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The classic New Year’s Eve Auld Lang Syne race will be well and truly on tomorrow morning. The race is full, and will no doubt be a cracker. Top names in British fell running descend on this Woodentops ‘promotion’ – last year’s winner was Ali Brownlee… Read more…
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No results out yet, by the looks of it, but it takes more than a dose of snow and ice to keep Al Tye from them there ‘ills! The annual Boxing Day Devil’s Chair Dash went ahead unabated by the winter conditions, attracting what looked like a quality field. Check out Fell Running Pictures for some great shots… Read more…
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Interesting stuff this. American institute Somax’s Bob Pritchard implies in this video that the current crop of UK runners are “stiffer than the runners of 15-29 years ago”. He looks at the stride angle of the likes of Steve Cram and Steve Jones… Read more…
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The ISF have announced detail of the 2011 European Skyrunning Championships, which will comprise a SkyRace and Vertical Kilometre event… Read more…
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The headline says it all really. Once again our natural heritage (and the next generation’s playground) is in line to be ‘sold off’ to the highest bidder (the Government tried in 1990). When I first read about this I thought it might be one or two forests… Read more…
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By eck it looked cold at Sunday’s Stoop Fell Race nr. Keighley. Ian Holmes looked positively frozen as he came out on top, after a battle with GB marathon man Andi Jones. Read more…
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As part of the excellent looking 2011 line-up Inov8’s Bare Grip 200 should soon come – and looks the business. US online blog / store Running Warehouse also think so. See what they think here... Read more…
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Capitalising on his rich vein of form, newly-crowned Euro XC champ Sergey Lebid sprinted to his second win in a week as he won the Brussels Lotto Cross Cup on Sunday. Caroline Chepkwony won the women’s 6km race… Read more…
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After his escape to Kenya, to get in his quality winter training at altitude, Mo Farah will make his 2010/11 XC debut at the Great Edinburgh Cross Country on 8 January. Read more…
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After reading this animated piece by AW editor Jason Henderson I answered his tweet about suggestions and thoughts. I actually answered it with 5 suggestions. The general XC racing scene seems to be in trouble, on the face of it… Read more…
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Ellenborough’s Ricky Lightfoot is taking all of this weather in his stride as he still plans to go for the mid-winter BGR, starting at 1am on Saturday. His local paper chronicle the news and ask Ricky his opinion on the attempt… Read more…
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Denis Wischniewski has delivered his latest trail masterpiece, with news, views, shoes and winter clothing tips (very handy at the minute!) via his excellent Trailmagazin portal… Read more…
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This race is ramping-up to be really interesting. International team racing will spice up the BUPA Great Edinburgh XC event, which the organisers obviously saw as a requirement to keep things exciting and a spectacle for the public, and TV… Read more…
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The UK is undergoing a trail revolution of sorts, as yet another ‘trail series’ has been announced for 2011. This time the Runners World giant has stirred into action, along with Saucony and Rat Race, to bring a trio of trail 10k races next summer… Read more…
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According to this report Alemayehu Bezabeh was ‘shocked’ he wasn’t allowed to blood dope. Really? In 2010 can this be so? Can this really be the case, that an experienced, high-profile and successful international athlete, from a leading global athletics federation, is ignorant to the fact that this is cheating?! Read more…
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(An abbreviated version of this article appears in the IMRA Yearbook 2010.) From 1500m trackside in Irish Miler Club races to a 1600m high mountain top finish in Slovenia, Eoin Flynn recounts his debut run for the Irish Mountain Running team in the recent World Championships…. Read more…
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Only a handful of days to Christmas now, and if like me you leave it til the last minute you could do worse than heading over to top Scottish independent Run4it and have a butchers at their gift guide. And for those not sure what to buy running buddies, why not ask them to suggest something via the wish list? Read more…
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The Gripmaster has an enviable life of international trail running, photography and camera work, taking him far and wide. But it is this time of year when he makes his trip south, like a migrating bird, to escape the harsh German winter – in South Africa! Read more…
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Breaking into the running market with a new brand of shoe in this day and age is a hard act to pull off. On Running aim to do just that with an innovative look and high-profile athlete advocation. They recently debuted in the UK at London’s Running Show... Read more…
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With very little going on in the country, fell-wise, the annual Mortimer Forest Hill Race was even-more popular with fell-dwellers yesterday – Oswestry’s Paul Jones negotiated the frosty conditions to easily beat a field of almost 300 runners… Read more…
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The IMRA Committee kindly provided MST with a preview of their 2011 calendar currently uploading to their site. The winter season dates became available first late last week and why not start at the beginning? Read more…
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Having fully sold out last year, the IMRA Yearbook makes a return for 2010. Again this year, it features 80 pages of articles and photographs in 8×10 inch format, which capture the magic that was mountain-running in Ireland this year. Read more…
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Two great wins book-ended an excellent European Cross Country Championships in Portugal yesterday, with Charlotte Purdue’s dominant win in the junior women’s race the highlight of the day for the UK team… Read more…
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Backers of Sergey Lebid taking a ninth European XC title in Albufeira this weekend were pretty scarce. Equally, those who wrote off the Ukranian cross-legend did so at their peril, for he let fly a masterclass in race winning moves to steal the race from under the noses of the pre-race favourites… Read more…
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It’s Sunday, and Euro Cross day! Reports are of dry, ultra-fast conditions. If the course images are anything to go buy it is a race for the speedsters. The UKA team look relaxed as they take a tour of the course here... Read more…
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First it was the cyclists, now it seems (if reports are substantiated) Spain’s endurance athletes are under the doping spotlight. Athletics Weekly and many other media outlets are reporting that the darling of Spanish athletics Marta Dominguez has been arrested… Read more…
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Those European XC runners who harbor the desire to perform at highest level will be making their team gatherings, and performing their final preparations, as they get ready for this Sunday’s European Cross Country Championships in Portugal… Read more…
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Mercia’s Andy Davies came from behind on Sunday, to win the ever-popular winter fell-jaunt that is the Cardington Cracker. The race saw a similar pattern to that of 2009 with Davies managing to overhaul the in-from Steven Cale … Read more…
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Prolific race organizer Paul Mahon is rolling out another offering as the off-road season nudges ever closer to Christmas and off-road runners need not be put off by the name Urban Trail Series Read more…
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Two of the UK’s best females endurance running talents will head to Edinburgh in the new year, to spearhead the UK challenge at the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country. As reported here there will be a change to the men’s format of recent years, however the women’s 5.7km race remains… Read more…
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Whilst some top English athletes prepare the,selves for this weekend’s Euro Cross, others are also preparing themselves for international duty, as they head out to Brussels for the prestigious Belgian Cross Cup on the 19th of December… Read more…
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Anna Frost entered unknown territory in San Francisco yesterday, and emerged a genuine ultra-trail runner, demolishing a world-class field at the TNF Endurance Series final. The Kiwi power-house showed (along with mens winner Miguel Heras) that long distance mountain running prowess can easily translate to the trails… Read more…
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Jez Bragg entered many observers psyche after his great win at the UTMB in August. The North Face athlete was a hugely popular winner, especially in the UK, and in doing so forever elevated himself to pre-race favourite status… Read more…
