Episode 96 – Hillary Allen and Marie-Paule Pierson

Posted on October 1, 2015 by talkultra

Episode 96 has a full and in-depth with Hillary Allen, rising star of the Skyrunning ranks. We also speak with Marie-Paul Pierson who takes on the challenge of her lifetime: Atacama. We have the News, Up and Coming Races and Speedboat is back!

00:18:50 NEWS

Help Nepal – Nepal images ‘FACES of NEPAL’ – order a print and all funds donated to Nepal charities https://iancorless.org/2015/04/28/nepal-appeal-nepalearthquake/

SPARTATHLON

1 – Florian Reus 23:17:31

2 – Dan Lawson 23:53:32

3 – Kim Hansen 23:54:37

1 – Katalin Nagy 25:07:12

2 – Alyson Venti 26:50:51

3 – Szilvia Lubics 29:18:44

Mention for Debbie Martin Consani who placed 5th and in 30:36 and Isobel Wykes 7th in 32:33. Plus a huge congrats to Marvellous Mimi Anderson who placed14th lady in 35:07:41 and then ran back and did the double!

UTMF

1 – Uxue Fraile 25:34:02

2 – Fernanda Maciel 26:44:25

3 – Aliza Lapierre 26:44:25

1 – Gediminas Grinius 20:40:58

2 – Arnaud Lejeune 21:54:51

3 – Jeff Browning 22:01:01

BEAR 100

1 – Mick Jurynec 19:01

2 – Dominiick Layfield 20:35

3 – Jesse Haynes 20:35

1 – Angela Shartel 22:34

2 – Cat Bradley 23:04

3 – Jenn Shelton 24:27

RUN RABBIT RUN 100

1 – Jason Schlarb 18:05

2 – Bob Shebest 19:13

3 – Andrew Skurka 20:12

1 – Emma Roca 21:42

2 – Emily Richards 22:00

3 – Kerrie Bruxvoort 22:54

ULTRA PIRINEU

1 – Kilian Jornet 12:03

2 – Zaid Ait Malek 12:12

3 – Miguel Heras 12:20

1 – Emelie Forsberg 13:39

2 – Mira Rai 13:43

3 – Nuria Picas 14:13

IAU 100k CHAMPS

1 – Jonas Buud 6:22

2 – Asier Cuevas 6:35

3 – Giorgio Calcaterra 6:36

1 – Camille Heron 7:08

2 – Kasja Berg 7:20

3 – Marlja Vrajic 7:27

UROC

1 – Magdalena Boulet 10:03:29

2 – Larisa Dannis 10:25:41

3 – Kaci Lickteig 10:56:22

1 – Justin Houck 8:53:22

2 – Mario Mendoza 9:12:09

3 – Ford Smith 9:47:17

Tor des Giants was stopped due to bad weather, Patrick Board did complete the course though in 80 hours 20 minutes. Denise Zimmerman was declared the ladies champion.

Andrew Hamilton set a new FKT for the Nolans 14 of 53 hours 39 mins – 1 hour better than John Robinsons previous FKT.

01:02:03 INTERVIEW

MARIE-PAULE Pierson

Fancy a multi-day TRAINING CAMP – look HERE

01:38:25 INTERVIEW

HILLARY ALLEN

02:21:02 UP & COMING RACES

Argentina

La Pachamama 100 km | 100 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

La Pachamama 53 km | 53 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

La Pachamama 73 km | 73 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Australia

New South Wales

Freedom Trail Run – 50k | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Queensland

Bribie Beach Bash 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

Victoria

Great Ocean Walk 100 km Trail Run | 100 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Great Ocean Walk 100 mile Trail Run | 100 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Western Australia

Oxfam Trailwalker Australia – Perth | 100 kilometers | October 09, 2015 | website

Canada

Alberta

Iron Horse Ultra 100 Km (CAN) | 100 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Iron Horse Ultra 100 Miles (CAN) | 100 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

Nova Scotia

Valley Harvest Ultra Marathon | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Ontario

Run for the Toad 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Quebec

Bromont Ultra 160 km | 160 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Bromont Ultra 55 km | 55 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Bromont Ultra 80 km | 80 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Tour du Massif – 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Croatia

Valamar Trail 53 | 53 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Valamar Trail 73 | 73 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Finland

Eastern Finland

Vaarojen Ultramaraton | 86 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

France

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence

Trail Edelweiss | 55 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

Aude

Grand Raid des Cathares | 170 kilometers | October 15, 2015 | website

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

Calvados

66 km | 66 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

Essonne

Trail du Viaduc des Fauvettes 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Haute-Corse

