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Grand to Grand Ultra 2013 – Stage three
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THE BUFFALO STAMPEDE brings Skyrunning to Australia
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“The purest form of mountain running … getting to the top of a mountain and back down again as quickly as possible. It’s the athlete versus the mountain. It’s not for the faint‐hearted. It’s definitely a significant challenge and the athlete needs to know what they are doing.’’ Marcus Warner
For the very first time, Australia has a new trail running event which is part of the internationally prestigious Skyrunning brand that attracts top athletes to the top of the world, where earth and sky meet.
Officially launched today, the Buffalo Stampede in the Victorian alpine country is expected to attract a bumper field of talented local and overseas runners as it forms the foundation stone of a planned Australia‐New Zealand Skyrunning series.
©buffalostampede
To be staged on April 5 and 6 next year (2014), it is hoped that ultimately the Buffalo Stampede will join the elite list of Skyrunning World Series events like the Mont Blanc Marathon in France, Speedgoat 50 in the USA and the Mount Elbrus Vertical Kilometre in Russia.
Skyrunning as a recognised discipline traces its roots back to Italian mountaineer Marino Giacometti and fellow enthusiasts who started pioneering races and records on famous European peaks like Mont Blanc in the 1990s.
Today the sport is managed by the International Skyrunning Federation and features superstars like Spanish alpine master Kilian Jornet.
Kilian Jornet, Matterhorn ©iancorless.com
Marcus Warner, the president of Skyrunning Australia and New Zealand, says the Buffalo Stampede embodies what Skyrunning is all about: “The purest form of mountain running … getting to the top of a mountain and back down again as quickly as possible. It’s the athlete versus the mountain. It’s not for the faint‐hearted. It’s definitely a significant challenge and the athlete needs to know what they are doing.’’
The Buffalo Stampede, Warner says, will finally “put Australia on the map’’ of Skyrunning because it will finally convince overseas runners that Australia possesses the terrain to stage a serious mountain running challenge. “Elevation is really what drives the difficulty of it. [The organisers] have really sought out the most extreme mountain in Australia that really embodies Skyrunning because of how steep it is. Nearly 5000m [of elevation gain] over 75km is up there with some of the best races in the world. [Elite overseas runners] are going to go away pretty sore and pretty beat up from this race.’’
Lauri Van Houten, Executive Director of the ISF had this to say, “Of course we’re very excited about the launch of ANZ skyrunning in the capable hands of Marcus Warner and his associates and with the support of an ambassador like Anna Frost. In global terms Skyrunning has been active in Malaysia and the Philippines for many years and more recently, South Africa and China. Australia and New Zealand was included as an ISF member at our last General Assembly and, as the home of many great runners, they can’t help but make their mark on the sport!”
Mick Donges – ©buffalostampede
The Buffalo Stampede has been organised by Sean Greenhill from the respected outdoor adventure company Mountain Sports.
A passionate trail runner himself, Greenhill already stages popular trail running events like the Glow Worm Tunnel Marathon and the Sydney Trailrunning Series.
He chose Mount Buffalo National Park in Victoria as the venue for the Buffalo Stampede Ultra SkyMarathon (75km) and Buffalo Stampede SkyMarathon (41.4km) because it is one of the few areas in Australia where he could satisfy the exacting Skyrunning rules about vertical gain.
No other runs in Australia over similar distances will have as much climbing as the Buffalo Stampede Ultra SkyMarathon (4545m) and the Buffalo Stampede SkyMarathon (2924m).
“I can’t think of a marathon in Australia that comes within 500m of gain of the Mount Buffalo SkyMarathon,’’ Greenhill says. “They are, in terms of elevation gain over distance, the most difficult events of their kind in Australia.’’
And because it is the eroded magma chamber of an extinct volcano, Mount Buffalo boasts a spectacular granite terrain like no other peak in the Snowy Mountains.
Greenhill also chose Mount Buffalo because it allows him to start the Buffalo Stampede events in the beautiful town of Bright, which he loves for its alpine scenery, fine food, local produce, boutique beer and outdoor sports culture.
