In a big, exciting, growing year for teammate, Corrine Malcolm, named to Salomon, and picked up for the Trail World Champs team to be held on June 10th, it was by luck in a dance of balance that she was signed up for Transvulcania (part of the Skyrunner National Series), a race which would take place just weeks before the 2017 Trail World Championships.
Transvulcania hosts routes as hard as they are spectacular. The well-known Ruta del Baston makes you feel like you’re flying over the National Park of La Caldera de Taburiente, “leaving the incredible sea of clouds under your feet during the climb to Roque de los Muchachos.”
The ultramarathon route “begins at Faro de Fuencaliente and continue through the ‘Gran Recorrido’ trail GR 131, also known as ‘Ruta del Baston,’ until Puerto de Tazacorte. From there, it connect with the GR 130, Camino Real de la Costa, until the finish line, located in Plaza de Espana – Los Llanos de Aridane…Transvulcania is one of the toughest trail running races of the world, with a distance of 74.33 kilometers and 4,350 meters of positive cumulative gain and 4,057 meters of negative cumulative gain.”
On May 13th, Corrine made it to the 50k mark of the Ultramarathon before her locking lower back made it impossible to go further. Thankfully, she had the support of a Salomon crew at the aid station, who supported her in making the tough call. The Ultramarathon was won by Timothy Lee Freriks of Flagstaff, AZ (7:02:03), followed by Ludovic Pommeret of France (7:18:15) and Zaid Ait Malek, currently living in Spain (7:26:31). First female was the bloodied Ida Nilsson of Sweden (8:04:17), followed near 30 minutes later by Anne Lise Rousset of France (8:32:15) and Hillary Allen of the US (8:38:46). Full results for the Ultramarathon, as well as the half and marathon can be found HERE.
Up next for Corrine – ITRA’s Trail World Championships in Badia Prataglia, Toscani Italia on June 10th.
On Saturday, May 13th, a world away in Lynden, teammate Hazel, the road circuit queen, also competed, in the Roar & Soar 5k. Hazel took 1st Female, after having PR’d at the distance at last weekend’s Haggen to Haggen 5k…The Roar & Soar 5k is family fun event with all proceeds going towards volunteer teams at Fisher, Isom & Vossbeck Elementary schools to benefit the children. As a team, we not only love to compete, but really value races where proceeds are able to go back into the community, to benefit programs for youth, and to encourage youth in active, healthy lifestyles early on. We are proud of Hazel for participating, winning, and thankful for the organizers of the Roar & Soar. Keep up to date with them HERE!
Saturday, May 13th was also host to Bellingham’s Kulshan Quest Adventure Race, which teammate Scarlett Graham competed in…let’s remind you she raced Boston, and took 3rd at LAST WEEKEND’s Sunflower Marathon…participants of the Kulshan Quest Adventure race are given maps with checkpoints identified, and you and your team have to decide which routes you will take. For those of you new to Adventure Racing, an article called “Get Lost in the Kulshan Quest,” written by Ian Ferguson on 2014 explains it in, “An adventure race combines two or more endurance sports with navigation. Individuals and teams race from point A to point B by any route they choose, usually with a map and compass. Instead of relaying each section, teams must complete the race as a unit. The most extreme adventure races test the limits of human endurance and can last a week or more. Kulshan Quest is more accessible with a six-hour division and a 12-hour division.” Ferguson goes on to explain, “Although the course is kept secret, what is known is that the race will begin in the Fairhaven area. There will be kayaking, trail running and mountain biking sections, though not necessarily in that order. Teams will get lost. Fun will be had.”
Scarlett took 2nd in a double with Mitchell Harter (team name: Quest AR – Right Behind You) with a finishing time of 20:04 and 33 CP’s. I have no idea what this means, but it’s really really cool. Full results HERE!
Up next weekend – Maria Dalzot will race the Sun Mountain 25k in Winthrop, WA! And you’re probably wondering what’s next for Scarlett…well it’s Ski to Sea, and for several years she’s been car-free while doing the cross country ski leg…so…
