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Ice Age 50M Report 2012 – Jul...

Posted on the Ultralist: Zach Bitter won this years Ice Age 50 mile race in 6:05:45 — one of the fastest times in the 31-year history of the event....

Transvulcania_2012

TRANSVULCANIA 2012 Results

The TRANSVULCANIA 2012 results are being posted online. American Dakota Jones has won the 2012 TRANSVULCANIA an 83 km ultra in La Palma in the Cana...

norwegian_manhood

The Norwegian Manhood Test 2012

An interesting event has been sent my way - The Norwegian Manhood Test This 50 km ultramarathon is a team race. Each team must consist of a minimum...

Sluice box 100

Sluice Box 100 Mile Race 2012

The Sluice Box 100 - a new endurance race in Fairbanks, Alaska. You've heard of the midnight sun, blood-thirsty mosquitoes, and gold-rich terrain that...

European Ultras

Transvulcania_2012

TRANSVULCANIA 2012 Results

May 12 no comments

The TRANSVULCANIA 2012 results are being posted online. American Dakota Jones has won the 2012 TRANSVULCANIA an 83 km ultra in La Palma i...

Americas

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Ice Age 50M Report 2012 – Juli Aistars

May 15 no comments

Posted on the Ultralist: Zach Bitter won this years Ice Age 50 mile race in 6:05:45 — one of the ...

Ice Age 50M Report 2012 – Juli Aistars

May. 15 Americas, Latest News no comments

ice age trail 50 logoPosted on the Ultralist:
Zach Bitter won this years Ice Age 50 mile race in 6:05:45 — one of the fastest times in the 31-year history of the event. Denise Bourassa won the women’s race in 7:12:37. The race takes place in La Grange, Wisconsin. Race results and website at the link below.

Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 23:14:23 -0500
From: Juli Aistars
Subject: Ice Age 50M report from the tail end

I ran the Strolling Jim on May 5th in hot, humid weather. I knew my legs would be tired for Ice Age and I feared not making the 12 hour cutoff for 50 miles.

I had reason to be afraid…

There were 286 official finishers — I was # 285.

There were 78 female finishers — I was # 78.

I did not fall, I did not get sick, it was not too hot — I have no plausible excuse. I never felt so deliriously happy to finish with better times. There is something to be said for squeaking in under the cutoff.

Despite the slow time, I had a great time. I saw and talked with many friends, old and new. I met some new runners including Rachel who was running her first 50 mile event. She was tiny and blond and 28 years old. Her marathon PR is 3:52. She finished in just over 11. I missed some runners I saw on the list but didn’t spot them on the course, like Bill Thom. Doesn’t that always happen? I was happy to see Shannon McGinn there.

The Ice Age trail is beautiful and challenging. The aid stations are run by the same loyal people every year and they do an excellent job. I worked the Route 12 aid station last year as a volunteer. This year I had a chance to see it from a completely different perspective. I remember one of the ladies telling me last year that her kids worked the aid station for years and now they are grown up.

I had a blast battling the clock, being just minutes under the cutoff for the last 13.5 miles. I made it by 3 minutes and 40 seconds with the help of the incredible encouragement at the finish line and Brandi running the last several yards next to me saying, “Look at you run!” I felt like the winner instead of almost last place when I got a hug from Lorraine Bunk. We all want to be like Lorraine — at least the women do… I got a hug from Beth O’Nines, the person who is most responsible for sparking my love for running in 1998. John’s Ice Age photos are fantastic and it is all over our faces how happy we last finishers were when we beat the clock, the unstoppable clock.

Congratulations to the winners, finishers and all who started! There were at least 3 finishers who covered the distance but did not make it under 12 hours. It happens every year. They are gracious and happy they finished the distance. The Ice Age clock does not forgive even a second.

Race results:http://www.onlineraceresults.com/event/view_event.php?event_id=8452
Race report: Kristin Korevec
Race report: Jeffery Lung Primal Plunge: The 2012 Ice Age Trail 50
RAce website: www.iceagetrail50.com
Race photos: by John Zinzow (past RD of IAT-50 : 1999 – 2004)

TRANSVULCANIA 2012 Results

May. 12 European Ultras, Latest News no comments

The TRANSVULCANIA 2012 results are being posted online.

