Owens heads British raiders at Sentiero delle Grigne
Tom Owens wins Sentiero delle Grigne in 2011
The 2011 winner of this classic Italian race Tom Owens, heads back to the Trofeo Scaccabarozzi in the Lombardy region if Italy, for 43 kms of technical skyrunning with a massive 3,200m vertical climb…
Owens has once again had a very strong summer at the European skyraces, with a third place at Zegama and second behind recent CCC winner Tofol Castanyer at Giir di Mont, culminating with a superb runner-up spot at the Trofeo Kima two weeks ago.
Tom Owens at Kima 2012
His knowledge of this route means that he will be a strong contender come Sunday, he told us:
“I always love racing in Italy, and especially this race. Last year suited me down to the ground as the weather was pretty grim, enforcing a route change. I really hope that the weather holds out this year and we are able to run the whole route, as the terrain and views up there are stunning. The field is also really strong again this year, so I’ll certainly have my work cut out if I am to win it again”
Joining the Salomon athlete will two of the UK’s in-form mountain and fell runners Ricky Lightfoot and Finlay Wild. Lightfoots’s form in the last few weeks up in Cumbria has been nothing short of phenomenal.
Ricky Lightfoot at Grisedale Horseshoe 2012
Having won the Wasdale and Borrowdale races in recent months he then won the Grizedale Horseshoe and though the Ellenborough runner has not raced much abroad this year he will go into the race full of confidence.
After his win at Ben Nevis a couple of weeks back Finlay Wild will also be relishing the technical nature of this one. The Lochaber athlete was part of the conquering GB team at the 3 Rifugi race in August, so will also be comfortable in the high Italian mountains.
Finlay Wild
Owens’ Shettleston team-mate Casey Morgan also makes the trip, ensuring that Scotland will have a strong representation at the race.
The Sentiero delle Grigne- Trofeo Scaccabarozzi was devised in memory of the mountain climber Giacomo Scaccabarozzi, who died on the slopes in 1998 and is part of the Italian Skymarathon Series in 2012, having perviously be on the Skyrunner World Series for a number of seasons.
Race records belong to the Kilian Jornet with 4h 43’54” in 2007, and Emanuela Brizio with 5h. 32’01” in 2008. The route is highly technical and divided into three parts: the slope to Grigna Meridionale (2,177m) – classified as technical with some equipped lines and chains – followed by a descent and a slope to Grigna Settentrionale (2,410 m) – flowing but fatiguing- and the final one along the fast and insidious descent towards the end of the valley and the finish line of Pasturo, the lowest point of the race (650m altitude).
The Sentiero delle Grigne profile
The following alpine refuges: Soldanella, Rosalba, Elisa, Bietti, Bogani, Brioschi, Pialeral and Riva are located along the race path acting both as logistics bases for the organization and refreshment points for the athletes.
Out to beat the Brits on the men’s side will be some of the world’s top sky and ultra runners, including Dakota Jones, Julien Chorier and Miguel Heras – though we cannot confirm at this point if these three will be starters.
The women’s race is bursting with international talent too with previous winner Emanuela Brizio, 2012 sensation Silvia Serafini and recent Kima winner Nuria Picas.
Race start lists are here
