Tor des Geants. Here’s what we know. It’s a 330km race around the Aosta Valley, with 24,000m of ascent. You’ve got 150 hours to complete it. There are six lifebases where you can refuel and sleep, plus many refuges and aid stations. And, it will be hard. Those are the facts.

Then there was everything I didn’t know. What would the weather be like? How would the altitude affect me? How would my nutrition and sleep plans hold up? How would my legs cope with relentless descents?

One of the best pieces of advice I was given (by coach Robbie) was not to have a strict plan. To be ready to adapt. Not to stick to an inflexible sleep plan, trying to sleep for 90 mins if it was daylight and I wasn’t tired when I got to the lifebase, but to sleep when I needed to, ideally when it was dark. Little did I know at the start, but adapting the plan would be very much the theme of the race. Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face…

Adapt and keep moving forward

We set off from Courmayeur in the rain on Sunday morning. Having two waves of runners, two hours apart, meant that the start had a fairly relaxed feel and you weren’t crammed in with your face in people’s armpits (unlike those other races on the other side of Mont Blanc). The initial climbing was dictated by the snake of runners and I was happy just to settle in and keep it manageable. So far, so good.

One of the key things about this race is that you quite quickly find yourself up high, close to 3000m. So everybody starts to feel the effects of altitude early on.

You work harder and breathe harder, you feel sluggish, you might feel sick. But then you drop down again and hopefully you feel better fairly quickly. I got through the first night feeling ok, with nutrition plan pretty intact, but into the second day, the altitude punched me in the face. But actually, rather than a haymaker to the face, I think it was a series of light jabs over a prolonged period.

The reason? I hadn’t stayed on top of my hydration well enough, and I had let my nutrition slip when I started to feel nauseous. Add to that the general exertion and fatigue and it was no surprise I was feeling terrible. I had to work to turn that around.

A new day, a new weather forecast

Into the second day the rain stopped, the views opened up and I was absolutely punched in the face with the sheer beauty of this route. It felt like an incredible privilege to be on this journey in the mountains, seeing ibex, chamois, even a marmot, glimpsing snow-capped mountains all around. It is absolutely, hands-down, the most stunning route I have ever run.

The middle section of the race passed relatively well for me. I got back on top of my nutrition and hydration, I started to feel better, I was absolutely loving the route, the atmosphere and the fact that my legs were feeling pretty good (thanks Big Paul T, for my strength and conditioning plan).

We had a spell of running through pretty mountain villages, where the volunteers insisted we try their local delicacies on the aid stations. It’s touches like this that make the race unique and special and I loved soaking up these experiences.

A middling experience

I started to feel very fixated on getting to the mid-way point of the race, which was Rifugio Coda. It’s worth noting that the refuges are some of the highlights of this race. Ranging from small stone buildings to large, almost luxury hotel-like structures with bar and restaurant, all welcome you in and feed you soup and pasta. And some had beds. Actual beds!

At the lifebases you can sleep in camp beds, sometimes in a building, sometimes in a marquee, but always with a scratchy blanket that smelt of ‘other runners’ (you know that smell). But at some refuges they had beds, and that was an absolute highlight. Rifugio Coda didn’t have beds available, but the next refuge – della Barma – did, so I pressed on, buoyed by the fact I was halfway.

Rifugio della Barma just refused to appear. Over sections of ferrata with scary drops and up and down technical sections we went, but it just never seemed to get any closer. This is definitely a theme of this race – for every gloriously runnable section there is a long, bouldery, slow section which will mess with your mind. Eventually I reached it and entered to find about 30 runners, all with 1000 yard stares. 60 minutes in an actual bed never felt so good.

An ultramarathon with good food? Only in Italy

After another good day I got to Gressoney in pretty good shape. It was there that I had the culinary highlight of my trip to Italy – a cheese and tomato focaccia sandwich. I can’t explain how perfect it was in that moment. The fresh tomatoes, the salt, the soft bread, the salt, the carbs, the salt. I think I needed salt.

So I set off feeling good but also over-confident. I started to feel like the end was in sight and I just wanted to crack on and get that next section done. Fast forward a mere 15k with a couple of climbs in and I no longer knew what I was doing. This was my biggest punch in the face.

I found myself standing on the trail in the dark and I didn’t know where I was or what I was doing.

All I knew was that I had to follow the yellow flags. I read what it said on the flag (Tor de Geants) and then, with a sharp intake of breath, said “am I in Italy?”.

I’ve never been that confused through lack of sleep in my life and it was terrifying and something I am keen to avoid happening again. Fortunately I was close to Champoluc, an aid station with beds, so I followed the flags there and had an emergency sleep. If I’d been in a more remote place I could have been in danger, and it was the closest I came to a DNF.

Wall napping at its finest. Short sleeps like this help Tor des Geants runners keep moving forward.

Time for a nap?

After getting going again and after a big ascent to Rifugio Grand Tournalin and then a gruelling, long descent to Oyace I had another short nap. Then it was time for another push to Ollomont, during which the conditions were deteriorating with snow coming in.

After a final sleep I set off into what would be the last day for me, somewhat trepidatiously due to the conditions.  On the one hand I felt very privileged to experience some snowy mountain conditions, but on the other hand I was slightly scared about the final section already, let alone with added ice.

From the final refreshment point of Saint-Rhemy-en-Bosses it was essentially one big climb, punctuated by Rifugio Frassati, then one massive push over the top. “Easy”… maybe not.

Col du Malatra at 2900m looking chilly. Photo: Kirsty Reade

All four seasons in a race

Despite being so tired by this point the climb went well, but the conditions were very difficult by time I reached the refuge. I actually started to doubt if I had the courage to get over the scrambly summit in the ice. I was absolutely terrified by this prospect. Fortunately I buddied up with another runner and we took it as carefully and safely as possible, and we made it over just as night was falling.

