MDS CAPPADOCIA 2024 – Stage 1

Female participation at MDS Cappadocia at 60%

The 2024 first edition of MDS Cappadocia got underway today, three stages with a potential longest distance of 120km’s and options to run 71.9km/ 92.8km and 110.5km based on the desired distance of stage 2.

A unique playground

Stage 1 25km

Stage 2 20.9km/ 41.8km/ 59.5km

Stage 3 26km

Bib collection and admin checks

Many participants arrived in Turkey on Friday or Saturday with admin taking place on Saturday afternoon ahead of a relaxed dinner followed by a comfortable night in Suhan Cappadocia Hotel in Avanos.

Suhan Hotel, some luxury before self-sufficiency

Stage 1 began with a relaxed breakfast and 0800 departure to the start of the race and the beginning of self-sufficiency.

The challenge ahead

At 0900 briefing began and at 0930, the runners departed for 25km and 678m of elevation gain.

Cyril Gauthier

In contrast to MDS The Legendary and other MDS races, Cappadocia is not a desert race. Although the landscape has a desert feel, the route is much more single-track, mountain paths, grassland and of course it is all encompassed within the unique landscape of this area.

Troglodyte Caves a unique feature of Cappadocia

The Göreme valley is captivating, especially if never seen before.

Single-track trails

For the participants, it was the start of a journey of discovery and at each point throughout stage, the beauty and experience was one that was passed on to MDS staff during and afterwards.

A hot day, cold water at CP’s make all the difference

A hot day, with a recorded high of 33-degrees, however, a gentle wind throughout many sections of the race helped to cool. Main CP’s also offered iced water which was poured on the heads and necks to facilitate cooling the core.

It wasn’t all flat and easy.

The stage was won in 02:29:40 by Keven Moncelli. Hugo Brincard and Alexandre Mallier were 2nd and 3rd, 02:32:41 and 02:39:08 respectively.

A unique and magical playground

For the women, Maryline Demangel finished ahead of Axelle Bellec and Gudrun Hespel, 03:10:59, 03:20:23 and 03:39:08.

Stage 1 finish and the bivouac for the coming days is a hidden away gem backed by the unique Troglodyte homes, cut away in the rock that makes Cappadocia so unique and special.

Stage 2 (Monday) has an early wake-op of 03:30, briefing at 04:30 and the start of the stage at 05:00. Runner’s are able to choose the distance to cover.

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LOFOTEN STAGE RUN – NEW FOR 2024

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New for 2024, Norway’s first multi-day trail running event, the LOFOTEN STAGE RUN brought to you by the team behind The Arctic Triple taking place Week 22 2024 (w/c 27th May)

Download the info PDF HERE

Image sheets HERE

Located in the stunning and world-renowned Archipelago of Lofoten, The Arctic Triple team will offer two stunning races, the 175km Expedition Run and the 120km Adventure Run, both starting in the iconic, beautiful, and picturesque Reine and concluding in Svolvær.

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Travel point-to-point, on foot, experiencing the majesty of Norway. Stunning trails, majestic mountains, resplendent views, and all during the endless daytime of the midnight sun. A fully supported journey over 4-days (6-days in total) and remembered for a lifetime.

The Lofoten Stage Run will bring the best of what Norway has to offer – fjords, fishing villages, beaches, mountains, ridges and of course the world-renowned Hytte experience.

Kristian Nashoug at Reine
Kristian Nashoug at Reine

“Lofoten Stage Run came about after the 2021 Arctic Triple and the realisation that only the 100-mile runners were getting a full 360 Lofoten experience. Not everyone wants or can run 100-miles in one go, especially here in Lofoten. So, we have created the Lofoten Stage Run which effectively breaks down our 100-mile race in 4-stages and therefore offers a more manageable way to experience all that Lofoten has to offer.” – Kristian Nashoug

The Lofoten Stage Run, either the 175km or 120km versions offer a full day to cover the respective stages and the opportunity to really experience all that this area has to offer. In the evening, runners will meet local hosts, experience local food, have comfortable lodging, and create new bonds and friendships with like-minded people. Lofoten is one of the most ‘desired’ places to visit in the world, what better way to experience it?

This is no ordinary multi-day race!

Stages will consist of 4-days, 39km, 60k, 31km and 45km for the 175km Expedition Run and 39km, 29km, 31km and 21km for the 120km Adventure Run, it’s The Arctic Triple’s aim to make this experience available to all.