American Dakota Jones has won the 2012 TRANSVULCANIA an 83 km ultra in La Palma in the Canary Islands. Jones set a new course record eclipsing last years time by Spain’s Miguel Heras of 7:32:13 with a new time of 6:59:07.
New Zealand’s Anna Frost won the ladies race in 8:11:30 – some 40 minutes ahead of Nuria Picas and almost an hour ahead of Nikki Kimball .

Dakota Jones’s victory came as a surprise to some as the field was deep with quality international competion including Killian Jornet and pre-race favourite Britains Andy Symonds. 500 runners began the event at 6 am which features over 8,000 m of ascent and is part of the of the Sky Runner World Series.

Top finishers

1. Dakota Jones 6:59:07
2. Andy Symonds 6:59:43
3. Kilian Jornet 7.09. 53

1. Anna Frost 8:11:30
2. Nuria Picas 8:51’59
3. Nikki Kimball 9:10:00

Race website: www.transvulcania.com/
Facebook: Transvulcania

USA’s Jon Olsen’s Superman-like Recent Ultra Performances – Mark Dorion

May. 09 Ultrarunning no comments

Posted on the Ultralist:

Since I have been running and racing ultras since 1977-78, it often takes quite a bit to impress me, performance-wise. We have had many talented, inspiring USA women and men ultrarunners the past few years, but I also see that Rae Clark”s 12:12 100 mile from 1989 remains the national 100 mile record, that Don Ritchie’s 6:10:20 100Km is in its 35th (yes, thirty-fifth) year as the world 100Km best, etc.

So it is with great pride and enthusiasm that I have watched my onetime training partner (and former UTEP football player) Jon Olsen (Modesto, CA) reel off an amazing string of performances in the past two months.

Jon won the Rocky Road 100 mile (hybrid course) in southern CA in 13:14:44, then as an “alternate” and last minute replacement on the USA 100Km team went to Italy and placed 7th in the WORLD 100Km (6:48:52, just 4 seconds out of 6th) on April 22. He also threw in a 2:33 marathon PR between Rocky Road and Italy. And now this past weekend on the lakefront in Cleveland he won the North Coast/ National 24 Hour with over 158.5 miles (this just two weeks after his speedy 100Km).

The only one of these efforts that surprised me was the 24 hour, because I am guessing his legs were not 100% recovered from the Italy 100Km. I have had several of the greatest ultrarunners in history concur with me that often after an ultra (assuming one has no injury), the legs and mind can get back to 85-90% of normal quite quickly, but gaining that last 10-15% can take a long time. BUT we are all different, and experiments of one.

By the bye several ultrarunners have asked me if Jon and Jesper Olsen (he of World Run fame, also who just did 400 miles in the New York Self-Trans. 6 day) are related. They are close in age, and there is some resemblance. I asked Jesper this recently and he said “maybe we are very distant cousins??”

Anyhow, hats off to one of our greatest USA ultrarunners, Coach Jon Olsen!

Best wishes to all ultrarunners around this big world,

Mark D

The Norwegian Manhood Test 2012

Apr. 27 European Ultras, Latest News 1 comment

An interesting event has been sent my way – The Norwegian Manhood Test

This 50 km ultramarathon is a team race. Each team must consist of a minimum of two people and requires each runner to summit 10 peaks and manage 4,500 metres of positive altitude change in 24 hours. The course is only partial marked and basic navigational skills are therefore required by at least one team member. Teams will furthermore need to be self-sufficient throughout the event.
This trail running event takes place in Rondane National Park in Norway between the 3rd and the 5th of August 2012 – depending on the weather…

The Norwegian Manhood Test 2012 is only open for 15 teams who qualify.

Participants who finish the event within 24 hours will receive two qualifying points for the world largest and most prestigious trail run, The North Face® Ultra-Trail Mont Blanc®.