The Tor flags are yellow for good reason.

It was almost literally all downhill from there and, once we were low enough to be below the snow/ice we could relax and run it in. The feeling that I was going to finish this race was indescribable and there were definitely tears shed. Coming into Courmayeur and seeing my crew (plus Nats, Rosa and Pica) is a moment I’ll remember forever.

The enormity of that journey, everything I’d seen and experienced, and the sense of pride I felt was completely overwhelming.

 This was without doubt the hardest race I’ve ever done, the most rewarding and the most beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever top it. If you’ve got a good amount of mountain ultra experience and you’re looking for a race where you can test your limits in every way, I cannot recommend it enough. It’s an adventure with a family feel and a unique atmosphere and I honestly don’t know how to get back to normal life after doing it. I might need to adapt that plan.

The post Why the Tor is still a knockout race appeared first on Fast Running.

It’s the final week and as I prepare for my third attempt at the Tor des Géants, a wave of emotion washes over me.

Nerves and anxiety have crept in. They’re fueled by the memories of past races, the spectre of recent setbacks and the excellent women who I will race next Sunday. However, I remind myself that this is my journey, and my focus must remain on my own performance, not on the competition around me.

Having been on the course a few times this summer, I’ve really enjoyed seeing the course in a non-race environment. The wonderful landscapes are both awe-inspiring and daunting. Each stretch of trail holds a memory, a lesson learned, and a challenge overcome. A new adventure awaits in each climb and descent.

Not all plain sailing, but par for the course

Preparation for the Tor des Géants has been a rollercoaster this year. After picking up an injury at the Gran Trail Courmayeur, my training has certainly not gone as planned but isn’t that often the way with these big dreams.

Each day presents a new opportunity to adapt and push forward, whether that means adjusting my training plan or taking the time to heal. Over the years of mountain running I have learned to roll with the punches when they come.

As the race approaches, I know I must focus on the basics: eating, drinking, and moving. These are my mantras for the race. Maybe I’ll add smiling to the list as well.

Staying fueled and hydrated will be crucial to maintaining my energy levels. I have been honing my nutrition strategy during training, experimenting with different foods and hydration methods to find what works best for my body.

Hopefully the weather is as good as this recce on the final day. For the whole week even. Photo: Natalie White

Keeping your head in the game

Equally important is the mental game. I must remind myself to focus on the positives. Every step on the course is a step towards achieving my goal, and I have the experience to draw upon from my previous attempts.

I’ve learned that comparing myself to others is a futile exercise; the Tor des Géants is a personal journey, and I can only control my own pace and mindset.

Despite the challenges, I am genuinely excited to get back on the course. I look to seeing my crew at every opportunity, Robbie Britton and Gary House, to provide support and top class banter. Well, looking forward to seeing Gary at least…

Follow along with excellent live coverage from Tor, for my race, but also the 430km Tor des Glaciers and other shorter events from 30 to 170km. 

The post Tor des Géants Reloaded appeared first on Fast Running.

They will launch this year’s competition with the Broken Arrow VK, our first short uphill gold label race, then follow that up swiftly with the 23k Broken Arrow Skyrace, our first long gold label race, on Sunday 23^rd.

It’s a fitting venue to set the standard for this year’s World Cup, the 25^th edition, as it’s an area rich in sporting history. Primarily known as a ski resort, it hosted the 1960 Winter Olympics, and in recent years Broken Arrow has grown both in size and reputation and is a hugely prestigious event, attracting elite runners from around the world across its five races. With a base elevation of 1,890 metres and stunning peaks all around, including the prominent 2,700 metre Washeshu Peak, it has the perfect credentials for mountain racing.

Broken Arrow has previously been a highlight of the World Cup in 2019, 2021 and 2023, and every edition gets more and more competitive. And while it takes place in the US, the event very much adheres to strong traditions of European mountain running, with steep terrain, scrambling and huge amounts of vertical gain and loss at altitude.

The courses

First up is our short uphill race, the Broken Arrow VK on Friday 21^st June at 9.30am local time (UTC -7). The race starts on the valley floor and climbs its way up 914m (3,000 feet) over 4.8km (3 miles) to the summit of Washeshu Peak at 2708m (8885 feet). Despite some changes to the course this year, along the way it still takes in some brutally steep terrain, leading up to the iconic Headwall Ridge and the ‘stairway to heaven’ bolted ladder to the summit of Washeshu Peak. Runners will experience steep rock slabs, snow and scree, which is guaranteed to deliver an exciting race.

On Sunday 23^rd at 8am it’s time for the long mountain race, the Broken Arrow Skyrace. This is a loop which climbs 1,533m over the course of 23km (or 5,033 feet over 14.25 miles). It starts in Palisades Tahoe Village and most of the race takes place above the tree line on technical and demanding trails. Runners will be treated to views of Granite Chief Wilderness and they will experience Emigrant Pass, KT-22 and, like the VK runners, the ‘stairway to heaven’ ladder to Washeshu Peak.

Please note that the courses are liable to slight changes each year depending on snow conditions. 

The Favourites

With registration still open for elites, there could still be changes to the final start lists, but there’s no doubt at all that we’ll see some highly competitive racing. Many of the runners from last year’s podiums are back this year, along with others who could well challenge them.

In the women’s VK last year’s winner, Anna Gibson (Brooks), will be back to defend her title. 2023 runner up, Jade Belzberg (Topo), will also be back, as will Annie Dube and Anna Mae Flynn (Mountain Endurance Team), who finished fourth and fifth respectively last year. But they will face stiff competition in the form of Allie McLaughlin(HOKA), Tabor Hemming (Adidas Terrex) and others.