A Paolina | 70 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Loire-Atlantique

Trail de Mauves en Vert – 50 km | 53 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

Pyrénées-Orientales

100 Miles Sud de France | 100 miles | October 09, 2015 | website

Grande Traversée Mer Montagne | 110 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Somme

100 km | 100 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

100 km Relais | 100 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Germany

Bavaria

Herbstlauf Schloss Thurn Hobbylauf | 87 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

North Rhine-Westphalia

50 km von Hitdorf | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Niederrhein Ultra 100Km Nachtlauf | 100 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

Niederrhein Ultra 200 Km Nonstop Lauf | 200 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Greece

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

Hong-Kong

Challenger – Whole Course | 78 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Prohiker – Round-trip Course | 156 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

India

National Capital Territory of Delhi

Bhatti Lakes 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

Bhatti Lakes 220 km | 220 kilometers | October 02, 2015 | website

Bhatti Lakes 50 Mile | 50 miles | October 02, 2015 | website

Isle of Man

Isle of Man Mountain Ultra | 51 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Italy

Emilia-Romagna

100 km | 100 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Tartufo Trail 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Tartufo Trail 66 km | 66 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Magredi Mountain Trail 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 02, 2015 | website

Magredi Mountain Trail 40 Mile | 40 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

Piedmont

Morenic Trail | 109 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Tuscany

Eroica Running Ultramaratona | 65 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

Umbria

Ultra Trail le vie di San Francesco Long Way | 124 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Ultra Trail le vie di San Francesco Medium Way | 66 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Japan

Trans Kansai | 200 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Latvia

70 km | 70 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Nepal

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

Godawari 50km | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Mount Everest Extreme Ultra Marathon | 60 kilometers | October 05, 2015 | website

Royal Penguin Ultra Marathon | 60 kilometers | October 05, 2015 | website

Netherlands

Gelderland

Herfst Ultraloop Berg en Dal | 60 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

New Zealand

Blackmores XTERRA Trail Challenge Waihi Ultra Marathon | 60 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Poland

120K | 120 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

60K | 60 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

90K | 90 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Portugal

Réccua Douro Ultra Trail | 80 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

South Africa

Extreme | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Legends 68km Ultra Marathon | 68 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Ultra-Trail® Cape Town – 100 km | 100 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Ultra-Trail® Cape Town – 62 km | 62 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Spain

Aragon

Long Trail Guara Somontano | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Ultra Trail Guara Somontano | 102 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Castile and León

Ultra de Gredos | 82 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Valencian Community

Ultra Trail Del Rincon 100 km | 100 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Ultra Trail Del Rincon 170 km | 170 kilometers | October 09, 2015 | website

Sweden

Holaveden Ultra | 52 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Sörmland Ultra Marathon | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Switzerland

Valais

Les Défis du Jubilé – 52 km | 52 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Les Défis du Jubilé – 68 km | 68 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Les Défis du Jubilé – 71 km | 71 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Vaud

Trail Vallée de Joux – 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Taiwan

50 km of Wild Pig | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

United Kingdom

Macmillan Way Ultra – Black Route | 51 miles | October 15, 2015 | website

Macmillan Way Ultra – Blue Route | 32 miles | October 15, 2015 | website

Macmillan Way Ultra – Red Route | 45 miles | October 15, 2015 | website

Robin Hood Ultra – Black Route | 50 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

Robin Hood Ultra – Red Route | 37 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

Trent Valley Ultra – Black Route | 56 miles | October 02, 2015 | website

Trent Valley Ultra – Blue Route | 36 miles | October 02, 2015 | website

Trent Valley Ultra – Red Route | 47 miles | October 02, 2015 | website

Bedford

Greensand Way Ultra – Black Route | 54 miles | October 12, 2015 | website

Greensand Way Ultra – Blue Route | 35 miles | October 12, 2015 | website

Greensand Way Ultra – Red Route | 45 miles | October 12, 2015 | website

Cornwall

Atlantic Coast 3-Day Challenge | 78 miles | October 02, 2015 | website

Cumbria

3×3000 Ultra Trail | 80 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Lakes in a Day | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Derbyshire

Stone Circles Ultra – Black Route | 54 miles | October 04, 2015 | website

Stone Circles Ultra – Red Route | 41 miles | October 04, 2015 | website

East Sussex

50 Mile Overnight Run | 50 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

The Longmynd Hike | 50 miles | October 03, 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