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You might be wondering why MST updates have been a little thin on the ground over the last few days? Well, it’s down to me being on the other side of the pond in San Francisco. Okay, that shouldn’t necessarily stop me from updating MST – but I am here on business! Read more…
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After some fierce racing at last weekend’s Irish champs, Athletics Ireland have named the squad – spearheaded by Joe Sweeney – which will head out to Portugal in just under 10 days… Read more…
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The recent early snow in the UK means that many a runner will be taking a risk or two as they attempt to keep the miles high in this unseasonal cold snap. Funnily enough there aren’t too many go-to sites to help you through… Read more…
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Not too many surprises in there this year. With Mo Farah not Albufeira bound the first six senior men virtually picked themselves, with trials runner-up James Wilkinson running the U23 race… Read more…
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The last few years has seen the flagship international XC on these shores become an event very much dominated by the East Africans. Next year will see stronger fields than ever, but also an added emphasis on international team racing… Read more…
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It was a familiar sight at Liverpool this weekend as Aldershot’s Andy Vernon won the Euro XC trials for a second consecutive year. However, there was a surprise winner in the women’s race as Louise Damen made a welcome return to competition to take a popular win… Read more…
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Follow today’s Euro XC trials at Sefton Park on Twitter, via the good people at UKA. Racing should be great, and despite the snow the weather looks set to be crisp and sunny. MST preview here... Read more…
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Those with aspirations of making the GB & NI team for the forthcoming Euro XC champs will need to step-up this Saturday and show their mettle. The first of this winter’s McCain Cross Challenge series kicks-off in style at Liverpool’s Sefton Park… Read more…
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German Thomas Dold and New Zealander Melissa Moon were last weekend crowned 2010 Vertical World Circuit® Champions at the Singapore final – awarded after touring the most spectacular skyscrapers in 8 capital cities, across 5 continents. Read more…
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The ISF 2011 race calendar promises the most exciting selection of the world’s best races to date. The Skyrunner® World Series counts both firm favourites and new entries – a wide choice for all tastes from the Vertical Kilometer® to the SkyRace® and the SkyMarathon® distances. Read more…
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South African ultra-man Ryan Sandes has just won the Last Desert race in Antarctica. By winning the race Sandes becomes the first person to win all four of the Desert series, having previously won the Sahara, Atacama and Gobi races… Read more…
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Showing he is as at home on the bike as he is on his feet, Rob Jebb won the annual Harriers vs. Cyclists on Saturday. Jebby won by a good two minutes from runner Tom Adams, but had to haul the Ilkley man back after he set the early pace… Read more…
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“Not since ’69 do I remember seeing a Crusaders team winning a cross-country event,” said the host after the Dublin Intermediate race in Tymon Park yesterday – he had seen just that from the resurgent Irishtown outfit, making good on the promise afforded by Alan O’Briens victory here two years ago… Read more…
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After being beaten two weeks ago the 2010 World XC champ Joseph Ebuya was back to winning ways in the Cross Internacional de Soria in Spain this weekend. Granted the margin of victory was a whisker, from Mathew Kisorio, but a win is a win… Read more…
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I just managed to catch the men’s race at the NCAA XC this evening, and a retention of titles for Sam Chelanga and Oklahoma State University. The individual race is almost a sideshow at these intriguing championships – as its all about the team race… Read more…
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Ever wondered what goes into making bespoke shoe? Well, check out this behind-the-scenes video on how Kilian Jornet’s Salomon kicks are made. From foot beds to outer treads, nothing is left to chance – though not the lightest in the world, the 205g weigh-in ain’t too bad for these smart SLABs! Read more…
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After a great recent run of form Shrewsbury’s Steven Cale took a convincing win at yesterday’s Wrekin Wrecker. Eryri Harrier Rich Roberts was the only man able to stay within spitting distance of Cale, but his win on Saturday was probably still in his legs… Read more…
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Recognised as the daddy of this type of muddy hell, trail running genre of off-road running, nearly 1000 runners got themselves thoroughly drenched and cover in muck at the last of this year’s Salomon Turbo X races at Bordon in Hampshire… Read more…
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The Pen Fell race always throws-up some great racing and clag, and Saturday’s event was no different as the conditions did nothing to deter almost 250 embarking on this classic 10 miler. Anna Frost romped to the ladies win, beaking Jackie Lee’s 2005 course record… Read more…
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It’s early days in the communication of this one, but it’s big news. The Commonwealth Mountain and Ultra Distance championships will be held in north west Wales next September from the 23rd-25th of September. The inaugural championships took place in Keswick last year Read more…
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In his quest to conquer the ‘Last Desert’, Ryan Sandes is ready to face the freezing temperatures and the harsh Antarctic winds as he embarks on the final leg of a desert ‘grand slam’. Read more…
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The 2010 English Fell Running Championships DVD is out – and once again looks great! I for one am a firm believer that chaps like Peter Thompson should be supported – so I have bought it, and if you are involved in the scene, you should too… Read more…
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Stage 3 of the Endurance Life CTS took place last weekend amidst the wild West Wales weather on the beautiful Gower Peninsula, west of Swansea. The Coastal Trail Series is a ten-leg affair that takes in some of the most iconic coastal areas in the British Isles… Read more…
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The word legend is far too readily used these days. In fell and mountain running you need to be extra-special to even come close to that kind of status. However, alongside the likes of Billy Bland and Joss Naylor the name of John Lenihan needs to be properly inserted… Read more…
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As a participant at this weekend’s British and Irish Masters Cross Country Champs in Dublin I can tell you that it was an excellent event. I can also tell you that the competition and inter-nation rivalry was of epic proportions, as the older age-groups battled for glory on a gloopy Santry Park course… Read more…
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With less than a month until the 2010 European Cross Country Championships in Albufeira, Portugal, the news mill is ramping-up as the nations get their squads in shape and hold their selection and warm-up races in the coming weeks… Read more…
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After a long spell in Europe and South America, Angela Mudge is back in Scotland this winter and making her mark again on the British fell scene. After some prominent results recently, and a notable 4th place overall at last weeks OMM, Mudge delivered another winning performance at the Tinto Hill Race yesterday… Read more…
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Technology (in my view) should be all about practicality. It should also be about usefulness and possibly about weight, especially if you run vertical. It should also be about simplicity, and (unless you are of a scientific leaning) it should be about user-friendliness. Read more…
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It was another second place for Math Roberts at the excellent Rhobell Fawr race yesterday, as Eryri team mate Rich Roberts took a comfortable win. Top local favourite Ifan Richards (Merionydd AC) ran a strong race for third in perfect weather… Read more…
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Giant killer Teklemariam Medhin was back at it again yesterday at the Oeiras round of the 2010 / 11 IAAF permit series. Home girl Anália Rosa held flew the flag for Portugal as she won the women’s race… Read more…
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A glut of fell racing on offer this weekend – weather permitting! The classic Tour of Pendle, the RAB sponsored Dark and White Mini MM and Dunnerdale, all grace the calendar. Keep an eye on that mountain weather too before heading out… Read more…
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The North Face®, announced at a press conference in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria the long-term partnership of one of Europe’s leading ultra running events, TransGranCanaria, taking place in Gran Canaria, Canary Islands Spain, 5-6 March, 2011. Read more…