The men’s VK is also looking incredibly competitive. Darren Thomas (Salomon), second last year, is back, as is last year’s fifth place finisher, Abraham Hernandez Cruz. Joining them will be some big names to watch, including Philemon Ombogo Kiriago (Run2gether), Jim Walmsley (HOKA), Eli Hemming (Adidas Terrex) and Christian Allen.

Darren Thomas (Salomon) is back to contest both races © Peter Maksimov

Many of the runners are racing both the VK and the Skyrace, with a day in between to recover. Last year the Skyrace was severely affected by snow but we understand the snowline isn’t as low this year. Memorably Allie McLaughlinbattled with Anna Gibson last year, taking the lead and stretching it out to win. McLaughlin is doing the double here, as are Tabor Hemming, who was third last year, and Annie Dube. Janelle Lincks, fourth last year, also returns. Sophia Laukli (Salomon), a breakout star in last year’s World Cup, also looks to be toeing the line and will be one to watch.

In the men’s Skyrace defending champion, Eli Hemming, returns, along with the rest of last year’s podium, Chad Halland Meikael Beaudoin-Rousseau (Brooks). Allen, Kipngeno and Thomas will double up, which should make things interesting. To shake things up even further former world champion Joe Gray (HOKA) is on the start list.

Zak Hanna(New Balance), who finished fourth in last year’s VK here, is just taking on the Skyrace this year.

Follow all the action on our on Facebook and Instagram and via Broken Arrow’s Livestream.

Allie McLaughlin (HOKA) on her way to victory in the 23k race in 2023 © Peter Maksimov

THE WMRA AND ITS COMMITMENT TO CLEAN SPORTMANSHIP

Since its inception, the WMRA has adhered to strict anti-doping regulations, complying with World Athletics protocols. The 2024 series will feature WADA-accredited anti-doping measures in every race, continuing the tradition of rigorous testing implemented since 2007.

In 2023 alone, 70 tests were conducted in the 18 races of the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup series, with more than 72 planned for this season and its 12 races, all of them by independent and accredited local entities, always recognized by the respective athletics local federation and the WADA.

Follow along on Facebook and Instagram and get involved using #wearemountainrunning #valsirworldcup #wmra24 #wmra40years

About the WMRA:

Formed in 1984, the World Mountain Running Association is the global governing body for

mountain running and has the goal of promoting mountain running for all ages and abilities.
Aswell as the World Cup, the WMRA organizes Masters, U18 and area championships and

in partnership with the World Athletics, ITRA and IAU to deliver the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck, Austria. The WMRA also maintains the Mountain Running World Ranking, a system of points allocated to athletes based on the results in designated races.

The post 2024 Valsir Mounatain Running World Cup opens at Broken Arrow appeared first on Fast Running.

In the build-up to this year’s Tor des Geants in the Aosta valley, Italy, Kirsty Reade and Natalie White will share their training and preparations in a series of article focused on the race and mountain ultra-running. 

As a seasoned runner with two successful completions of the grueling 350km Tor des Geants under my belt, I’ve gained invaluable insights and strategies for training and preparation. This iconic race, which traverses the breathtaking yet brutal terrain of Italy’s Aosta Valley, is not just a test of physical endurance but also of mental fortitude.

We’re not sure if Natalie has previously run GTC or this is a mugshot from a crime committed at the race. Credits: Alessandro Zambianchi and Gran Trail Courmayeur / ZZAM agency

Incorporating Key Races into Training

One of the most effective ways to prepare for the Tor des Geants is to include races that simulate the event’s demanding conditions. The Gran Trail Courmayeur, a 55km race through the rugged Mont Blanc massif, serves just that purpose. They have a 105 and 55k race, in the same valley as the Tor. This year I’ll return to the 55k.

The race offers a microcosm of the challenges faced in the Tor des Geants, with its steep ascents, technical descents, and high-altitude trails. It’s organised by the same people as well, so you get a feel for the race environment, the checkpoints and maybe even a chance to test out a pre-race pizzeria for September.

The GTC also provides an ideal setting to practice race-day nutrition and hydration strategies. During training and in prep races, experiment with different types of nutrition—gels, bars, electrolyte drinks, and real food—to determine what your stomach tolerates best and what keeps your energy levels steady.

Photo: Jack Atkinson

Lessons from Ultra Trail Snowdonia

In my journey, not every race has gone according to plan. A particularly pivotal experience was my attempt at the Ultra Trail Snowdonia. Unfortunately I withdrew at the 80km mark following a fall. Despite not completing the race, this event was a valuable one and, in the long run, I’m sure it’ll make me stronger. Here’s why:

Firstly, the race underscored the importance of being adaptable. In such long races, conditions can change rapidly, and unforeseen obstacles and incidents are part of the job. Learning to adapt your pace, strategy, and mindset on the fly is essential.

Secondly, it reinforced the significance of mental resilience. The disappointment of not finishing can be a powerful motivator, driving a deeper commitment to training and preparation. Mental toughness is built not only through physical training but also by overcoming setbacks and learning to manage pain and fatigue.

Crafting a Comprehensive Training Plan

With this being the third time I’ve prepped for the Tor you’d think the training would be dialled in by now. But every year we grow stronger, new challenges arise and we find new ways to improve.

Working with my coach Robbie (who’s also my husband), we plan out the bigger landmarks along the way. This can be a training trip onto the course in August and build-up races in July. On a shorter scale training is planned weeks to week, reacting to progress and life.

We monitor time and elevation more than distance. Not all kilometres are created equal, and if you’re training for a race with steep, technical ascents and descents, you can’t be running your long runs on flat roads (Kirsty covered that in her article too).

