Chasing The Dragon

Posted on March 11, 2013 by talkultra

It’s official, “Chasing the Dragon” – the story of the 2012 Dragon’s Back Race™ – has won three awards at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival. The awards are Gold for Best Running Film, Silver for Best Feature Film and Bronze for the Festival Grand Prize.

The World premiere of Chasing the Dragon was held at the Sheffield Adventure Film Festival on Saturday 2nd March at 8.45pm. Chasing the Dragon was ShAFF’s fastest selling film and demand for tickets had been so great that the premiere was upgraded twice and was eventually shown on the Showroom Cinema’s largest screen.

Festival judge and Trail Running Magazine Editor Claire Maxted said about Chasing the Dragon: “Having been at the Dragon’s Back Race™ 2012 myself reporting for Trail Running magazine, I can see why the film has scooped three awards at ShAFF. It deftly conveys both the beauty of Welsh mountain scenery and the tough-as-nails attitude of the runners taking part in this extreme 220 mile, five day race last September. Watching, you feel like you are part of this race, and interviews with both elite and regular racers gives you a unique insight into the hardships they are willing, or not willing, to endure.

Race Director, Shane Ohly added, “The legend of the Dragon’s Back Race™ has proved to be alluring yet again. First, the 2012 Berghaus sponsored race was massively over subscribed and now it looks as though we will fill a cinema to bursting point!”

After the premiere finished, the audience was able to join Steve Birkinshaw, Helene Whitaker, Rob Baker and Shane Ohly for a Q&A session. Steve Birkinshaw won the Dragon’s Back Race™ in 2012 and is one of Britain’s most accomplished endurance mountain runners. Helene Whitaker (alongside Martin Stone) won the original 1992 Dragon’s Back Race™ and astounded many by finishing 4th overall – and first woman – twenty years later in the 2012 race. Rob Baker came second at the 2012 Dragons Back Race™ and is a top road and mountain runner.

Shane Ohly continued, “The premiere of Chasing the Dragon and launch of the DVD is proving to be a major catalyst for enquires about the next Dragon’s Back Race™ in 2015”. With over 1,300 runners already having registered their interest in competing in 2015 the organisers are expecting a surge of applications when the entires open on the 1st April.

Joe Grant and the Iditarod Trail Invitational

Posted on March 11, 2013 by talkultra

6 Days 8 hours and 47 minutes – he did it!

TO tackle an epic 350-mile race across the lonely frozen wilderness of Alaska requires an athlete to be extreme and committed.

Inov-8 / Arc’teryx athlete Joe Grant proved he has both qualities in hardcore measures, overcoming exhaustion and pain to finish the Iditarod Trail Invitational in joint-second place.

Joe has been interviewed twice on Talk Ultra in the build up to the ITI and you can listen to those episodes:

Episode 27 HERE
Episode 29 HERE

We will have a post ITI interview with Joe Grant on Episode 31 or 32 of Talk Ultra

Described by organisers as the world’s longest human powered winter ultra-marathon, Joe raced on foot across frozen rivers and swamplands, through forests and over mountains to complete the course in 6 days, 8 hours and 47 minutes.

He did so pulling a sled weighing 35lb/15kg and taking in just 13 hours of sleep throughout.

The 29-year-old, who is part of a new global inov-8 team of athletes set to push boundaries and stretch limits in 2013, said:

“It was definitely the hardest thing I’ve ever done.

“It was relentless, every day it felt like I’d done 100 miles.

“I slept for just 13 hours in six days and none of that was what you would call really good sleep.”

Born in Oxford in the UK, raised in France and Spain, and now based in Colorado, US. Joe took part in the 2013 Iditarod Trail Invitational (ITI) race that saw 19 competitors on foot and 29 others on bikes complete the 350-mile route between Knik and McGrath.

There were just seven checkpoints on the course where food and lodging was available. Between checkpoints racers had only each other.

Joe said:

“Form the start it was hard.

