Trans-Rockies lead the US ultra-rush...
Some of the biggest races in the US calendar take place this week, and into the weekend as runners from around the globe flock to Colorado for the Pikes Peak Marathon and Ascent races, the famous Leadville 100 and utterly massive (in scale) Trans Rockies Race...
The Trans-Rockies Race gets underway in a few hours (Weds 14 August), with Open Mixed winner from 2011 Anna Frost amongst those entered in the TRR 3 stage solo. (Though Frosty is also entered in the Pikes Peak Ascent race too, so we are not quite sure where the Kiwi might appear).
Smith and Wolfe at the 2011 Trans Rockies
The 2011 event was an amazing event as the lead runners blazed a trail through the Rockies, with Mike Smith and Jason Wolfe winning a titanic battle with Max King and Ryan Bak.
At Leadville this Saturday Darcy Africa and France’s Thomas Lorblanchet are amongst those catching the eye on the start sheet of those embarking on this historic 100-miler. In 2011 Ryan Sandes carried all before him for a big Stateside win and with a wide-open field in 2012 the race should once again produce a worthy winner of the one they call the Race Across The Sky.
Ryan Sandes wins Leadville 2011
Meanwhile over at Pike’s Peak it should be a memorable race as ever, as the fields are stacked! Being part of the Skyrunner World Series the event attracts top global competition, and this year will see Kilian Jornet go in the Marathon. Can he get anywhere near that amazing record of Matt Carpenters?
Kilian at Speedgoat 2012
We arent sure if 8-time winner Carpenter will be alongside him, as his name doesnt appear on the start lists – however Matt is Mr.Pikes Peak, so we shall see. Definitely on there and likely to figure are Max King, Dave Mackey, Greg Vollet and Jason Schlarb.
Kasie Enman
The women’s race should be a cracker too as Giir di Mont winner Kasie Enman is down, along with Canazei winner Emelie Forsberg, GB’s Lauren Jeska and Spain’s Mireia Miro.
Emelie Forsberg wins in Canazei
In the Ascent only race recent Speedgoat runner-up Rickey Gates will hope to improve on his 6th place from 2011 and goes along with 2008 winner Simon Gutierrez, as do female winners from the last two years Brandy Erholtz (2010) and Kim Dobson (2011).
Brandy Erholtz
News, views and reports on these big three as we get them…
Reactions so far
Tony Mollica Aug 15, 01:44 AM
Wow! What a weekend of racing. Good luck to all of the competitors!