Trail to Cathedral ©buffalostampede
Clayton Neil, the manager for economic development with Bright’s Alpine Shire Council, said: “We see the Buffalo Stampede as a really strong addition to our events calendar that really aligns with where we are heading. It embraces being active in nature and living life outside. Bright has always been a popular place for people who love the outdoors and this event takes that to another level.’’
Although the Buffalo Stampede races will be among Australia’s toughest, they are open to entry from anyone, with no qualifying needed.
Up for grabs in the Buffalo Stampede are tickets to the 2014 Skyrunning World Championships to be held next June in the famed French alpine resort of Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc
A three‐day Buffalo Stampede training camp based in Bright will be hosted by top Australian trail runners Brendan Davies and Hanny Allston from January 17 to 19.
Brendan Davies inov-8 ©iancorless.com
Davies raced in the Skyrunning Mont Blanc Marathon this year and will be competing in the Buffalo Stampede Ultra SkyMarathon in April in the hope of winning a ticket back to the slopes of Mont Blanc for the Skyrunning World Championships.
Davies, a Mountain Sports ambassador for the Buffalo Stampede, said: “The Skyrunning label brings with it a lot of credibility. It puts [Australia] on the world map as a destination for the world’s elite trail runners. For Australian runners, it gives us the capacity to dip our feet into the Skyrunning series without having to travel overseas. It’s just a plus for the sport. I see it as a real positive for everyone. I’m going to be going all out for that race.’’
Race Stats:
Ultra Stampede
- 75.5km
- Elevation gain 4545m
- Elevation loss 4545m
- Max altitude 1380m
- 8 aid stations
- 15 hour cut off
Stampede Marathon
- 41.4km
- Elevation gain 2924m
- Elevation loss 1941m
- Max altitude 1380m
- 4 aid stations
- 10 hour cut off
Go to www.buffalostampede.com.au for more details about the Buffalo Stampede.
Sean Greenhill is available for interviews on 0409 047 714 or via sean@mountainsports.com.au
LINKS
Episode 42 – Jurek, Maciel, Zahab, Forsberg
Episode 42 of Talk Ultra – We speak to Fernanda Maciel as she prepares for the up and coming CCC and the Everest Trail Race. Ray Zahab has inspired many a runner and we chat to him about his career, Impossible to Possible and his recent Gobi Crossing. We have a chat with Scott Jurek and Nick Clark about Leadville. Smiles and Miles with Emelie Forsberg, Talk Training, the News, a Blog and the up and coming races. It’s another packed show!
00:00:45 START
00:09:46 NEWS
What a race Leadville turned out to be. We had all discussed the race beforehand and the script had been written. However, somebody should have told the runners….
00:10:22 – To set the scene, here is a pre race interview with Scott Jurek
00:26:49
Leadville 100
- Ian Sharman 16:30 (4th fastest time)
- Nick Clark 17:06
- Mike Aish 18:28
- Kyle Pietari 18:37
- Andrew Catalano 18:43
- Timo Meyer 19:04
- Eric Sullivan 19:17
- Scott Jurek 19:21
- Bob Africa 19:38
- Javier Montero 19:45
- Ashley Arnold 20:25
- Saheen Sattar 22:42
- Keila Merino 22:47
- Katrin Silva 23:16
- Becca Hall 23:43
- Kara Henry 23:50
- Abby Mcqueeney Menamonte 24:06
- Maddy Hribar 24:24
- Nicole Struder 24:25
- Maggie Nelson 24:37
Waldo 100k
- David Laney 9:05
- Jesse Haynes 9:45
- Dan Olmstead 9:56
- Caren Spore 11:07
- Joelle Vaught 11:28
- Paulette Zillmer 12:42
Pikes Peak
- Touro Miyahara 3:43:25
- Alex Nichols 3:43:48
- Jason Delaney 3:53:46
- Stevie Kremer,
- Salynda Fleury
- Laia Trias
* Stevie Kremer 12th overall and sets new CR for Age Group. Previous record of 4:21:09 and Stevie did 4:17:13. Interestingly, Stevie tells me she can’t run downhill… we all know Emelie Forsberg can! Well Stevie came down quicker than Emelie in 2012, Emelie did 1:34:09, Stevie did 1:33:08 so that is a new descent record too!