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A major new trail marathon has been announced by Lakeland Trails, to take place in the Coniston area next July. There is no doubt that this event will be a success, through a formula which seen such events attract thousands across continental Europe and the US… Read more…
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The Irish season celebrated its penultimate race as the tough traditional Powerscourt Ridge run took place before the IMRA AGM this Saturday past. Only the Charles Barrington Memorial race now remains to be held, most likely on the 26th or 27th of December. Read more…
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Deirdre Doyle made it two victories on the trot in Adamstown, Co. Wexford, where the Leinster Intermediates were held this Sunday. The Tinryland runner broke away from the field early and ran home unimpeded at the Leinster Novices three weeks ago… Read more…
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It’s that time again when the African raiders hit Europe’s premier XC fixtures. At Sunday’s 2010/11 IAAF Permit series opener there was a shock win over 2010 World XC champ Joseph Ebuya for Teklemariam Medhin – yet another product of the burgeoning Eritrean endurance team… Read more…
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The last of this year’s Quests on Mt. Kiliamanjaro produced some stunning imagery, a great run by Kilian of course, and a sense that trail running amongst other cultures transcends the sport itself… Read more…
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Some great shots from this weekend’s racing in Wales, England, Germany and New York. Sure, the NYC marathon isn’t off-road but it is one of the world’s great spectacles – but it was the end of the line for Haile. Will there ever be another runner like him? Read more…
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The weather looks better for the weekend, and though it may be muddy out there, the racing will be fast and furious at the various XC leagues up and down the country. On the hills there is the excellent Clwydian Hills race in north Wales… Read more…
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As highlighted in this story yesterday Andrew Murray is tempting to run from Scotland to Morocco in the coming months, and his shoe of choice for the mighty feat will be a new trail shoe from UK shoe co. UK Gear. Read more…
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My family love Stuffits. Well that’s not strictly true, as they dont really know the name of the product which has revolutionised the odour of our kitchen area this last few weeks. But they love the effect… Read more…
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That’s not a statement, it’s a race. Yes, sibling of the infamous Hell Runner the Delamere Forest race this Sunday will see mud-lovers getting dirty over 10-12 miles of trail, bog and all sorts of gubbins… Read more…
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Irish hope and Euro XC contender Mary Cullen has suffered an injury more akin to pro cyclists after falling from her bike whilst putting in some cross-training, in preparation for the European Cross Country Championships in December… Read more…
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The US always get their cross country underway well ahead of the rest of the northern hempisphere. Their National Collegiate XC Championships are looming as a crescendo for their XC season, and 2009 men’s champ Sammy Chelanga looks like he is once again the guy to beat… Read more…
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The FT London Twin Peak Challenge takes place this Sunday, 7th November – the latest addition to the growing roster of tower races in the Capital. CityPoint and The Broadgate Tower await, with 935 feet, 67 floors and 1512 stairs, as individuals and teams of four ascend two of London’s most iconic buildings in succession… Read more…
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News of great weather for cross country racing as the elite clubs battle it out at the Dublin seniors and the provincial races in the Novice series over in Ireland. Joseph Sweeney was amongst those showing his colours up front as the XC season gains momentum… Read more…
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Described by some FRA forumites as one of the best descents in the ‘Dales. Ian Holmes won it, looking easy. Sportsunday and Wharfeego shot it, and many enjoyed it. Still struggling to find any results online, but the word is Ted Mason was second… Read more…
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The English Cross Country Association has decided on the programme of international fixtures for 2010/11.The events have been chosen to avoid most of the key Cross Country events in the UK… Read more…
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Those lucky Scottish BBC viewers are fortunate enough to get a regular outdoor-focused show in the shape of the Adventure Show. And thanks the iPlayer we can all watch it. But the latest offering is a real treat for us runners… Read more…
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The 2010 Snowdonia Marathon Eryri proved to be one of the best races for many years, as Welsh international marathoner – and South-Wales policeman – Richie Gardiner took a popular victory of this historic race. Read more…
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After a great season of multi-day race wins both Andy Symonds and Angela Mudge capped off the year with wins at The OMM this weekend. Partnered with brother Joe, the Symonds’ stole the win from under the noses from 2009 winners Jethro Lennox and Steve Birkinshaw… Read more…
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I have spent a fair bit of time in the Okehampton area and know what a beautiful place it is. I also know that when the mist comes in at such places as Tor Marsh and Cosdon navigation becomes very hard. The bogs and heather also make for some rugged running… Read more…
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As an event twinned with the International Snowdon Race – the town of Morbegno is also twinned with Llanberis – the Welsh link to this excellent Italian mountain race is apparent, and last weekend’s event produced some great results UK runners… Read more…
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My recent memories of Mt. Kilimanjaro are (perhaps unfortunately) of over-hyped celebrities crying their way up the mountain for Children in Need. Luckily those memories have all been banished now as I watch Kilian Jornet’s literally breathtaking run on the mythical mount… Read more…
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UKA have laid down the selection policy for this winter’s major international events. The selection races are the same as last year with the main championship teams (European and World XC) coming from the McCain Cross Challenges in Liverpool and Birmingham respectively… Read more…
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On the weekend that saw Tofol Castener and Emanuela Brizio crowned World Skyrunning champions, the Kinabalu Climbathon glory belonged to Italy’s Marco De Gasperi and an amazing record assault… Read more…
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The World Mountain Running Association have announced plans for the 2011 season, and how championship racing will fit into the hectic mountain running calendar. However, their premium series known as the Grand Prix is by no means certain to go ahead… Read more…
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Walsh, the British shoe brand which has been producing quality footwear for over 40 years, is launching a new style to add to its trail running offering for Winter 2010. The brand new Spirit React is a multi-functional shoe which is ideal for use in all off road conditions… Read more…
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The Scottish Cross Country relays champs threw up deserved winners in 2010 as Inverclyde AC romped to a near gun-to-tape victory at a sunny Cumbernauld on Saturday. In fact it was the Inverclyde B team that got off to a flyer, through Chris MacKay… Read more…
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After a hugely successful last weekend which saw the east Glasgow club take the spoils at the UKA fell relay champs (and silver at the National 6-stage road relays), the boys in blue and gold dig out their spikes as they look for a repeat of their glory run in 2009 Read more…
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It’s that time of year again when the world’s best endurance athletes turn their thoughts to the country, and put on their long spikes. The 2010/11 IAAF XC permit events will once again bring together the cream of the world’s best cross country talent, over 12 meetings… Read more…
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Crunch time is here for the world’s best skyrunners at this weekend’s Skyrunner® World Series final at Mount Kinabalu in Malaysian Borneo. Athletes from across the globe have arrived on the island… Read more…
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Stories like this one, courtesy of the Grough, always put things into perspective. So that’s over 50 miles, with a total ascent of 17,500ft ish, with the weight of a young child on your back, in 21 hours?! Read more…
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Is it really 25 years since this happened? As far as we are concerned at MST running legends are running legends and although most of Steve Jones’ success was achieved at the marathon, the Newport-flyer was a highly skilled cross country man… Read more…
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You know the Irish cross-country season starts to really heat up when the high profile Aviva Gerry Farnan Cross Country Festival comes around. This year’s incarnation featured the Gerry Farnan Men’s race over 5 miles, and the Sheila Brennan Women’s race over 3 miles… Read more…