Surrey

Downslink Ultra | 38 miles | October 04, 2015 | website

Wales

Gower Ultra 50 | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Wiltshire

White Horse Trail Ultra – Black Route | 53 miles | October 14, 2015 | website

White Horse Trail Ultra – Red Route | 39 miles | October 14, 2015 | website

USA

Arizona

Canyon De Chelly Ultra | 55 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Flagstaff 56K Endurance Run | 56 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Flagstaff Sky Race 55K | 55 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Pony Express 12-Person Relay Race | 200 miles | October 09, 2015 | website

Pony Express 2-Person Relay Race | 200 miles | October 09, 2015 | website

Pony Express 6-Person Relay Race | 200 miles | October 09, 2015 | website

Arkansas

Arkansas Traveller 100 | 100 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

California

Boggs Mountain Boogie 50k | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Cuyamaca 100K Endurance Run | 100 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Dick Collins Firetrails 50 | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Euchre Bar Massacre 50 M | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Owen’s Peak Man vs Horse 50K Trail Adventure | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Pacifica Summit Run 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Skyline to the Sea 50km | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Whoos in El Moro 50k | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Widowmaker Trail 50K Run | 50 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

Colorado

24 Hrs of Boulder – 100 K | 100 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

24 Hrs of Boulder – 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

24 Hrs of Boulder – 50 K | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Animas Surgical Hospital Durango 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Florida

John Holmes 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Idaho

Foothills 50K Frenzy | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Illinois

Farmdale 33 Mile Trail Runs | 33 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Farmdale 50 Mile Ultra Trail Run | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Iowa

Market to Market Relay | Iowa | 75 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

The Runner’s Flat 50K | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Kansas

Heartland 100 Mile Race | 100 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Lake Perry Rocks! 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Kentucky

Cloudsplitter 100K | 100 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Cloudsplitter 100 Mile | 100 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

Cloudsplitter 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Louisiana

Children of the Cane 100K | 100 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Children of the Cane 100 Miler | 100 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

Children of the Cane 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Maine

50K Run | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

50 Mile Run | 50 miles | October 11, 2015 | website

Maryland

BRRC Gunpowder Keg Ultra 50K Trail Race | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Ragnar Relay Washington D.C. | 200 miles | October 02, 2015 | website

Massachusetts

50 M | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

TARC 100 | 100 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Missouri

O. T. 50K| 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website
O. T. 50K Relay| 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Montana

Le Grizz Ultramarathon | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Ultramarathon | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Nebraska

Market to Market Relay | Nebraska | 78 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

New Hampshire

Pinnacle Ultra Challenge 50K | 50 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

New York

Can Lake 50 K | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Can Lake 50 Mile | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Tesla Hertz 100K Run | 100 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Tesla Hertz 100 Mile Run | 100 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Tesla Hertz 50K Run | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Tesla Hertz 50 Mile Run | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

North Carolina

Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra 50K Run | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock Ultra 50- Mile Run | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Oregon

Columbia River Power 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Pennsylvania

Blues Cruise 50k Trail Ultra | 50 kilometers | October 04, 2015 | website

Green Monster 50K Trail Challenge | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Oil Creek Trail Runs 100 Miles | 100 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Oil Creek Trail Runs 50K | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Oil Creek Trail Runs 50 Miles | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

South Carolina

Swamp Rabbit Urban Ultra 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Tennessee

Cumberland Trail 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Rock/Creek StumpJump 50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Texas

100k | 100 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

50k | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Hunter Gatherer 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

McKinney Roughs 50K | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Survival Run: Hunter Gatherer | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Utah

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

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

Red Rock Relay Park City Edition | 65 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Virginia

GrindStone 100 | 101 miles | October 02, 2015 | website

Washington

Baker Lake 50k | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

Bigfoot 100k Endurance Run | 100 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

Bigfoot 120 Mile Endurance Run | 120 miles | October 09, 2015 | website

Defiance 50K | 50 kilometers | October 10, 2015 | website

West Virginia

West Virginia Trilogy – Day One 50 km | 50 kilometers | October 09, 2015 | website

West Virginia Trilogy – Day Two 50 Mile | 50 miles | October 10, 2015 | website

Wisconsin

Glacial 50K Trail Run | 50 kilometers | October 11, 2015 | website

Glacial 50M Trail Run | 50 miles | October 11, 2015 | website

The North Face Endurance Challenge Wisconsin Kettle Moraine State Park 50 Km | 50 kilometers | October 03, 2015 | website

The North Face Endurance Challenge Wisconsin Kettle Moraine State Park 50 Mile | 50 miles | October 03, 2015 | website

02:21:32 CLOSE

02:25:43

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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

You can follow the stories through words and images on this website, via Twitter @talkultra, on Instagram @iancorlessphotography and on Facebook at facebook.com/iancorlessphotography.