Arcteryx Squamish 50
- Adam Campbell 7:37
- Jason Loutitt 7:40
- Ed McCarthy 8:38
- Krissie Moehl 9:37
- Lisa Polizzi 9:39
- Kathy McKay 10:25
North Downs Way 100
- Ed Catmur 15:44
- Anthony Foryth 16:03
- Mark Perkins 17:45
- Leila Rose 23:47
- Wendy Shaw 24:21
- Helen Smith 25:36
Transrockies
- Nadyia Fry 17:58
- Sara Wagner 18:43
- Jess Simson 19:47
- Ian Perriman 19:49
- Mike Chandler 20:59
- Russell Mailin 21:34
Lots of other races and classifications so go to http://transrockies-run.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2013/08/Zone4-Results-RUN6-TRR-Teams-General-Classification-TransRockies-Run-20131.pdf
Finally, it is the Matterhorn Ultraks this weekend. Going to be exciting to see Kilian, Hernado and some of the other top Europeans going head-to-head.
Also, UTMB, TDS and CCC is just around the corner. Really strong American contingent… Anton K, Dylan Bowman, Gary Robbins, Dakota Jones, Mike Wolfe, Mike Foote, Timmy Olson and so on… is it the year for the US?
01:00:55 BREAKING NEWS
01:07:58 Brazilian, Fernanda Maciel is racing CCC and I caught up with her about her prep and how she is then preparing for Everest Trail Race later in the year!
01:31:06 BLOGS
Ian Sharman couldn’t sleep after his incredible Leadville win and instead decided to get his thoughts down in a blog post. – http://sharmanian.blogspot.co.u
“In summary, there were some fast guys aiming to do ridiculous times. Scott Jurek wanted to be the second man to break 16 hours and Ryan Sandes was coming back after a fast win in 2011… So Nick Clark and I were dark horses given the two 100s in our legs from recent weeks and we weren’t expected to be around the lead at the end.”
01:32:15 TALK TRAINING – Marc Laithwaite
01:57:47 INTERVIEW – Ray Zahab
This week’s interview is with Ray Zahab. Ray is a passionate guy who through Impossible to Possible has inspired many people. I finally had the opportunity to catch up with Ray after he completed yet another expedition, crossing the Gobi desert. We talk about his career and Ray shows his passion for i2P.
02:45:18 MELTZER MOMENT with Speedgoat Karl
02:54:38 SMILESandMILES with Emelie Forsberg – smilesandmiles@yahoo.com
03:16:20 CLARKY’S CORNER –It’s three down and one to go for Clarky and the other ‘Slammers’. Leadville is just around the corner. We catch up with Nick, discuss how Leadville went and what his chances are of taking the Grand Slam away from Ian Sharman
03:31:10 RACES
Austria
Linzer Bergmarathon – 54 km | 54 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Belgium
La Transardennaise – Août | 160 kilometers | August 28, 2013 | website
Oxfam Trailwalker Belgium | 100 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Canada
British Columbia
Meet Your Maker 50 Mile Trail Ultra & Relay | 50 miles | September 01, 2013 | website
France
Hautes-Pyrénées
Grand Raid des Pyrénées – le Grand Trail | 80 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Grand Raid des Pyrénées – l’Ultra | 160 kilometers | August 23, 2013 | website
Isère
Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs | 160 kilometers | August 23, 2013 | website
Ultra Tour des 4 Massifs – 90 km | 90 kilometers | August 23, 2013 | website
Loir-et-Cher
100km des Etangs de Sologne | 100 kilometers | August 25, 2013 | website
50km de la Sologne des Rivières | 50 kilometers | August 25, 2013 | website
Savoie
North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc | 166 kilometers | August 30, 2013 | website
Petite Trotte à Léon | 300 kilometers | August 26, 2013 | website
Sur les traces des Ducs de Savoie | 110 kilometers | August 28, 2013 | website
Germany
