2016 Skyrunning
| SWS – Ultra and Sky star line-ups |
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Two great races unfold this weekend – the second Ultra Series race after Transvulcania and a great classic in the Italian Alps. Just hours to go and all eyes will be on ultra running legend Anton Krupicka in his first race after 18 months at the Speedgoat 50 in Utah, USA, looking rested and raring to go. Kilian Jornet, now leading the World Series ranking and fresh from a record win at last weekend’s Dolomites SkyRace® remains the podium favourite. The highly competitive men’s field also includes last year’s winner Nick Clark, 2011 World Mountain Running champion Max King, Joe Grant, 2nd at the Hardrock 100 only two weeks ago so possibly not on best form. Thomas Lorblanchet from France, Philipp Reiter from Germany and Canada’s Jason Loutitt are all runners to look out for.
Anna Frost is the favourite lady, but still not fully recovered after her incredible win and record at Transvulcania in May. Nikki Kimball will not participate to concentrate on her long-planned Fastest Known time on Vermont’s Long Trail. Other ladies: local runner Bethany Lewis looks strong and Meghan Arbogast, Julie Bryan and Kerri Bruxvoort are among the podium predictions. The 50 km course has a 3,535m elevation gain – a challenge to keep mountain runners from all disciplines happy. The record to beat stands at 5h43’20” and $11,000 prize money is at stake which includes a prize for the summit.
However, strong competition will be on hand from Romenian Ionut Zinca, Britain’s Tom Owens and Robbie Simpson, Frenchmen Matheo Jacquemoud and Michel Rabat, fast marathoner and 2011 European Skyrunning Champion, Robert Krupicka, Italy’s Mikhail Mamleev and outsiders from Japan, Dai Matsumoto and Mick Donges from Australia. After her seemingly effortless win and record at last weekend’s Dolomites, Sweden’s Emelie Forsberg is the podium prediction together with Spain’s Oihana Kortazar, 2011 World Series Champion and winner at Zegama and Nuria Picas, second at Zegama. American Kasie Enman, second at the Dolomites SkyRace® will test her skills on her first SkyMarathon®. Further competition will had from Italy’s Emanuela Brizio, past World Series champion, strong new-comer Lauren Jeska from Great Britain and Russia’s Zhanna Vokueva. Two great races to look forward to! Follow us on twitter and Facebook for latest updates. |
Just hours to go and all eyes will be on ultra running legend Anton Krupicka in his first race after 18 months at the 
Moving on to Sunday, the Giir di Mont SkyMarathon® near Lecco, Italy boasts a very strong international start-list in both men’s and women’s fields. Celebrating their 20th anniversary with 20 nations present and a record 830-strong field, the stacked line-up is headed by Spain’s Luis Alberto Hernando, recent SkyGames® champion, reigning World Series champion and second behind Jornet on the current World Series ranking. As usual, the Spaniards hit hard and count: Tofol Castanyer (2010 World Series Champion), Miguel Caballero, Jessed Hernandez, David Lopez and Jokin Lizeaga. 