In addition, the official Skyrunning Facebook page (here) and Twitter @skyrunning_com will have regular updates and news.

Ultra Pirineu 2015 Race Images and Summary

Posted on September 20, 2015 by talkultra

Nuria Picas was looking to defend her ‘home’ crown in a race that she has won for the last 4-years. Luis Alberto Hernando, champion in 2013 and 2014 was returning looking to make it a triple but more importantly the Skyrunner® World Series title for the ultra distance was at stake. Add to the mix Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg, the last time the duo raced here in Baga was 2012. Kilian won that year ahead of Anton Krupicka and Dakota Jones, Emelie placed 3^rd behind Nuria Picas and Anna Frost.

Starting at 0700 in the center of Baga, one has a full appreciation of how important running has become in Spain and I guess more importantly here in Catalonia. Kilian and Nuria are as important if not more important than football stars here in this part of the world. Autographs, photographs, shaking hands, pats on the back and the noise; wow the noise is incredible! Yes, they are the ‘Messi’ of the running world in these parts.

The day was always going to be one full of drama and battles. We had a race within a race and as such one had to keep an eye not only on who was running in the top-3 but also who was running in the top overall rankings. Coming into Ultra Pirineu Franco Colle was 1^st in SWS rankings followed by Cristofer Clemente in 2^nd and Luis Alberto Hernando in 3^rd. It was all up for grabs. For the ladies the battle was relatively straight forward; if Emelie won the race she would be SWS champion. If Mira Rai won the race, she would become champion.

From the gun Emelie made her intentions clear and took hold of the race from the front and it stayed that way for the whole 110km. Although the story changed a little behind the dominant Emelie, the writing was on the wall; Mira Rai would place 2^nd and Nuria Picas would place 3^rd. At times Mira looked to close the gap and then it would extend whereas Nuria looked resigned to a solid 3^rd place.

The men’s race was a little more unpredictable! I say unpredictable but in all honesty, did we (I) ever think anyone other than Kilian Jornet would win the race? I know I shouldn’t say that; anything can happen in 110km but barring an accident or some unforeseen problem, I really didn’t see any other scenario playing out.

In the early stages Jessed Hernandez, Miguel Heras and Zaid Ait Malek accompanied the Catalan over the undulating terrain. Kilian always looked relaxed and in control. The protagonists changed at the front of the race, Miguel and Zaid would take a turn to pace and all the time Kilian would run in 2^nd keeping his powder dry. The elastic finally snapped with Zaid and Kilian taking the front and opening up a gap over Miguel.

Behind the lead trio a battle was unfolding. Franco Colle SWS leader coming into the race dropped with sickness; his 2015 SWS chances over! Cristofer Clemente was running in 4^th and Luis Alberto Hernando clearly tired from his 2^nd place efforts at UTMB just 3-weeks earlier was running in and around the top-10 battling to win the SWS title.

Miguel didn’t give in though, he found some internal strength with 85km’s covered and closed the gap to then take over the lead with Kilian as Zaid faded. Over the final km’s, Kilian put his foot on the gas on one of the final climbs and quickly opened up a 6-minute gap over Miguel. The writing was on the wall, Kilian would win the 2015 Ultra Pirineu and he would be welcomed by a home crowd like a long lost son.

Behind the drama unfolded, Zaid refused to give in. He once again caught Miguel and this time pulled away and never looked back. He finished 2^nd and produced one of the most impressive display finish line antics I have witnessed. Miguel took the final podium place and then attention turned to the SWS ranking.

Cristofer Clemente finished 4^th and Luis Alberto Hernando had to finish in the top-15 to take the SWS crown; he did it! It has been quite a year for Luis. A series of high ranking victories and podium places, 2^nd at UTMB, Skyrunning European Champion and now the 2015 Skyrunner® World Series Champion. Bravo!

Attention now turns to Limone Extreme for the respective SWS titles in VK and SKY.