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Some great shots of this weekend’s action come courtesy of Al Tye over at Fell Running Pictures, making the long trip from Wales very worthwhile with some great shots, and Scots man-with-the-camera (and pretty handy fell runner) Chris Upson... Read more…
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Despite some routing issues Borrowdales Chris Steele was the easy winner of Sunday’s Salomon Turbo X at Wharncliffe Woods. With his club only sending up a ‘vets’ team to the fell relays Steele was at a loose end as far as fell racing goes… Read more…
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Dubbed “Britain’s most beautiful marathon” Sunday’s Kielder Marathon was blessed with some great weather and and enthusiastic crowd for the 1,500+ participants, who pitted themselves against the stunning backdrops and challenging route… Read more…
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As reported on Friday, a little birdie had given us the nod that Shettleston Harriers were well up for today’s UKA British Fell Relay champs over in Fife. Shame I’m not a betting man, as that birdie proved right as the crack East Glasgow squad raced to the gold medal… Read more…
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This Sunday, in Fife. After last year’s DQ issues Bingley, Pudsey and Mercia, along with Borrowdale, should be there or thereabouts once again this year as they tackle four tough legs on the Falkland estate. Read more…
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We reported way back in February on the launch of the 2010 Kielder Marathon, an event with former Olympian and BBC good egg Steve Cram at the helm. Well d-day is almost here and the beautiful Northumberland landscape awaits this Sunday… Read more…
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We know that the Keilder Marathon is laying claim to being Britain’s “most beautiful marathon”, but we might have to disagree with Cammie. The Snowdonia Marathon Eryri has long been held that mantle, along with the title of one of the toughest… Read more…
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Last weekend’s Langdale Horseshoe race produced some excellent racing, and no end of really great shots. The likes of pros SportSunday have delivered a great set as usual, but there are also some great images courtesy of Ian Weetman and northender... Read more…
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We mostly get news from in or around Leinster for our autumn cross-country coverage so it was good to see news on the Galway XC in Loughrea this weekend. According to the Galway website the grass was freshly mowed for the Senior, Intermediate and Novice fields all racing side-by-side. Read more…
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The 12th Hope Moors & Tors (3 Oct) race will go down in the annals as a bit of an epic. After a beautiful sunny Autumn day on The Saturday whilst setting out the course, Sunday was not so clement and can be best described as persistently and exceptionally wet! Read more…
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We sort of missed this one, but have been righted by those good eggs over at the FRA forum. On Sunday a (possible) female fell star in the making took an amazing 3rd place overall at the tough 13 mile Windgather... Read more…
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Films like this make me stop and think. People like Simon M’Tuy are one in a million. Of course the latest Kilian’s Quest installment has a record attempt at its heart. Mr. Jornet’s Kilimanjaro adventure was well documented on this site too… Read more…
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Only Shrewsbury’s Steven Cale was able to stop a Mercia 1,2,3 at Sunday’s Breidden Hills race, as he finished a distant second to recently crowned British fell running champ Tim Davies in this excellent race in the Shropshire hills… Read more…
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Denis Wischniewski has done it again. He has delivered one of the best trail / running magazines I have seen anywhere (print or online) in recent times. The quality of this mag is astounding. Read more…
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Ryan Sandes will be swapping is sand shoes from snow shoes (well specially adapted Salomon Wings anyway) as he prepares for the Antarctic Last Desert Race. Sandes is currently adapting his mind and body to cope with the cold conditions… Read more…
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Those of us up in Scotland this weekend will have witnessed less warm conditions than those that a large part of the UK seemed to experience. The mist at the Pentland Skyline race as no obstacle for Scots internationals Murray Strain and Angela Mudge however… Read more…
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The 2010/11 McCain Cross Challenge dates have been announced on the UKA site. The series kicks off in Liverpool on November 27, with the Euro trials race. The other 3 counters are all in 2011 at Cardiff, Antrim and Birmingham, inc. the World trails races on the 5 March. Read more…
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As the nights draw in and autumn takes a hold (though this weekend is apparently gonna be warm!) and the fell and mountain scene starts to wind down… Read more…
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You have to hand it to iRunFar.com man Byron Powell. I thought MST was pretty in-depth when it came to pulling a shoe apart and putting it back together again, but his fresh post on the new MT101 trail shoe from New Balance takes things to another level… Read more…
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Debra Ireland held their second mountain half-marathon of the year offering a tough course around the Glencree area (with more mountainous terrain than the March event). The 1000€ cash (!) price may have deterred more people than it attracted… Read more…
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Running at high-altitude in Spain over 85km is a lon way from ‘home’ from British fell runner Andy Symonds. After a highly successful Trans Alp a few weeks back it was time for Symonds to go it alone, as he set sail for his first attempt at ultra-trail running… Read more…
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Runners looking for rain, mud and good pasture had to look far at the Dublin Novice Cross-Country Championships this Sunday past. Once again the venue was the scenic surroundings and hard-packed trails of Dublin’s favoured breathing spot: the Phoenix Park. Read more…
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Outside of the Ian Hodgson relays at the weekend there was plenty going on around the country. Steven Cale made the trip over the border to the Arenig Fawr race worthwhile, as he won from top local-man Ifs Richards. The tales coming back from this famous Welsh mountain were of mud and clag – lots of it! Read more…
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In the first of the big fell relays over the next few weeks, Borrowdale came home ahead of Pudsey and Bramley at the Ian Hodgson Mountain Relay – after Morgan Donnelly and Ben Bardsley stormed past the boys from Pudsey on the last leg… Read more…
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The curtain fell on the WMRA Grand Prix season on Saturday as GP leaders Ahmet Arslan and Andrea Mayr became champions for 2010. The now traditional Smarna Gora race saw some superb racing, and a new course record (42.28) for Arslan in the mens race… Read more…
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The British summer seems but a distant memory as I wind my way round tracks and hills that now fester hoards of dead leaves as Autumn takes hold. At least those of us who love cross-country running can get excited that as the nights draw in the mud will start to churn around the country in leagues, series and championship races… Read more…
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Arenig Fawr, Ravenstones, Isle of Man Junior Champs and of course the Ian Hodgson Relays – just a few of this weekend’s races. Never mind the weather -just get there and have fun! Read more…
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An abundance of trail races in the north-west this Saturday and Sunday, with the PUMA Coniston Trail Race, the Salomon Rivington Pike Half and the Sandstone Trail Races nr. Delamere Forest… Read more…
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The last race in 2010 WMRA GP takes place at the Šmarna gora race in Slovenia, this Saturday. It is the 31st edition of this excellent event, which has lowered the curtain on the Grand Prix season over recent years. Last year’s races were won by Andrea Mayr and Alberto Toninelli… Read more…
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The good guys at Orbana Healthy Energy have teamed up with Mud, Sweat and Tears to provide fifty new consumers with a complimentary pre-launch sachet of their revolutionary drink. All you need to do is click here and they’ll send you a free sachet… Read more…
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The relay season kicks off this weekend with the Ian Hodgsons nr. Patterdale, but if you are looking for a great race, in aid of a great cause, look no further than Bellahouston’s race up in the beautiful Trossachs… Read more…
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When Trail Running magazine hit the news stands earlier this year, it was a welcome sight for many an off-roader seeking an accessible print mag for their sport… Read more…
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He might have a fight on his hands for the title of UK’s best fell runner these days, but when it comes to the top class cyclist / runner combo Rob Jebb is without peer. Jebby will also probably go down in fell history as Mr. 3 Peaks, the master of this classic race route... Read more…
