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Grand Raid des Pyrénées Draws International Entry

News Release / 04.01.2011

Registration for the fourth edition of the Grand Raid des Pyrénées opens on January 11, 2011 at 11:11. As with the three previous editions, there will be two formats available to test the mettle of ultra racers: the Ultra, 160km with 10,000m of ascent and the Grand, at 80km with 5,000m of ascent.

Taking place from August 26-28,2011 in the high Pyrénées mountains of France, the Ultra will start at 05:00 on August 26th from the picturesque town of Vielle-Aure. Top racers are expected to finish the race in twenty-four hours, although two years ago the winners blew away all predictions finishing in twenty-two hours. The time cut-off for all racers on the Ultra is fifty hours.

The starting gun for the Grand will sound at 05:00 on August 27th with the winner expected to finish in eleven hours and this race has a time cut-off of twenty-five hours.

A few modifications have been added to the race route this year, taking into consideration racer’s suggestions, but the major attraction of the trail remains; the ascent of the mythic Pic du Midi with its scientific observatory perched high above the clouds at an altitude of 2,877m.

Racers in previous years have exhausted the list of superlatives in describing their race and the internationally recognized website SleepMonsters .com has described the race as, “Going from strength to strength”, with a major French website citing the race as, “A reference in the world of ultra running”.

Last year’s edition welcomed racers from 22 different countries with ultra trail runners present from as far away as Australia and Singapore. Generating such international enthusiasm, places are likely to fill up quickly.

Organized by the association MAJUSCHULE which is comprised of six members eager to share their love of the Pyrenean mountain range, the Grand Raid des Pyrénées is limited to a total of 1,500 racers so that it can maintain its friendly, festive ambiance.

Further information is available in French and English on the official website: <a href="#" onClick="javascript:newsitewindow('http://www.grandraidpyrenees.com')" class="main">http://www.grandraidpyrenees.com</a>.

Go to the next page to see a video of last years race. (French commentary.)