Results

Kilian Jornet 12:03:27
Zaid Ait Malek 12:12:23
Miguel Heras 12:20:35

Emelie Forsberg 13:39:33
Mira Rai 13:43:49
Nuria Picas 14:13:01

Skyrunner World Series Champions 2015

Emelie Forsberg and Luis Alberto Hernando

Full race results HERE

Skyrunning goes global with The RUT and CBS News

Posted on September 18, 2015 by talkultra

If you think running a marathon is a feat in itself, imagine doing an ultra-marathon up a mountain. At “The Rut Mountain Race” in Big Sky, Montana, nearly 400 athletes from around the world gathered to compete across 31 miles. They cover more than 10,000 feet of elevation. The sport is known as “skyrunning.”

As part of the “CBS This Morning” series, “Pushing the Limits,” we take a look at the world’s elite athletes who are getting their high-altitude adrenaline rush.

Luke Nelson sums it up when he says:

“I run in the mountains because it gives me a freedom that I can’t find anywhere else…. I think the human body was meant to run; but this is pushing it!”

View the film here

http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/pushing-the-limits-skyrunning/?tag=facebook

You can read reports and view images from RUNTHERUT races below:

VK HERE

SKY HERE

ULTRA HERE

Skyrunning UK – True Mountain Lakes Sky Ultra – The Movie 2015

Posted on September 17, 2015 by talkultra

I was told 2-years ago that Skyrunning in the UK was not possible.

You don’t have the mountains…

You don’t have the technical terrain…

Ridges – pah!

Climbing – pah!

You have nothing over a 1000m…

and so on and so on.

The V3K launched our series and in doing so we showed UK runners that Wales, the 3000’s and in particular Crib Goch can test even the hardiest competitor.

The Mourne Skyline MTR had Skyrunner World Series champion Stevie Kremer come over and what did she say?

‘That is the hardest race I have ever done!’

In 2015 we stepped it up a notch with the mind blowing Salomon Glen Coe Skyline and Emelie Forsberg, Skyrunning World and European Champion for the Ultra distance half way through the race said,

‘This is the best course I have ever run for this distance!’

And then just last weekend, the first edition of the True Mountain Lakes Sky Ultra took place under horrendous conditions. Torrential rain, gale force winds and and I am pleased to say we have it all on film.

Enjoy!

Skyrunning in the UK?

of course we can! With bells on….

Film by Steve Ashworth – MovieiT

Images from the race to purchase HERE

Ultra Pirineu 2015 Race Preview

Posted on September 14, 2015 by talkultra

The Skyrunner® World Series for 2015 for the Ultra distance draws to a close in Spain at the Ultra Pirineu. It’s amazing how time flies; it only seems weeks ago that I was writing about Transvulcania.

Taking place on September 201th, Ultra Pirineu follows on from the RUT and as such, it will be an exciting race.

Runners will assemble in the Cade Moixero National Park to do battle over a very challenging race. The 110km race is the main event and the one that gains the most attention. With 6800m of vertical gain it’s a race that will push each and every Skyrunners’ legs and lungs to the limit.

Luis Alberto Hernando, Skyrunning World and European Champion for the ultra distance will be looking to repeat his victory from 2014. Would you want to bet against him? Luis has been on fire in 2015 with victories at Transvulcania and Ice Trail Tarentaise. Add to this podium finishes at Tromso SkyRace and UTMB and for sure Luis will be a hot favourite for victory.

However, a certain Kilian Jornet running on home ground may well scupper Luis’s plans. Kilian has had a quitter year in 2015 as he has concentrated on his Alpinrunning projects but that did not stop repeating his 2014 victory at Hardrock 100 and in the process he now holds the course record for both directions.

“I am very excited about competing at home again as this was the very first race I competed in. There is an incredible level of competition this year, so a show is guaranteed.” – Kilian Jornet

And Kilian has hit the nail on the head, rising star of the sport Manuel Merillas (winner in 2011) will run. Manuel is still looking for the big win but a string of high placing and podium finishes will almost certainly guarantee that he is pushing the pace with the rest at the front.

Franco Colle just the other weekend won the RUT in the USA and has now decided to miss Tor des Geants to content the podium on Spain. Currently Franco leads the Skyrunner World ~Series for the ultra distance and he will bo looking to gain maximum points and the bonus that come with it to secure the overall position in the ranking, it won’t be an easy task!

Cristofer Clemente was 2nd at the RUT also and now lies 2nd on the ranking for the SWS. He did have some question marks over if he would race here in Spain due to the proximity of the USA race, however, I can’t help but think he will give the race a go and he will see what happens. At 110km it’s a long tough race for this late in the season.

UTMB duo, Miguel Heras and Tofol Castanyer both had troubled races this year on the big loop of Chamonix and so they will no doubt be looking to put the record straight here. As we all know, on their day they are 2 of the best ultra mountain runners in the world. They also both have a great history with this race.

