Kilian Jornet once again proved himself as the worlds premier mountain runner at the biennial TROFEO KIMA in the Italian Alps producing an outstanding win ahead of Brit, Tom Owens.
In the ladies race, Nuria Picas ran away from Emelie Forsberg to secure a win and a new CR by 10 mins at her first attempt at this iconic race.
A full race report will follow.
Until then feast your eyes on what I consider to be the most outstanding, impressive and frightening course I have ever seen.
Andy Symonds and Philipp Reiter planning for the race
Tom Owens, Philipp Reiter and Emelie Forsberg discuss the route and feed stations
Kilian relaxes pre race – slack lining
“… All the travellers who find themselves in Morbegno should spend a few hours at Val Masino. A clear stream full of trout rumbles along the rocky bottom of the valley of the glacial traces are clearly visible on the rounded surface of the rocks … we all agree that no valley that we know more than the Val Masino in variety and beauty natural. ”
SE Kennedy First conqueror of Misfortune
Climbing for hours… slow and focused in the moment when your hands feel at one with the rock. You gradually climb up to the summit and a vista of blue. Peaks and clouds are in front of you. Nothing is more satisfying than hours of hard work and sweat to see the joys of what the Val Masino and Val Bregaglia offers. Beautiful granite mountains in a circular vista. Incredible.
The major peaks of Val Masino like so many other mountains I guess were first scaled by the local people. Maybe hunters in search of game, peasants who climbed to retrieve livestock or forage for food. As often the case and with the passage of time, explorers came into the area and used the mountains for fun.
Val Masino became a legend of mountaineering with important ascents becoming “the classic routes” of modern mountaineering. Routes such as taking the mountain guide lace Cengalo on Badile in Vall Parcellizzo, on top of Castle Valley in Zocca, or along the wall of the Sphinx or maybe climb to the summit of Mount Accident ?
Stunning climbs that start at 400 meters at the base with modern and hospitable mountain huts from which to start an unforgettable mountain experience.
Trails, waterfalls, forests, pastures, ice in the valley. Serene and secluded, large in size. The most fascinating natural granite sculptures that the Alps have to offer. Climbers from all over the world contend with granite monsters that have been created by wind and glacial erosion.
The memory of the mountain guide, Pierangelo Marchetti, the unforgettable “Kima” takes place fulfilling the mission of providing a great race on the Rome Path that attracts the leading specialists in high altitude marathon running.
Fresh from their victories at Pikes Peak Marathon in Colorado, World Series ranking leaders Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg have arrived in Italy’s Val Masino for Sunday’s Kima Trophy, third of the new Ultra Series races.
Joining them for the challenge on the gruelling course are Britain’s Tom Owens and Andy Symonds, Michel Lanne and Matteo Jacquemoud from France and Germany’s Philipp Reiter. Contenders in the women’s field include Spain’s Nuria Picas and past skyrunning world champions Emanuala Brizio and Corinne Favre.
Certainly the most technical race on the Series, the 50 km course boasts 3,800m total elevation over a decidedly alpine course climbing seven passes – all over 2,500m and reaching a top altitude of nearly 3,000m.
Described by Kilian Jornet, 2010 winner, as “the most spectacular race in the world”, race organiser Ilde Marchetti comments: “’Only’ 150 lucky competitors can participate in this biennial race because, while the race philosophy, distance and course features embrace the trail spirit, the severity of the course and the strict Italian law, force us to cap the entrants to ensure a safe and well organised race everybody can enjoy”.
Sky High for Terry Conway
Arguably the man of the moment on the UK ultra scene is Terry Conway. His success at the Lakeland 100 in 2011 with a sub 22 hour finish and course record for what actually is 105 miles of hard running on a super tough course was seen as a break through run.
In 2012 he returned to the Lakeland course buoyant after setting a new course record on another tough course, the 95-mile West Highland Way. His CR at this event was significant as the previous course record was set by no other than Jez Bragg.
So, in late July Terry lined up on the start line in Coniston to run 105 miles of what the English Lakes had to offer. Before the race started it was all ready being touted as a potentially great race. Paul Tierney and Barry Murray would be taking part along with previous winner Stuart Mills. In addition to this was the young upstart Ed Batty who had placed 5th in the 50 mile event the previous year and was coming to the longer race with the intention of running hard.
