Lauenstein surprises at Kaisermarathon
29 year-old dentist Marc Lauenstein blew away a world-class field at yesterday’s 6th World Mountain Running Long Distance Challenge in Söll. The Swiss orienteer was running his first non-O of the season and won the 42km race by almost six minutes!
Marc Lauenstein of Switzerland won the 42Km race ahead of all-time-Kaisermarathon-favorite Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand in 3:06:20. Ricky Lightfoot from Great Britain was third in 3:14:05. Only a few seconds behind the medallists was Kenyan Raymond Kemboi Chemungor (3:14:51), who led his squad to the team title over England.
The women’s race was again dominated by defending champion Anna Pichrtova of the Czech Republic. In a fantastic time of 3:28:57 she was only 23 minutes behind the men’s winner. Evgeniya Danilova of Russia as second (3:29:23) with New Zealander Anna Frost (3:33:20) third.
Anna Pichrtova
Full report and from the IAAF, results here, and some images from the Scottish Hill Runners here
Writing on his blog a clearly surprised Lauenstein said:
Two weeks ago, I was even considering not running the WMRC at all, because my shape was too poor! But last weekend, I had two really good National O races and I figured things were turning in a positive way.
And the signs were true; yesterday I had great legs, finally! I ran away from everybody in the first few kilometers. A Kenyan was able to pass me at kilometer 33… but I caught him again in the final climb (750m ascend in 3km) to the finish and so, I won! Wow, I really didn’t expect this, but everything just went really well, and to finally feel strong during a race gave me an exceptional motivation to keep pushing. So after 42 kilometers, 2150 meters climb, and 3 hours 06min 20sec, a new course record, I became the world champion, wow!
Marc with Jono Wyatt
