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The Grand Raid des Pyrenees is full

Anne-Marie Dunhill / 26.02.2011

The race organizers of the Grand Raid des Pyrenees have something to smile about. A month after registration opened all places have been reserved. This year the organizers decided to take into account the fact that a number of runners who sign up don’t actually race, due to injury or other unforeseen circumstances, and as such they added 100 extra places on the 160 km and the 80 km. Even with the additional places opened the race is now full.

Glancing at the list of those registered it looks like 2011 will be an exciting year for the race. Nicky Spinks from Great Britain, who pulverized the competition last year, is returning to defend her title on the 160 km.

The French runner Bruno Bareilles from team Technica will also be returning this year. Bruno maintained a substantial lead last year on the 160 k until hypothermia forced him to abandon at the cabin of Aygues Cluses. An intense, single-minded racer, he will undoubtedly be hungry for victory after that abandon and a second place podium in 2009.

French media is buzzing about the participation of one of the most well known figures in the trail running milieu, Dawa Sherpa, on the 80 kms. Until now Dawa has been a constant presence at the UTMB (Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc) and his participation in the GRP is a crowning achievement for this young race.

However the 80 kms promises to be an exciting battle amongst talented athletes as Nicolas Darmaillacq, winner of the 160 km in 2009 returns to the Pyrenees. Last summer Nicolas attempted to run across the Pyrenees from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic and he is at home in the Pyrenean mountains.

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