The North Face® Transgrancanaria will be held on March 1st on the island of Gran Canaria as the second “stage” of the Ultra-Trail® World Tour 2014.  This race of 125 km and 8,500 m elevation brings together more than 2,500 runners, accompanied by their families, and supported by hundreds of enthusiastic volunteers.

 

After the excitement around the Vibram® Hong Kong 100, its beaches, ancient forests, and stunning views of Hong Kong’s skyscrapers, the second “stage” of the Ultra-Trail® World Tour arrives in Europe! More precisely in Spain, on the island of Gran Canaria in the Canary Islands. Located in the Atlantic Ocean off the African coast, the islands are famous for the diversity of their landscapes and climates.

 

The event features five races, including the Transgrancanaria itself (125 km, 8,500 m of elevation) to be accomplished in less than 30 hours, in paradisiacal landscapes. This race counts for the Ultra-Trail® World Tour.

 

The race reached very quickly a record of attendance, and was sold out faster than ever. With over 40 countries represented, Carlos Gonzalez, Director of the race explains: "The Ultra-Trail® World Tour brings an international visibility as well as tourism in Gran Canaria. In return, we offer international runners, fantastic spots for trail running, and other outdoor activities. "

 

The North Face® Transgrancanaria is one of the 4 races in the "Ultra-Trail® Series" of the #UTWT 2014 circuit. This means that it provides bonus points in the annual ranking of the Ultra-Trail® World Tour. Therefore, many of the elite runners come and give themselves a maximum chance to rank among the top runners and compete for the title of  "Ultra-Trail® World Tour Champion." These will include;

 

Chorier Julien (France), former winner of the Grand Raid Reunion and The North Face® Ultra -Trail® Mt Fuji, says: "the level is remarkable, this season. I am really pleased to take part to this wonderful event at the Transgrancanaria".

 

Sébastien Chaigneau (France) will defend his title, he won consecutively in 2012 and 2013, after a good 2013 season (winner and record of the Hardrock 100 Endurance Run, and 3rd in The North Face® Ultra -Trail® Mt Fuji).

 

Scott Jurek (USA), one of the icons of ultra-endurance, 7 times in a row winner of the Western States Endurance Run, winner of the Badwater Sparthatlon, will also be present .

 

Timothy Olson (USA), serious candidate on the #UTWT 2014 after a great season in 2013 (winner of Western States Endurance Run, 4th UTMB® 2013... )

 

And many other international athletes to follow: Ryan Sandes (RSA), Jorge Maravilla (USA) , Dylan Bowman (USA), Christophe Lesaux (FR), Cyril Cointre (FR), Mike Wolfe (USA) Jez Bragg (UK), Antoine Guillon (FR), Jason Schlarb (USA), Pascal Blanc (FR) ...

 

Top  level Spanish runners will also be here for the win: Javier Dominguez (3rd UTMB®2013),  Remigio Querall and Arnau Bonmatí Juliá, winner of the TDS® 2013.

 

Among the women, our eyes will turn towards Francesca Canepa (IT), after her victories at the Tor des Géants in 2012 and 2013, and her recent 1st place on Vibram® Hong Kong 100 2014.

 

Nathalie Mauclair (FR), winner of the TDS® 2013 could surprise everyone.

 

Julia Boettger (GER), the recent winner of the Transmartinique also comes with obvious ambitions. Other athletes to watch are: Nerea Martinez (ESP), Fernanda Maciel (BRA) , Nuria Pica (ESP) ...

 

About the Ultra -Trail ® World Tour

 

The 10 most iconic Trail Running Races of ultra endurance:

- Vibram® Hong Kong 100 China January 18-19

- The North Face® Transgrancanaria Spain (Canary) March 1-2

- Vibram® Tarawera Ultramarathon 100km New Zealand on March 15

- Marathon des Sables Morocco April 4-14

- Ultra-Trail® Mt.Fuji Japan April 24-27

- The North Face 100® Australia 17-18 May

- The North Face® Ultra-Trail® Lavaredo Italy 27-28 June

- The Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run California USA 28-29 June

- The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont- Blanc® France -Italy- Switzerland 25 to 31 August

- The Grand Raid Reunion France (Reunion Island) October 23-26