Lastly, the crafting never stops. Week after week, month after month, we need to be able to adapt the plan. Planning months ahead may seem smart, but we can’t see the future and a plan needs to be adaptable by the athlete and the coach. Plus, sometimes you just want to add in an adventure or two.

Practicing Race-Day Fuelling

Effective fuelling is a game-changer in ultra-distance races, especially when they last for multiple days. During my training, I often focus on mimicking race conditions. This includes long runs.

I carry and eat the same nutrition I plan to use during the race itself. It’s not just about what you eat, but also when you eat and how your body and mind responds under different conditions of stress and fatigue.

Sometimes we stop eating as regularly when we’re tired. The more you’ve practiced and built routines to keep the fuel coming in, the more likely you’ll make the right decision in the heat of the battle.

Third times a charm

Training for the Tor des Geants goes beyond just logging miles. It requires planning, adaptability, and learning from every experience—both successful and challenging.

With the lessons learned from past races, such as the GTC55 and Ultra Trail Snowdonia (and two previous Tor des Geants) I’ll be well-equipped to face the extraordinary demands of this epic adventure. Third times a charm anyway.

The post Insights from Experience: Racing in Aosta appeared first on Fast Running.

In the build-up to this year’s Tor des Geants in the Aosta valley, Italy, Kirsty Reade and Natalie White will share their training and preparations in a series of article focused on the race and mountain ultra-running. 

The media reported, with incredulity, that Barkley Marathons finisher Jasmin Paris had completed nine hours of hill reps in the snow in the early hours one morning. Add to the that she also tackled a simulated Barkley course that her family had created for her as part of her training for the event, the public saw it as odd. Ultra runners were probably not that surprised.

A few years ago I did a multi-day mountain ultra and met somebody who had done all their training on the road.  They proclaimed they’d be ok though, because they’d run a sub 3 hour marathon. That’s fast, but still, they didn’t last long in the race…

It should be that surprising that flat, fast training doesn’t always translate to fitness for long days in the hills. In the same way that you wouldn’t expect to run a 5k PB when training for a mountain ultra. You might, but only if you haven’t updated your PB in a while.

The theory may seem obvious at this point in the article it is something that can be difficult to put into practice.

Trying to be specific

I’m training for Tor des Geants in September, a 330k race with 24,000m of ascent, and specificity is very much on my mind.

For the moment this is going to relate to my training week, what terrain I run on and my strength work, but as we get closer to the event it’s also going to relate more closely to nutrition (what I’m going to eat at different times of the day in the race), sleep (doing some night runs and runs that mimic how I might nap and then run in the race) and, possibly most important of all, spending some time on the actual race route.

One of the first things I did with my coach (FR editor Robbie Britton) was work out what races I was going to do in the run-up to the Tor (or TDG). Or more accurately not do.

I was already entered into the British long distance races Northern Traverse and Lakeland 100 when I got the place in TDG. Whilst Northern Traverse didn’t go to plan and the weather, in part, put paid to a finishing the race for the second time, Robbie and I came to the decision that Lakeland 100 will be a DNS.

Whilst being fairly sad about not starting one of British best 100 mile races it’s not as specific as you might think to TDG (it goes over passes rather than summits and most of the terrain is quite runnable in comparison). Add to that it’s a little close in terms of recovery (7 weeks), but, more importantly, it would mean I miss some important weeks of training when tapering, running and recovering the 100 miler.

Finding my own Italian Alps

In terms of training I’m very fortunate to live on the edge of the English Lake District. Hills won’t be a problem! Even so I’m also heading up to Scotland to get some even longer climbs in.

I’ve earmarked some hills as ‘the right sort’, eg Skiddaw with its long, gradual, rocky path, and others as ‘the wrong sort’, eg Yewbarrow, a straight up grassy monster. Longer runs will take in as many of the ‘right sort’ of hills as possible, but hill sessions will continue to be done on old favourites with an elevation I can actually run.

My training plan will include some weekend adventures where I do a long, hilly run on a Saturday, refuel and sleep somewhere for a few hours and then carry on with another long, hilly run on the Sunday. This will be getting me ready for the run, eat, short rest, repeat nature of non-stop multidays and getting used to running on tired legs.

Most of the time it helps to be carrying all the kit I’ll have with me during the race because I’ve made that mistake before – starting a race thinking ‘this bag feels really heavy’, then finding out it chafes your shoulders after a few miles.

Paul Tierney in the 2021 Tor des Geants gathering some experience to help Kirsty in the future. Photo: Roberto Roux/TorX

Covering all bases

For my strength work I went to Paul Tierney, who assessed me and set me a TDG specific plan. He broke the race down into its key components for me – “it’s basically walking uphill for a really long time, then jogging some long downhills and flat” – and worked out what I needed to load in order to prepare for it.

Paul is a multiple finisher of TDG and the longer 450k Tor des Glaciers and one of the most experienced and well-read strength and conditioning experts out there, and I trust his process implicitly. We’ll be going into his approach in more detail in a future article.

I’m really looking forward to the next few months of training and preparation for TDG, mostly because a lot of it is the stuff I enjoy doing anyway. When people struggle to train with specificity for a race my first question is whether they have entered a race they’ll enjoy.

All too often we can get swept up in entering races because other people do them or they’re labelled as ‘bucket list’ events, but we’ve all got different strengths, motivations and reasons for doing races. And even if we really want to do them, it might not be the right time in terms of experience or other things going on in our lives that make specific training difficult.

If you want to give yourself the best chance of succeeding in an ultra, whether it’s a flat 50k, a hilly hundred miler, or a multi-day mountain race, specificity is key.

If you’re interested in racing in Italy then check our the TorX website with several of their races and more information on how to follow the events this year. 

The post The importance of specificity appeared first on Fast Running.