“We left Knik at 2pm on the opening 57 miles to the first checkpoint at Yentna Station. I hoped to arrive there in the middle of the night at the latest. I eventually got there at 6.35am. I was wrecked, it felt like I’d done double the distance.

“The soft snow had made it tough going, and it was a relief to get inside and eat. I slept for about an hour and a half and left feeling surprisingly great.

“The next 30 miles to Skwenta Roadhouse took another nine hours. I’d planned to sleep for four hours at this point. I ended up sleeping for six hours. It didn’t, however, have the required effect and I left, at midnight, feeling banged up.

“That night on the course was a rough one for me. It was actually quite warm by Alaskan standards, above freezing level, and the snow was like mashed potato.

“Then, between the checkpoints at 130 mile (Winterlake) and 165 miles (Puntilla), and with the surroundings becoming more remote, I hit the wall. I had no choice but to bivvy down in the snow. I couldn’t sleep though, I felt like I was losing my mind. After getting into my bag fully I lay there and shivered for two hours.

“I eventually got into Puntilla at 7.30am. I was so miserable. Then the best thing all race happened – fellow competitor John Logar walked in. We hit the trail again, this time together, and to have that companionship was great.

“We charged up the big climb that followed then dropped down to the next checkpoint at Rohn (at 210 miles).

“Despite having John there with me, I arrived at Rohn destroyed, probably the most destroyed I’ve ever felt. Knowing there was still 140 miles to do to the finish, it seemed impossible. I thought about giving up, but after some soup and rest we set off on the next 90-mile section.

“Arriving at the last checkpoint at Nikolai knowing there was only 50 miles to go, I thought I’d feel improved, but instead my body rebelled in the heat of the hut and I started to feel feverish, so we didn’t stay long.

“Between Nikolai and the finish in McGrath, the temperature fell to -25C. Myself and John crashed and burned several times, lying down on our packs and falling asleep. We’d then get back up and go again.

“With 345 miles done and just five left to go, unbelievably we took a wrong turn that cost us a couple of miles. I think out of sheer frustration more than anything else, we turned around and ran the final seven miles to McGrath!

“With the sweat freezing to our bodies, we rolled across the finish line. I had given every last ounce of anything that was in my body to the race.”

With the 350-mile epic now in his locker, Joe will turn his attention to drier trails and plans to go head-on with the world’s best mountain runners at the opening race in the 2013 Skyrunner ultra series.

May’s 83km Transvulcania La Palma ultra-marathon monster on the island of La Palma in the Atlantic Ocean, which features 4,415m of elevation gain, was last year won by Dakota Jones, with Joe in joint 11^th.

Joe went on to record an outstanding second place finish at the 2012 Hardrock 100-mile race in the US – an achievement he wants to better this year.

Note:

Joe wore inov-8’s roclite™ 286 GTX boot for the ITI

Clothing supplied by Arc’teryx

Iditarod Trail Invitational website and 2013 results: http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/alaska_ultra_home_page.html

TNF Trans Gran Canaria – Results

Posted on March 2, 2013 by talkultra

Tough weather conditions took it’s toll on the 2013 The North Face Trans Gran Canaria with some key favourites in the 119km race dropping – Miguel Heras, Carlos Sa and Gustav Reyes amongst others did not make the finish.

A super motivated and inform Sebastien Chaigneau dominated the race for The North Face team and secured a dominant victory. After a mixed year in 2012 he will be really motivated and confident with this performance. Oier Ibarbia was 2nd some 25 minutes behind and Yeray Duran was 3rd another 30 minutes behind.

Nerea Martínez completed the 119km race in 17 hours and 16 minutes to take the win, the Canarian, Esther Fernández placed 2nd once again (same as 2012) and the Swiss Denise Zimmerman placed third.

In the 83km race as predicted, Ryan Sandes dominated the race to take the win and in doing so has now won races on four continents. It’s a great start to his 2013 campaign. Behind Ryan was his Salomon team mate, Philipp Reiter. Philipp has only just come of skis so he has found form very early. It will now be interesting to see how he performs on anothe Canary Island in May for the Transvulcania La Palma. Taking the final spot on the podium was David Lutzardo.

