The North Face Line Up a Strong Team for the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc 2011
Press Release / 27.07.2011
Representing seven countries including Japan, China and the USA, a fifteen-strong line-up of The North Face global team will take part in Europe’s largest and most prestigious ultra-running event,
Taking part in the headline race,is returning 2010 men’s champion, 30-year-old Jez Bragg (UK). Following on from his commendable 4th place result at the recent Western States 100, Bragg is on point to defend his title. In the women’s category and also defending her 2010 victory, is Elizabeth “Lizzy†Hawker (UK), the first athlete ever to achieve a hat-trick of 1st place wins at UTMB (in 2005, 2008 and 2010).
A close rival to Bragg is team mate Mike Wolfe (USA) who achieved 2nd place in 2011, Wolfe is in strong form having already achieved prominent podium spots with 2nd place in the Western States 100; 2nd place in the Miwok 100; and 1st place in Way Too Cool 50km.
Fresh from his July 2011 victory at The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail, in the Dolomites, Italy, Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA) is in good form to place high amongst the finishers. Chaigneau is the face of The North Face Get Ready For online training series. At the same race, achieving 2nd place, Zigor Iturrieta’s (ESP) chances are high to achieve a podium result considering his 1st place win at The North Face Transgrancanaria in March 2011, and 3rd spot at the UTMB 2010.
Spanish resident, Fernanda Maciel (BRA) is also looking strong in the women’s category having claimed 1st place victory at the recent Lavaredo Ultra Trail 2011. Hal Koerner (USA), winner of Western States 100 2009 and 2007, looks set to make his mark again having taken part in over 110 ultra-races in his career and winning 24 of them. Colorado-based athlete, Helen Cospolich (USA), looks forward to equalling her top ten UTMB 2010 result. She recently placed 11th woman at the Western States 100 and 5th in Miwak 100.
Japanese ultra-runner Tsuyoshi Kaburaki (JAP), the inspiration behind next Spring’s 2012 Single Track Hayasa ultra-running shoe, heads up a strong group of Asian runners. Kaburaki, whose previous titles include winner of 2009 & 2010 Beijing 100 Endurance Challenge, recently took 5th place at the Western States 100m. Also from Japan taking part are Minehiro Yokoyama (JAP); Chigaya Mase (JAP); Hiroaki Matsunaga (JAP); Naoki Oouchi (JAP).
In its 9th edition, The North Face Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc takes place during August 22-28th 2011 in Chamonix, France. with 5,500 competitors from 58 different nations take part in one of four races. The headline course is The UTMB at166km max. 46 hrs; the CCC is 98km max. 26 hrs; TDS 110km max. 31hrs; PTL 300km: non-stop. In the UTMB 2,300 will compete, crossing nine high elevation mountain passes, with a total positive height gain of 9,500 metres, circling the Mont Blanc massif through three countries—France, Italy and Switzerland.
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