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7 hour and 14 minutes – sounds like a long time to be out running, but not when placed into the context of running up Mt. Kilimanjaro and back. Seems incredible then that this is all it took Kilian Jornet to achieve the amazing feat earlier today… Read more…
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Yep, the little Catalan is on the mighty Kilimanjaro as I type at 9am UK time. His attempt on the up and down record on the highest peak in Africa started around 3 hours ago and is being amazingly tracked on Facebook… Read more…
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Murray Strain handed Jethro Lennox a big defeat at the classic Two Breweries race on Saturday in bright, but breezy, conditions. So quick was the Scots international mountain runner and orienteer that he wasn’t captured on the race images! Read more…
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Details are still coming through, but after a glorious day in South Wales today Mercia’s Tim Davies won the Black Mountains Race, and in the process his first crown at the year-long British Fell Running Championships… Read more…
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This Saturday sees no ordinary day at the annual Black Mountain Race. This year it’s the final round of the 2010 British Fell Running Champs and the men’s title is still up for grabs, with Rob Hope and Tim Davies the main players… Read more…
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Day 3 images are up, for Kilian’s ‘Kilimanjaro Quest’. The Salomon photo genius Stefan Repke is on it over there, with some utterly breathtaking shots. Kilian appears to be acclimatising well with reports of him almost summiting yesterday on a training run… Read more…
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Whilst the seniors were battling it out in Scotland the juniors traveled to Ireland for the British and Irish Junior International mountain running champs. The atrocious weather couldn’t dampen the youthful exuberance of the English, Welsh, Scottish and Irish competitors… Read more…
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The news that broke earlier today is significant for Welsh environmental culture. The giant of the Glyders – Glyder Fawr – has a new status, now in the big league of mountains. However, the wider question as far as fell runners are concerned is will this affect the classic Welsh 1000m race? Read more…
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Yep, that’s the 2010 European Cross Country Championships to you and me. The XC season is upon us, and many of Europe’s top endurance athletes will be focusing their sights on a team berth for Portugal in December. Read more…
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It’s time for yet another Quest for Kilian. It’s the first time he has attempted anything in Africa, and he has chosen the highest point on the African continent to do it. Kilimajaro. But this is no ordinary run. Kilian is chasing a record at altitudes of almost 6,000 metres… Read more…
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Just one month divides the Skyrunner® World Series final from the epic 43 km Sentiero delle Grigne SkyMarathon® held in northern Italy near Lake Como, Sunday. Some of the world’s top runners from 12 countries jockeyed for position in this popular, but extremely demanding event which celebrated ten years on Sunday… Read more…
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The British Home Internationals seemed to produce some great racing on Saturday, with England (as expected) dominating the men’s and women’s individual races. Scotland, however, put up a great showing in the women’s race taking the team gold… Read more…
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One of the better three minutes of film you are likely to see in 2010 is out there promoting New Balance’s new shoe and the philosophies of one of ultra-trail running’s leading lights – Anton Krupicka. Read more…
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It’s a weekend of Home International races, as the youngsters head to Ireland and the seniors and U23’s hit Anoch Mor, nr Fort Wiiliam in Scotland. We previewed the juniors earlier this week, and did a preview of the senior event some time ago. Read more…
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It’s in the air. You can smell it. You can see it. Leaves turning yellow, that dew that lingers a little later in the mornings and puddles on the trails that take longer to evaporate, if at all. Autumn. I should say it quietly, as in southern Europe and the balmier parts of the northern hemisphere the sun is still beating. Read more…
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This Sunday sees the Sentiero Grigne SkyMarathon® take place – one of the most demanding races on the skyrunning calendar. Top runners from 12 countries will be jostling for pole position for the World Skyrunning Series final in Malaysia in October. Read more…
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Downhill racing. Big in mountain biking, not so big in mountain running. Though from a ‘buzz’ point of view, is probably unmatched in running. There are a few races on the British calendar, and last night descender supreme was Ochil man Al Anthony as he flew down Caerketton in record time… Read more…
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This weekend sees the British and Irish Junior International mountain running champs over in Glendalough, Ireland. The role call of champions is impressive, with World tri champ Ali Brownlee amongst past winners, and the 2010 location will prove both challenging and stunning… Read more…
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“2011.01.01. Save the date for your diary. The 5th Annapurna ultra will be back, bigger and better than ever before. This time there will be 50km, 70km and 100km races.” So says the Trail Running Nepal site in support of this excellent event on the ceiling of the world… Read more…
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One of the most stunning backdrops in mountain racing awaited the competitors at this year’s Drei Zinnen on Sunday – and the clear blue skies only added to the scenery. The racing was fierce as usual, with titles going to Jono Wyatt and Mariagrazia Roberti… Read more…
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After the success of issue one, issue two of Trail Running has hit the print mag shelves – once again bagged with the October edition of Trail magazine. This time round they take a look at night-running (something we’d urge everyone to try!), a shed-load of trail shoes (18) and nutrition. Read more…
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Outdoor clothing giant Columbia aren’t exactly a household name (yet?) in running, but certainly have some of the best high-trail and hiking gear on the market. Still, it’s good to see that they are making strides in the hills, when it comes to running product… Read more…
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In its second year the IMRA Long Distance Challenge concluded with a running of the Dublin Peaks race. This long-distance traverse was devised by Joe Lalor and features and out-and-back course over the peaks of Three-Rock, Fairy Castle, Tibradden and Cruagh… Read more…
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The results from the Lake District Mountain Trial are now online over at the FRA site, along with results of Morgan Donnelly’s win at the Great Westmoreland Trail race. Up in Scotland the Simon Wake Comrie Hills Relay took place, attracting a quality field… Read more…
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The growing tower running scene in the UK gains further gravity in October as Shelter broaden their Vertical Rush spectrum with a run up the St John’s Beacon / Radio City tower in Liverpool on the 17th of October… Read more…
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Doing our best to gather up the weekend race news. In the meantime enjoy some photo feasts from The Peris Horsehoe and the Stretton Skyline, both courtesy of Al Tye and Fell Running Pictures.. Read more…
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One of Europe’s premier mountain marathons took place yesterday in Switzerland as nearly 4000 runners took part in the Jungfrau Marathon. Results not available as yet, but news from the event is that Italian Marco de Gasperi won the race… Read more…
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Now that the final stage dust has settled, the tales have been told – and the German bier has been downed at the after-party – history will show that the pairing of Andy Symonds and Tom Owens once again showed their class… Read more…
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7 down, one to go, and by all accounts the scenery is breathtaking on tomorrows 8th and final stage into Sexten in the Dolomites. This year’s Trans Alpine Run has produced some great performances, non more so than that of Tom Owens and Andy Symonds… Read more…
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A big weekend of racing across the country awaits, as the Petzl Lake District Mountain Trial takes place in Kentmere, with final details only made available some 10 days ago. In Wales it’s the Peris Horseshoe, another classic long race with a classy role call of past winners… Read more…
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After the recent height survey of Tryfan, the super-mountain (a mountain over the height of 1000m) quest goes on in Snowdonia. The next target is Glyder Fawr, logged as 999m on OS maps, and if the Welsh giant is over a 1000m it will become Snowdonia’s 5th. Read more…
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This one says it all. With 228 of the 305 brutal kilometres done the runners are starting to feel the effects. But the smiles don’t leave, and Lars the Barracuda has captured them all over the last 5 days… Read more…
