the race at www.iancorless.com

Twitter @talkultrs

Facebook/talkultra

#TCC2014

Like the Wind – A new magazine about running is launched

Posted on January 29, 2014 by talkultra

Like the Wind, launching on 5 February 2014, is a new running magazine presenting stories about running.

The magazine is a collection of stories about running, brought together to inspire, motivate and delight. The stories, told through words and images, have come from the widest possible range of runners and are about every different type of running, from track sprinting to ultra trail running to road racing.

The first issue of Like the Wind has only been possible thanks to the generous contributions of the writers, photographers, illustrators, designers and our sub-editor, all of whom have given their time and effort for free. This has meant that the proceeds from the magazine, after the bills have been paid, can be donated to charities nominated by the contributors.

Like the Wind magazine is currently on sale online, either as a stand-alone copy or as a package including an exclusive print or postcards: HERE

We look forward to as many people as possible spreading the word about the magazine: the more stories we have, the more we can share and sharing stories is the whole point of Like the Wind. You can get in touch with us about anything to do with the magazine or tell us your story (or just say hello) at:

run@likethewindmagazine.com
facebook.com/likethewindmag
@likethewindmag

Would you like to win a copy of the magazine and possibly attend the launch party?

Simon & Julie have set up a link to a form where people can sign-up for the chance to win one of two launch prizes each of which will include an invitation for two to the launch party on 5 February at Corbet Place in central London and one copy of the magazine. The link that people need to click on to enter is this: HERE

I personally am very excited about this project and of course I have been extremely happy to contribute. Simon and Julie have very kindly provided a couple of spreads of my work to give you an insight into the magazine.

Hope you all enjoy it!

©iancorless.com ©likethewind

Episode 53 – Pavel Paloncy, Marcus Scotney, Johan Van De Merwe

Posted on January 24, 2014 by talkultra

Episode 53 of Talk Ultra is once again a packed show… We have two interviews from the Montane Spine race, regarded as one of the toughest races out there. We speak with Pavel Paloncy who won the 268-mile event with a new course record and Marcus Scotney who won the 106-mile Challenger event. We also speak with South African long distance runner, Johan Van De Merwe about ultra running in South Africa and his new African 24-hour record. The News, a Blog, Talk Training, Up & Coming Races, Smiles and Miles and Speedgoat is back from the Love Boat!

00:13:42

NEWS

The Spine

Pavel Paloncy 110h 45min (4.5 days)
Steve Holyoak 119h 26m
Matt Davis 119h 28m

Debbie Brupacher 153h 24min

Hurt 100

Gary Robbins does it again… 21:34:00
Timo Meyer 22:34:00
Alex Nuun 22:50:00

Gina Slaby 27:06:00
Candice Burt 27:58:00
Heather Anderson 29:22:00

00:14:47

INTERVIEW

I caught up with 106-mile Challenger Winner, Marcus Scotney about his win.

Sage Canaday 2:22 marathon

HK100

Tirtha Bahadur Tamang 10:02 – Ryan Sandes still holds the CR
Bed Bahadur Sunuwar 10:06:37
Vlad Ixel 10:11:53

Francesca Canepa 12:59:19
Chow Pui Yan 13:32:48
Agnes Cheng 13:46:36

Notables, Lizzy Hawker dropped. What happened to Cassie Scallon. Dave Mackey was doing well but faded at the end. Jez Bragg 10th. Great performances by Australian and NZ runners.

Bandera 100k

Jorge Maravilla 8:02:27
David Laney 8:07:06
Chikara Omine 8:16:42

Meghan Arbogast 10:12:57
Liza Howard 10:39:00
Melanie Peters 11:00:44

Rocky Raccoon coming up

I’m going to Costa Rica for the TCC with an incredible race field: Frosty, Jo Meek, Julia Bottger, Clarky, Wardian, Reiter, Martin Gaffuri and Carlos Sa – going to be pretty awesome!