Explore the details on www.whiteout.eu

T775GUTS7ABR

Sluice Box 100 Mile Race 2012

Apr. 19 Americas, Latest News no comments

Sluice box 100The Sluice Box 100 – a new endurance race in Fairbanks, Alaska. You’ve heard of the midnight sun, blood-thirsty mosquitoes, and gold-rich terrain that define Interior Alaska. Here’s your opportunity to test yourself against these challenges of the last frontier along with 12,000-foot elevation gain, swamp crossings, and crusty sourdoughs with guns during the inaugural Sluice Box 100-mile adventure race in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Bike or run across four of Fairbanks’ sun-drenched domes, dropping to the valley floor between each one to swim in Goldstream Creek and check in at our vintage watering holes. Leave the headlamp at home, but bring your headnet!
The race details:

  • Description: Technical and hilly POINT-TO-POINT 100 mile trail run or bike. Starts at University of Alaska Fairbanks Patty Center and ends at the Fairbanks Exploration Gold Camp in Chatanika. The course climbs Ester Dome, Murphy Dome, Pedro Dome, and Cleary Summit, dropping down to historic mining valleys in between each climb. 98 percent on trails and rural dirt roads.
  • Mandatory pre-race meeting: 5pm on Friday, June 29th, Location is University of Alaska Schaible Auditorium
  • Race Time: Start at 7:00am Saturday, June 30th. Cutoff time: July 1, 7:00pm
  • Entry Fee: $200 until June 1, then $300.
  • Contact: Ann Farris at 687-0278, sluicebox100@gmail.com
  • Sponsored by: Endurance North
  • Proceeds benefit endurance activities in Alaska
  • NO RACE DAY ENTRY – 100 person limit
  • Register Online: Open now at ultrasignup.com
  • A full course map can be found at the race website www.sluicebox100.com

The Amazing Maasai Ultra Marathon 2012

Apr. 16 African Ultras, Latest News no comments

The Amazing Maasai Ultramarathon is currently Kenya’s only ultramarathon event with 75 km, marathon and half marathon distances. Founded in 2010, last years event raised $25,000 – enough to sponsor 20 local Maasai girls through high school. The 2012 event will take place starting 25 September.

Nairobi (2 April 2012) – Adventure, exploration, and a unique challenge: After the success of the inaugural Amazing Maasai Ultra Marathon in 2011, preparations for the second edition are well on the way. From 25 September to 1 October, runners from countries across Europe, Asia and the US will gather in the foothills of Mt. Kenya, not only for a breath-taking race, but also to enjoy a six-night stay in the African bush, including game drives, walking safaris and Maasai village tours & performances. “The run takes place in a very remote area in Maasai country, far off the tourist trails”, explain race directors Sarah Edson and Molly Fitzpatrick. Vast African vistas, wild animals, Maasai culture – it is a week of true exploration. “What makes the race so unique is the participation of the local runners, who last year competed to win a highly-coveted live cow. Many of the girls who we are sponsoring through school will run the half marathon, and the Maasai runners will compete in the longer distances”, says Edson.

Patrolled by wildlife scouts
The race in the Laikipia area is challenging. Runners need to adjust to the altitude of 1,600 meters above sea level. The course follows unsealed roads and paths in the bush terrain, with long hills, flat bush lands, and rolling countryside. Edson: “Since there is wildlife in the area, the course will be patrolled by highly-experienced scouts from Kenya Wildlife Services, who track the animals and their movements and ensure the complete safety of our runners.” Besides the 75km ultra marathon and the 42km marathon distance, runners can also sign-up for a 21km half marathon. For expats in Kenya and tourists that happen to be in Africa, it is also possible to join for the race without booking the whole race week. Adventure-seeking runners can make use of the reduced early-bird package prices until 31 May on www.amazingmaasaiultra.org.

High school scholarships for Maasai girls
All proceeds of the event are used to fund scholarships for local Maasai girls through the Amazing Maasai Girls Project, a non-profit organization registered in the USA and founded by the event organizers. “Last year, we were able to raise 25,000 USD and are now financing 4-year high school scholarships for 20 bright girls who would not be able to afford school otherwise. We are aiming to raise even more this year, to give more girls a secondary education and empower them to find employment and independence as adults”, outlines Molly Fitzpatrick.

For more information, please visit www.amazingmaasaiultra.org.

Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset 2012

Apr. 13 Asian Ultras, Latest News, Race Information no comments

Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset 2012 – only few spots left!

  • If you want to register for the run of your lifetime, better be quick: Only few spots are left for the world’s most pristine 42km and 100km race, the 14th Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset, taking place on 1 August 2012. The unique race is limited to 100 participants.
  • Favourable package prices are available on www.ms2s.org until end of April.
  • Running for the good cause: The organizers of the non-profit event aim to buy a new garbage truck to preserve the beauty of the Hovsgol National Park.