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Following his awesome run at the UTMB last month Jez Bragg is the ultra man-of-the-moment. Of course those in the know will be conversant with Jez’s ultra prowess, after a couple of highly successful years on the road, fell and trails. This week he spills the beans with Martin Yelling and Tom Williams… Read more…
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Today’s 6th stage from Sand in Taufers – St. Vigil took in 40kms, and was described by the organisers as “the hardest that has ever been run in the history of this stage race competition”. Looking at the course profile the runners covered 20 odd km on the flat and then boom! Read more…
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One of the very best episodes of the 2010 Kilian’s Quest series of films has just been posted up. In it the young Catalan talks exclusively about his approaches to running – in terms of training, nutrition, running technique and mental preparation… Read more…
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Andy ‘Wharfeego’ Holden never fails to disappoint when it comes to his fell footage. His Kilnsey Crag Race film from a few weeks back says everything that is great about British fell racing, and the English summer show… Read more…
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Lots and lots starting to appear online. Some nice ones from Keswicklakedistrict.co.uk of the ascent and the descent. Also loads appearing on Facebook, here, here, here and here... Read more…
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Well, that’s easy for me to say. But it has to be said that with all of the great photo journalism going on at this year’s Trans Alp you feel as though you are almost there. Today’s set of shots by the Trans Alp team (Barracuda, Grippy and the TA Crew) are unsurpassed and they seem to be getting better with each day that passes… Read more…
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With today’s leg of the 2010 Trans Alpine Run hitting over 2600 metres it had many of the runners catching their breath and reaching for the cold weather gear. Tom Owens and Andy Symonds took the snow in their stride for another stage win… Read more…
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The last major battle of the season took place on the slopes of Slieve Donard and Commedagh in the Mournes which for the first time served as a counter for the Irish Championship (but only for runner who had run at least one previous IC race). Read more…
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At yesterdays 26th World Mountain Running Championships the first six positions in the men’s race were filled by Eritrean and Ugandan athletes, Eritrea also claimed the team title, and young Eritrean Yossief Andemichael absolutely crushed the opposition in the junior men’s race… Read more…
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The hope, from a sporting and organisational perspective, is that the 2010 Trans Alpine Run doesn’t turn into a procession for Andy Symonds and Tom Owens. However, the British pair are not bothered with such frivolities as demonstrated by yet another show of class in Kitzbuhel this morning… Read more…
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After a mammoth battle over the closing miles Rob Hope today prevailed over Lloyd Taggart at the 2010 English champs decider Shelf Moor, and in doing so secured the crown. Lauren Jeska took the women’s race and if my calculations are right (?) wins the women’s title by one point from Olivia Walwyn! Read more…
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After stage 1 and 36 of the 305kms of the 2010 Trans Alpine Run, it is a familiar looking leader board with the 2009 winners Andy Symonds and Tom Owens already holding a commanding lead… Read more…
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I am sure Lochaber man Finlay Wild won’t mind me saying that the biggest win of his hill running career will have shocked one or two onlookers on Ben Nevis today. Beating 2010 Snowdon winner Robbie Simpson by 30 seconds, Wild also soundly beat fell legend and 3-time race winner Ian Holmes into 3rd place… Read more…
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Just over twelve months ago some of the UK’s top mountain runners swept all before them at the 5th Gore Tex Trans Alpine Run. On the eve of the 6th edition they are ready once again (albeit with a slight change in line-up) to take on the might of the world’s best ultra-trail stage racers…. Read more…
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It’s the time of year that many uphill specialists look forward to – elite uphill specialists that is. The 26th World Mountain Running Championships are upon us this weekend and the fields are absolutely loaded with talent… Read more…
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Outside of the big one in Scotland, many eyes will be on Shelf Moor, a crucial counter in the 2010 English fell champs. Men’s championship leader Rob Hope is sitting pretty atop the leader board and after his recent wins is in great form… Read more…
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For the second weekend in a row the international race scene is crammed (World Champs, Trans Alpine, Ben Nevis race, Shelf Moor…). One thing that clashes do mean is depleted fields, somewhere. With the likes of Andy Symonds, Tom Owens and Angela Mudge in Germany for the TransAlp... Read more…
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At the 10th WMRA World Masters Champs former World champion (2000) Angela Mudge negotiated the Polish mountain mist, and the entire women’s field, to win the W40 crown. Mudge’s crown was a beacon in a relatively lean championships for the Home Nations… Read more…
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Some things are quintessentially British, especially when it comes to hill and fell racing. And a fair few of our European friends find the thought of blasting up a hill, with no real track as such, and back down at break-neck speeds, a little odd… Read more…
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Bank holiday racing at Y Cnicht, Achnamara Forest, the Ochil 2000s, the Pendleton Fell Race and the famous Ras Beca ‘sprint’. The weather was certainly looking up and numbers at all events were certainly healthy, here’s hoping for an Indian summer hey! Read more…
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With so much going on in the world of off-road running (UTMB, Kima, World Masters, TransRockies) it would be easy to overlook the UK race scene. But not a bit of it, as we catch our breath and catch-up on the fells of Britain, and some great weekend racing… Read more…
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After leaving what he felt was a disappointing situation in Chamonix on Friday night, 2009 Skyrunning World Series winner Kilian Jornet headed for the Kima Trophy Ultra SkyMarathon® in northern Italy to exercise his excellent form at the moment… Read more…
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You can only win what is put before you. The history books and results of this famous race will not detail the trials and tribulations of the 2010 UTMB. They won’t spell out who was missing from the start line-up. They will state that the 2010 winners were Britons Jez Bragg and Lizzie Hawker… Read more…
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A crazy 24 hours of ultra trail running in Europe was witnessed last Friday evening as the 8th annual UTMB set off bang on time at 18.30 CET. But barely an 8th of the way into the event (approx 21km) the race was cancelled, or should I say postponed and, for many, over… Read more…
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Well almost. And here in old Blighty there are lots of races for the UK mountain folk to get their teeth into. Classic races at the ‘Welsh Matterhorn’ Cnicht race, the long and hard Ochil 2000’s in Scotland, the Dufton show race and Pete Bland’s super-historic Grasmere Senior Guides Race – all 1.5 miles of it… Read more…
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Amongst the plethora of global racing this weekend it would be easy to miss one very important championships – the World Masters Mountain Running Championships. 26 countries head for Poland, for a race up Pilsko Mountain just outside of Korbielow… Read more…
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Four letters that would make many a mortal gulp. One of the world’s most challenging ultra trail races, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc is one of the highlights on the international racing calendar, and as you might expect the worldwide media is ‘hyped’ for this one… Read more…
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Lots of gear has descended into MST this last few weeks, with kit from The North Face, Columbia, Brooks and now Buff. The 2010 Buffwear range is something that I have to admit not seeing much of, but first impressions of the shorts, socks and t-shirt are favourable… Read more…
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Great little video here from Salomon Canada Community Manager Phil Villenueve, before and during the 37.5km 5th stage of this year’s Trans Rockies. This really is one the chalk-off if you are a serious ultra-trail runner, with stunning scenery and trails that go on for miles! Read more…
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Lots of it too, here in the UK. Latrigg, Ennerdale Show, Ragleth, Tryfan Dash. Some quality runners stretched their legs over the last few days with wins for Ricky Lightfoot, Chris Steele, Pippa Maddams, Ifs Richards and Steven Cale… Read more…
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Lots going on north of the Border this last weekend. Whilst some of the Scottish elite traveled to the US to compete at the WLDMRC at Pikes Peak, many turned out for some quality racing at Craigengower, Two Inns and the Great Wilderness Challenge… Read more…