01:21:48

BLOG

Ellie Greenwood, Patience Part Two on iRunFar – http://www.irunfar.com/2014/01/patience-part-two.html

“A quick summary of the last eight months would be: start getting pain in fibula, cut back running, pain continues, find out I have a stress fracture, stop running entirely for seven weeks, start running and gradually build up from 10 minutes to a marathon in 2.5 months, get new injury, cut back running, pain still there, stop running entirely for four weeks, build up slowly starting with a run/walk program at end of November. Yeah, this is a whole new level of patience.”

01:26:21

INTERVIEW

Niandi Carmont and myself caught up with South African distance runner, Johan Van De Merwe and we discussed SA running, Comrades and his record breaking 24-hour run that broke a long standing Wally Haywood record.

02:27:47

INTERVIEW

Pavel Paloncy set a new course record for the 268-mile Montane Spine Race. I caught up with him just a few days after the event when he had returned home to the Czech Republic, Website HERE

03:04:37

MELTZER MOMENT

Good

Bad

Ugly

03:09:35

TALK TRAINING with MARC LAITHWAITE

03:34:09

SMILES AND MILES with EMELIE FORSBERG

03:50:59

UP & COMING RACES

Antartica

White Continent 50K | 50 kilometers | January 26, 2014 | website

Argentina

Columbia Cruce de los Andes | 90 kilometers | February 06, 2014 | website

Australia

Tasmania

The Cradle Mountain Run | 82 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Canada

Yukon

Yukon Arctic 100M | 100 miles | January 30, 2014 | website

Yukon Arctic 300M | 300 miles | January 30, 2014 | website

Yukon Arctic 430M | 430 miles | January 30, 2014 | website

Chile

El Cruce Columbia | 103 kilometers | February 07, 2014 | website

Costa Rica

Coastal Challenge | 250 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

France

Seine-Maritime

Hivernale du Raid Normand | 55 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Tarn

La Ronde Givrée | 62 kilometers | February 02, 2014 | website

Germany

Bavaria

Chiemsee-Ultramarathon Januar | 108 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Hesse

Rodgau 50km Ultramarathon | 50 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Hong-Kong

Green Power Hike 50K | 50 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

India

Oxfam Trailwalker India | 100 kilometers | January 24, 2014 | website

New Zealand

Kaweka Klassic 50 km | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

The James Mountain Stampede Ultra | 50 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Oman

Wadi Bih Run | 72 kilometers | February 07, 2014 | website

Peru

North Face Endurance Chalenge Peru 50K | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

North Face Endurance Chalenge Peru 80K | 80 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Spain

Canary Islands

Marathón ‘Isla del Meridiano’ – 86 km | 86 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

United Kingdom

Milton Keynes

Quadzilla | 164 kilometers | February 06, 2014 | website

North Yorkshire

Yorkshire Ultra – 50 Miles | 50 miles | January 25, 2014 | website

Oxfordshire

Thames Trot 50 | 50 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Surrey

The Pilgrim Challenge North Downs Way Multistage Ultra | 66 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

USA

Alabama

Mountain Mist 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Arizona

Antelope Canyon 50K | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Antelope Canyon 50 Mile | 50 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Coldwater Rumble 100 Mile Trail Run | 100 miles | January 25, 2014 | website

Coldwater Rumble – 52K | 52 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Coldwater Rumble – 52 Mile | 52 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Arkansas

White Rock Classic 50K | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

California

Folsom South Side Trail 38 Mile Run | 38 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Folsom South Side Trail 50K Run | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Fort Ord Trail Run 50K | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Jed Smith Ultra Classic – 50K | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Jed Smith Ultra Classic – 50 Miler | 50 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Ordnance 100K | 100 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Ray Miller 50K Trail Race | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Ray Miller 50 Mile Trail Race | 50 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Sean O’Brien 50K | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Sean O’Brien 50M | 50 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Florida

Ragnar Relay Florida Keys | 199 miles | February 07, 2014 | website

Massachusetts

Cape Cod Frozen Fat Ass 50 km | 50 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Minnesota