In the female category of the 83k race, Yurena Castrillo got first. Lidia Gómez arrived in the second position: she was one of the favourites due to the fact that in the past she had won three times this race. Sophie Grant, the New Zealand runner, placed third.

The marathon race was won by Marcin Świerc in 02:58:53 dominating the distance ahead of Lexis Almedia Benitez who was over 15 mins behind. Rafael Bethencourt Guimera completed the podium 30 minutes behind the winner.

Emelie Forsberg from Salomon running once again confirmed that she is ‘one to watch’ in 2013 by winning her first race of the season. Nuria Dominguez arrived at the finish just 3 mins behind Emelie and Janelle Tarum arrived 10mins later.

Marco Olmo racing the 83km

Philipp Reiter in the early stages

Philipp Reiter putting his poles to great use for 2nd place in the 83K

Ryan Sandes on his way to victory in the 83k race

Ryan Sandes

Seb Chaigneau in the early hours of the morning after a midnight start

Seb taking a really tough section of trail in his stride on his way to victory in the 119km race

Ryan talking about another victory. He has now won races on four continents

RESULTS

CLASIFICACIÓN GENERAL MASCULINA 42 KM

MARCIN ŚWIERC 02:58:53
ALEXIS ALMEIDA BENITEZ 03:15:19
RAFAEL BETHENCOURT GUIMERA 3:28:17

CLASIFICACIÓN FEMENINA GENERAL MARATON 42 km

EMELIE FORSBERG 03:42:55
NURIA DOMINGUEZ 03:45:46
JANELLE TARUM 03:54:52

CLASIFICACIÓN GENERAL MASCULINA 83 KM – Ladies results to follow

RYAN SANDES 08:11:26
PHILIPP REITER 08:27:30
DAVID LUTZARDO 08:46:02

CLASIFICACIÓN GENERAL MASCULINA 119 km – Ladies results to follow

SEBASTIEN CHAIGNEAU 14:05:53
OIER IBARBIA 14:30:52
YERAY DURÁN 15:03:23

Ryan Sandes – Trans Gran Canaria

Posted on February 28, 2013 by talkultra

“Howzit”

“I’m good Ryan, it’s great to finally meet up”

Ryan Sandes in Europe is quite a treat and for sure, the runners on Gran Canaria appreciate it.

Our first meeting is in a secluded mountain campsite. Ryan has arrived from South African heat so the chill in the air is noticeable by the several layers he is wearing. Our initial chat is purely a catch up about mutual friends and who is doing what. But then over dinner we discuss the season ahead and what it holds.

We discuss the pitfalls of too much racing and too much training and Ryan explains that the end of February, beginning of March is still VERY EARLY in the season. His decision therefore to move from the 119km race and enter the 83km seems logical.

Ryan very much carves his own niche in the ultra world. Maybe the ‘isolation’ of South Africa allows him to do this? But what is for sure is that this guy nows exactly his strengths and weaknesses and knows how to maximise what he has.

“My first marathon was like teenage sex… it wasn’t pretty”

Ryan explains at a talk/ video presentation at the H10 hotel in Meloneras on the southern coast of the island. He has a great story, an ex rugby player who stopped growing and decided to move sports… He ran a marathon, it wasn’t pretty but somehow picked up the bug. He wanted a challenge and thought big! So big he chose a multi stage race in the Gobi desert.

Why did he choose it?

“Well the Gobi desert sounded like a cool place to go but to be honest, I didn’t even know where it was let alone a multi day race. But I gave myself six months, trained hard and amazed myself by winning the race”

Quite amazing. That natural ability came through and he then went on to win all the ‘four’ desserts.

2010 4 DESERT CHAMPION AND ONLY COMPETITOR TO WIN EVERY STAGE OF EACH OF THE 4 DESERT RACES (www.4deserts.com)

Always looking for a challenge he needed to test himself against the best in the world, at the time this ‘stage’ for ultra running was America. Paced by team mate, Anna Frost, Ryan ran Leadville 100 in 2011 and won it! Suddenly the North American runners started to take notice.