Zak Hanna finished a magnificent fifth in the men’s uphill kilometre race at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships, held in Chiang Mai, Thailand over three days from Friday until Sunday, November 4 to 6.

Hanna was competing on Friday and in warm, humid conditions, completed 8.5km route in 49 mins 32 secs. It was a best Irish male result since John Lenihan won a World Championship title after victory in Zermatt, Switzerland 31 years ago.
Patrick Kipngeno of Kenya made the decisive break late on to claim the gold in 45.51 for a first Kenyan win in the event.

Said Hanna afterwards: ‘Going into the race I was aiming for top 15, however fifth in the world is just amazing. I remember my first World Championships in 2016 when I was 76th, and it’s just been a steady ladder of progress until now.’

In the ‘up and down’ race on Sunday, Sarah McCormack finished 21st, gaining one place in the second half of the 10.7 km race to finish in 52 mins 47. Rebecca Cheptegai of Uganda was the race winner in 46:25; Britain’s Scout Adkin finished a fighting fifth in 50:19.

Incorporated in the championships for the first time were trail races over 38km and 78km. Finishing 40th in the longer of those two was Paddy O’Leary in 8 hrs 41 mins 59 secs. Winner was the American Adam Peterman in 7:15.53.

Efrem Gidey winning the men’s race at the Dublin Cross-Country Championships. Photo: Lindie Naughton

Cross-country

A smiling Efrem Gidey of Clonliffe Harriers was the runaway winner of the senior men’s race at the Dublin. Cross-Country Championships held at Saggart on Sunday (November 6)

Gidey lapped a large percentage of the field on his way to completing the 10km distance in a time of 31 mins 22secs.

Behind him, Emmet Jennings of Dundrum South Dublin AC, Pierre Murchan of Dublin City Harriers and Ian Guiden of Clonliffe Harriers traded the lead several times in the battle for second place.

Towards the end of the final lap, Murchan sprinted past Jennings and took the silver by a second, with the pair timed at 32:10 and 32:11 respectively.

Guiden finished fourth in 32:18, and with Sean O’Leary finishing fifth and Sergiu Ciobanu ninth, Clonliffe were comfortable winners of the team title with 19 points. Second on 50 points was Raheny Shamrock AC with Dundrum South Dublin AC third on 57 points.

Niamh Kearney and Meghan Ryan – first and second senior women. Photo: Lindie Naughton

Women’s senior race

In the women’s senior race over 6km, Niamh Kearney of Raheny Shamrock AC and Meghan Ryan of Dundrum South Dublin AC battled it out at the front after Dublin City Harriers pair Jodie McCann and Faye Dervan had pushed the early pace.

In the end, Kearney took the victory in 22 mins 1 secs, with Ryan second in 22.07. With Dervan, third in 22:26 followed by McCann fourth, Alison Armstrong sixth and Cliona Murphy seventh, DCH took the team prize ahead of DSD and Raheny Shamrock.

In the junior women’s 4km, DSD took its only individual victory of the day, with Eimear Maher showing a welcome return to form to win comfortably in 15 mins 6 secs. Eve Noctor of Lucan Harriers was second in 15:41 and Ellen McLoughlin of Metro St Brigid’s AC third in 15:48.

After a sprint for the line, Louis Woodger of Metro St Brigid’s AC won the junior men’s 6km with a time of 19:58. Raheny Shamrock AC’s Shane Spring finished on his heels in 19:59. Eanna Ó Bradaigh of Dundrum South Dublin AC was third in 20:11. DSD took the team titles in both junior races and indeed was the only club to take team medals in all four races.

With its traditional home of Santry Demesne not available, the races were held beside a golf course at City West in Saggart. The venue, discovered by members of Tallaght AC, proved a big hit, easily accessible off the Naas dual carriageway and with ample parking. With access to almost all public parks in Dublin proving tricky these days, let’s hope the venue can be used again.

Golf clubs the style for the weekend

A day earlier, Fiona McKenna of UCD AC and Gerry Forde from Kilkenny City Harriers were the winners at the Leinster Cross-Country Championships held at Mountain View Golf Club, Ballyhale, Co Kilkenny.

In the men’s 10km race Forde was the clear winner in 34 mins 55 secs. Second was Philip Marron of Ratoath AC in 35:42 while third was Sli Cualann AC’s Joe Dowd of in 35:58. Dowd was leading Sli Cualann AC to team victory over Tullamore Harriers and Kilkenny City Harriers.

McKenna, who finished in 18 mins 50 secs, was followed home by Nadine Donegan of Tullamore Harriers in 19:25 and Laura Buckley of Dunboyne AC in 19:56. Team winners were Dublin City Harriers, led by Claire Rafter in seventh place. Tullamore Harriers were second and Dunboyne AC third.

Masters shine in Connacht

In Stranorlar, Co Donegal on Saturday (November 5) , Gary Crummy of Newry AC won the men’s 6km race at the NI and Ulster Novice Cross-Country Championships leading from the gun and finishing in 19 mins 48 secs. Oisin Toye of Finn Valley AC was second in 20:11 and Peter Gracey of Beechmount Harriers third in 20:18.

Judith Storm of City of Derry Spartans AC won the women’s 4km race in 16:47. Lindsey Smyth of Tafelta AC was second in 17:12 and Maggie O’Hora of Finn Valley AC third in 17:34.

Due to circumstances beyond the organisers’ control, the McConnell Shield Cross-Country scheduled for Ballyclare, Co Antrim on Saturday (November 5) was cancelled.

Winner of the women’s race at the second day of the Connacht Cross-Country Championships hosted by Drumshanbo AC on Sunday (November 6) was Fiona Gettings of Longford AC.

