Pain and Persistence at the Pinnacle of Running

Press Release / 13.04.2013

Pain and Persistence at the Pinnacle of Running Vancouver, BC – Six athletes will literally be reaching for the top during this year’s Skyrunner® World Series representing ARC’TERYX in one of the most grueling alpine race series on the planet.

The Skyrunner® World Series, celebrating its 10th year in 2013, is divided into three stand-alone circuits: Sky, Ultra and Vertical, each with its own titles and prizes. These events are legendary for their distances, their vertical climbs, the extreme terrains they cover and the challenge they provide to even the best alpine runners. Six experienced mountain runners from across the globe will represent ARC’TERYX this year; each one brings their unique mix of grit and determination. Not one to shy away from the unusual or the intimidating, veteran Adam Campbell, well renowned Canadian

Ultra Runner, brings his international reputation to the team with a 2nd place finish in Japan’s formidable Mt. Fuji Race.

“It was by far the hardest event I’ve ever done. There was 9000m of climbing, a total distance of 97 miles, 19.5 hours and some very emotional moments from the fatigue and soreness!but I like to call mountain ultra races “competitive adventures,” said Campbell.

Adam is joined by Germany’s Florian Reichert. At 31, Reichert is an experienced runner in short distance and marathon, but he is new to the high altitude format. Florian is confident and says he is very motivated to try out skyrunning after winning the ECCO Indoor Trail in Dortmund, Germany twice - in 2012 and 2013.

Joining them is US athlete Joe Grant, fresh off the Iditarod Trail Invitational, a grueling 350-mile race across Alaska’s unforgiving wild expanse. Also returning for a second year with the Arc’teryx team is Italy’s Nicola Golinelli, Didier Zago from France and UK athlete Tessa Hill. April 2013

At 39, Golinelli, who placed 2nd in the Skyrace Puig Campana 2011 (European Championship) brings years of experience to the team and Zago and Hill (whose background is in Orienteering) both placed 4th in the Vertical World Series last year and are eager to race again this summer.

“To compete at a top level in a new discipline like this is daunting but exhilarating, too. The International SkyRunning Federation puts together a spectacular set of races and it’s a privilege to take part. Their motto of ‘Less Mountain, More Sky’ says it all,” said Tessa Hill. The passion and persistence of these competitors brings them together as a team, but they will not shy away from pushing each other.

“The Skyrunner® World Series is an opportunity to race some of best mountain runners in the world, on some of the most compelling courses out there. I fully back the Skyrunning Federation's approach to mountain races so it's a privilege for me to be able to take part in the series," said Joe Grant.

ARC’TERYX is official partner of the Skyrunning Federation since 2012.

The ARC’TERYX athlete roster:
• Adam Campbell running the Ultra Series
• Joe Grant running 3 Skyrunner races (Ultra and Sky)
• Didier Zago running Sky Series and Vertical
• Nicola Golinelli running Sky Series
• Tessa Hill running Vertical Series
• Florian Reichert running Sky series