Results 2011

2011 The North Face 100 Australia – 3rd

2011 The Salomon Zugspitz Ultra – 4th

2011 Leadville 100 Mile Trail Run – 1st in 3rd fastest time in history

In 2012 all attention was focused on Ryan as he moved to the ‘Big Dance’ Western States 100. After a win at Vibram Hong Kong 100km Ultra (new record) and The North Face 100 in Australia what would Ryan do… many thought that ok, yes, he won Leadvillie and yes, no doubt he is a good runner. But this is Western Sates!

An usually cold year at the Big Dance produced the fastest year on record with Timothy Olson setting a new bar for the 100 mile race. But pushing him all the way was Ryan. Ryan crossed the line in 2nd place also breaking the old course record set by Geoff Roes.

Results 2012

2012 Vibram Hong Kong 100km Ultra – 1st in new record

2012 The North Face 100 Australia – 1st

2012 Western States 100 Miler USA – 2nd in 2nd fastest time in history

2012 Fish River Canyon Trail – 6h 57min ( record time )

The Fish River Canyon was a personal project… a fastest known time attempt. He had tried the ‘fish’ before and as he explained at his talk;

“I looked at the distance and thought, no problem. I just wasn’t prepared for the severity of the course. It chewed me up and spat me out”

Returning to the Canyon in 2012 he put the demons to rest and as his video shows, he tamed the beast that had chewed him up.

The Beauty of the Irrational

So how will Ryan perform at Trans Gran Canaria in 2013? Well for sure, he is going to be competitive. However, he does have ‘Wonder Kid’ Philipp Reiter to race against plus plenty of other talent. Very often in these events the focus is on the ‘main’ event. At Trans Gran Canaria that is the 119km race. With Sebastien Chaigneau and Miguel Heras on the start line of the 119km, a classic race is in the making, but don’t forget the little brother, I think this year spectators and followers of ultra racing are going to get a 2 for 1 deal.

You can see images from my photo shoot with Ryan HERE

Ryan Sandes website HERE

You can check out the race website HERE

Follow the race on Facebook HERE

Philipp Reiter – wonder kid !

Posted on February 27, 2013 by talkultra

Philipp Reiter makes me laugh… he makes me laugh lots! 21 years old, the world is ahead of him and he embraces each day as though it was his last. His passion for life and running is matched by his appetite for the ‘buffet’ at our hotel. Boy can he eat!

In 2012, he emerged on the ‘world’ stage by clocking up a series of top 10 places and wins that only a fool could ignore. He won the Salaomon Four Trails ahead of Thomas Lorblanchet and Francois d’Haene. He teamed up with teammate, Iker Karrera at Trans Alpine and won. He suffered a little at Transvulcania, ran strong at Trofeo Kima and dug deep at Cavalls del Vent.

After Trofeo Kima I asked him what his aspirations are for the future….

“I want to be the new Kilian” he replied.

Today, just before we headed out on to the beach to take the photos that you can see in the post, I questioned him again. His answer today?

“I want to beat Kilian”

He has just spent the last two to three months ski mountaineering and this weekend he lines up at the 83km TNF Trans Gran Canaria to take on a competetive field that includes teammate, Ryan Sandes. With no running in his legs is it possible to perform over 83km on tough trail? Philipp thinks so.

On the trails yesterday, Philipp flew off like a man possessed. It was hard to believe that he hadn’t run… no small stops to ease himself in. No, not at all. He bounded and leaped down the trail as though some binding shackles had been removed.

“When you take the skis off and run, you feel so light. It’s incredible. It’s a joy to run” said Philipp in my 30+ min interview scheduled to be aired in episode 30 of Talk Ultra on March 8th.

“The break from running freshens the mind, it’s a good thing, I love sport, I love cycling, I love going to the gym, I love variety. That is what is so exciting about what I do”

You can see the logic. Look at his peer group; Kilian Jornet, Nuria Picas, Emelie Forsberg and so on… they all turn from trails to snow in the winter months.