Gettings was also first W35 and indeed the top eight finishers in the race were all masters. Second was Michelle Lannon of Carrick-on-Shannon AC , while third and first W50 was Mari Johnson of Sligo AC. Fifth and first W65 was Pauline Moran of Sligo AC. First senior woman in ninth place was Valeriia Petrova of North Sligo AC, while Susanne O’Bernie of North Leitrim AC was first novice. Mayo was first county team.

Masters also dominated the men’s race, with Eamonn Murphy, an M50, the winner for North Sligo AC. Ronán O Conghaile of Galway City Harriers was second and first M35 and Thomas Kelly of North Sligo AC third and second M50. First senior, in ninth place, was Fintan Whelan of Sligo AC while first novice was David Clyne of Roscommon Harriers. Sligo was first team.

Roads

David Callaghan of Tallaght AC and Kate Kelly of Athlone AC were the winners of the 10-mile race at the Corofin Loops in Co Galway on Sunday (November 6). They finished in times of 56 mins 4 secs and 60:53 respectively. Former Irish marathon International and world masters champion Christine Kennedy of Galway City Harriers was first W60 in 72:47.

In the associated 8km, Michael Canty of Moy Valley AC was the winner in 27:44, with Emma Rowe of Galway City Harriers first woman in 31:54.

At the Run to Remember 5km in Ballynahinch, also on Sunday, Tom Crudgington of NewcastleAC was the winner in 17 mins 50 secs. Fourth overall and first woman was Kelley Haniver of Willowfield in 21:19.

Catch-up

Ryan Creech of Leevale Ac won the Leicester Half Marathon with a time of 66:32 on Sunday, October 30.

On the USA college circuit, Jane Buckley of Leevale AC won the women’s title at the Big East Cross-Country Championships held in Highland Park, Massachusetts on Saturday, October 29. She was only the second freshman ever to have won the event and her strong performance has already put her in contention for a place on the Irish U20 team for the Spar European Cross Country Championships in Turin, Italy on December 11.

In the men’s race, Charlie O’Donovan, like Buckley from Leevale AC, finished fifth and helped the Villanova men, coached by Marcus O’Sullivan, to their eighth conference title.

* Still no confirmed results from the Irish Marathon Championshisp held in conjunction with the Dublin Marathon on October 30, although we definitely know that former champions Mick Clohisey and Sergiu Ciobanu did not finish, despite being listed in the original results.

Considerable confusion has resulted from the transfer of numbers from 2020. Of the original 25,000 sell-out entry for that year’s cancelled race, about 18,000 ended up collecting their race entry, while 14,773 are listed as official finishers. Numbers were also unofficially transferred, adding to the difficulties. Full official results when we get them.

The post Hanna storms to 5th in World – Irish round-up appeared first on Fast Running.

After so far 16 exciting races around the world, the final podium positions will be decided over 3.2km in distance and 1000m in ascent on the historic route near the Swiss border.

Henri Aymonod, the winner here each of the last three years, and course record-holder Andrea Mayr stand out on the entry lists for what is the fastest race on the World Cup circuit, with the leaders set to take just over half an hour.

Although Joyce Njeru and Patrick Kipngeno have already secured the overall titles, plenty else is at stake before the final World Cup presentations are made on Saturday afternoon.

Zak Hanna has been in absolutely fine uphill form this summer. Photo:Marco Gulberti, Corsa in Montagna

Men’s contenders

Italy’s Aymonod last year picked up his third win in succession by 38 seconds, taking 31 minutes 41 seconds to cover the route which starts at 352m altitude in the centre of Chiavenna and ascends the mule tracks and mountain paths to Lagunc.

With the top two overall places in the World Cup having already been allocated to the absent Kenyans Kipngeno and Philemon Kiriago Ombogo, Ireland’s Zak Hanna and Eritrea’s Petro Mamu will battle it out for third place.

Hanna, who is also virtually assured the World Cup “short” category win, was second at the similarly quick Vertical Nasego last month, two places ahead of Aymonod.

Former winner Mamu, who was seventh last year, will be looking to add to his only World Cup win this season at Giir di Mont.

Italy’s Alberto Vender, who was fourth last year, will be competing in his first World Cup race of the season.

Other top contenders include Britain’s 2019 European uphill-only champion Jacob Adkin, Slovenia’s Timotej Bečan, the winner at Smarna Gora earlier this month and who is third on the WMRA world rankings, Italy’s Andrea Rostan, who was fifth and sixth here the last two years, and Kenya’s Lengen Lolkurraru.

Photo: Marco Gulberti

Women’s contenders

Austria’s Mayr will be seeking to defend her title and continue her impressive record in short uphill races.

Mayr, who needs second to be certain of winning the 2022 short category title, is the course record-holder from when she took the second of her three wins here in 2018. Her time of 35:40 was a world record, though it has been since surpassed.

The world-ranked No.2 would clinch second overall for the season with a win, but waiting to pounce should she fail will be Kenya’s twice world mountain running champion Lucy Wambui. She was ninth here last year.

Italy’s Camilla Magliano also has a chance of second overall as she competes in her 11th World Cup race of the year.

Just behind her in the latter race was Finland’s Susanna Saapunki, who is another lining up in Italy.

Britain’s Scout Adkin will be another to watch out for after she finished third and fourth respectively in the European Championships up-and-down and uphill-only races this year.

About the race

The Chiavenna-Lagunc was first run in 1986 and, after an amendment in the route, it became the first world’s officially certified vertical kilometre – defined as climbing at least 1000m within less than 5km in distance.

With a 33% gradient, it will naturally be extremely tough going but, unlike some VKs, the path is perfectly safe for all. Its runnable nature means numerous world records have been set here.

The event will be run as a time trial with each athlete starting 30 seconds apart, starting from 9.15am local time.

