Transvulcania – it’s another star line-up on La Palma

Winner Luis Alberto Hernando. ©iancorless.com
2015 Winner Luis Alberto Hernando. © Ian Corless

If you’re into star-gazing you don’t need to go far. The island of La Palma, the most westerly of the Canary Islands, is famed as one of the world’s major locations for astrophysical observatories. In May however, it’s the skyrunning stars that get all the attention. Top runners from across the globe are gathering here to test themselves in the Transvulcania Naviera Armas Ultramarathon, joined this year on the calendar by the Kilómetro Vertical Transvulcania Binter.

Celebrating five years on the Skyrunner® World Series calendar, the Ultra has grown to iconic status. Heading the cast are two-time winners Anna Frost and Luis Alberto Hernando. No less than ten out of the 2015 SWS Ultra ranking top ten men and women will be toeing the line on Saturday, May 7, in a field of 1,660 from 40 countries.

The Ultramarathon presents a daunting 4,350m climb over a 74 km course, which starts on the Atlantic coast and travels along the island’s backbone to the highest point of the island, the summit of the Taburiente volcano at 2,423m before descending again to the sea and finishing in the town of Los Llanos.
The records to beat are: 6h52’39” (Luis Alberto Hernando) and 8h10’41” (Anna Frost).

Anna Frost, TRV winner & record holder. © Ian Corless
Anna Frost, TRV winner & record holder. © Ian Corless

 

Anna Frost stole the show back in 2012 with an extraordinary performance slicing 1h45” off the course record and again, in 2014, she trimmed another 1’10” to establish the current standing record. Needless to say she’s the favourite but the competition in the ladies’ field is fierce, with Nepal’s Mira Rai, ranked 2nd on the 2015 Ultra Series, a strong podium contender. Add Spaniards Anna Comet, Elisabet Bertran and Gemma Arenas ranked 3rd, 5th and 11th respectively, who will be pushing the competition.
Three Americans are also aiming for the top slots: Kristina Pattison ranked 4th, Hillary Allen (6th), Anna Mae Flynn, (9th) and Alicia Shay (32nd). Missing from the incredible line-up is 2013 and 2015 race winner and Ultra Series Champion, Emelie Forsberg who is recovering from injury.

American Sage Canaday will hot up the competition in the men’s field and especially for Luis Alberto like he did in 2014, where he led the first half of the race and placed 3rd. Spaniard Cristofer Clemente, ranked 2nd  in the 2015 Ultra Series, together with Moroccan Zaid Ait Malek, 2nd after Kilian Jornet at the Ultra Pirineu, look good for the top spots.
Another American, Paul Hamilton (7th), will be joined by Marcin Swierc, (4th) from Poland and Spaniard Daniel Garcia ( 9th).
More top contenders include: Jan Bartas from the Czech Republic, Britons Andy Symonds and Ricky Lightfoot, from France, Sylvain Court and Julien Coudert, Italians Fulvio Dapit and master-class skyrunning legend Bruno Brunod.

Thursday’s Kilómetro Vertical Transvulcania Binter, yet again, scores for the Vertical Series. From sea to sky, it ascends the steepest, most technical section of the Ultra and offers incredible views of the Atlantic coast – for those with the courage to look down.

Kilian Jornet, Transvulcania VK 2014. © Ian Corless
Kilian Jornet, Transvulcania VK 2014. © Ian Corless

 

From the black Tazacorte beach, the 7.6 km single track course ascends an imposing cliff face for 1,203m with a 40% incline before settling into a “flatter” final section to finish at 1,160m altitude. The overall incline averages 30%.

Again, some of the top VK specialists will be rising to the challenge. Race favourite for the men’s VK is Ferran Teixido from Andorra, ranked 3rd, but it’s in the women’s field where all the action will take place with a deeply stacked field. With the 2015 VK & Sky Champion Laura Orgué and Elisa Desco both injured, it’s open to a super-strong line-up headed by Christel Dewalle from France, 4th in the 2015 Vertical Series, followed by an all-Spanish contingent including champions of the calibre of: Oihana Kortazar and European Champion, Paola Cabrerizo. Watch out for new entry from the UK, Emmie Collinge.

Whether star-gazing or competing, the Transvulcania events look yet again to set their mark on skyrunning history, launching the 2016 Skyrunner® World Series Ultra and Vertical events in the coming days.

Thanks to the support of our Partner Migu Xempower, Sponsor Alpina Watches and Official Pool Suppliers, ScottCompressport and Salomon .

 

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