In the early stages of the race Ed Batty pushed hard while Terry, Paul, Barry and Stuart marked each others moves. With 50 miles covered Ed had over a 30 min lead. Was this young lad going to steal the glory from the experienced guys behind?
In Terry’s words “I needed the loo and didn’t want to go ‘al fresco’ and with the next checkpoint not too far away I upped my pace a little”. This upping of the pace quickly eradicated 20-mins of Ed’s lead and with the blink of an eye a 20 min deficit became a 20 min lead. Running on the terrain that Terry calls ‘home’ he left the chasers behind and in the words of Race Director, Marc Laithwaite, “Terry ran into the finish line at Coniston as though he was finishing a 5k”. Not only did Terry win the race but he annihilated his own course record by 2 hours crossing the line in 19:51 for the 105 mile route.
Nobody doubted Terry’s ability as a runner but this win in that time confirmed for me that he was now at the pinnacle of UK ultra running. I had discussed with Terry what his dream scenario would be. His answer I guess was somewhat predictable;
“To race the best! to take part in Western States, to run UTMB and to take on the Skyrunning ultra series”
This is a dream that we as runners and more importantly as ultra runners all have. However, for pretty much all of us this will always be a dream. In Terry’s case he has the ability to potentially ‘race’ in this environment and therefore if the ability is there then surely a chance should be created…
Making dreams happen
I sent an email and contacted a couple of close friends in the business. I was well aware of an opportunity available for the right person! In actual fact I had personally been asked to ‘look out for’ a possible contender.
An introduction was made, emails were exchanged and I am pleased to say that Terry Conway will now be taking part in the next Ultra Skyrunning race at Cavalls de Vent in the Pyrenees in late September 2012. He will be representing Canadian company Arc’teryx who are slowly progressing into the ultra scene with a new clothing range called Endorphin.
This is incredible news for Terry but it’s also incredible news for the UK ultra community. Terry is a popular guy and I know this news will be welcomed with open arms.
Of course Terry now has some pressure on his shoulders. Not only is he getting the opportunity to race on a wonderful and tough course but he will be going head to head with the likes of Anton Krupicka and Anna Frost. It’s an incredible opportunity.
Following in the foot steps of Jez Bragg, Ian Sharman, Ellie Greenwood, Tom Owens, Andy Symonds, Joe Grant, Lizzy Hawker and Nick Clarke to name but a few of the Brits who are currently dishing it out on the world ultra stage, Terry now has an opportunity to announce himself and hopefully fulfil some of those dreams he has told me about.
He will need some adjustment to this style of racing and of course he will be looking to find his feet at the Cavalls de Vent event.
If he finds his feet, the SKY may very will be the start and not the limit of what he can offer the ultra world!
Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg dominate the Peak
 The records stand, but new champions emerge: Kilian Jornet wins the 57th Pikes Peak Marathon, Sunday, in 3h40’26” followed by new skyrunning star, American Alex Nichols in 3h47’22” and Max King, third in 3h50’10”.
In the women’s field, the race went according to forecast with a full Salomon podium: Sweden’sEmelie Forsberg first, 11th overall, in 4h28’07”, American Kasie Enman second in 4h28’25” and Spain’s Mireia Mirò, third in 4h32’13”, 15th overall. The men’s race saw a tight group to the summit with Jornet leading throughout. Local runner Alex Nichols is evidently getting a taste for distance and altitude after excelling in his first SkyMarathon® at the recent SkyGames® in the Spanish Pyrenees with a 5th position while Max King, after a brilliant 3rd at Speedgoat, held the pace to close 3rd. Colorado runnerMarshall Thomson took fourth while France’s Greg Vollet and Oscar Casal Mir from Andorra took 5th and 6threspectively.