This coming weekend will show us how Philipp’s form is after months of no running. But ultimately the 83km on Saturday are only small and tiny steps on what will be a very interesting 2013 season.

A full set of images from today are available HERE

You can see how Philipp gets on against Ryan Sandes and the other runners at : http://www.transgrancanaria.net

You can listen to my interview with Philipp on the next episode of Talk Ultra. It will be available for ‘free’ download on iTunes, Libsyn and talk ultra.com.

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

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

Website – talkultra.com

Te Araroa Episode 2 – Jez Bragg

Posted on February 26, 2013 by talkultra

After 53 days 9 hours and 3,054 km of running, Jez Bragg crosses the finish line of Te Araroa trail arriving in Bluff — lands end on the southern tip of New Zealand’s South Island.

“I’m just so proud of that because, it was bold, and I did pull it off. And that’s cool.” Jez Bragg

Episode 29 – Robbins, Bragg, Grant, Corbett

Posted on February 22, 2013 by talkultra

Come back man Gary Robbins telling us what it’s like to return from 2 years of injury to not only win Hurt 100 but to set a new CR. Jez Bragg tells us about completing ‘The Long Pathway, Te Araroa’ in New Zealand. Joe Grant says goodbye and heads off to the Iditarod. Colourful Catra Corbett tells us about drugs, alcohol, running, tattoos, clothes and Truman. In addition to all that, we also have… phew; Talk Training about the long run, ‘A year in the life off…’, part 3 of our Marathon des Sables special, A Meltzer Moment, Up & Coming races and of course the News.

Show Notes:

03:45:45

00:00:00

00:00:45 Start and introduction

00:09:31 “Year in the life of….” This week Amanda Hyatt tells us all about her first ultra. Not one day, but two days of 33 miles. As many of you will be able to relate to, it didn’t quite go to plan. But did she finish…?

00:27:52 News Plenty of news with a catch up from Rocky Raccoon, The Coastal Challenge, Fuego Y Agua and more…

00:35:06 Jez Bragg completed The Long Pathway, Te Araroa and I was very fortunate to speak to him less than 24 hours after he crossed the finish line. I think you will be able to hear in his voice how this journey not only exhausted him but changed him. Check out his website HERE and take a look at his sponsors The North Face

00:54:30 back to Karl

01:18:50 Joe Grant spoke to us several weeks ago about his preparation for the 350 mile Iditarod Trail Invitational. I caught up with him this week, just a day before he headed out to the race. Joe’s website Alpine Works. The ITI website HERE

01:35:05 back to Karl

01:38:15 Blog – Catra Corbett colourful, fresh, modern and different. Catra or Dirt Diva adds some spice to the ultra scene. Listen to what she has to say and check out her blog HERE

02:12:25 Talk Training with Marc Laithwaite – this week we talk about the long run….

02:31:35 Interview with Gary Robbins. Life with passion, pursue your dreams. Gary just a few years back won the Hurt 100 and in doing so broke Geoff Roes old course record. He was suddenly seeing all the hard work pay off but then a series of events almost ended his running career… hear Gary talk about that period of his life and what it is like to comeback and be on top! For more information and a list of results, check out his blog HERE

03:18:00 Back to Karl

03:20:30 A Meltzer Moment with Speedgoat Karl. Good, Bad and Ugly.

03:27:25 Marathon des Sables spécial. This is part 3 and we are back with Stuart Rae to find out how the progress is going to the 2013 edition in April.

03:40:55 Races the up and coming races for the next 2 weeks

03:42:30 Close

03:45:45

LINKS

http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/Episode_29_Robbins_Bragg_Grant_Corbett.mp3

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

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

Website – talkultra.com

Joe Grant joins Inov-8

Posted on February 21, 2013 by talkultra

February 21, 2013

HARDCORE new inov-8 athlete Joe Grant is preparing to tackle the extremes of Alaska in a 350-mile race described by organisers as the world’s longest human powered winter ultra-marathon.

