The island of La Palma today hosted the Winter Transvulcania Vertical Kilometer® (VK) one of many VK’s in the 2018 Vertical Kilometer® World Circuit.
Just last weekend in Italy the Trentapassi Vertical, rising 1,000m above Italy’s Lake Iseo took place and many of the runners who participated followed up with the VK in La Palma.
To clarify, a VK is a uphill mountain race that climbs for 1,000m over a course that is less than 5 km in length. Certain courses on the circuit do obtain special dispensation – Transvulcania one case in point.
The route here in La Palma covers over 1200m of vertical gain over a distance of 7.6km and re-traces sections of the Ultramarathon course and concludes at the forest lookout tower at an altitude of 1600m and stunning views of the Aridane valley and the north east of the island.
From sea to sky, today in La Palma, the BBinter Transvulcania VK provided a wonderful showcase for the sport as runners departed from Tazacorte Puerto. However, the usual glorious skies of blue and intense sunshine were replaced with cloud, grey and at times, light rain.
The line-up for the VK was impressive with Stian Angermund, Pascal Egli, Aritz Egea and Ondrej Fejfar heading up a world-class field.
Pascal Egli dominated with a strong performance ahead of Stian Angermund-Vik and Rui Ueda. Their times 47:55, 48:03 and 48:08.
Christel Dewalle set blistering pace and set a new course record ahead of Laura Orgue and Zuzana Krchova. Their times 56:52, 57:19 and 1:01:13.
Attention now turns to the main event of the weekend, the Transvulcania Ultramarathon that starts in the early hours of the morning on Saturday at Fuencalienti lighthouse. You can read the race preview HERE.
Transvulcania is upon us! Since 2012, the race has been an ever-present in the Skyrunner World Series and now it is acclaimed the world over as a pinnacle event. Taking place on the Isla Bonita (the beautiful island) of La Palma, the race personifies the pure ethos of Skyrunning. It is a wonderfully logical race route that starts next to the sea in the south of the island and concludes on the west of the island in the town of Los Llanos. The route offers 74km’s of amazing trails, wonderful views and technical trail and some real vertical ascent (4350m) and descent (4057m) that tests the legs, lungs and mind of the most experienced runner.
Taking place on the GR131, Rute del Bastion, the route starts low and climbs and climbs into the National Park of the Caldera de Taburiente. Runners then traverse the rim to Roques de Los Muchachos before dropping over 2400m in one leg busting drop of 18km’s to the sea and Tazacorte Puerto before a final push upwards to the finish in Los Llanos.
A decade of Transvulcania and La Palma magic. In 2009, just 378 runners toed the line, in 2018, 2000 runners will embark on the majestic journey. One only has to look at past winners of the race to understand the importance of Transvulcania on the world running map – Luis Alberto Hernando Kilian Jornet, Miguel Heras, Dakota Jones, Emelie Forsberg, Anna Frost and the 2017 champions, Ida Nilsson and Tim Freriks.
As in previous year’s the race has a stellar line-up of world-class talent and notably includes the Italian Skyrunning master, Marco De Gasperi. For Marco, this race will be a departure for him as he will arguably race one of the longest races ever in his remarkable career. He is, one of the first ever official Skyrunner’s who has pioneered and paved a way for the rest. His inclusion in the 2018 Transvulcania is an exciting prospect.
Competition will come from all sides, in particular Xavier Thevenard who comes to the race with incredible results, however, he has raced at Transvulcania before and has always seemed to just miss the performances shown at the UTMB series of events which he has dominated. Will 2018 be his year?
Zaid Ait Malek is a pure Skyrunner. He placed 3rd last year and this year may well place 2nd or take the top slot. The race is there for the taking and Zaid has all the skills to make it happen.
Jason Schlarb raced in La Palma last year and had a solid result. He knows the race now and will be finely tuned to move up the ranks and potentially break into the top-5.
Dmitry Mityaev has risen in the Skyrunning ranks over the last few year’s with a string of excellent performances. He has got better and better and it is fair to say we can expect a solid performance in La Palma. He prefers the longer distances, so, Transvulcania may well be ideal for the Russian.
Michel Lanne rarely these days but when he does, he always excels. He has won CCC and TDS and last-year had a great run in Norway at Tromso SkyRace. For me, on his day, Michel is a potential winner for Transvulcania.
Franco Colle was missing in 2017 from the Skyrunning ranks but he is back. A past winner of the Rut 50km, Franco is an experienced Skyrunner who will make his presence felt in La Palma.
With a stellar line-up, other contenders to watch are as follows:
Morgan Elliott – 2016 and 2017 Skyrunner National Series champion.
Cody Reed – 2nd Bandera 100km and winner of Mt Bachelor 50km.
Cole Watson – 1st Canyons Endurance Run 50km.
Daniel Jung – 2nd Hong Kong 100 in 2017.
Fulvio Dapit – Consistent Skyrunner with great experience.
Pau Bartolo – 1st at Buff Epic Trail in 2017 and 1st TDS 2015.
Alfredo Gil – 8th Dolomites SkyRace.
Pere Aurell – 4th at The Rut and 3rd at Royal Gran Paradiso.
Thibaud Garrivier – 6th at OCC and Marathon du Mont-Blanc 2017.
Ivan Camps – 5th at Ultra Pirineu.
Francesc Sole – 7th at UTMB and 6th at Ultra Pirineu.
Peter Kienzl – Long distance runner won won 360 Transgrancanaria.
Stephen Wassather – 1st Silver State 50 and 4th Bandera 100km
Jan Bartas – 4th Devil’s Ridge and 8th High Trail Vanoise.
Plus many more…
The ladies’ race has the 2016 and 2017 returning champion and course record holder, Ida Nilsson. In all honesty, if Ida shows any potential of her 2017 form, she will be unstoppable in 2018. She knows the course and has the speed and skills.
Ekaterina Mityaeva like her husband, Dmitry, has grown in experience and stature over the last few years and we can expect her to bring that experience to La Palma. The podium is a distinct possibility!
Anna Mae Flynn has won Speedgoat 50km and placed 3rd at Lake Sonoma 50, two races that indicate a solid performance at Transvulcania. However, racing in Europe is always different than the US. I still think we will see something solid from this lady.
Cassie Scallon has won Bandera 100km and so we know the distance will not be an issue. In 2017 she had two notable wins at Gorge Waterfalls and Nine Trails.
Brittany Peterson has won Moab Red Hot 55km and placed 2nd at the 50km event at Run Rabbit Run. She is a slid runner with a good skill set that should transfer over to Transvulcania well.
Kelly Wolf may well be a dark horse after her recent win at Tararwera in New Zealnd. Arguably though, her 2nd at Speedgoat 50km and victory at Flagstaff SkyRace is more indicative of a good performance in La Palma.
Francesca Canepa prefers the longer distance races and although she brings a wealth of experience I believe the Italian will lack the speed required to penetrate the top 5.
Emilie Lecomte like Francesca is a long distance specialist and although she will perform well, it is unlikely she has the speed for the podium.
Meredith Edwards placed 2nd at TDS which confirms that climbing is not an issue, the question mark will be does she have the speed required to make the podium?
Eva Moreda is a solid Skyrunner who placed 5th in the 2017 Skyrunner World Series.
Ildiko Wermescher 3rd at TDS, 2nd at Swissalpine T133 and 2nd Swiss Irontrail confirms that Ildiko can run and handle the vert, however, I think Transvulcania may well be around 30km too short for a podium performance.
Laura Besseghini won the 2016 Dolomite Sky Run and in 2017 won Valmalenco Ultra Trail.
Paloma Lobera potentially could impact on the top-10 but lacks the pace or speed for the podium. She placed 8th at Matterhorn Ultraks in 2017.
Zuzana Bartasova – 7th at Trofeo Kima in 2016.
Natalia Roman – 1st Ultratrack Supramonte 2016 and 2nd Mustang Trail Race 2017.
Juan Maria Jimenez – 10th UTMB and 7th Oman Desert Marathon
Maylis Drevon – 11th Transvulcania 2017 and 2nd Marathon du Mont-Blanc 80km.
As a point of note, other races take place over the Transvulcania weekend:
In the marathon, a key name to watch out for is Ryan Sandes, and in the half marathon, Stian Angermund-Vik for the men and Laura Orgue for the ladies.
Action starts on Thursday with the Vertical Kilometer Transvulcania Binter starting in Tazacorte Puerto at 1700 hrs.
The main events take place on Saturday with Transvulcania starting at 0600 and it is estimated that the first finisher will arrive in Los Llanos around 1230pm.
Getting steep and getting high, the 2018 Skyrunner® World Series was announced today.
Since 1989 and the pioneering days of Marino Giacometti, Skyrunning has developed and grown into one of the most prestigious mountain running circuits in the world.
The catchphrase, Less Cloud, More Sky sums the sport up perfectly.
2018 brings a new circuit with old and familiar races but importantly the distances of SKY CLASSIC, ULTRA and EXTREME combine – SKY CLASSIC and SKY EXTRA.
The 2018 Season
China will kick-off the season with the Yading Skyrun in April.
May brings us two iconic races that over the years have become favorites for Skyrunner’s all over the world, Transvulcania and Zegama-Aizkorri.
June kicks-off with USM – Ultra SkyMarathon Madeira followed by TBC, Olympus Marathon (Greece).
Buff Epic 42km (Spain) is the first race in July closely followed by High Trail Vanoise (France) and the iconic Dolomites SkyRace (Italy) and Comapedrosa (Andorra).
Tromso SkyRace (Norway) is a stunning way to start August and the highly anticipated Trofeo Kima (Italy) returns (this race is every two years) on the same weekend as Matterhorn Ultraks (Switzerland).
The RUT 25km (USA) begins September and then Skyline Scotland will host the Glen Coe Skyline (Scotland) ahead of the Ultra Pirineu (Spain).
Pirin Ultra SkyRace (Bulgaria) kicks-off October and Limone Extreme (Italy) concludes the season once again in the mountains that back on to Lake Garda.
BONUS RACES
Each of the bonus races will award 50% extra points.
There will be three Sky Classic and two Sky Extra bonus races.
Sky Classic
Olympus Marathon
SkyRace Comapedrosa
Limone Extreme
Sky Extra
Ultra SkyMarathon Madeira
Trofeo Kima
RANKING
Sky Classic Ranking
The Sky Classic Ranking will take into account a maximum of the five best seasons’ results in this category.
Sky Extra Ranking (Extreme and Ultra Races)
The Sky Extra Ranking will take into account a maximum of the four best seasons’ results in this category.
Overall Ranking
The Overall Ranking will be the focus of the season and a foretaste of the single ranking that will apply from 2019.
All athletes scoring points in any race will enter the Overall Ranking.
The ranking will take into account a maximum of the best two results in each category.
BONUS POOL
The 2018 End of Season Bonus Pool will increase amount 66,000 EUR (in increase from 60’000 EUR in 2017). Men and Women will be equally rewarded and emphasis will be put on the Overall ranking. The breakdown will be as follows:
1st Place:
Sky Classic 5000 euro
Sky Extra 5000 euro
2nd Place:
Sky Classic 2500 euro
Sky Extra 2500 euro
3rd Place:
Sky Classic 1500 euro
Sky Extra 1500 euro
THE FUTURE IN THE SKY – 2019 VISION
The Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series in 2019 will continue within the footsteps pioneered by Giacometti, Meraldi and Brunod to establish itself as the premier circuit for mountain running worldwide.
Varied distances, varied terrain and locations all over the world.
As the running world continues to grow at a pace, the Skyrunner® World Series will look to set new standards in 2019.
Races will not exceed 16-hours.
Distances will be 22km to 66km.
A SkyRace will be clarified by technicality, speed, intensity and extreme terrain.
A race rating of 1 – 3 will based on the following:
Climbing difficulty.
Altitude reached.
Single vertical difference.
Snow fields and glaciers.
For example, Extreme races are 3.
THE BIG NEWS
A single ranking for 2019 to determine who is the best Skyrunner® in the world.
SEASON
The calendar will run April to October with a spread of races that will number 15-20 on different continents.
RACE STATUS
Four races in the season will be ‘SuperSky Races’ and will reward more points.
THE ‘KONA’ OF THE SKY
Ironman has its KONA and Skyrunning will have its THE SKY MASTERS – a race to end the season that will gather the best-of-the-best to race head-to-head at an iconic location.
PRIZE MONEY
Each SkyRace will have a price purse of 6000 euro.
The end of season bonus pool will amount to 100.000 euro.
May was a busy month of racing and race coverage. The epic Berghaus Dragons Back Race weaved it’s way down the spine of Wales, starting in the north and finishing in the south.
My summary of the race is available to read on IRUN4ULTRA HERE. You can also listen to episode 136 of Talk Ultra which was a Dragons Back special with three incredible interviews, check it out HERE.
You can view the full image galleries from the Dragons Back Race HERE
May would not be May without the Transvulcania Ultramarthon on the magic island of La Palma. It was a record year with Ida Nilsson setting a new course record and Tim Freriks taking the win for the USA. You can read the summary of the race on IRUN4ULTRA HERE.
You can view images for the Transvulcania VK, the Ultra and a few fun days in the mountains HERE
Episode 135 of Talk Ultra brings you two interviews. Eoin Keith talks about running a FKT across Ireland and Tim Freriks talks about bursting onto the world stage with victory at Transvulcania Ultramarathon.
It’s a short show this week folks due to extensive travel and workload. However, we have a couple of great interviews and stories for you.
Back to normal for episode 136!
Read about the 2017 Transvulcania HERE and VK HERE
We say this every show, but Talk Ultra is nothing without downloads and listeners so please help us spread the word.
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Please support Talk Ultra by becoming a Patron at www.patreon.com/talkultra and THANKS to all our Patrons who support us. Rand Haley and Simon Darmody get a mention on the show here for ‘Becoming 100k Runners’ with a high-tier Patronage.
The second race of the 2017 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series kicked off today in La Isla Bonita as the glow of Fuencaliente lighthouse faded as 1000+ head-torches rushed north for a 70+km journey on the islands iconic GR131 route.
Soft black lava sand and single-track made the early miles under darkness tough. At the village of Los Canarios it was possible to see who had survived the early difficulties. Cheered by hundreds of locals, Timothy Lee Freriks and Hayden Hawks, the USA duo lead the men’s race followed by Ludovic Pommeret and Nicolas Martin.
For the ladies’ 2016 champion and pre-race favorite Ida Nilsson lead the charge ahead of Anne Lise Rousset and Ragna Debats.
The trails from Los Canarios weave in and out of pine forests – underfoot the trails are good, at times technical but it is as the runners break the tree line that the challenging volcano sections await. The arrival of the sun provides some clarity and the push begins to El Pilar and a notable marker in the race progression.
The Route of the Volcanoes was bathed in early morning sun. The island came to life with the distant islands of Tenerife and La Gomera breaking through the low cloud the race was on.
Timothy Lee Freriks was proving a revelation continued to forge ahead at the front of the race, the pace was high but it was clear that this was not going to be an easy day on the trails. Chasing behind Hayden Hawks and Ludovic Pommeret battled the terrain and in and amongst the lead men, Ida Nilsson was making her presence felt leading the ladies race.
At least 5km of relatively flat and easy running follow El Pilar. It provides an opportunity for the ‘runners’ to stretch their legs and either extend or reclaim lost time. A left turn and suddenly they are climbing again, high trees with a canopy of green shelter the runners and then from El Reventon the true splendor of this mountain range is exposed with Roques de los Muchachos visible in the distance. Freriks and Hawks were pushing ahead together, Pommeret chasing was now 10-minutes behind.
Ida Nilsson extended her margin over Rousset and Debats. Victory looked secured.
It was all to fight for and the the harder sections of technical running around the Caldera, combined with heat and altitude provided the next challenge. Weaving up, down and around the terrain, Freriks pushed looking for a time margin before the 18km and decisive drop to the sea and Tazacorte Port. Hawks was now suffering, the terrain and heat were punishing him and Pommeret was closing.
Freriks arrived at the Port first. Pommeret followed 15-mins later and then Nicolas Martin. Hawks hd suffered with sickness and vomiting. A short run along the beach, a technical run through the gulley and then a relentless climb all the way to the finish line in Los Llanos would decide the overall winner of the 2017 Transvulcania La Palma.
For the men, Freriks clinched the top honors ahead of Pommeret and Zaid Ait Malek had closed on the descent and final climb to clinch 3rd ahead of Martin – a spectacular podium. The times, 7:02:03, 7:18:15 and 7:26:31 respectively.
For the ladies, Ida Nilsson backed up 2016 victory with a spectacular showcase performance ahead of Rousset and Allen.
Nilsson setting a new course record 8:04:17 – the 2nd and 3rd placed ladies crossed in 8:32:15 and 8:38:46.
The previous course record was that of Anna Frost set in 2015 – 8:10:41. Luis Alberto Hernando’s male record of 6:52:39 remains a solid benchmark for this course.
Since 2012, Transvulcania Ultramarathon never disappoints, it is arguably one of the greatest courses and finish lines out there. Attention now turns to the iconic and legendary Zegama-Aizkorri, the next race on the 2017 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series.
*******
The “2017 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series”. The Chinese company, Migu Run, under the name of Migu Xempower, was the Series’ main sponsor in 2016.
The 2017 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series features 22 races in 11 countries and will reward the champions in the various categories a € 60,000 end of season prize purse.
The Chinese company Migu Run, the creator and owner of an advanced online and offline exercise and health management platform, has been announced as the new long-term title sponsor of the Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series beginning in 2017.
The Series is structured in three categories, Sky Classic, Sky Extreme and Sky Ultra, counting 22 races in 11 countries stretching from April to October.
Yading is the highest race of the circuit reaching 4,664m altitude. The Yading Skyrun will be organised by China Mountain Trails (CMT), a subsidiary of Migu Run, entrusted with spearheading the trail and mountain running events
The island of La Palma today hosted the 2nd Vertical Kilometer® (VK) in the new 2017 Vertical Kilometer® World Circuit.
The series started just last weekend in Italy with with the Trentapassi Vertical, rising 1,000m above Italy’s Lake Iseo with two new race records. Read the report HERE.
To clarify, a VK is a uphill mountain race that climbs for 1,000m over a course that is less than 5 km in length. Certain courses on the circuit do obtain special dispensation – Transvulcania one case in point.
The route here in La Palma covers over 1200m of vertical gain over a distance of 7.6km and re-traces sections the Ultramarathon course along the GR131 and concludes at the forest lookout tower at an altitude of 1600m with stunning views of the Aridane valley and the north east of the island.
The VK circuit is a Skyrunner® World Series spin off – previously, the Vertical Kilometer® discipline was included in the SWS, it now has its own category that will allow more races in an ever increasing market. In 2017 there are seventeen races in eight countries.
Featuring the world’s shortest and fastest races, the first and only triple VK, some 20-year-old classics and some exciting new ones, the 2017 Vertical Kilometer® World Circuit will produce some very exciting races.
From sea to sky, up cliff faces, volcanoes, mountain summits and ski runs, this gravity-defying sport is for anyone ready to push their limits – today in La Palma, Transvulcania provided a wonderful showcase for the sport as runners departed from Tazacorte Puerto.
The line-up for the VK was impressive with Stian Angermund, Saul Padua, Ferran Teixido, Remi Bonnet and Ondrej Fejfar heading up a world-class field. Transvulcania Ultramarathon champion Luis Alberto Hernando, also toed the line along with Arley Luque, Jose Manuel Leon, Daniel Garcia, Diego Simon, Joan Freixa and many more.
Stian Angermund dominated with a strong and. course record performance ahead of Luis Alberto Hernando and Saul Padua. His time of 00:47:22. Hernando ran 48:39 and Padua 50:41.
Yuri Yoshizumi headed up the ladies’ competition with Virginia Perez, Daniella Moreno, Gabriela Sanches, Zuzana Kirchova and Zuzana Urbancova, and a return to racing for Stephanie Jimenez after giving birth to her first child recently.
Christel Dewalle from France was an entrant in the race but withdrew from the competition on Tuesday May 9th. This morning, May 11th, the ISF (International Skyrunning Federation) released a communique that related to a doping infringement by Dewalle under WADA rules that related to the Skyrunning World championships in 2016. Dewalle has received a 4-month ban from the sport effective from May 8th and her results from said World Championships will be removed. See the communication HERE.
Yuri Yoshizumi pushed hard up this long course to clinch victory ahead of Stephanie Jimenez and Zuzana Kirchova, the times 00:59:28, 01:01:18 and 01:04:33 respectively.
Attention now turns to the main event of the weekend, the Transvulcania Ultramarathon that starts in the early hours of the morning on Saturday at Fuencalienti lighthouse. You can read the race preview HERE.
The 2017 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series kicked-off in April in China with Yading SkyRun – a 29km ‘SKY CLASSIC’ event that set a new benchmark in high altitude sport. Attention now turns to the iconic Transvulcania Ultramarathon, the first ‘Ultra’ race in the 2017 calendar.
Transvulcania and the island of La Palma has become arguably one of the most well-known races around the world after its inclusion in the SWS in 2012. The motto, Less Cloud, More Sky is personified by this point-to-point course that climbs from sea level all the way up to extended periods of running well above 2000m. The drop from Roques de Los Muchachos has gained a reputation as one of the toughest and most challenging in the world – 2426m in 18km. Tazacorte Port offers some recovery but the final 5km kick up to the finish line in Los Llanos is brutal and in past editions has been a decisive part of the race.
Anna Frost, Emelie Forsberg and Ida Nilsson have shone the light for the ladies in recent years and for the men, Dakota Jones, Kilian Jornet and Luis Alberto Hernando have set the benchmark of how to cover this tough and challenging course in record times.
The 2017 edition of the race looks set to have all the makings of a classic with a stunning world-class field.
Luis Alberto Hernando will not defend his title this year leaving an opportunity for a new male champion. In the ladies’ race, Ida Nilsson will return and after showing incredible form in China at the Kora Ultra – she is without doubt the hot favourite for victory on the trails of the GR131.
The Men’s Race
The race for victory in the men’s category will be a terrifying one as many of the world’s best will go head-to-head.
Nicolas Martin from France placed 2nd in 2016 and excelled at Skyrunning is without doubt a hot favourite for victory.
Hayden Hawks a rising star from the USA who is setting a fast trail following in the footsteps of Walmsley and Miller. He will go out all guns blazing. He already has two victories over the 50km and 55km distance in 2016 and 2nd at Chuckanut 50km.
Pau Capell from Spain who is currently on a roll after victory at Transgrancanaria and 2nd at MIUT (Madeira Island Ultra Trail) will without doubt be a contender for the podium if not victory. He’s on fire at the moment!
UTMB reigning champion Ludovic Pommeret from France had a great 2016 with three victories, a 2nd, 3rd and 5th place in Maxi Race China, MSIG Lantau 50 and the IAU World Trail Champs. In 2017, he has only raced once, March, at the Trail du Ventoux and he placed 2nd.
Xavier Thevenard also from France who is the only runner to win all UTMB events – OCC, TCC, TDS and UTMB. In March he placed 8th behind Pommeret’s 2nd at Trail du Ventoux but recently placed 3rd at MIUT behind Francois D’Haene and Pau Capell – maybe the form is coming?
Tom Owens from the UK is in fine form now after a stunning victory at The Coastal Challenge and in Costa Rica and 2nd at the ‘Three Peaks’ in the UK. He has raced in La Palma before and struggled with the heat, this year will be a different story.
Remigio Huaman from Perú recently raced at MDS and excelled with a top placing. He is new to Skyrunning but he laid some great foundations in 2016.
And finally, Hardrock 100 winner Jason Schlarb from the USA rounds out the top challengers for the podium places after a solid The Coastal Challenge earlier this year and a recent win at Zion 55km.
Dimitris Theodorakakos from Greece has also raced well in La Palma in the past and he will be a contender ahead of one of the strongest male fields this island has ever seen:
Diego Camacho,
Dmitry Mityaev,
Nuno Silva,
Roger Viñas,
Jan Bartas,
Fulvio Dapit,
Daniel Jung,
Daniel Aguirre,
Manuel Anguita,
Thomas Angeli,
Lamnbert Santelli,
Iván Ortiz,
Héctor Haines,
Francesc Sole,
David López Castán,
Davide Cheraz,
Santiago Obaya,
Ignacio Conde,
Antonio Manjón,
Martin Schedler,
Zdenek Kriz,
Peter Fankhauser,
Ernest Ausiro,
Santos Gabriel Rueda,
Alejandro Fraguela,
Basilio Labrador,
José Carlos Vera,
Francisco Javier Rodríguez,
Santiago García,
Pere Aurell,
Agustín Luján Maldonado,
Iván Cáceres,
Chico Santos,
Martial Collomb,
and Xavier Teixido.
The Ladies Race
Ida Nilsson from Sweden will be head and shoulders above the rest of the field if she shows anything of the form she had at the recent racing in China at the Yading Skyrunning Festival. In 2016, she won Transvulcania and The Rut in addition to the Endurance Challenge 50 in December.
Anne Lise Rousset from France had a very solid 2016 and took a stunning victory at High Trail Vanoise. Two 2nd’s at The Rut and Transvulcania most certainly make her a potential winner in 2017.
Andrea Huser from Switzerland is relentless in her racing calendar. This year she has already taken two victories and one second place at Ultra Trail Tai Mo Shan, MIUT and Transgrancanaria. She will without doubt be in contention for a top placing but for me, will lack the speed needed to win this race.
Hillary Allen from the USA had a solid year Skyrunning in 2016 with a string of podium places at The Rut, Ultra Pirineu, Ultra SkyMarathon Madeira and Transvulcania. It’s fair to say she was tired at the end of the year and I believe that Transvulcania kicks-off her 2017 campaign.
Kristina Pattison also from the USA like Hillary Allen had a strong 2016 with a sting of top places typically between 4th and 6th.
Ragna Debats from Holland was 3rd at the IAU World Trail Champs in 2016 – a stand out performance. Just last weekend she placed 2nd in China at the Yading races. She will be in the mix for the top-5.
Mimmi Kotka from Sweden won the CCC in 2016 along with Gran Trail Courmayeur and Trail des Balcons d’Azur – I think she may well be a surprise package of the 2017 edition of Transvulcania.
Cassie Scallon from the USA has won three races in 2017 already – Gorge Waterfalls 50km. Nine Trails 35m and La Cuesta Ranch Trail Run. However, her victory at Bandera 100km in 2016 is her stand out performance. More importantly, her 16th placing at Festival de Templiers is maybe more relevant to Transvulcania.
Zuzana Urbancova from the Czech Republic placed 7th at Trofeo Kima and 8th at USM in 2016 – she is contender for the top-10 and maybe the top-5 if she has a good day!
Corrine Malcolm from the USA was 6th at The Rut in 2016 and a recent 2nd at the Yakima Skyline Rim 50km shows that 2017 form is coming.
Verónica Bravo from Chile has a great pedigree in adventure racing and has won The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica.
Ekaterina Mityaeva from Russia has slowly but surely made her presence felt in the Skyrunning world, her best result 4th at Ultra Pirineu.
Maïlys Drevon placed 2nd at Mont-Blanc 80km and heads up a string of other top-female contenders will be chasing the ladies above:
Eva María Moreda,
Raquel Martínez,
Sara Longoni,
María Yolanda Fernández,
Tracy Dean,
Natalia Román,
Noelia Camacho,
Ana Begoña González,
Elisabeth Margeirsdottir,
Manikala Rai,
Svetlana Buravova.
Action kicks-off in La Palma on Thursday with the Transvulcania Vertical Kilometer, the second race in the ‘new’ 2017 VERTICAL KILOMETER® WORLD CIRCUITHERE
The main event of the weekend, the Transvulcania Ultramarathon starts on Saturday the 13th at 0600 hours. The route begins at Faro de Fuencaliente and continues through the “Gran Recorrido” trail GR 131, also known as ‘Ruta del Bastón’, until Puerto de Tazacorte. Connecting with the GR 130, Camino Real de la Costa, the route continues until the finish line located in Plaza de España – Los Llanos de Aridane.
*****
The “2017 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series”
The Chinese company, Migu Run, under the name of Migu Xempower, was the Series’ main sponsor in 2016.
The 2017 Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series features 22 races in 11 countries and will reward the champions in the various categories a € 60,000 end of season prize purse.
The Chinese company Migu Run, the creator and owner of an advanced online and offline exercise and health management platform, has been announced as the new long-term title sponsor of the Migu Run Skyrunner® World Series beginning in 2017.
The Series is structured in three categories, Sky Classic, Sky Extreme and Sky Ultra, counting 22 races in 11 countries stretching from April to October.
Jason Schlarb is ‘the man!’ – Let’s face it, anyone who can go head-to-head with ‘KJ’ and finish alongside him at Hardrock 100 is doing something right. Jason just placed 3rd at The Coastal Challenge in Costa Rica and while we downed one or three ‘Imperials’ we discussed what 2017 has in store.
This is Episode 111 of Talk Ultra and it’s all about Transvulcania. We speak with Chris Vargo who placed 5th, Alicia Shay who placed 4th and Ida Nilsson who blasted around the course to take the ladies victory. We have the news, a chat with Holly Rush and Speedgoat Karl is back
01:03:00 Start
80 days to the AT for Karl
00:15:32 NEWS
Transvulcania
Men
Luis Alberto Hernando – 7h04’44”
Nicolas Martin – 7h10’40”
Sage Canaday – 7h14’16”
Andy Symonds – 7h25’04”
Chris Vargo – 7h26’53”
Women
Ida Nilsson – 8h14’18”
Anne-Lise Rousset – 8h31’53”
Ruth Croft – 8h33’32”
Alicia Shay – 8h49’46”
Hillary Allen – 8h54’57”
00:36:54 INTERVIEW Chris Vargo and Alicia Shay
Canyons 100k
Men
Paddy O’Leary 9:35
Bob Shebest 10:07
Lon Freeman 10:51
Women
Magdalena Boulet 10:58
Erika Lindland 12:22
Annie Rutledge 12:24
Miwok 100k
Men
Cody Reed 9:04
Chiara Omine 9:13
Franz Van Der Groen 9:16
Women
Aliza Lapierre 10:25
Bree Lambert 10:55
Katie Arnold 11:16
NDW 50
No full results online yet but Holly Rush blasted around the ladies course to smash the CR and finish 4th overall (time 7:11) and Neil Kirby 6:57 for the men’s win
01:40:17 INTERVIEW Holly Rush
DOUBLE BOB GRAHAM ROUND
Nicky Spinks has done it only the 2nd person and 1st lady to complete a double BGR in 45:30
The end of season bonus pool will amount to 100.000 euro.
IAN CORLESS 