The women’s race was won on the descent. A downhill specialist, Forsberg was ten minutes behind at the summit and overtook Enman on the last mile to the finish. Both Jornet and Forsberg set new records on the downhill – a natural for seasoned skyrunners. Mirò’s tendon injury held off and was pleased to have finally concluded a marathon, the first this year. Michele Suszek from Colorado was 4th and Britain’s Lauren Jeska, 5th. Jornet and Forsberg now lead the Skyrunner® World Series ranking. After just a few days’ rest and training they’ll be ready for the next challenge: the highly technical and gruelling Kima Trophy in Italy, on Sunday, where Jornet will face strong competition from top runners Tom Owens and Andy Symonds from Great Britain, Michel Lanne from France and Germany’s young Philipp Reiter. Skyrunner® World Series ranking
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Had a free morning yesterday, 13th August, before heading home from Sierre-Zinal and I went on a 5 hour run (hike) into the Glacier de Zinal with Salomon running athlete, South African, Linda Doke.
We had the most incredible run/hike and reached 2886m Cabane de Mountet in front of an amphitheater of mountains and ice:
Zinairothorn 4221m, Wallenkuppe 3903m, Ober Gabelhorn 4063m, Matterhorn 4476m, Pte de Zinal 3789m and Dent Blance 4357m.
The most incredible backdrop to ANY run I have done.
De Gasperi and Cardona
What a day !
Marco de Gasperi after a turbulent 7 months in 2012 returned to form in a race that he loves! You can listen to what he had to say the day before the race HERE
Initially Marco de Gasperi and Cardona (Columbia) raced neck and neck going through 10km’s side by side. But Marco looked relaxed and in control. Post race in a finish line interview (listen HERE) he told me that the Columbian looked tired and he decided to push hard on the descent. We had discussed only the day before the race how he practices the skills to run down technical trail quickly.
He soon opened a gap and ran into the finish with a gap of just under 6 mins to prove to everyone that Marco is back!
Cardona obviously struggled with the pace and the effort that Marco had dictated and relinquished second place to Cesar Costa from Martigny. Cesar crossed the line in 2:37:39 in comparison to Marco’s 2:31:69.
David Cardona did hold on to third place though in 2:38:06
British men excelled in what was a very tough field with 43 year old and previous winner of Sierre Zenal (in his younger days as he told me) Billy Burns taking a great 9th place (2:43:38) in front of Tom Owens in 12th (2:45:56) and Joe Symonds in 18th (2:48:42).
In post race chats with both Tom and Joe they said how they had been going well running in the top 10 but the altitude had hit them making it really tough when racing along the plateau.
Tom Owens leading Joe Symonds
Billy Burns on the other hand who lives locally was adjusted. He kept saying to me post race “You know I’m over 40 don’t you? You know, don’t you?” He seemed really stoked at gaining a top 10 in an incredibly tough field. So he should!
The Ladies Race
Aline Cmboulive – FR – Ladies winner
Well, I guess the ladies race didn’t quite go to plan… or should I say, it didn’t quite go to the form book! Pre race favourites such as Oihana Kortazar and Nuria Picas didn’t have the races they wanted with Oihana dropping early and Nuria arriving at the finish looking in real pain.
Aline Camboulive from France moved ahead of the ladies field early on and maintained the gap all the way to the finish.
Stevie Kremer – USA
Big surprise of the race was American, Stevie Kremer who ran an incredible race to finish just 1:30 down on the winner for second place. She had been my pre-race dark horse! I had several chats with her prior to race day and although we all knew little about her she seemed motivated and very modest about her ability. On the finish line she looked as though she had just run a 10K !
Third placed lady some 6 mins behind the winner was Maud Mathys from Ollon.
Surprise of the day came from a last minute entrant! Non other than Lizzy Hawker. Apparently, she had phoned the race organiser at the 11th hour, obtained and entry and slipped into the race as a ‘training run’ (her words) on the back of some serious UTMB training. She still placed 9th!
Lizzy had this to say on the finish: listen HERE
Lizzy Hawker
Once again Sierre Zinal confirms itself as a race for everyones bucket list! At 31km’s it is a manageable distance for all. With two starts, one at 0500 am for the walkers and slower runners and then 0900 for the main runners it provides everyone with a possibility to experience the scenery, the altitude and the climbs of this beautiful area of Switzerland.
