Frost gains Maxi-mum respect in France
Frosty enjoys the darkness
Barely two weeks after her mammoth effort at Transvulcania, ultra trail’s newest superstar Anna Frost amazed at the big French race this weekend, the Maxi Race in Annecy…
Not only did Frosty win the women’s race with ease, but she also managed to place 4th overall, ‘chicking’ many a seasoned elite man into the bargain. Residing in Europe this summer, the Salomon athlete had already won the Vertical race the day before, by way of a warm-up for the 88km the following morning!
Speaking after the race Kiwi Anna noted:
The Maxi-Race starts at 3.20am on Sunday morning. Initially it was 78km but with heavy rain the course was changed to avoid one of the highest points but was compromised with 10 more kms. So we were now up to 88km and 5100m worth of vertical climbing.
Off into the dark peaceful night we were cheered through the streets. Don’t people sleep here?! Then as we reached the top of Semnoz – the first hill – the trail was marked with fire lights. I turned my head torch off and enjoyed the romance.
The rest of the day was filled with hard climbs and descents. Heat and water, support and freedom, peace and goats bells. As the clock ticked on, so did the pain in my legs. At the top of the final climb, I was only 1-minute behind the 3rd male. He spotted me and took off.
Anna at the Maxi race
My legs were done and just managed to stay on my wobbly feet for the final descent into Annecy. A stunning day out…
In the men’s race, young Philipp Reiter took the honours after chasing down the early leaders and overtaking Hungary’s Nemeth Czaba in the last 20 kilometres to win be an impressive 21 mins at the finish line.
Philipp Reiter at Maxi Race 2012
Maxi Race 88 km – Top 3’s
Men
1. Philip Reiter 9 hours 45 min
2. Nemeth Csaba 10 hours 06 min
3. Pascal Giguet 10 hours 10 min
Women
1. Anna Frost (NZ) 10hours 15 min
2. Laureline Gaussens
3. Irina Malejonock
