GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run
Taking on the TransAlp
02.09.2009
As Tom Owens and Andy Symonds (men's event) and Angela Mudge and Ben Bardsley (mixed event) get ready for the eight days of racing that will see them visiting Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Italy, they will be safe in the knowledge that they will have some of the best back-up on the circuit.
The race starts from Oberstdorf in Germany this Saturday (5 Sept) at 10am and arrives at the finish point in Latsch, Italy the following weekend (12). Team boss Tim Lloyd and team physio Andy Walling will ensure that the runners will be in the best possible shape, with the best possible race back-up for the entire route.
"The TransAlpine Run has been a focus event for us since the beginning of the year", states Tim Lloyd. "We had hoped to have a male and female team, but with Anna Frost's knee problems, Ben has stepped in to run as a mixed team with Angela, they will be very strong. Andy and Tom will be hoping to go one better than their 2nd place at the Trans-Rockies last year, both have been in very good form and there is no doubting their ability at multi-day long distance racing, they are World class."
Regarding the Team's hopes Tim continues, "We have set very ambitious goals which may be a tall order for our first Trans Alpine outing, but with the best trail runners in the world you always have to aim high! Of course, with the assistance of team physio Andy Walling to help keep us in shape, anything other than podium finishes will be a disappointment. We are still on a quest to show that GB has the best endurance athletes in the world".
Speaking about the adventure that is about to unfold in the men's event Tom and Andy gave us an exclusive insight into their preparation and hopes for the race:
<b>Tom Owens</b>
<i>... the TransAlps has certainly come around rapidly. I'm just starting to realise that it will be kicking off in one weeks time and am getting pretty excited about it!
I've never raced for eight consecutive days before so I'm slightly apprehensive about how the legs will cope with this - it will be a massive challenge!
I have trained with Andy regularly since our university days and we have competed together in mountain marathons, adventure races and the TransRockies 2008. So we are well matched, work together well and will have a good laugh. I think we can do very well so long as we don't get carried away in the first couple of days - it will be important to take it pretty steady to start with. We'll have a real edge as we'll be supported by Andy Walling and Tim.
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