Bavaria
Chiemsee-Ultramarathon August | 108 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run | 240 kilometers | August 31, 2013 | website
Iceland
Fire and Ice | 250 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Run Iceland Adventure Trail | 110 kilometers | September 01, 2013 | website
Ireland
Connacht
Achill Ultra Marathon | 39 miles | August 24, 2013 | website
Leinster
Longford Ultra Marathon | 63 kilometers | August 25, 2013 | website
Italy
Aosta Valley
Courmayeur Champex Chamonix | 98 kilometers | August 30, 2013 | website
Latvia
Daugavpils International 50K | 50 kilometers | August 25, 2013 | website
Norway
styrkeprøven True West | 50 kilometers | August 31, 2013 | website
South Africa
Peninsula Ultra Fun Run | 80 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Switzerland
Grisons
Swiss Irontrail T141 | 136 kilometers | August 23, 2013 | website
Swiss Irontrail T201 | 201 kilometers | August 23, 2013 | website
Swiss Irontrail T71 | 66 kilometers | August 23, 2013 | website
United Kingdom
Scotland
Speyside Way Race | 36 miles | August 24, 2013 | website
Wales
Ring o’ Fire | 131 miles | August 30, 2013 | website
USA
California
Bulldog 50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Endure the Bear 100 Miler | 100 miles | September 06, 2013 | website
Sierra Nevada Relay | 160 miles | August 24, 2013 | website
Tamalpa Headlands 50K | 50 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Colorado
Ragnar Relay Colorado | 200 miles | September 06, 2013 | website
Silverton Alpine 50K | 50 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Michigan
Hallucination 100 Mile | 100 miles | September 06, 2013 | website
LSD 100K | 100 kilometers | September 06, 2013 | website
North Country Ultra Marathon | 50 miles | August 24, 2013 | website
Minnesota
Superior Sawtooth 100 Mile | 100 miles | September 06, 2013 | website
Pennsylvania
Baker Trail UltraChallenge | 50 miles | August 24, 2013 | website
South Dakota
Lean Horse 50 Km | 50 kilometers | August 24, 2013 | website
Lean Horse Half Hundred | 50 miles | August 24, 2013 | website
Lean Horse Hundred | 100 miles | August 24, 2013 | website
Utah
Wasatch Front 100 Mile Endurance Run | 100 miles | September 06, 2013 | website
Vermont
Jay Peak 50K Ultra | 50 kilometers | September 01, 2013 | website
Virginia
Iron Mountain 50 mile Trail Run | 50 miles | August 31, 2013 | website
The Blude Ridge Relay | 208 miles | September 06, 2013 | website
Washington
Cascade Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run | 100 miles | August 24, 2013 | website
PCT Bunker to Bonneville 50K | 50 kilometers | August 31, 2013 | website
Wyoming
Grand Teton 50 KM | 50 kilometers | August 31, 2013 | website
Grand Teton 50 Mile Race | 50 miles | August 31, 2013 | website
03:33:50 CLOSE
03:40:11 END
LINKS:
http://traffic.libsyn.com/talkultra/Episode_42_-_Maciel_Zahab_Jurek_Forsberg.mp3
ITunes http://itunes.apple.com/gb/podcast/talk-ultra/id497318073
Libsyn – feed://talkultra.libsyn.com/rss
Website – talkultra.com
Episode 37 – Rob Krar, Holly Rush, Ellie Greenwood, Nick Clark
Episode 37 of Talk Ultra: Rob Krar talks to us about his running history, hiw incredible Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim run and what his expectations are for Western States. Holly Rush talks marathon running and Comrades. Ellie Greenwood makes a guest appearance for Talk Training and provides an insight into running injuries. Nick Clark joins us for a reguar slot as he attempts the ‘Grand Slam’ of ultra running. We have the news, a year in the life of, and we find out: You know you are an ultra runner when… ?