The 14th edition of the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset marathon and 100km run will take place on 1 August 2012 in the stunning mountain area of Hovsgol National Park in Northern Mongolia. Among participants, the race is labelled as “the world’s most beautiful 42km and 100km run”. No wonder: mossy forests, river valleys, 2’300 meter high mountain passes with stunning views, windblown lowlands and lakeside single trails supervised by Mongolian horsemen – all of this makes the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset a breathtaking race. “In the days before and after the race, participants and their companions will have the chance to experience this unique nature with horseback riding, hiking, mountain biking, fishing or kayaking. They also get in touch with the unique nomadic culture and sleep in Mongolian gers – it’s a whole week of adventure and an unforgettable experience for every runner”, explains race director Angie Eagan. The participants in the marathon run have to overcome an accumulated elevation gain/loss of 2’255 meters. For the 100km ultra marathon it’s no less than 3’365 meters.

Run for the good cause

The 2012 event takes place from 28 July to 4 August; the organizers provide travel packages on www.ms2s.org. The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is organised on a non-profit basis and all proceeds are used to keep Hovsgol National Park pristine and to support the culture of Hovsgol and Mongolia’s local population via the “ecoLeap foundation” registered in Geneva, Switzerland. “We want to keep this pristine mountain area as beautiful as it is now and to make the nomads proud of their abilities and culture”, says Eagan. With this year’s proceeds, the organizers plan to buy a new garbage truck and continue the environmental projects.

For more information and registration, please visit: www.ms2s.org.

North Face Transgrancanaria 2012 – Chaigneau & Maciel Triumph

Mar. 17 Latest News, Results no comments

The North Face®, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, celebrates 1st place for The North Face® athletes Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA) and Fernanda Maciel (BRA), at the 123km ultra-race of The North Face Transgrancanaria, Gran Canaria, Spain, 2nd-4th  March, 2012.

At the stroke of midnight (GMT) Friday 2nd March 2012, 600 ultra-runners from across Spain and Europe began the long night’s run of either 123km or 96km through Gran Canaria’s National Park, tackling the varied and demanding terrain that the island has on offer. Starting at Playa Del Ingles, in the south of the island, the 300 runners of the 123km race climbed to an accumulated height gain of 11,000m, to a maximum height of 1,949m at the highest point of the island, finishing at the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the north throughout Saturday afternoon and long into the night. Competitors in this year’s races faced unusually strong winds and variable temperatures from 4-22°C.

Despite falling and injuring his knee at the beginning of the race, renowned French ultra-runner,  Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA) was thrilled to take 1st place, finishing with a record time of 12h:54m:18s. Upon his win Chaigneau stated: “The race was tough as 70 percent of it is run during the night and there is a big change in temperature. I am really happy that I broke the record, although it was never my objective. When I run my main focus is the pleasure that I get out of it”. Wearing The North Face trail-running shoe, the Single Track Hayasa, Chaigneau led the race from 42km in, cruising at a remarkable average speed of 10km per hour. Claiming the 2nd spot just over half an hour behind was Portuguese athlete Armando Teixeira (POR), with Uruguay based runner, John Tidd (ESP) taking 3rd place with a time of 14h:31m:50s.

In the women’s category,  Fernanda Maciel (BRA) claimed women’s 1st place and 5th overall in a strong time of 15h:02m:29s. Of the result, a delighted Maciel commented “I am very happy because I had a great race, along a beautiful route and I really enjoyed myself”. Fernanda arrived over two hours ahead of the second woman, Spanish runner Esther Fernandez Gonzalez (ESP) and more than four hours in front of Denise Zimmerman (SUI), who placed third.

Marking the start of the ultra-running season, The North Face Transgrancanaria featured races for all levels of runners at various distances: from the full 123-km race; a coast-to-coast 96-km race; a 42-km marathon; and a starter run of 24-km. More than 1800 people from 21 different countries took part in the four races.

The Transgrancanaria 2012 123km Top Places:

Men

1. Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA) 12h:54m:18s

2. Armando Teixeira (POR) 13h:27m:19s

3. John Tidd (ESP) 14h:31m:50s

 

Women

1. Fernanda Maciel (BRA) 15h:02m:29s

2. Esther Fernandez Gonzalez (ESP) 17h:25m:45s

3. Denise Zimmermann (SUI)19h:23m:45s

 

Due to a stomach complaint Zigor Iturrieta (ESP) left the 123km race after 54km, but later joined and successfully completed the 42km marathon. After leading the women’s race for the first third Lizzy Hawker (GBR) also stopped her race at 54km due to muscular leg pain.