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With two stages gone the French / Canadian contingent of elite runners present at this year’s Trans Rockies Run are holding sway at the top of the leader board. It’s early days, but the women’s pairing Fournier and de Guire are sitting pretty out in the lead… Read more…
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This year’s UKA Mountain Running Senior Home International arrives in Scotland in September at Aonach Mor, Fort William. The location for this year’s race is special, visiting the spiritual home of downhill MTBing and location of the annual UCI World Cup Downhill races… Read more…
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Carpenter wins at Pikes Peak, nothing dramatic in that headline then! The 44 year old won his 5th straight Pikes Peak Marathon yesterday from fellow Manitou Spring resident Daryn Parker. Keri Nelson was a big winner in the women’s race… Read more…
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With just a few days to go until the festivities begin in the French Alps, North Face (primary event sponsors) have issued a preview communique spelling out their social media and communications strategy – leading up to and including the event itself… Read more…
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Glenn Randall and Brandy Erholtz took dramatic wins at Saturdays classic Pikes Peak Ascent race. The US athletes won the race to the top of this 14,000ft plus brute of a hill, which also included the World Long Distance Mountain Running championship event… Read more…
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So there I was, making a coffee in Corris (mid Wales) cafe on Weds afternoon. In there was a young lady in bike gear out for a spin, non other than top fell runner Jackie Lee. The Isle of Man resident was back in North Wales on a bit of a holiday… Read more…
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The usually quiet mountain running month of August has seen a flurry of activity this year. In the North, the super-long Seven Sevens race was taken to a new level while Wednesday events were held in the South in support of Mountain Rescue and The Bubblegum Club charity. Read more…
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Over the coming week or so we will be previewing one of the world’s biggest ultra trail races, the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, from a number of angles. Apart from the obvious race preview we will look to unearth some of the more individual aspects… Read more…
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This year is an exceptional year at the famous Pikes Peak races. Not only will the racing be some of the best ever, looking at the line-ups; it will also be a super-important round of the 2010 Skyrunner World Series too. Read more…
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Mountain running tends to take a hiatus during the Irish autumn and hill runners find themselves turning to the frenetic cross-country scene for their off-road fix. The trend set by several new races being organised continues unabated, however, and this fall promises to be different. Read more…
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Following the selection races a few weeks back, both the GB and Ireland teams have been announced to compete at the forthcoming World Mountain Running Champs in Slovenia on September the 5th. As far as the GB team senior men are concerned it’s pretty much the first 6 from the trial Read more…
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I took delivery of these around a month ago. When I opened the box I thought that I had an odd pair, such is the penchant these days for running brand’s ‘fast shoes’ to be of differing colour on right and left feet. Styling-wise these shoes are very different too… Read more…
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After a very busy few weeks on the domestic and international scenes, we return to a weekend of relative serenity with a nice handful of races across the country. For the ‘sprinters’ the classic Y Garn race is on tomorrow in Wales… Read more…
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Time was fell racing consisted of getting to the top and back, or around a loop of hills, faster than anyone else. Well that is still the case, I suppose, only now you can become an expert – and pass on your knowledge to others… Read more…
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Time was when some folk couldn’t get enough EVA. It now seems that the barefoot / minimalist movement is fast becoming the zeitgeist for runners, walkers and shoe brands alike. And now can you even learn how to walk again (!), thanks to shoe makers Terra Plana… Read more…
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For many UK mountain runners who excel best at the uphill bit of mountain running, Sunday was the big day in their calendar. It was the selection race for the upcoming 2010 World Mountain Running Champs in Slovenia, and by all accounts was a beast of a race… Read more…
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Simon Booth took his 12th Borrowdale Fell Race win this weekend, beating a quality field of seasoned fell runners. Rob Jebb upset Booth’s decade run in 2009 by beating him into 4th, after 8 straight wins for the Borrowdale runner… Read more…
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What do Snowdon and Djouce have in common? We’ll, this weekend, both where the tasks to be overcome successfully for those with international aspirations in Britain and Ireland, respectively. Read more…
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Those looking at the sharp-end of 2010 Trans Alpine Run should sit up and take note. Tom is back. Tom Owens that is, 2009 TA partner of Andy Symonds. After a tough end to 2009 and early 2010 which saw the Shettleston man sidelined with an achilles problem… Read more…
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It was another win for the diminutive Catalan Kilian Jornet on Sunday at the Swiss classic, Sierre Zinal. 2010 revelation Laetitia Roux had to settle for 3rd in the women’s event as US athlete Megan Lund easily won, beating Anglea Mudge into second place… Read more…
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Sock-makers Bridgedale are backing an ultra run by three runners across the Kalhari Desert. The attempt will see a South African / Norwegian team embark on the 1000km run which it appears has never been undertaken before… Read more…
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We weren’t. For most of Sunday and half of yesterday our servers were offline. So, apologies for those tuning into MST for news on a packed weekend of racing at home and abroad, we will be catching up and delivering all of the goodies over the next day or so… Read more…
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Hits Ebensee, Austria for another European classic – the Feuerkogel Berlauf. After last weekend’s event at Mayrhofen many will have stuck around for this one, so expect another loaded field including the likes of Jono Wyatt and Anna Frost… Read more…
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For us mere mortals there is plenty going on around the country. The legendary Borrowdale is on tomorrow, 17 miles of classic climbs over the likes of Scafell Pike. Jebby, Ben Bardsley and Pippa Madams are all down, along with hundreds of others… Read more…
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For those with World Mountain Running Championships aspirations, it’s the big one this weekend. Sunday sees the 2010 Trials races (uphill only) based in Llanberis and racing in and around Snowdon. The race also doubles as part of the McCain Mountain Running Challenge Read more…
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The spectacular roar of the Glanmore waterfall, then larger, coined the current name of yesterday’s race venue: The Devil’s Glen. Two former Irish internationals roared highest as Michael Kelly, Gowran, beat a competitive men’s field… Read more…
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We do our best with snippets on orienteering on MST, but when the World Champs come round we’ve just gotta plug it! The festivities in Norway kick off this weekend and last through the whole of next week with a range of events – for all categories… Read more…
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Tomo Sarf gives us the lowdown on rd2 of this years WMRA Grand Prix series – the Harakiri Berglauf in Mayrhofen. Men’s winner Ahmet Arslan smashed the course record into the bargain as he controlled the race on the steep stuff… Read more…
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While English runners turned their attention to the Rydal Round, Borrowdale and other challenges, Irish runners have not been lying dormant. The Trail League kicked off at Glen of the Downs wood two weeks ago with victories for Joseph Mooney and Karen O’Hanlon, Maynooth… Read more…
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2010’s cracking forth edition of Trail magazin has hit the virtual shelves, is there no stopping Denis Wischniewski?! This has to be one of the best online pubs., period. If you want this quality publication available in English start your online petition now! Read more…
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Pudsey’s Rob Hope is still on target to lift a fourth straight British Fell Championship after a commanding win at Rd3, the Dollar Hill Race. Still leading going into the final Long race at the Black Mountains Rob will now just need to keep his nerve, and finish in a leading position, to take the title. Read more…
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Racing in all home nations and Ireland continued unabated as the weather was a little kinder this weekend. With wins for Joe Symonds, Neil Parry and Brian Furey amongst others – it’s not all British Champs and Euro racing round here you know! Read more…