The weekend continues with the 42km-long Val Bregaglia Trail race on Sunday. Follow our social media channels, particularly Twitter on @WMRAmountainrun for updates from Italy.

The post Aymonod and Mayr to star as 2022 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup reaches its climax appeared first on Fast Running.

First organized in 1979, the Šmarna gora mountain running race has grown from a local race to becoming internationally recognized as an World Athletics (formerly IAAF) permit race in 2001 and most recently hosting stops on the World Mountain Running Association’s (WMRA) Valsir Mountain Running World Cup circuit. Šmarna gora was also the WMRA World Cup finale 19 times including most recently in 2019.

Šmarna gora – translated as Mount Saint Mary – is an inselberg in the north of Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia. The mountain is part of the city’s Šmarna Gora District. It is the highest hill (669 meters, 2,195 ft) in the city and a popular hiking destination in addition to hosting races.

Šmarna gora has played host to many of the worlds best mountain runners in years past including Izabela Zatorska (POL), Angela Mudge (GBR), Anna Pritchtova (CZE), Lucio Fregona (ITA), Emanuele Manzi (ITA) and Ahmet Arslan (TUR). Also veterans of Šmarna gora are past world champions Jonathan Wyatt (NZL), Andra Mayr (AUT) and Marco Degasperi (ITA).

26th Šmarna Gora record

Starting on Friday, September 30th, the Šmarna gora record – a WMRA Associate Race Member – will kick-off in the afternoon. This short uphill race is only 1.8 km but climbs 360 meters. Beginning at the Smarna gora foothill / Tacen, it will finish on the Smarna gora summit, following the “Čez korenine” path.

The women will start at 16:50 and the men at 17:00. The men’s course record of 10:59 was set by Filimon Abraham (ERI) in 2020. The women’s course record of 13:18 was set by Mateja Kosovelj (SLO) in 2006.

Photo: Marco Gulberti

43rd Šmarna Gora Race

Starting on Saturday, October 1st, the Šmarna gora race will be the final Silver Label event in the 2022 Valsir Mountain Running World Cup. This classic mountain running event is 10 km in length with an altitude gain: 710m+/350m-, net uphill but plenty of rugged trail downhills to keep runners on their toes. The race will start in sport park Rocen, 10 km NW from Ljubljana and finish on the Šmarna gora summit.

It’s not just the elite runners who will take on the Šmarna gora race.

There will also be categories and separate starts for juniors and masters runners in U12, U14, U16, U20, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+ age groups with 200 participants registered. The Šmarna gora race is also a national mountain running championships with the championships ranking is for Slovenian teams only.

Expect some of the world’s best mountain runners this weekend in Slovenia but also the very best domestic field assembled.

Jacob Adkin European Championships in Zermatt. Photo: Robbie Britton

The athletes

Sparks will fly when the elite mountain runners depart for Šmarna gora summit. In the women’s field all eyes will be on six-time race winner and multiple world champion Andrea Mayr (AUT) to take a seventh win and perhaps break the course record.

That record was set by Mateja Kosovelj (SLO) the same year she was 2nd at the European Mountain Running Championships. Challenging Mayr will be Sarah McCormack (IRL) who is currently 16th on the WMRA World Ranking. Also look out for Susanna Saapunki (FIN) to challenge for the podium. Other international women ready to toe the starting line include Finty Royle (GBR), Caterina Stenta (ITA), Rachel Borg (MLT), Carmen Hili (MLT) and Carmen Kuntz (CAN).

Looking to make a splash in front of his home-crowd will be Timotej Becan (SLO) who is currently 4th on the WMRA World Ranking list.

While Becan may be the favorite, don’t tell Jacob Adkin (GBR) who will surely not give up the top spot without a fight. Other international men to watch are Michael Selelo Saoli (KEN), Lengen Lolkurraru (KEN), Jasper Boot (NED), Andreas Stitz (AUT), Ross Gollan (GBR), Elia Costa (ITA), Isaco Costa (ITA), Lucio Fregona (ITA), Roberto Fregona (ITA), Luke Micallef (MLT), Simon Spiter (MLT) and Patrik Nilsson (SWE).

In addition to national titles and world cup glory, runners will compete for up to 4000 euro in prize money with a 250 bonus available for anyone who breaks the course records (men: 41:32 and women: 47:40).

All the runners who will participate in both races (Record on Friday and the Race on Saturday), will apply for special awards. The fastest women/men will receive special awards.

Check out this webpage for a list of the top times ever run at Smarna gora

Live-streaming

The Šmarna Gora Runs bring something new this year – a live broadcast of the events on Šmarna Gora. During Friday’s Record and Saturday’s Run, for the first time this year you will be able to follow the competitors’ arrivals at the finish line live.

Visit this webpage for the livestream link.

The post Mountain Running double-header coming to Slovenia’s Šmarna gora appeared first on Fast Running.

Whenever the question is asked about bucket list races, there is always one that tops the list. Since the first time seven years ago, when the huge scale of this particular beast was simply beyond comprehension, the Tor has stolen my imagination.

Starting and finishing in the beautiful Courmayuer, in the shadow of Monte Bianco, it is a non-stop tour of the Aosta Valley, via the high passes and cols, the refugios and the odd stone bridge. The army of 3000 volunteers, proud to be welcoming you to their home valleys, are just another reason this race is so special.

This year is different. My wife Nats is back. After finishing in 2016 in 11th spot,  in her first race over a distance over 60k, rushing back wasn’t on the agenda. It took 118 hours (and two minutes) to get all the way back to the start. This time the goal is to go quicker, but not really by running faster.