00:00:00
00:00:45 Start
00:17:40 A year in the life of with Amanda Hyatt. Amanda has been injured but she is back on the road to recovery and some consistent running.
00:31:20 News from the ultra running world
00:52:20 Holly Rush is an incredible marathon runner, however, she has recently ventured into ultra running. At her first attempt at the iconic Comrades Ultra Marathon she placed 2nd Brit and 7th overall. She tells us about her story.
Profile from : HERE
I started running as a fun runner when I was at University but didn’t start formally training until 2005 when I met my coach and now husband martin rush. I had a break through run at London Marathon improving my time by 10 minutes. Since then I have run over 20 marathons all over the world and been lucky enough to represent Great Britain and England 6 times, something that I never dreamt I would do as a non-exercising beer swilling student. I wouldn’t say i am the most talented or natural runner but I think I have plenty of endurance and just love the feeling that running and training gives me. In between training I work full time doing sports massage and working in my local deli. I have been struggling with a painful hamstring for over 2 years now and after 2 failed injections I am now backing off my training to receive intensive treatment for 2 months so that I might be able to run pain free again. Fingers crossed!.As well as talking about all things running I will most probably ramble on about my two other passions – food and my training partner Mr Mole (the dog).
01:31:18 Back to News
01:34:06 Blogs – No blog this week… we have some great answers to our FB post: ‘You know you are an ultra runner when… ?” Link to post HERE
01:36:40 Talk Training with Ellie Greenwood. Ellie is currently injured and has missed Comrades and will now miss Western States. She provides a great insight and provides some lessons that we can all learn from in regard to injury rehabilitation and assessment.
Ellie Greenwood’s blog: HERE
02:10:10 Interview with Rob Krar. Rob has spent some considerable time away from the sport but has returned in style. His recent Rin-to-Rim-to-Rim run has turned heads… in a few weeks he will line up at Western States. Post on iRunFar here
02:46:12 Meltzer Moment with Speedgaot – Good, Bad & Ugly of ultra running
02:54:40 Clarky’s Corner – US based Brit Nick Clark provides a regular slot as he builds up th the Grand Slam of ultra running. In this weeks show we talk Western States.
Nick Clark’s blog HERE
03:07:55 Races – Up and coming races for the next two weeks.
03:10:50 Close
Finish
O3:17:30
LINKS:
MDS ‘Snapped’ Running Fitness
NO OVERTAKING ALLOWED!
Running Fitness ‘Snapped’ July 2013.
Sometimes the nature of running courses mean that, despite our best efforts, overtaking the competitor in front is simply not possible. It might be too narrow, it might be too boggy, but it’s not often that overtaking is precluded by the mother of all sand dunes!
This striking images taken by our man on the ground (or in the desert) Ian Corless shows competitors in this year’s Marathon des Sables doing battle with the course – rather than each other!
The 28th running of the epic multi-day race in the Moroccan Sahara, this year’s race added a killer wind into the equation – as if it wasn’t hard enough already. We’ll be bringing you the full report in the August issue of Running Fitness.
Links:
- Order the magazine and subscribe HERE
- Images from the Marathon des Sables are available to purchase for personal use HERE
Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0 Recovery Shoe
Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0
Do you need a recovery shoe? Ultimately, I guess not. You can survive without them for sure… I personally have always been fond of a pair of flip flops or similar post runs to allow my feet to breathe and basically just allow the foot to relax. However, I have never been able to walk too far in them. Step in Salomon.
Salomon produced a range of recovery shoes some time ago; a pair of flip flops called RX Break, a ‘slide’ shoe called RX Slide and a shoe version called RX Moc. I am testing the ‘jazzed’ up version of the Moc called the S-Lab RX 3.0.
I guess in principal it is the same shoe as the ‘Moc’ but has S-Lab branding, flashier colours and you pay a little more… I don’t mind, they look cool and feel great!
Recovery shoes are basically the perfect antidote after a long and tiring workout. They are ideal before and after sports provides amazing cushioning and breathability.
Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0
The S-Lab RX 3.0 has been developed with Salomon athletes and includes new REELAX which combines sensiflex™ technology and new OS tendon construction that elevate recovery.
In short, they work!
I have been using these shoes for over a month now and they are my normal day-to-day shoe. Great on the street or great in the home. Light, breathable, extremely comfortable; you don’t even know you are wearing them most of the time.
Whilst walking for any length of time I can feel my foot working and the RX provides almost a massage feel. Like many other shoes that provide support, the RX is minimalist in construction and therefore allows to foot to work in a natural way.
Salomon S-Lab RX 3.0 sole
Grip is not unlike the ‘Sense’ range of shoes and on wet pavement they grip perfectly. Of course the upper is not water or weatherproof, so, if it’s raining you are going to get wet feet. The midsole is injected EVA providing perfect cushioning for daily use. The footbed is leather for added comfort. With or without socks your feet do not get hot in the RX 3.0.
The shoes do everything you would expect from a recovery shoe. Light, comfortable, a pleasure to wear and of course they have that unique Salomon styling that pleases from a visual perspective also.
Recommended!
*Note – they size a little small, I am a UK9. I usually wear a UK9.5 in Salomon but in the RX I take a UK10. I have all three models the ‘Break’, ‘Slide’ and ‘Moc’ and this applies to all.
Features:
Weight: 220g/ 7.8oz for UK10
UPPER:
– Breathable Open Mesh
– Sensflex
OUTSOLE:
– Non Marking ContaGrip™ – Salomon’s unique traction technology. Contagrip™ is a mix between density, compound and geometry to optimise grip and durability for each surface or activity.
SOCKLINER:
– Leather footbed – provides excellent comfort & climate control
MIDSOLE:
– Injected EVA
Price is expected to be around £60.00 in the UK. They are currently only available on pre-order so please check around. Expected stock is Summer 2013.
Links:
Salomon Running HERE
Transvulcania La Palma 2013 Video
The 2013 official Transvulcania La Palma video.
Enjoy! 😉
Published on May 29, 2013
Reportaje Oficial de Transvulcania 2013 Salomon Nature Trails
Realizado por Kikazaru Media Productions
Zegama Race Summary
Kilan and Hernando copyright Ian Corless
It was close… oh so close! Seconds separated Kilian Jornet and Luis Alberto Hernando at the 2013 Zegama-Aizkorri. Post race in a chat with Kilian, we discussed the race and he was extremely satisfied to be pushed so hard in the latter stages of the race.
“I had relaxed and was running comfortably and then suddenly Luis appeared” Kilian said, “I had a race on my hands, we pushed each other very hard and it was only in the final kilometre that I surged and pulled away”.
Luis Alberto Hernando is the 2011 World Champion and is clearly in great form at the moment. Only a couple of weeks ago he participated in his first ultra, Transvulcania La Palma, and here he placed second again behind Kilian.
Kilian and Marco, Zegama 2013 copyright Ian Corless
Marco De Gasperi, after some deliberation (ankle injury) toed the line and led the race to the 21 km check point with his sparring partner, Kilian Jornet. Kilian and Marco love to race each other and we have witnessed some tremendous battles over the years. However, Zegama would not see a repeat, Marco pulled out to ensure that he did not stress his injury any farther.
Luis Alberto Hernando worked his way through the field and pursued Kilian and finally caught him. What followed was a tremendous game of cat and mouse as the two pushed each other to the limit on the long and final descent.
Kilian pulled away in the final moments of the race to miss Rob Jebb’s 2005 course record by just 20 seconds, his finishing time 3:54:38. Luis Alberto Hernando finished just seconds later and Tadei Pivk produced a stunning run to finish third in 3:59:07.
It was really close…. Zegama 2013
The ladies race had all the makings of a classic. Emelie Forsberg, Nuria Picas, Oihana Kortazar, Silvia Serafini and Stevie Kremer would do battle on this classic mountain course.
