Cork runners complete the 170km UTMB ultra around Mont Blanc

The UTMB is one of the most famous ultra races in Europe and it was held this year at the end of August. The 170km race starts and finishes in the magnificent Chamonix in the French Alps and contestants do a loop around the base of Mont Blanc taking in Italy and Switzerland along the way. Entry to he race is only possible if contestants have built up enough points from completing other qualifying ultra races.

As far as I know, four runners from Cork took part this year.

Eoin Keith from Cobh finished the race in 28 hours 04 minutes and 11 seconds and was placed second in his age category.

Cork runners Brian Buckley and Remi Delille

Remi Delille who is a US citizen living in Rochestown finished in 65th position in 28:13:06 while Brian Buckley finished in 69th in 28:19:20. Brian is a former winner of the 200km Kerry Way Ultra.

The fourth Cork finisher was Tom Downes who completed the course in 42:50:54 in 905th place.

No doubt there are several runners from Cork and Ireland already planning the 2022 edition.

Cork runner Eoin Keith wins 170km ulta race in Oman

Last weekend, Eoin Keith from Cobh in Co.Cork finished first in the 170km UTMB race in Oman on the Arabian Peninsula.

Eoin crossed the finish line in a time of 36 hours, 4 minutes and 29 seconds and ahead of some 2,000 competitors.

The profile of the route can be seen above and it included a 3,000 metre summit. Note that Carrauntoohil, Ireland's highest mountain by comparison is just over 1,000m!

In a post race interview, Eoin said...“It was so technical, possibly the most technical race I’ve ever done. There was a long 1,000m descent which you normally would expect to make tons of time on but we were so slow. It makes it easier to keep going mentally because it’s so technical that you need to concentrate pretty much the entire time.

There’s no real let up mentally and it was intense racing all the way. But very enjoyable, Oman is a gorgeous country and the mountains are truly spectacular.”

Video...Mountain Running with Anton Krupicka

I came across this video today...one for the trail runners out there. It's 7 minutes long and as far as I can see, it was shot during the UTMB race around Mont Blanc. Most of the scenes are from Chamonix in the French Alps.

Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc...

This one might be of interest to any of you that are interested in trail running or Ultra running.....The Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. It has been called ‘the Tour de France of trail running’ or the ‘world championships’ for ultra-marathon mountain runners. Entries are limited to 2,500 and runners must have earned a certain number of points from other Ultra trail races before they can take part.

The North Face ‘UTMB’, as it is commonly known, has grown hugely in popularity since it started in 2003. The race usually takes place in late August every year and the mens winner is usually expected to finish in 20-21 hours with a 46 hour cut-off for the last runner. Starting in Chamonix in France, the race route takes in apline trails in Italy and Switzerland before finishing back in Chamonix. In 2011, out of the 2369 that started, only 1126 or 48% finished.

Starting at 1,000 metres above sea level, the course undulates between valleys and high mountain passes, the highest of which is 2,500 metres asl. The total ascent over the 167 km course is approx 9,500 metres. Just to put that into context, Carrountoohil.......the highest mountain in Ireland is only about 1040 metres.

Here is a nice video which gives a good feel for the race...



There is an article on the 2011 race HERE while the race website can be seen HERE