Ricky Lightfoot has once again had another incredible 2015 mixing up his race distances and experiences with diverse races races such as Ultra Skymarathon Madeira, DoDo Trail in Mauritius and of course his local fell races in the UK. *may not race due to illness, me missed the Lakes Sky Ultra?

Jessed Hernandez placed 3^rd in 2014 and he will be looking to move up 1 or 2 places in 2015 but the odds may well be stacked against him with such a quality line-up. Yeray Duran, Philipp Reiter and Miguel Caballero will also contend the top 5 but there are more runners than places; who will come out on top?

Nuria Picas has made a home at Ultra Pirineu, it’s ‘her’ race and 2015 will be the 5^th time she will toe the line looking for another victory. Her recent blip at UTMB will soon be behind her and she will no doubt looking to put the record straight on home ground. We can all think back to that epic battle between Anna Frost, Emelie Forsberg and Nuria Picas in 2012.

“I am delighted to see that world renowned international athletes are once again coming here, it’s a race that deserves consideration.” – Nuria Picas

Emelie Forsberg ran her very first 80km race at Ultra Pirineu (then called Cavalls del Vent) in 2012. She placed 3^rd! What has followed has been an incredible rise in the sport of Skyrunning. While Nuria pursued the UTWT, Emelie has gone on to dominate Skyrunning races worldwide, the 2015 edition of Ultra Pirineu will once again see these two dominant and inspiring ladies once again go head-to-head. It’s an exciting prospect.

Nepalese sensation Mira Rai will also race. Her victory at the Mont-Blanc 80km turned heads and I think it’s fair to say that the 110km distance will suit her running style.

Anna Comet has been a revelation in 2015 and has consistently placed on the podium. Like Nuria, Anna is placing a great emphasis on Ultra Pirineu as she considers it a home race. The ‘home’ advantage really motivates and Anna’s recent non-racing will almost certainly mean that she will be fresh for an epic battle.

Ester Alves, Julia Boetger, Gemma Arenas and Roser Espanol will also be looking to mix it up at the front of the race. Ester in particular has seemed unstoppable in 2015 after going from one race to the next.

You can follow the stories through words and images on this website, via Twitter @talkultra, on Instagram @iancorlessphotography and on Facebook at facebook.com/iancorlessphotography.

In addition, the official Skyrunning Facebook page (here) and Twitter @skyrunning_com will have regular updates and news.

Lakes Sky Ultra 2015 – Race Images and Summary

Posted on September 12, 2015 by talkultra

Skyrunning hit the UK hard today with the first edition of the Lakes Sky Ultra, the 4th race on the 2015 Skyrunning UK calendar of 6 races.

It’s a race not for the feint hearted and today the race became considerably harder with severe weather. Wind and rain battered the course and made key difficult sections of the course, considerably more difficult. So much so that a key section of the course, Pinnacle Ridge was considered too dangerous for competitors. It was a great call and one that all the runners agreed with.

Experienced Skyrunning World Series competitor Eirik Haugsnes, flew in from Norway to take part in the inaugural race and as expected he won the race with a strong and dominant performance ahead of Skyrunning UK V3K winner Gareth Hughes.

Sarah Ridgeway, Skyrunning UK V3K ladies winner and 3rd on the podium at Glen Coe Skyline ran a strong ladies races and took a 2nd victory the Skyrunning UK series ahead of Dragons Back 2nd place lady and The Spine Champion, Beth Pascall.

A full race report and results will follow tomorrow.

Results

Sarah Ridgway 9:13:04
Beth Pascall 9:19:42
Zoe Salt 11:15:27

Eirik Haugsnes 7:16:50
Gareth Hughes 7:31:22
Jim Mann 7:32:38

Live Tracking Results HERE

Skyrunning UK HERE

Lakes Sky Ultra HERE

The RUT – 50km 2015 Race Images and Summary

Posted on September 6, 2015 by talkultra

Concluding an incredible weekend of Skyrunning, the RUT 50km which is the penultimate ultra in the Skyrunner World Series took place today (Sunday) in the resort of Big Sky, Montana. One of the key races in the 2015 Skyrunner® World Series this stunning race did not disappoint.

View and purchase the RUT IMAGES HERE

Overnight temperatures dropped and light snow had left a sprinkle over much of the 50k terrain. The 0600 start was below freezing and it was a good job that runners went straight into a 500m climb to get warm. The first 45-minutes were undertaken in darkness and then a most incredible sunrise welcomed a new day.

