Extreme Series’ finals head for Scotland

2015 winner Emelie Forsberg, Salomon Glen Coe Skyline. ©iancorless.com
2015 winner Emelie Forsberg, Salomon Glen Coe Skyline. ©iancorless.com

The third and final Skyrunner® Extreme Series race will be held in Scotland on September 18 at the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ where the top ranked runners will be aiming for the Series’ title.

The race was inaugurated in 2015 and, like the Tromsø SkyRace® in Norway, was made to measure to fit skyrunning parameters. The Extreme Series, presented by Alpina Watches, was introduced this year to showcase the more technical skyrunning races in a stand-alone circuit which launched in Norway, followed by the legendary Kima Trophy just ten days ago and will conclude with the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ in the Scottish Highlands. Two out of the three races count for the final ranking where points are increased by 20% in the last race.

The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline course, 2015. ©ianclorless.com

The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline course, 2015. ©ianclorless.com

The 55 km distance comes into perspective only when the 4,700m vertical climb over challenging mountain terrain is added. The perfect definition can be found on the race website: “Soaring ridges, exposed traverses and precipitous drops. Fast and light over rough and technical terrain. A fusion of alpinism and mountain running. Welcome to Skyrunning.

The inaugural race caused considerable controversy in the British press last year, where the risk of danger was probably not fully understood and polemics abounded. Shane Ohly, race organiser and former professional climber has ensured, together with the authorities, that all the necessary safety precautions are in place. A very strict vetting procedure ensures only athletes with experience can enter and the race is capped at 300 participants.

To cover this distance and vertical climb, Emelie Forsberg, organiser with Kilian Jornet of the Tromsø SkyRace®, finished an incredible 2nd overall last year in 7h44’19”. She commented: “Wow! Seriously the best race in this distance. Super technical ridges and gullies (think Trofeo Kima but no via ferrata) with some parts very runnable on nice but still tricky trails.” (The distance and vertical climb are comparable to Kima’s 52km and 4,200m climb.)

Jasmin Paris, second here last year, is ranked 3rd. ©iancorless.com / SWS
Jasmin Paris, second here last year, is ranked 3rd. ©iancorless.com / SWS

After her Kima win, Emelie will be absent leaving the women’s field for the title is wide open: Poland’s Natalia Tomasiak, currently leading the Series after two races, can choose her best results before shedding points. Tromsø winner, Briton Jasmin Paris, placed second in Glen Coe last year just 10’ behind Emelie so has the advantage of knowing the course… and boasts a heavy-duty turbo engine. Other contenders are New Zealander Ruth Croft (4th) who, in her first year of skyrunning, has shown a wide range of skills at Transvulcania and Kima, where she came second. Norway’s Malene Haukøy is ranked 5th, but stands a chance for the title if she performs well here. Completing the international women’s field is Italy’s Martina Valmassoi, who placed an excellent third in Tromsø and is currently ranked 7th.

The men’s field is headed by ranking leader Tom Owens who has been on a winning streak this season and is the firm favourite. He will be seriously challenged however by fellow Brit Jonathan Albon who placed second behind him at Tromsø, which he won outright in 2015. After two races, both have points to shed. Nepali newbie Bhim Gurung is ranked 3rd after his surprise Kima win and, visa permitting, will be a strong podium contender. German Philipp Reiter, ranked 4th, if he’s on form, will aim for a podium slot. Scotsman Finlay Wild placed an excellent 3rd in Tromsø and will perform well on home ground.

Tom Owens, Extreme Series ranking leader. ©iancorless.com /SWS
Tom Owens, Extreme Series ranking leader. ©iancorless.com /SWS

Look out for top international athletes: Czech Jan Bartas, Norwegians Rolf Einar Jensen, André Jonsson and Eirik Haugsnes, Frenchman Greg Vollet, Pascal Egli from Switzerland, from the USA, Allan Spangler and Luke Nelson and Caine Warburton from Australia.

The men’s race record stands at 7h36’21” by Briton Joe Symonds who will be back for more, but in a field that is probably the best the country has seen. What better introduction to international skyrunning? Shane Ohly sums it up like this: “I am hugely excited about the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ and delighted about the enormous interest in the Extreme series. The line-up for the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ is impressive and I am certain that the racing is going to be intense as the world’s best battle on one of the most testing Skyrunning courses there is.”

 

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The inaugural Extreme Series on the Skyrunner® World Series calendar comes to a close on September 18 at the Salolmon Glen Coe Skyline™, where the men’s and women’s champion titles will be awarded together with the Series’ cash prizes and a prestigious Alpina Horological Smartwatch, awarded by Alpina Watches, Presenting Sponsor of the Extreme Series and Official Watch of Skyrunning.

Extreme Series Ranking

Race details

Race website

2015 race video

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