Arrowhead 135 mile Winter Ultramarathon | 135 miles | January 27, 2014 | website

Nevada

Running from an Angel 50 Mile | 50 miles | January 25, 2014 | website

North Carolina

Charlotte 50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Gator Trail 50K Run | 50 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

North Carolina Fat Ass 50k | 50 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Uwharrie 40-Mile Mountain Run | 40 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Texas

Keep on Truckin’ Trail 50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | February 02, 2014 | website

Rocky Raccoon 100 Mile | 100 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Rocky Raccoon 50 Mile | 50 miles | February 01, 2014 | website

Utah

Snowshoe Festival 50K | 50 kilometers | January 24, 2014 | website

Washington

Lake Youngs NUTS 50K Run | 50 kilometers | January 25, 2014 | website

Orcas Island Fat Ass 50K | 50 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Venezuela

Ultra Laguna de Urao | 65 kilometers | February 01, 2014 | website

Virgin Islands (USA)

St. Croix Scenic 50 | 50 miles | January 26, 2014 | website

CLOSE

Links:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/Episode_53_Paloncy_Scotney_Van_De_Merwe.mp3

ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073

Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss

Website – talkultra.com

V3K joins the Skyrunner® Series UK – Skyrunning UK

Posted on January 22, 2014 by talkultra

It’s no easy task… 15-peaks all over 900m (3000ft) in 55-km’s. This is the challenge that awaits those who are brave enough to join the journey of the Welsh 3000’s in the V3K Ultra; the new addition to the Skyrunning UK calendar and the Skyrunner® Series UK.

Skyrunning UK embraces tough and technical challenges; the V3K with over 4000m’s of vertical gain is exactly what a Skyrunning race in the UK should be. Where earth meets sky is our ethos and the Welsh 3000’s will provide this in abundance.

Kirsch Bowker, RD for the V3K explains, “It’s an incredible and exciting opportunity. I have followed Skyrunning for the last couple of years. The launch of the Skyrunner® Series UK is a significant moment and to be involved right from the start is quite incredible for us.”

This range of mountains provides an absolute classic point-to-point race, starting with Snowdon and finishing with Foel Fras, arguably the toughest section will be Crib Goch. The route will involve scrambling, hand-on-knees climbing and it certainly isn’t a route for those who may be scared of heights.

“The route has been my life, I have covered this route time and time again. I adore it,” said Bowker “The idea for the race has been a long-term project. I undertook this with two friends; unfortunately one of those friends has now passed away so this race is a tribute. I know the mountains personally.”

Iain Ridgway, an experienced International mountain fell and ultra runner had this to say, “Superb, it’s about time the Welsh 3000’s received some serious attention, this will generate more interest in a challenge to Colin Donnelly’s record (set in 1988), which is up there with the Bob Graham as one of the all time great UK mountain records. The route has it all from fast running to really technical rough terrain. It must rank as some of the most technical terrain covered by a UK mountain race.”

“The hardest section is down Crib y Ddysgl and then the ascent of Crib Goch and traverse of its pinnacles. That’s followed by almost 2500ft descent to Nant Peris and soon after a 3000ft ascent of Elidir which is a long drag,” Iain says with an obvious excitement about the route “later on you have a steep unrelenting 2000ft descent of Tryfan followed by an immediate re-ascent of 2000ft Pen Yr Ole Wen and then fast running over the Carneddau, so those who cope with those and have good legs from then on will do well.”

The 3VK is unique as a UK route because of its successive 2-3000ft ascents and descents (plus many smaller ones). It is going to test each and every participant.

Are you up to the challenge?