An interview with Joe is available on Episode 27 of Talk Ultra and just THIS WEEK, Ian from Talk Ultra caught up with Joe before he headed out to the race. You can listen to that audio in Episode 29 of Talk Ultra released on February 22nd.

The 29-year-old, who will form part of a new global inov-8 team of athletes set to push boundaries and stretch limits in 2013, begins the Iditarod Trail Invitational in Knik, Alaska, on Sunday.

Born in the UK, raised in France and now based in Colorado, US, Joe will wear inov-8’s roclite™ 286 GTX boot to tame the snow and ice in a race that can take runners anything between four-and-a-half and ten days, depending on conditions in the Alaskan wilderness.

There are just seven checkpoints on the course where food and lodging is available. Between checkpoints racers have only each other.

Joe said: “It will be the longest ultra I’ve done in terms of distance and the extreme cold will make it tough but it’s a super exciting challenge. I just hope I can keep all my toes until the end!

“When racing over 350 miles in such wilderness and conditions it’s crucial to have trust in your footwear.

“The roclite™ 268 GTX is light and close to the ground, which is good on uneven snow. It runs like a low top trail shoe, but has all the advantages of a high top for these kinds of conditions.

“The GORE-TEX membrane helps keep my feet dry and warm, while the height of the boot in combination with gaiters prevents snow from getting in.”

Following that, Joe hopes to go head-on with the world’s best mountain runners at the opening race in the 2013 Skyrunner ultra series.

May’s 83km Transvulcania ultra-marathon monster on the island of La Palma in the Atlantic Ocean, which features 4,415m of elevation gain, was last year won by Dakota Jones, with Joe in joint 11^th.

Joe went on to record an outstanding second place finish at the epic 2012 Hardrock 100-mile race in the US – an achievement he wants to better this year.

“I want to be on the start line for Transvulcania but it will depend on how my recovery goes after the Iditarod Trail Invitational,” said Joe, who has finished top-20 at the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB).

“The Hardrock 100 is a big one for me this year. It’s an awesome race, which embodies everything I like about racing in the mountains. I really want to do a fast time there in July.”

Joe will wear shoes from inov-8’s trailroc™ and roclite™ ranges to race over trails and mountains across the world in 2013.

He said: “I’m super excited about the roclite™ 243 (new for spring/summer 2013). Its specifications are spot-on and I couldn’t think of a better shoe for trail and mountain running.”

More details on Iditarod Trail Invitational visit http://www.alaskaultrasport.com/alaska_ultra_home_page.html

Dave James to race Copper Canyon

Posted on February 21, 2013 by talkultra

Dave James is to race the Copper Canyon race on March 3rd. Of course, Copper Canyon was made famous n the book “Born to Run’ by Chris McDougall.

Formerly known internationally as the Copper Canyon Ultramarathon and of Born to Run fame. In memory of Micah True “Caballo Blanco,” the race has returned to the name by which it was known in the Canyons, “Ultramaraton Caballo Blanco.”

In an email from Dave, he says:

“I wanted you to be the “first” (besides the new RD) to know and make it official that I will be racing in Copper Canyon on March 3rd in that race that made the book “Born to Run” famous. Apparently, at last years race a former New York City Marathon Champion from Mexico showed up late to the start but was still able to pass all but one of the racers. According to Josue, the new RD who is also the RD for Fuego Y Aqua, he plans to race again and be on time for the start this year ;). There is also a very talented Japanese runner racing and some of the locals that have struggled in USA races such as Run Rabbit Run but obviously do well at home.” Run Strong! Pura Vida 🙂

Thanks Dave! Really appreciate the heads up.

Born to Run author Chris McDougall posted in July 2012

It’s on! Copper Canyon Ultramarathon 2013 is a go.