Photo: Riccardo Cabella

British and Irish interest

The start line always attracts some excellent competition and this year the mens and women’s field had some top British runners. For the men it was Damo Hall and Kim Collison trading punches with the front, but Kim stopped before half way (still quite some distance) and Damian fell back to 7th and is close to losing his “First Brit” position.

Who to, do you ask? Well Sabrina Verjee, who has been battling at the sharp end for the entire race, and now is in joint first place and sixth overall, having overtaken Damian as this was being written. Known for great feats of sleep deprivation and running combined, the La Sportive athlete is timing this performance well with the launch of her book by Vertebrate Publishing on Thursday.

Just behind Verjee is two athletes I coach myself, Sophie Grant in third and Nats, a few hours back in sixth. The British/Kiwi women are out in force and showing some real strength going into the final 100k of the race.

Starting in the second wave (they were two hours apart) has allowed Lawrence Eccles, now in 12th, to spend the whole race overtaking runners and keep progressing up the rankings. There is all still to play for and Eccles could also break into the top 10.

Photo: Jack Atkinson

What’s next?

How challenging the next sections are all depend on what time of date you cross them. Some will hit technical rocky sections in the day, others spend the hottest part of the afternoon in a rifugio catching 40 winks simply because the body (and mind) can go no further without.

Now I better stop writing this before the positions all change. Plus the need for some sleep before Nats gets to the next life base.

The post The magic of the Tor so far appeared first on Fast Running.

After the inaugural edition of the Canfranc Vertical (4k/D+927m) saw wins for Kenya’s Joyce Njeru and Spain’s Daniel Osanz on Friday evening, today saw the 10th Gold Label stage of the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup, the Canfranc Classic 16k.

Running over a scenic route of 16k and D+1.400m, summiting La Moleta (2,574m), the course is like a scale reproduction of the entire Aragonese Pyrenees; charming village, deep forest trails, rocky climbing, challenging descending to a mountain lake and the final rush to the end over the Camino de Santiago.

The field at the start was full of class. Two-time champion Antonio Martínez faced the number 2 in the WMRA world ranking, the Kenyan Philemon Kiriago, and the young Frenchman Robert Loic (runner-up at the French National Champs and M.I.U.T. Marathon champion). Serious challengers were also Raul Criado (winner of the Long distance category in last year’s World Cup), Noel Burgos (Canfranc marathon champion) and Alex García Carrillo (National Spain Classic 2022 champion)

The women’s race included the Valsir World Cup leader Joyce Njeru as the favourite against the Italian Camilla Magliano (Bronze Nid d’Aigles 2022, 4th Challenge Stellina 2022). Also there were two runners from the Spanish European Champs team Laia Montoya and Julia Font (Spanish Mountain Marathon Champion 2022) who would fight for the title to stay in Spain. Leire Fernández Abete was a great unknown quantity, as the former Zegama junior champion chose Canfranc to return to competition after successfully battling a tumor for the last two years.

Joyce Njeru Seals Overall Title With Double Win

From the very start, Joyce chose to lead from the front and took off with enormous power again, while the Italian Camilla Magliano struggled behind, hoping for her downhill technique to overcome her later on. Behind them Laia García Montoya soon got into podium positions while Julia Font and Leire Fernández Abete completed the top 5.

Joyce reached La Moleta summit after 1:11.21, which predicted a good time at the finish line but far from the impressive record of 1h57 that Grayson Murphy (USA) left behind as 2021 champion. Camilla passed just 1:23 back, fighting for the victory while Laia was third very much on her own, 5 minutes behind the Italian but another 5 minutes ahead of Julia and Leire.

The descent dreamt by the Italian was not to be. Joyce proved she continues to progress day by day and in a descent as fast as it was technical and ferocious, she not only maintained her advantage but increased it remarkably.

In the end it was Joyce Njeru champion with 2.01.58, silver for Camilla Magliano 2.08.24 and Laia Montoya closed the podium with 1.17.28. Julia Font with 2.16.29 and Leire Fernández Abete with 2.20.41 completed the top 5.

Njeru’s lead is now unassailable. With 3 races still to run she is the Valsir Mountain Running World Cup Champion!

Photo: Ruben Fueyo

Robert Loic Wins For France

Meanwhile, in the men´s race Kenyan Philemon Kiriago shot out for the kill right from the station, with Frenchman Robert Loic as the only one who dared to stay on his wake. It was gold or DNF for him. Behind the leaders, Spaniards Raul Criado, Noel Burgos and Antonio Martínez followed their own strategy, as experts on the course.

Kiriago summited La Moleta with a new ascent record at 1.00.08 slicing out 2 minutes on Daniel Osanz’s 2020 time. Also at a record pace, Robert Loic stayed second, trusting on his upbringing at the French Pyrenees to overcome the 1:42 lost on the climb in the descent. He bet right.

Half way down, Loic’s technique and courage risking everything paid off and he took the lead, while behind them both there was a crazy descent by world descent VK record holder Raul Criado who despite summiting fourth 5 minutes behind Philemon was blasting down the mountain spurred on by the dream of every one of the 600 Canfranc volunteers for him to win the World Cup at his home village.

The Canfranc finish line welcomed Robert Loic as champion with 1.43.11 which left us a new record, way below that off 1.47.35 by Antonio Martínez. Kenyan Philemon Kiriago took the silver with 1.43.53, just 42” behind the champion, while Raul Criado signed a sensational bronze with 1.45.00. The Spaniards Antonio Martínez and Noel Burgos closed out the top 5 with 1.49.50 and 1.50.48.

Kiriago’s 2 podium finishes bring him within touching distance of Patrick Kipngeno at the top of the standings, just 52 points behind. With 3 races to go, it could go right down to the wire!

The post Njeru Seals Overall Title While Loic Breaks Course Record appeared first on Fast Running.