Course Profile
RESULTS
Top 10 Men
Top 10 Ladies
Seconds after crossing the finish line at the 2012 Skyrunning Sierre Zinal Marco de Gasperi spoke to Talk Ultra. You can hear the elation in his voice. An incredible win and an incredible battle. Congratulations Marco !
Listen to the audio HERE
Talk Ultra HERE
Marco, 11th August 2012 in the mountains above Zinal.
It’s the day before Sierre Zinal and I caught up with Skyrunning legend, Marco de Gasperi.
Marco, now 35 years old started running in the mountains very young. He participated in his first Sky Race when 15/16 years old.
*Please note this is recorded ‘live’ in Zinal so sound quality may be affected by external sources.
Marco de Gasperi stretching his legs before Sierre Zinal 2012
Marco de Gasperi – a brief history
PLACE OF BIRTH: Bormio (So)
MAIN CATEGORY PLACINGS VICTORIES AND JUNIORS
1995-1996: Victory in World Cup racing teams in the mountains
1995: Class 7 ° C. World Mountain Running EDINBURGH (SCO)
1996: Class 3 ° C. Italian cross-country corporate SALSOMAGGIORE (Pr)
1996: Class 1 ° C. Italian mountain running after 3 races
1996: Class 1 ° C. World Mountain Running Telfes (Aut)
INDIVIDUAL WINS WORLD CUP
1997: C. World mountain running MALE ‘SVATANOVICE (CZE)
1999: C. World Mountain Running KINABALU PARK (MAS)
2001: C. World mountain running ARTA SPA (ITA)
2003: C. World Mountain Running Girdwood, Alaska (USA)
2007: C. World Mountain Running OVRONNAZ (SUI)
WIN World Cup team: 11
1997-1998-1999-2000-2001-2002-2003-2004-2007-2008-2011
WIN the European Cup team: 12
1997 -1998 – 1999 – 2001 -2002 -2003 -2004 – 2005 – 2007 -2008 – 2009-2010
Main results of European Mountain Running Championships:
Gold: 2004 Korbielow (POL)
Silver: 2002 Madeira (POR), 2007 Cauterez (FRA), 2009 Telfes (AUT)
Bronze: 1998 Sestriere (Turin), 2005 Heiligenblut (AUT), 2008 Zell am Harmersbach (GER), 2010 Separeva Banya (BUL)
PLACINGS Italian Mountain Running Championships:
Individual (after 3 races): Gold: 2002, 2003, 2004
Silver: 1999, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011
Bronze: 1997.2000, 2001, 2006, 2008
A relay: Gold: 2001 – ’02-’03-’04-’05-’07-’08-’09 – ’10
MAJOR VICTORIES IN INTERNATIONAL
Race LJUBIJANA Šmarna Gora (SLO) 1999, 2000
Snowdon Race LLAMBERIS (WAL) 2001
International WMRA Grand Prix (6 races) 2001
Strassenlauf Ferleiten Grossglockner (AUT) 2003
Mount Kinabalu Climbathon KINABALU PARK (MAS) 2003, 2010 (2h33’56 “Record)
Hochfelln Berglauf BERGEN (GER) 2006, 2008
Sierre – Zinal Zinal (SUI) 2008, 2011
Interlaken Jungfrau Marathon (SUI) 2010
Skyrunning European Championship Valmalenco-Valposchiavo (Ita – Sui) 2007 2h32’02 “Record
VICTORIES IN Vertical Kilometer:
VAL D’Isère (FRA) FILA Vertical Kilometer, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2002, 2003 (34’51 “Record)
VAIL (USA) 1999 FILA Vertical Kilometer
Cervinia (AO) FILA Vertical Kilometer 1998
ANDORRA Vertical Kilometer Sky Games 2006
CHIAVENNA (So) Chiavenna – Lagunch 2008 (Time 31’42 ‘.9), 2009
ARLES SUR THUR (FRA) Vertical World Series 2011
ANBOTO (SPA) Anboto Vertical Kilometer 2011
VERTICAL RACES:
MILAN – Pirelli Skyscraper Vertical Sprint 1, 2007, 2009 (Time 3’41 “)
TAIPEI (TWN) – TAIPEI Up Run 1, (2007-2010) 2nd (2008,2009,2011) (Time 11’09 “)
SAN PAULO (BRA) – NESTLE ‘Corrida Vertical Building 1, 2010 (Time 3’34 “)
NEW YORK (USA) Empire State Building Run Up 2 ° 2009 (10’21 “)
LONDON (GBR) THE GARKIN 2 ° 2010
Events that arose in the recent Speedgoat 50k seem to have opened a can of worms! Is racing and applying race rules so difficult?