Covering 50km (31 miles) the race had 10,00ft (3040m) of vertical gain and loss. In the words of the Mike Foote and Mike Wolfe (Rut race directors), ‘There are sections of this course, including the ascent and traverse of Headwaters ridge, as well as the ascent and descent of Lone Peak, which are EXTREMELY STEEP & TECHNICAL with sections of exposure and potential rock fall hazard. This is a true mountain course so please treat it with the respect it deserves!’

To many a Skyrunner, that is a calling card for full-on, adrenaline packed mountain running adventure. Restricted to just 600-runners, demand for the RUT 50km was always going to be high and this was reflected in the race selling out.

Containing 60% single-track, 25% dirt road and 15% off-trail, the RUT really did provide a spectacular race. As with all races over the RUT weekend, the 50km event had wave starts that would be offset by 5-minute gaps. The elites ere released in wave 1 and 3 other waves followed.

What transpired was a stunning day of racing. Franco Colle from Italy followed on from his impressive podium placing at Mont-Blanc 80km and ran a cool, calm and controlled race. Pushing from the front he looked relaxed throughout and he crossed the finish line in 5:16:58. His time was impressive but outside Kilian Jornet’s 2014 winning time.

Cristofer Clemente has consistently shown excellent results in 2015 and is a prime contender for the Skyrunner World Series, he backed this up once again time trailing Franco throughout the race but running a strong and secure 2^nd place in 5:19:28.

Matt Shyrock produced a breakthrough performance having placed outside the top 10 in 2014 to come through and take the final podium place in 5:29:00. His excitement and enthusiasm for his finish was clear for all to see with some great showboating.

Pre race favourites, Max King and Luke Nelson finished 6^th and 7^th respectively, Max on the line said, ‘that is quite some race!’

In the ladies, Emelie Forsberg followed on from her 2014 victory with a repeat win in 2015. Not only did she win but in the process set a new course record! This is all the more remarkable considering that Emelie has raced all 3 races of the runtherut weekend. Incredible. Her time 6:25:44.

Continuing to show incredible promise as a future star of Skyrunning, Hillary Allen followed on from a podium place at Mont-Blanc 80km to finish 2^nd here in Montana. Her time 6:30:15 was under Emelie’s 2014 course record! It was no easy result though, just before the 18-mile mark Hillary went of course with 3 other ladies and this opened up the doorway for eventual 3^rd placed lady, Martina Valmassoi to move into 2^nd. Hillary dug deep though and gained back her 2^nd place.

Martina Valmassoi running her first ultra had a breakthrough performance to finish on the podium in 6:41:42. It was quite a run.

Ashley Erba, a pre race favourite had been leading the ladies in the early stages but was forced to withdraw from the race having received extreme blister on the soles of both feet.

With the racing over and done, Big Sky Resort, the two ‘Mikes,’ Montana, the Lone Peak mountain and a stunning weekend of favourable weather has well and truly made the RUNTHERUT weekend a great showcase for Skyrunning in the USA and worldwide.

Results:

Emelie Forsberg 06:25:44
Hillary Allen 06:30:15
Martina Valmassoi 06:41:42

Franco Colle 05:16:58
Cristofer Clemente 05:19:28
Matt Shyrock 05:29:00

The RUT – 25km Race 2015 Race Images and Summary

Posted on September 5, 2015 by talkultra

New for 2015 and forming an integral part of the Skyrunner® World Series, the inaugural RUT 25km is considered by many to be a pure Skyrunning race. At times, the race offers extremely steep and technical terrain that demands and requires 100% respect. It’s not for the feint hearted.

Covering 25km (16.4 miles) what this race lacks in distance is made up for in technicality and challenge. With 7500ft of vertical gain this 25km course is basically the RUT 50km on steroids as it includes all 3 major climbs of its bigger brother. The high point comes at Lone Peak (11,166ft) and the combination of altitude, technical running and exposure makes this one seriously great race that guarantees a good, hard and painful time!

Like the VK, the 25km event had wave starts to reduce congestion and to promote good safety along the route. 4 waves started at 5-minute offsets with the elite runners heading off in wave 1 departing at 0800.

Overnight rain had disappeared by the morning leaving a bright, sunny but very cold morning. The summit of Lone Peak was shrouded in mist and cloud and would remain that way until the bulk of wave 1 runners passed the summit.