World long course mountain running champion, Stevie Kremer pushed hard from the start and lead the race until over halfway but Emelie Forsberg paced herself extremely well. She took over the lead and then slowly pulled away to ultimately dominate the race for a stunning win in 4:48:12.
Emelie Forsberg copyright Ian Corless
The first half of the race was fast and furious, but as time and distance progressed experience came through. In particular, Nuria Picas, the 2012 Skyrunner Ultra champion and fresh from her second place at Transvulcaniawho was out of the top five in the first half of the race. She moved through the field, hunted runners down and then passed Stevie Kremer on the descent to be place second.
Nuria Picas copyright Ian Corless
Stevie Kremer (pre race interview here) running her first SkyMarathon performed superbly and without doubt is a star of the future. She openly said, “I need to work on my descending, it is what let me down today”.
Stevie Kremer copyright Ian Corless
As Nuria waved to the crowd she almost lost second place as Stevie burst around the corner of the finishing straight. The time gap shows how close it was at the finish, 4:49:55 for Nuria and 4:49:58 for Stevie. Without doubt we will be seeing Stevie on podium again throughout the 2013 calendar.
A notable mention must also go to Silvia Serafini (pre race interview here). Silvia was having a stunning race and was in third place for much of the race, but she twisted her ankle on the final descent. She finally finished within the top ten but the frustration of what might have been was clear to see on her face and she fell to the floor after crossing the finish line.
Silvia Serafini copyright Ian Corless
Zegama-Aizkorri is renowned for the severity of the course, the ability of the runners and the passion of the supporters. It’s a pleasure and a honour to witness the action unfold and the atmosphere is akin to a stage of the Tour de France.
The crowds and the passion, Zegama 2013 copyright Ian Corless
Skyrunning is not just about fast ascents, but even faster descents – a technique that distinguishes the sport. Many strong runners new to the sport, like Germany’s Florian Reichert, Japan’s Toru Miyahara and South African A J Caltiz, who excelled on the uphill, will be honing their skills on the downhill for the next Sky Series challenge in Chamonix on June 30 with the Mont-Blanc Marathon.
Kilan Jornet and Emelie Forsberg copyright Ian Corless
Race results
Men
1. Kilian Jornet (Salomon Santiveri) – 3h54’38”
2. Luis Alberto Hernando (adidas) – 3h54’50”
3. Tadei Pivk (Crazy Idea) – 3h58’07”
Women
1. Emelie Forsberg (Salomon) – 4h48’12”
2. Nuria Picas (FEEC) – 4h49’55”
3. Stevie Kremer (Salomon Agisko) – 4h49’58”
Video Highlight:
Transvulcania 2013 Images
Transvulcania Race Summary
Transvulcania La Palma in 2012 was billed as the race of the decade…. that is until the 2013 edition of the race came around. Without doubt the race was stacked and finally we would have a show down of the best of the best racing head to head in the men’s and ladies fields.
The start of race week saw a couple of key withdrawals, firstly the ‘Queen’ as Nuria Picas calls her, Anna Frost. Anna has been plagued with niggles since late 2012 and as much as she would have loved to race, she made the correct long term decision and withdrew.
Miguel Heras, also withdrew midweek. Knee issues had not improved and he would therefore, like Frosty, play safe.
Pre race build up was quite incredible as one elite athlete after another arrived at Hotel Sol La Palma on the coast. I did a series of pre race interviews which can all be viewed on the ‘home page’ of this website. One of those interviews had been with Anton Krupicka (Here), finally he was fit, healthy and he was looking forward to the opportunity to one again race Kilian on a course that he had only encountered as a spectator in 2012. But would he race…. ?
The day before the race, Tony complained of fever, chills and aches and then at approximately 1800 he confirmed, “I am going to pull out. I race to win and I don’t like to bail. The way I feel now will just not do me or my performance justice”. Needless to say it was a huge blow not only for Tony, who certainly needs some good luck at the moment, but the race and all the other runners.
The Race
Early starts of 0200 to 0300 and then 1000+ runners assembled at the lighthouse at Fuencaliente. It is just an incredible start and atmosphere. On the strong of 0600 they left the coast and turned left, headed immediately onto the GR131 trail and like a series of ants with head lamps and red tail lights they disappeared into the darkness.
The Men’s race
The mens’s race ultimately came down the three runners, Sage Canaday, Luis Alberto Hernando and Kilian Jornet. But that would not do justice to those runners behind, Timothy Olson ran a very clever race starting a little steadier and working his way up through the field to a solid fourth. Cameron Clayton, played an early role pushing up front with Sage but paid the price and dropped back a little. Of course we should forget dark horse, Patrick Bringer who eventually finished fifth.
During the race one key issue arose… stomach problems! Francois D’Haene, Philipp Reiter, Joe Grant, Luke Nelson and Adam Campbell were all hit by a bug (maybe what TK had?) and spent much of the 83km’s either running for the bushes or vomiting. A real shame!
But up ahead, Luis Alberto Hernando showed all his skills as Skyrunning world champion and forged up the tough and sometimes technical course to have an approximate two minute lead ahead of Kilian Jornet at Roques de los Muchachos, the high point of the course at 2956m.
Kilian put all his incredible descending skills to use on the ‘drop’ from the summit to the sea and the port of Tazacorte. This is the place in 2012 when he stumbled and the heat hit him! Not this year, he pushed ahead and arrived to an incredible finish in the town of Los Llanos to the applause and cheers of 1000’s of spectators. Not only did he win but he set a new CR*. Luis Alberto Hernando arrived just over four minutes later and he looked ecstatic (and tired) with a second place. Completing the podium was Sage Canaday who performed exceptionally well in his first European mountain race.
- Kilian Jornet – 6:54:09 NEW COURSE RECORD* – pre race interview HERE
- Luis Alberto Hernando – 6:58:31 (*beat the old course record)
- Sage Canaday – 7:09:57 – pre race interview HERE
- Timothy Olson – 7:11:53 – pre race interview HERE
- Patrick Bringer – 7:17:19
- Francois d’Haene – 7:17:43
- Cameron Clayton – 7:17:47
- Miguel Caballero Ortega – 7:30:49
- Cristofer Clemente – 7:37:40
- Marcin Świerc – 7:52:21
The Ladies
Emelie Forsberg one again proved herself to be a star in the making. She literally only started running again just over a week ago and she had a battle royal with Nuria Picas. They pushed each other along the 83km’s of the Transvulcania course but ultimately Emelie found something in the latter stages and crossed the line first, just outside ‘Frosty’s’ CR from 2012.
Nuria, gave the race everything and was tired and emotional on the line. She has a big heart, not only in terms of her generosity but also passion and power. She loves to race and in particular, she loves to race against Emelie. Without doubt the two of them created a spectacular show on the trails of the GR131, today, it was Nuria’s turn to be second behind Emelie, just over six minutes difference.
Final spot on the podium went to Uxue Fraile. She ran a very smart race. She started behind many of the front runners and slowly worked her way up through the field. She had experience of the course as she placed fifth in 2012. What was impressive was how much quicker she covered the 83km’s. In 2012 she was ninety minutes behind Frosty, this year she was just over thirty one minutes behind Emelie.
- Emelie Forsberg – 8:13:22
- Nuria Picas – 8:19:30 – pre race interview HERE
- Uxue Fraile – 8:44:48
- Nathalie Mauclair – 8:46:14
- Emilie Lecomte – 10:14:05
- Karine Samson – 10:37:05
- Mar Ferreras – 10:47:57
- Raquel Antonia Delgado – 10:51:33
- Luciana Moretti – 11:02:54
- Lidia Gomez – 11:16:37
You can listen what Anna Frost had to say in a pre race interview HERE
It was an incredible day, an incredible experience, a beautiful island, a beautiful course with an incredible field. The race fulfilled all expectations and our congratulations go to Kilian & Emelie on two incredible performances.
Links
RACE DAY IMAGES HERE
IAN CORLESS 