Let’s face it, in the ultra world on a course of say 100 miles, how will it ever be possible to ensure a runner abides by the rules?
At Speedgoat 50k confusion arose over the difference between ‘trail’ racing rules for the US and Skyrunning rules. Had RD Karl Meltzer stipulated a race rule pre race that corners ‘must not be cut’ then I guess we would have clearly had a DQ for Kilian. Under the circumstances Karl made, in my opinion, the best decision possible. End of story! Moving forward RD’s will learn from this and ensure that rules are clear before a race begins.
Taken from The Examiner
For this year’s 57th running of the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon to be held the weekend of August 18-19, the Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc., board of directors has announced that a three-member jury of appeals will be in place to review and handle any race day issues affecting runners to include visible course cutting, unsportsmanlike conduct, and the awarding of prizes and prize money.
“Even though rules and regulations at the Pikes Peak events are very specific, there is always a chance that runners misinterpret them. We want to provide a forum whereby any course infractions can be reviewed and considered thoughtfully and thoroughly before a runner is disqualified from the event,” said Pikes Peak Marathon, Inc., President Ron Ilgen.
Although the inclusion of a jury of appeals is not groundbreaking, for instance the World Mountain Running Championships includes in their regulations a requirement that a jury of appeals be appointed, the majority of mountain and trail running events do not have an appointed jury.
USA Track & Field (USATF), the National Governing Body for track and field, long-distance running and race walking in the United States, has several published documents regarding meet personnel, referees, and jury of appeals for events they administer or sanction. Although mountain and trail running falls under the umbrella of long distance running, many of the events staged in the U.S. are not sanctioned by USATF and therefore operate with their own rules, regulations, or guidelines.
As more prize money is introduced into trail and mountain running events, there is more at stake than just a finisher medal.
As Ilgen states, “With athletes vying for a share of an increased prize purse this year, (it was announced last month that $54,000 is up for grabs at Pikes Peak), we want to insure that rules are adhered to and everyone in the race is competing on a level playing field.”
Just a few weeks ago, the Speedgoat 50K had an issue with a top runner reported to have cut the course. Without a jury in place, race director Karl Meltzer had to make a tough decision affecting the outcome of the race and the awarding of prize money. It was a ‘live and learn’ experience and something Meltzer doesn’t want to repeat in the future. He agreed that a referee in place at the event would have made the decision a lot easier.
Some of the items that could be addressed by the jury of appeals at the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon include visible course cutting – either noticed by race officials who will be stationed throughout the course, or by other athletes in the race. This constitutes grounds for disqualification. Issues on marathon day related to an athlete hampering another athlete’s progress on race day related to an uphill runner not yielding to the faster downhill runner – possible grounds for disqualification. Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated and is possible grounds for disqualification. Runners may take aid at specified aid stations, or take aid from supporters along the trail, or carry their own aid. However, taking oxygen prior to the completion of the race (even if medically necessary), is grounds for disqualification.
The Pikes Peak festivities kick off Thursday, August 16, at 1:00 p.m. with a press conference and reception for media and athletes. This event is open to the public and will be held at Manitou Springs City Hall. On Friday, August 17, the expo and packet pickup opens in Memorial Park in Manitou Springs at 9:00 a.m.
The Pikes Peak Ascent start time for the first wave of runners is 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 18, with the second wave heading up the mountain at 7:30 a.m.. The culminating event, the Pikes Peak Marathon, will start at 7:00 a.m. on Sunday, August 19. Follow the Pikes Peak races as they unfold on Twitter @runpikespeak.