Follow The North Face® European ultra-running events throughout the season:

The North Face® Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji® www.ultratrailmtfuji.com

May 18th-20th, 2012: Mount Fuji, Japan

 

The North Face® Lavaredo Ultra Trail www.ultratrail.it

June 29th -30th, 2012: Cortina D’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy

 

The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® www.ultratrailmb.com August 27th- September 2nd, 2012: Chamonix, France

 

For further information on The North Face® performance athletes, race highlights, trail-running products and upcoming ultra-running events click:

 

Youtube link to the Get Ready For Race Report: The North Face Transgrancanaria 2012: www.youtube.com

Web: www.thenorthfacejournal.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenorthface.europe

www.transgrancanaria.net

Ellie Greenwood and Dave Mackey Voted Ultrarunners of The Year

Jan. 10 Latest News, Ultrarunning no comments

ultrarunning magazineThe winners of Ultrarunning Magazine’s 2011 Ultrarunners of the Year award have been announced. Decided by a panel of 22 ultramarathon organisers this years Ultra Runners of the Year are Scottish born Banff resident Ellie Greenwood and Dave Mackey of Novato, California.

  • David Riddle – outstanding performance of the year for men
  • Jennifer Pharr Davis – outstanding performance of the year for women

More details at: www.ultrarunning.com

Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc 2012 Registration Open

Dec. 20 European Ultras, Latest News no comments

Registration Now Open for 10th Edition of The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® 2012

 

kilian jornet

© The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® - Franck Oddoux

Sign Up For The Best Of Europe’s Leading Trail Running Events In 2012

For immediate release. Lugano, Switzerland, December 16th, 2011:  The North Face®, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, announces online registration open for the 10th edition of The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc®, August 27th- September 2nd 2012, in Chamonix, France.

Between December 16th 2011- January 9th 2012, up to 6,000 highly trained ultra-runners from around the globe can pre-register online for one of four races included in the ultra-special 10th edition of The UTMB 2012. Pre-registration is dependant upon completion of specific qualifying races, a required number of points, and limited to a certain number of places for each event.

2012 starts with the first of The North Face® series of highlight ultra-running events: Transgrancanaria, March 2nd-4th 2012, located in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. Straight after the New Year, to get runners ready for the 123km/96km races, the training camp takes place at Garañón sports facilities, Gran Canaria, during January 13th-15th 2012. Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA), winner of 2011 edition; Zigor Iturrieta (ESP); and, Jez Bragg (GBR) will talk live about their experiences and share practical tips.

From 14th-28th February 2012, pre-registration for the 6th edition of Italian summer trail race, The Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2012, will be open. The 120km race, through the heart of the stunning Dolomites, covers an accumulated positive height gain of 6,000m, and starts and ends for the first time in Cortina, Italy between June 29th -30th 2012.

 

For registration, regulations, qualifying races & detailed information, visit:

The Transgrancanaria www.transgrancanaria.net

March 2nd-4th, 2012: Gran Canaria, Canary Islands

Training Camp: January 13th-15th 2012

 

The North Face® Lavaredo Ultra Trail www.ultratrail.it

June 29th – 30th, 2012: Cortina D’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy

 

The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® www.ultratrailmb.com

August 27th- September 2nd, 2012: Chamonix, France

 

For The North Face® athlete news, mandatory running kit, and event round-ups, visit:

web: http://eu.thenorthface.com/
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenorthface

twitter: http://twitter.com/thenorthface

 

About The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®

Headline event, The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®, renowned as one of the most respected ultra trail courses in the world, is a 166km circuit of the Mont-Blanc, crossing three countries, ten passes at more than 2,000m in height, with an accumulated positive height gain of 9,500m. The popular 98km Courmayeur Champex Chamonix (CCC®) race considers 2,500m of altitude as runners face the Mont-Blanc and the Grandes Jorasses before an incredible ascension with a magnificent view on the Mont-Blanc chain. Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) crosses through the mountainous terrain of the Mont-Blanc, Beaufort, Tarentaise and Aosta Valley, covering a distance of around 109km with a positive height gain of 7,100m, including sections at altitude of 2,500m. La Petite Trotte a Leon (PTL), the non-competitive event for teams of two-three people, covers a mountainous course of approximately 300km for about 22,000m of positive altitude change.