Join us on the start line of the V3K Ultra, June 28^th, 2014. Enter HERE

Details:

Race date: 28^th June 2014
Distance: 55km
Elevation: 4000m +/-
Race venue: Nant Gwynant
Race website: http://www.vegan-welsh-3000s.co.uk/#/v3k/4574002192

Get involved with Skyrunning UK

Website: http://skyrunninguk.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SkyrunningUk
Twitter: @skyrunninguk
Email: skyrunninguk@yahoo.co.uk

Three ISPO awards – GOLD for inov-8 Ultra Vest

Posted on January 21, 2014 by talkultra

It seems a long time ago that I was talking about, photographing and reviewing this new Race Vest from inov-8 (HERE).

I said in November, ‘the next key moment in pack design’ and it certainly looks to have turned a few heads and gained similar feedback from ISPO.

It comes into stores in February and I am aware from some retailers that stocks are already pre sold demand has been so high. So, if one of the new Race Vests is on your ‘yes’ list, don’t leave it too long.

You can read the update and news on the inov-8 website HERE

Trail Running Magazine – Feb/Mar 2014

Posted on January 11, 2014 by talkultra

The current edition of Trail Running Magazine has several pages of my work. Pages 8 and 9 have a double photo feature on the Everest Trail Race featuring Francisco Salas and Llius Puig.

Page 13 also features the launch of Skyrunning UK and the announcement of the 3x3Ultra.

Check out Issue 18 of Trail Running Magazine (Feb/Mar 2014) which also has a great feature on Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg. Guest editor is Lizzy Hawker.

CAPE WRATH ULTRA™ – SCOTLAND’S EXPEDITION RACE – MAJOR NEW ULTRA-RUNNING EVENT ANNOUNCED

Posted on January 10, 2014 by talkultra

From the team that revived the inspirational Dragon’s Back Race™, an extraordinary new adventure has just been announced for June 2016 called the Cape Wrath Ultra™.

Billed as a once in a lifetime ultra-running expedition race, the Cape Wrath Ultra™ will weave 400km through the Highlands of Scotland. Starting in Fort William, the race promises to take competitors on an incredible journey linking ancient footpaths and remote tracks to the furthest northwesterly point of the British Isles, Cape Wrath.

©BenWinston

Race organiser, Shane Ohly from Ourea Events, describes the route. “Winding through the beautiful lochs, glens and mountains of the Scottish Highlands, the Cape Wrath Ultra™ is an ultra-running expedition through some of the World’s most inspirational landscapes, including Morar, Knoydart, Kintail, Torridon, Assynt and Sutherland”.

The new race is based on the Cape Wrath Trail, which is considered to be the toughest long distance backpacking trail in the UK. It crosses rugged landscapes, genuine wilderness and has great distances between support points. Hikers usually take at least 20 days to complete the trail and a new Cicerone guidebook published in 2013 has sparked renewed interested in this unofficial long distance footpath.

Shane Ohly continued. “Our Cape Wrath Ultra™ route will be similar to the Cape Wrath Trail but with some important variations as we mold the journey for an ultra-running perspective. Detailed planning has begun and Gary Tompsett has been appointed as the Race Director and Planner”.

Gary Tompsett is the logical choice for the role, having planned the 2007 Adventure Race World Championships in the same area and having previously worked with Shane Ohly at Rat Race Adventure. Shane Ohly explained, “Living near the Highlands of Scotland, Gary has a deep knowledge of various route options, the terrain, the weather, and the endless possibilities for a rich experience”.

©GaryTompsett
Two previous winter Charlie Ramsay Round record holders together: Gary Tompsett (left) and Shane Ohly (right). The photo is taken moments before Shane Ohly sets off on his epic 2012 record attempt.

The race is described as a supported ultra-running expedition, in which competitors’ equipment will be transported each day and tented accommodation and all meals provided. This is the same successful formula that Ohly employed when he revived the Dragon’s Back Race™ in 2012.

Ourea Events claim that the Cape Wrath Ultra™ will be the supreme ultra-running trail race. With a 400km canvas through the Scottish Highlands and Ohly and Tompsett’s pedigree – they are both former winter Ramsay Round record holders – in delivering iconic, adventurous and challenging events, who would want to argue!

Entries open in January 2015.

www.CapeWrathUltra.com

Date: June 2016