View and purchase the RUT IMAGES HERE

Following on from Friday’s VK victory, Remi Bonnet ran a clear race from the front and never really looked back. He opened a gap in the early stages and extended it as the race went on. Climbing up to Lone Peak summit he had over 4-minutes in Tadei Pivk and Marco De Gasperi who were pursued by Joseph Gray.

Remi’s victory never looked in doubt, even the very technical challenge of the descent could not dislodge his stranglehold on the race. At the finish he was a clear victor by over 3.5 minutes ((02:58:55) from Tadei Pivk and Marco De Gasperi who were separated only by 1-second, 3:02:32 and 3:01:33 respectively.

Joseph Gray finished 4^th and looked very disappointed, so disappointed he didn’t collect his finishers medal. Pere Rullan and Martin Anthamatten rounded out the top-5.

Lady on fire Megan Kimmel once again pulled off another incredible Skyrunning victory in the ladies showing that she is ‘the’ lady to beat at the moment. In the early stages of the race she ran with the front group and eventually she pulled away with Laura Orgue, the Friday VK winner.

On the slopes of Lone Peak Megan was in the lead and then at the summit she made a move, just like in the Dolomites and build away for an incredible victory over a tired Laura Orgue; 3:35:02 and 3:40:49 respectively. Maite Maiora ran a sold race and had the race been 1-mile longer, she may possibly have taken 2^nd place, her time of 3:41:06 showing how close it was.

The weather and altitude played a key factor in the 25km and on the line many of the runners expressed how technical the downhill section was. Showing incredible recovery from the VK, Yngvild Kaspersen closed ranks in the later stages of the race and took 4^th place ahead of Emelie Forsberg and Stevie Kremer. Emelie intends to run all 3-races of runtherut this weekend.

Attention now turns to Sundays 50km event which will start at 0600 local time.

Results:

Megan Kimmel 03:35:04
Laura Orgue 03:40:49
Maite Maiora 03:41:06

Remi Bonnet 02:58:55
Tadei Pivk 03:01:32
Marco De Gasperi 03:01:33

2nd Gallery

THE RUT – LONE PEAK VK 2015 Race Images and Summary

Posted on September 5, 2015 by talkultra

Starting at the Big Sky Resort base area, the Lone Peak VK offered Skyrunners a lung busting ascent to the summit of Lone Peak (11,166ft) in just a little less than 5k.

It may not be the steepest VK on the Skyrunner® World Series but it certainly is one of the most dramatic and the views from the summit are quite incredible.

In contrast to 2014, the first half of the VK route had a change based on operational concerns of Big Sky Resort. So this year, the sole hole biking trail is a no go and the route takes on a steeper and more direct route following the ethos and principals of Skyrunning.

Heading up Huntley Hollow and Calamity Jane ski runs the route headed up to the Bone Crusher and the impressive Alto ridge. Here it gets steep, gnarly and technical and the long haul, hands-on-knees grunt continued to the summit. The final sections had a potential for rockfall, exposure and other objective hazards.

View and purchase the RUT IMAGES HERE

Starting in waves, the elite runners departed first on the stroke of 1500 in a mass group. The early stages were always going to be about finding a rhythm, working out a good pace and then looking for a prime position before the more technical and challenging terrain started. Remi Bonnet and Laura Orgue pushed from the start and both looked very strong at the midway point before the more technical sections started.

In the ladies race Morgan Arritola looked to be closing the gap with 500m covered but Laura found the extra reserves to push on to the line. Ladies rising star, Yngvild Kaspersen ran a strong race and relegated ladies Tromso VK winner, Emelie Forsberg with a strong push for 3^rd.

Remi Bonnet was in a class of his own on this course and finished clear of Matterhorn Ultraks winner, Martin Anthamatten and Ferran Teixido moved up from 4^th place and 500m to 3^rd at the line.

At the summit Remi Bonnet arrived first looking spent with the effort in a time of 45:58:04. It was a dominating performance and a confirmation of a star in the making. Holding on for 2^nd was Martin Anthamatten and 3^rd place was Ferran Teixido in 47:38:78 and 48:04:89. respectively.

In the ladies’ race Laura Orgue finished a strong 1st 1-minute clear of Morgan Arritola 2^nd and Yngvild Kaspersen 3^rd. Times were 52:20:36, 53:16:79 and 55:15:05.

The weather and altitude played a key factor in the Lone Peak VK and when a race starts on or around 2000m, a runner’s altitude adaptation was always going to play a key part.

Attention now turns to Saturday and the 25km event. This event will prove to be fast and furious with mixed terrain that includes single track, jeep roads, alpine ridge lines and the summit of the iconic Lone Peak.

Results: