Episode 70 – Meltzer, Doherty, Haugsnes, Schwarz-Lowe

Posted on September 19, 2014 by talkultra

Episode 70 of Talk Ultra and on this weeks show we speak with the winner of Superior Endurance Runs (Fall Races), Adam Schwarz-Lowe, Eirik Eirik D Haugsnes talks Tromso Skyrace and Daniel Doherty tells us all about placing in the top-10 at Tor des Geants. Talk Training has part 2 of our Navigation 101 and we have the News, a Blog, Up & Coming Races and I am pleased to say… Speedgoat Karl Meltzer is back as co host with an in-depth chat on his AT attempt.

NEWS

Run Rabbit Run
wow – KRAR!

Rob Krar 17:40:05
Josh Arthur 18:33:05
Jeff Browning 19:06:43
Ryan Gelfi 19:38:24
Nick Clark 19:50:15

Nikki Kimball 21:14:36
Kerrie Bruxvoort 22:49:02
Darcy Piceu 22:52:40
Leslie Howlett 25:08:12
Hannah Green 29:04:40

Ultravasen
UltraVasan 90 Men 1 Jonas Buud (SWE) 6:02:03 2 Steven Way (GBR) 6:12:28 3 Jarle Risa (NOR) 6:23:38 4 Didrik Hermansen (NOR) 6:24:03 5 John Henry Strupstad (NOR) 6:28:04
UltraVasan 90 Women 1 Holly Rush (GBR) 7:09:04 2 Mimmi Kotka (SWE) 7:22:35 3 Lena Gavelin (SWE) 7:26:02 4 Sophia Sundberg (SWE) 7:34:26 5 Margrethe Løgavlen (NOR) 7:43:03

The Rut – article HERE

Sage struggled with the technical second half favoured by Kilian, closed second in 5h20’27”. Kilian finished a fast 5h09’33”. Manuel Merillas (Mammut), a new young talent from Spain leading the Series, climbed from 4th position at 30 km to finish third in 5h29’20”. Britain’s Tom Owens (Salomon) was an excellent 4th and American Paul Hamilton (The North Face) last year’s race winner, took 5th
Emelie Forsberg was race winner in 6h32’42”. Kasie closed in 6h38’05” and Anna in 6h49’25”. Canadian Ellie Greenwood was 4th and American Hilary Allen, 5th. Series leader, Italian Alessandra Carlini, took 8th.

Trofeo Kima – article HERE

MEN
Kilian Jornet 6:12:20
Manuel Merillas 6:28:33
France Sancassani 6:38:14
LADIES
Kasie Enman 7:53:42
Emelie Forsberg 8:22:17
Emanuela Brizio 8:30:52

Tor des Geants

Colle Franco 71h 49m
Nichademus Hollon 76h 25m
Guillon Antoine 79h 02m and Le Saux Christophe 79h 02m

Lecomte Emilie 85h 53m
Borzani Lisa 94h 43m
Zimmerman Denise 98h 27m

INTERVIEW

We caught up with Dan Doherty who produced a top performance and placed 6th overall

Superior 100 – article HERE

100-mile
Adam Schwarts-Lowe 21:58:32
Michael Borst 22:52:28
Nathan Leehman 23:26:47
Mallory Richard 27:32:27
Frayah Bartuska 29:56:58
Johanna Ylanen 31:08:10
50m-mile
Chris Rubesch 8:56:33
Forrest Tracy 9:23:47
Alex Kurt 9:35:24
Kristin Rognerud
Annie Behrend 13:03:34
Shelly Groenke 13:41:38

Tromso SkyRace – article HERE
1. Eirik Dagssøn Haugsnes – 6:38:30 2. Ola Hovednak – 6:49:39 3. Kilian Jornet – 6:49:55 4. Stian H-Angemund – 7:09:46 5. Sondre Stier Thorbergsen – 8:17:08
Female category
Hana Krajnikova – 9:49:48

Ultra 168 had a round up of results for the Southern Hemisphere HERE

Surf Coast Century: Saw a fantastic new course record from Kellie Emmerson in the ladies 100kms, taking it out in 9:29. In the men’s race, it was a tie for 2nd place As Dave Eadie and Brendan Davies held hands over the line. We often joke about joint finishes, but there’s no malice there

Glasshouse 100km : Cameron Munro took out first place in a speedy 17:17, nearly two hours ahead of second place. While Deb Nicholl did the ladies proud finishing in 19:31.

GNW 100-mile : Clarke McClymont celebrated a big birthday by notching up a cracking win in the 100 miler in a time of 20:56. The ladies title was taken out by Sonia McDermott in an excellent time of 25:39.

INTERVIEW

We caught up with Eirik Haugsness to discuss Tromso Skyrace and his 2014 season

BLOG

For the first time in Talk Ultra history, I am actually going to put forward one of my own posts here – Minimal, Maximal or the curious question of Drop – HERE

INTERVIEW

Adam Schwartz-Lowe won the Superior 100 after placing 2nd twice before, we caught up for a chat about the race and his previous running.

TRAINING TALK

We follow up from our ‘Basic’ Navigation 101 with ‘Intermediate. Once again Charlie Sproson co-hosts this segment

UP & COMING RACES

Chile
Patagonian International Marathon – 63K | 63 kilometers | September 27, 2014 | website

Greece
Spartathlon | 245 kilometers | September 26, 2014 | website

Isle of Man
Isle of Man Mountain Ultra | 51 kilometers | September 27, 2014 | website

Morocco
UltraTrail Atlas Toubkal | 105 kilometers | October 02, 2014 | website

Nepal
Godawari 50km | 50 kilometers | September 27, 2014 | website

Netherlands
South Holland
Den Haag Ultra Marathon | 68 kilometers | September 21, 2014 | website

Norway
Nordmarka Ultra Challenge | 82 kilometers | September 27, 2014 | website

Portugal
Grande Trail da Serra d´Arga – Ultra Trail | 53 kilometers | September 28, 2014 | website

Romania
Unicredit Leasing Transmaraton – Double Marathon | 84 kilometers | September 20, 2014 | website

Slovakia
Ponitrianska Stovka | 105 kilometers | September 20, 2014 | website

Vietnam

Mountain Marathon Vietnam – 70 km | 70 kilometers | September 20, 2014 | website

CLOSE

LINKS

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

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

Website – talkultra.com

Tromso Skyrace report

Posted on September 8, 2014 by talkultra

130 athletes from 25 countries took part in the first edition of the race held in the Norwegian town of Tromsö. The 42-km race with a total climb of 4,300m was received in a very festive atmosphere by its participants.

all images ©jordisaragossa

The race, which the athletes Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg had been dreaming of, finally came true this morning, with the first edition of Tromsö Skyrace. Held in the Arctic town of Tromsö, the race figured 130 athletes from 25 countries who faced a tough and highly technical route, especially chosen for lovers of pure sky running.

Jornet and Forsberg spent the last four days hands on, helping out with marking the route, preparing supplies and various other technical aspects, so that everything was ready for the race. “Running is not tiring at all compared to this!”, laughed Jornet the day before the race, as he and Forsberg finished preparing the 130 cinnamon rolls that were later distributed among the participants.

The greatest fear of the organizers was the weather, which in the end did not spoil the race, and so, it was held on a cloudy day with no rain. Participants set off at 8 am from Fløya, facing the 42-kilometre route with 4,300m climb, along the summits of Tromsdaltinden (1,238m) and Hamperokken (1,404m). In addition to the long race, there was also a mini skyrace of 21km and a climb of 1,600m.

From the beginning of the race, a group led by three Scandinavians Eirik Haugsnes, Stian H- Angermund and Ola Hovdenakk, made the most of their knowledge of the terrain and adaptation to cold weather, to place themselves in top positions. Jornet followed them, while checking that the marking was correct and everything at the supply stations was in order. They all reached the top of Tromsdaltinden in the lead before facing the first steep descent. The terrain was demanding on the athletes as one of the participants stated:

“The timings to be scored in the race will be much longer than those in a normal marathon, because there are some very technical stretches and the slope is very steep in places, but it is a race in a very wild area, a unique experience.”

Lead positions in the men’s race did not change throughout the route, and although athletes have been alternating places, it was Eirik Dagssøn Haugsnes who eventually won the race after descending back to Fløya first. In the women’s, the Scandinavians also asserted their status and victory went to Hana Krajnikova. Jornet finished in third place and so did Forsberg, who ran the short race.

Nevertheless, the intention of the organizers of this first edition of the race was to design a race in which runners could challenge themselves in a festive atmosphere accompanied by a feeling of companionship. Upon arrival at the finishing line, many runners, tired but smiling, claimed they were already looking forward to repeating the experience. There, holding a cup of tea and some famous cinnamon rolls, athletes who had travelled to Tromsö from different parts of the world, shared beautiful moments by exchanging experiences and emotions among themselves.

After the race, Jornet and Forsberg explained:

“It has been a fantastic experience. Living a race from inside helps you to understand many things. We were very lucky with the weather, which was kind to us and allowed us to enjoy a race without any problems for runners. We hope that the participants are as pleased as we are.”

After a day of intense emotions, Jornet and Forsberg are already beginning to dream about the next edition, which is sure to be a success.

Tromsö Skyrace Classification

Male category

Eirik Dagssøn Haugsnes – 6:38:30
2. Ola Hovednak – 6:49:39
3. Kilian Jornet – 6:49:55
4. Stian H-Angemund – 7:09:46
5. Sondre Stier Thorbergsen – 8:17:08

Female category

Hana Krajnikova – 9:49:48

Website: HERE

Tromsø SkyRace 2014 – Join Kilian and Emelie

Posted on July 24, 2014 by talkultra

Imagine it… who would you most like to design a Skyrunning course? I for one would say, Kilian Jornet and Emelie Forsberg. I’d then pinch myself and say, ‘nah, that will never happen. For sure they have the passion but they just won’t have the time!’

How wrong could I be!

Mark the date in your diary, September 6th 2014. The inaugural Tromsø SKYRACE will take place.

‘We wanted to start small and grow the event’ Emelie said in a recent interview. ‘Starting at sea level, the route will climb up three peaks on an out and back course – Tromsdalstinden (1238m), Hamerokken (1404m) and then Tromsdalstinden again but via a different route.’

Tromsdalstinden: 1238m Sálašoaivi or Sálaščohkka, is an iconic summit visible from Tromsø. The trail to climb the summit is not really technical, with a first part on grass hills and then a rocky large ridge. The downhill is on a steeper rocky trail before easy zig zags trail to the hut. The views from the summit, with Tromsø city and the fjords on the north and Hamperokken and Lyngen on the south made this mountain one of the most gorgeous landscapes of the area.

Hamperokken: 1404m Gáranasčohkka, is the highest mountain peak on the mainland peninsula west of the Ullsfjorden. The trail to climb the mountain starts around sea level and climbs to 1000m on a easy grass and rock slope to the first summit of the ridge, then it follows a 5 kilometers rocky ridge with some easy technical passages that can require to put the hands (mostly if it’s wet or raining!) Last 50m to the summit are a short scrambling to the top. The downhill is on a loose rock steep couloir until reach the valley. The summit designs a long ridge culminated by a thin characteristic aiguille. Being on the center of Ullsfjorden, the views of Lyngen on the east and all the Tromsø mountains around gives us a big wilderness feeling.

Racing over the classic distance of 42km’s, the course will have an elevation gain of 4300m. Grassy mountains, rocky ridges; Kilian clicked through images on his phone and showed me some of the more technical sections. ‘It’s a beautiful route’ he says, ‘it has some technical ridge running and the most amazing views. Emelie and I have run over this area many times and we knew we just had to have a race here!’

It’s very different organising a race to running one but Emelie assured me, ‘we have a great team in place. You know, we are already race directors as we put on a Skimo race in Lyngen (north Norway) during the winter. However, if possible, both Kilian and myself will run the Tromso Skyrace; I will do the shorter race and Kilian will run the longer event.’

With just 100-places available, other elites runners will hopefully take part but that is not a priority. The dynamic duo want to encourage, promote and endorse running to a community of runners who may well have not attempted or completed such an event before. It’s about giving something back to the sport and I for one know only too well that the 100-places available will be gone in a flash…

Dakota Jones for example has just been announced as a participant in the first race.

Tromso is an island located within the Arctic Circle and in September the Northern Lights will illuminate the sky. Imagine it; rugged mountains, beautiful fjords and a race second to none with an epic backdrop.

Emelie can’t contain her excitement as we speak, ‘It’s going to be so special and super exciting!’ Kilian concurs, ‘It will be an epic race and one that will grow. We love Skyrunning and the Tromso Skyrace will echo all that is good in a Skyrunning race.’

I joke with Emelie, ‘I assume the aid stations may well be the best in any race I have witnessed?’

Laughing Emelie replies, ‘For sure, the aid stations will be great but cinnamon buns and Yogi Tea will welcome every runner as they cross the line.’

Details:

ENTER HERE

ENTRY OPENS 27th JULY at 19OO (Norway time)

Tromso, Norway
69° North
Skyrace 42km-4300m
Miniskyrace 19km-1600m

An ECO RACE – We are lucky to run in such wild nature, and for this we need to take care to keep this area wild and clean. When we run, we will keep need this in mind. We will try our best to keep the route clean. We will mark the course with biodegradable tape, just in case some is blown away by the wind or by any accident left behind. Aid stations will only be by huts and road crossings and will use reusable glasses. We will not have any paper publications, to protect the forests.

Race Website – HERE

Facebook – HERE