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Day 1 will conclude in one of the best-preserved fishing villages in Lofoten, Nusfjord.

Day 2 at Unstad Arctic Surf.

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Day 3 at Brustranda Fjordcamping in Rolvsfjord, a real gem on the inside of the Lofoten archipelago.

And finally, all races conclude in Svolavær.

Experience Lofoten.

Experience the Arctic Circle.

Experience the midnight sun.

Experience the majesty and beauty of Norway under your own power.

PRICE NOK 32.900 (ca €2950)

What is included?
Accomodation 5 nights (one night before and after is also included)
Race registration
Luggage transport from basecamp to basecamp
All meals from when we meet in Svolvær day 1 until breakfast day 6
Start kit
The Arctic Triple buff
Service stations
First Aid
Evacuation transport
Timing
Tracking
Warm meal after finish
Boat ride to the starting line in Kjerkfjorden
Quality Finisher shirt

Use the contact form below

or ENTER NOW HERE

LOFOTEN STAGE RUN 2024 – iancorless.com

THIS IS THE LOFOTEN STAGE RUN.

For more information and full detailed itinerary, schedule, and costs.

Please go HERE

Week 22 2024.

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Pyrenees Stage Run 2021 – Stages 1 and 2

The Pyrenees Stage Run 2021 got underway yesterday, Sunday August 29th from Ribes de Freser. The challenge? 240km over 7-days allowing participants to fully appreciate the beauty of the Pyrenees. 

A linear route, the journey concludes in Salardú with a 32.8km distance and 2300m+ 

Running in teams of 2 or 3 participants, the Pyrenees Stage Run arguably is a running holiday, with tough and challenging days and then relaxing post-race with a shower, bed, fresh clothes and excellent dinner each evening.

Stage 1 concluding in Queralbs after 34.3km and 2180m+ with highlights of Emprius de Pardines, Balandrau at 2585m (the highest point peak of the day), Col de Tres Pics, Coma de Vaca and finally Santuari de Núria before the drop to Queralbs. It was a successful day with all runners achieving the cut-off times. However, as always happens in any run,, injury hit forcing one runner not to make the start for day 2.

The ‘Tuna Canarias’ team of Gilberto Molina and Carmel Gonzales dictated the pace over the challenging terrain in Capçaleres del Ter I Freser Natural Park. A highlight of the day was the panoramic views from Balandrau Peak. Passing Refugio de Montaña the temptation to stop, take a cold drink and snack may well be tempting distraction but the Santuari dr Núria was waiting and then the finish.

Stage 2 started with the Cremella train journey back to the finish line of day 1 and a relatively late start of 0815. The 37,4km that lay ahead with 1700m+ was in comparison to stage 1, ‘easy’ running!

Concluding in Puigcerdà the route was almost 100% GR11 track with little technicality but some stunning views. 

Starting with a climb over the first 7km to Collet De Les Barraques, the route then dropped down to Can Fosses at 10km and the second lowest elevation point of the day. The following 12km was all about gently climbing  to Coll de la Creu de Meians at 1992m via the pretty town of Dòrria. Coll Marcer followed and then the route dropped to Vilallobent before 5km of road to the stage 2 conclusion in the capital of Cerdanya, Puigercerdà.

The race is so far it is dominated by “Tuga Canarias” team of Gilberto Molina and Carmelo Gonzalez. Jesús and Mario Delgado of the “The Sigobros Century” follow and the “The Ultrazzz” team of Wim Debbaut, Thomas Swankaert and Kurt Dhont are 3rd in the in the men’s category. 

VIEW THE IMAGE GALLERIES

In the female category, Marcela Mikulecka and Petra Buresova of “Runsport Team” have a strong lead after another excellent day, followed by mother and daughter, Jeanette Rogers and Kerrianne Rogers of “Running Holidays France.” 

Finally, in the mixed category Jaroslaw and Natalia Haczyk of “BeerRunners” lead “B-Running” team Bastian Mathijssen and Birgit Van Bockxmeer are followed by Steffen Rothe i Kathrin Litterst of “Black Forest.” 

The Pyrenees Stage Run would not be possible without the main sponsorship of Turga Active WearGarminPuigcerdàEncamp (And), Vall del Madriu-Perafita-Claror and the organisation of bifree sports.

The event enters Andorra on Tuesday for stage 3, the longest of the race at 47km and 2600m+ The runners have 12 hours to finish the route.

The PSR can be followed live through the website of the race, https://psr.run, and every day a video and photographs of the stages will be published on their social networks.

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