Ultra catch-up
Julien Chorier
Truth is that MST has been very busy on the road with various things this last week, and with the furious pace that the 2012 global off-road scene dictates these days, we’re playing catch-up!
Two biggees from the weekend were the UTMF (Ultra Trail Mount Fuji) and the TNF100 in Australia, and both produced familiar faces on the podiums.
Julien Chorier at the Mt.Fuji 100 miler
In Japan Julien Chorier (winner at the Hardrock 100 in 2011) took on Chuckanut 2012 winner Adam Campbell, on this 100 miler which journeyed around the valleys of Mj.Fuji. After remaining close early on Campbell had to succumb to the Frenchman’s ultra-might as Chorier ran away from the Canadian over the second half of the race, to win by over 30 minutes by the end.
In the women’s race Spain’s Nerea Martinez completely dominated, leading from start to finish.
Nerea Martinez
One of the revelations of global trail racing over the last few years has been the eruption of media content, and one of the leading exponents when it comes to the ‘stills’ is Mr Gripmaster himself, Stephan Repke. Check out these classy shots from before, during and after the race, as he followed Campbell, Chorier and Martinez on their Japanese odyssey.
Down-under there was a revisiting of the TNF 100k race for South Africa’s Ryan Sandes. After a third placing in 2011 behind Kilian and Francios d’Haene, Sandes returned stronger and more wise to the long stuff, after his epic run in Leadville last year.
Ryan Sandes at the TNF100
Winning in a swift 9:22 Ryan used the event as a final tune-up before making his way to the US for his big target in 2012 – the Western States 100. In the women’s race Beth Cardelli showed exceptional strength to win in 11:18. No need to go much further as our Antipodean buddies Ultra 168 deal out a luscious report on how things unfolded here, with a masterful photo display by Paul Petch from Outdoor Photography.