Caballo’s legacy is in great hands: Caballo’s wonderful girlfriend, Maria, and Josue Stephens — a seasoned race director, ultra runner, and longtime Mas Loco — are heading down to the Copper Canyons this month to lock in logistics with the Presidencia of the host town, Urique. Choosing Josue Stephens as co-director of the race was inspired; he’s smart, tireless, fluently bilingual, and canyon savvy. You couldn’t build a better pick in a lab.
Maria tells me: “The 2013 CBUM (Caballo Blanco Ultramarathon) is progressing beautifully, or as Micah would say organically.” It should be a truly epic event, considering how many veteran Mas Locos will return to the race to wish their friend vaya con dios. Registration is now open on Ultrasignup.
No doubt, Barefoot Ted and his Lunar Monkeys will be there in force.

The Race

http://ultracb.com for more information

In honouring all former traditions of this 50-mile foot race, both cash prizes and food vales (vouchers), are rewarded to the top finishers.

Runners completing each loop, receive vouchers which provides maize, beans, rice, flour and non-GMO seed corn for their families. This reward ensures nutritional sustenance to both the physical and cultural survival of the Raramuri people.

The celebration will also include the Corrida de los Caballitos Kids’ Run on March 2, 2013, a race for the children of the Canyons, awarding to everyone, finisher medals and shirts.

The Caballo Blanco “Copper Canyon” Ultra Marathon is Directed by Mas Locos: ultrarunner Maria Walton, and by ultrarunner and philanthropic race organizer, Josue Stephens, founder and director of the Fuego y Agua Ultra in Nicaragua.

General Details

50+ miles (80km)
Ran on rocky single-track and dust roads
Cutoff time is 14 hours
Course is marked with white paint on rocks
Insured event
Medical assistance available
Travel Information is here

Ultra Sign Up HERE

The COPPER CANYON website is available HERE

Scott T2 Kinabalu

Posted on February 21, 2013 by talkultra

Scott are renowned for Cycling and Skiing but in the running community they are still considered a newbie…. however, take note! With Sage Canaday, Marc De Gasperi, Ian Sharman and Joe Gray amongst others utilising the benefits of the Scott range you may very well want to take a more in-depth look at the 2013 offerings from the Scott Running brand.

I did a review of the Scott eRide Grip 2 some time ago, I used the shoe extensively on the trails out in La Palma on the Transvulcania La Palma course. In summary, the shoe really impressed me. It had the combination of factors that makes a shoe great to wear. You can read the review HERE

Scott eRide Grip2 2013 model

I have now just received the new addition to the Scott Trail range, the T2 Kinabalu. The design of this shoe has had great input from legendary mountain runner Marco De Gasperi and initial impressions show that all the great features of the Grip 2 have been transferred to the Kinabalu but in a lighter more streamlined shoe.

I will be racking up some miles in these over the coming month so I am really looking forward to feeding back how this shoe performs in comparison to the Grip 2 but also in direct competition to other shoes available form other manufacturers.

The T2 Kinabalu is the ultimate lightweight trail machine according to Scott. Maximum protection and traction with minimal weight. An ideal balance of lightweight materials, cushioning, protection and quick response thanks to eRide Technology. Shaped for smooth transition whether you are striking on the heel, mid foot or forefoot to adapt to the varied terrain. Our lightest trail shoe with uncompromised traction and protection, featuring an AeroFoam midsole, which is 50% lighter than traditional EVA foams.

eRIDE

Get that fleet-footed feeling with our eRide range. The unique rocker shape creates a very stable midstance, promoting the faster and more efficient running style that runners strive for. You`ll be rocking as the miles roll by.

The benefits:

1. Healthier body position

2. More energy efficient

3. Natural midfoot strike

4. Lower profile heel

5. Smoother ride

6. Minimal and lighter weight

Aero Foam

Working with our athletes, we always hear that they would like to run in lighter shoes, but are not willing to sacrifice any cushioning performance. So, we found an alternative to the EVA foam used in most running shoes. SCOTT Aero Foam combines lightweight materials with a wear resistant compound, resulting in shoes that are lighter, have more cushioning and last longer than traditional running shoes.