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What wasn’t clear from the early news at the Dollar Hill Race on Saturday was that Pippa Maddams had broken one classy record held by Angela Mudge. It was a close-run thing as she broke the old mark by 11 seconds, but a new record is a new record! Read more…
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Orlando Edwards and Lauren Jeska put in some excellent performances at the Harakiri Berglauf yesterday. Jeska had a stormer to finish on the podium in the women’s race, with Edwards coming in an strong 9th in a world-class men’s field… Read more…
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Spain’s Tofol Castaňer and Kiwi Anna Frost won the fifth Skyrunner® World Series race from Cesana to Montgenèvre on Sunday. This incredibly severe SkyMarathon®, straddling the Italian-French border, summits Chaberton at 3,131 metres… Read more…
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Reigning British fell running champion Rob Hope went a long way to cementing yet another title at yesterday’s Dollar Hill Race. The Pudsey runner took the race by a mere 10 seconds from Prasad Prasad, with Lloyd Taggart third… Read more…
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Except this year it isn’t. The Dollar Hill Race is special this year, why, well it’s a British Fell Champs counter. Expect to see a field loaded with British fell running talent – including Rd1 winner Andy Symonds, championship leader Rob Hope, and fresh from his Snowdon win Robbie Simpson… Read more…
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After what seems like an age since the first GP race of 2010, the WMRA circuit starts back at the Harakiri Berglauf in Mayrhofen on Sunday (1 Aug). Last year’s winners Jono Wyatt and Andrea Mayr will be back to take on this brute of climb, and according to the WMRA preview the field is absolutely loaded… Read more…
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Top South African’s Linda Doke and Ryan Sandes will head for Europe in August in preparation for the 2010 Trans Alpine run. The mixed pairing will go head-to-head with the like of 2009 winner Anglea Mudge and Chunky Liston and are nicely previewed by gotrail... Read more…
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An excellent depiction of the battle up-front at last months Western States 100 has just been released. It gives a nice flavour of the struggle between Anton, Kilian and Geoff – one can only imagine what the pain was like as they entered the last few miles… Read more…
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I recently posted a review of Inov-8’s new Bare-Grip 200™. I had just received the shoes from Inov-8 and only wore them for three runs between 1-2 hours …. The question most people would ask is “can you really review a shoe after only a couple of runs”? Read more…
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Mo is a bit of an MST favourite as regulars will know. He is a big XC man, and has a big heart. Too often the bridesmaid when it comes to track championships, it was Farah’s night tonight in Barcelona… Read more…
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In probably the finest collection of top skyrunners ever seen in one field, Italy took the gold in the final of the first Skyrunning World Championships for nations held in Premana, Italy, Sunday, July 25. The silver medal went to Spain and France, a new skyrunning entry, took the bronze. Read more…
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The togs on the hill on Saturday deserve a medal for their work in bringing the images back down to sea level after a drenching. Loads more great shots from FRP man Al Tye are now online, along with some crackers by Neale Lewis-Jones… Read more…
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To cap off a day he will probably never forget, 2010 International Snowdon Race winner Robbie Simpson went live on BBC 5 Live Weekend News last night. The unassuming young Scot was interviewed following his win earlier on Saturday…. Read more…
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This may not be breaking news, but its big news. Scots youngster Robbie Simpson has been heralded on this site for some time now, but the Deeside athlete ingrained his name in Snowdon Race folklore on Saturday, as he became the youngest ever winner of the race… Read more…
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Germany’s Thomas Dold, current Vertical World Circuit® champion, has won the Sydney Tower Run Up – 1,504 stairs in 7’4”, repeating his 2009 win and time. The fastest woman was also last year’s winner, Australian Vanessa Haverd, who won in 8’45”… Read more…
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The 35th International Snowdon Race takes place tomorrow, amongst eager anticipation as a new continent enters the fray. 2009 Commonwealth champion Wilson Chemweno arrives in Wales late on Friday, and will take to the line after a long journey from Kenya.. Read more…
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inov-8’s™ impressive track record at the annual OutDoor Show Awards continues with a Gold Industry Award for new bare-grip™ 200. This is the first Gold Award for inov-8™ but their third OutDoor Show award in four years Read more…
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This is certainly a big stick giving it some in the hornets nest that is cushioning and control Vs neutrality – when it comes to running shoes. Chris McDougall digs a little deeper into the big brands psyche and gets some juicy nuggets from Gordon Valiant, Nike’s head of biomechanical research… Read more…
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The Scottish team heading down to Wales this weekend looks very useful. It is a team of bright young things including Robbie Simpson, Catriona Buchanan and Andrew Fallas, coupled with the experience of Alasdair Anthony and Matthew Sullivan… Read more…
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The final piece in the Pyranean jigsaw is now online. Episode six depicts the pain and the glory for the young Catalan as he arrives in a cove for a dip with the support crew. His epic adventure took in total around 8 days, behind his personal schedule, but still an astounding achievement… Read more…
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The Venezuelan athletes dominated the 5th edition of South American Mountain Running Championships 2010, in the beautiful scenery covered in snow in the Cerro Arco, near the City of Mendoza, Argentina. Both races, men and women, were imposed athletes of Venezuela (Pedro Puente and Cruz Salazar, respectively). Read more…
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It was hot, very hot. Another amazing ultra trail race, on one of the most challenging routes in the world of ultra trail running. Lahcen Ahansal and Martine Hofstede were the mens and womens victors, however the spoils must go to all finishers on this 220km beast! Read more…
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We have profiled Ryan Sandes on MST before, and realised that this world-class ultra trail man is deep. Urban Ninja gets even deeper in this interview, asking the Sandman some left-field questions about his rise to the top, his running economy and coping with solitude… Read more…
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IMRA may have found the perfect bridge between road running and mountain running with this race, whilst many of IMRA’s traditional “long-distance men” were in attendance… Read more…
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The Tom na Bat Hill Race, the second in this year’s SHR Champs, was a close run thing on Saturday as ‘Cosmic’ Dan Whitehead narrowly beat Brian Marshall on this swift 5.6km route, taking the course record into the bargain… Read more…
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The penultimate round of this years English Fell Champs hit Holme Moss on Sunday. Karl Gray is not a new face to fell running, however this was his first championship race win in 2010 and such was the Calder Valley runner’s form he also took the course record… Read more…
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Outdoor retailer Blacks has teamed up with top outdoor brand The North Face for a new trail race on the beautiful Dunstable Downs in October. The blackstrailrun.co.uk site is full of event info, including trail running tips by Jez Bragg… Read more…
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Recent winner of round 2 of the British Fell Champs, Tim Davies, was back on the hills this weekend at the excellent Moel Siabod race in Capel Curig, winning in a close fought race with Shrewsbury’s Steven Cale. There was also racing at Fan y Big and Preseli… Read more…
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The Grossglockner Berglauf is one of the great European mountain races of the summer, and yesterday’s race only added to that status. The men’s field was deep with talent – much of it African – showing that the East Africans have now got a taste for the mountains! Read more…
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iRunFar’s Heidi Dietrich argues the long-held theory that ultra running is more mind than matter. Mental strength can win over physical strength when it comes to the long stuff. Read on Read more…
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Ten nations and 200 athletes participated the first Vertical Kilometer® World Championship – a gruelling 1,000m ascent with an average 50% incline over 2.1 kilometres from Alba di Canazei (1,465m) to the summit of the Crepa Neigra (2,465m). Read more…
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Welsh international Rob Samuel made light work of the Salomon Forest Trail 10k at Delamere Forest last night, beating England’s John Brown by over a minute. Samuel, along with women’s winner Tammy Lewis-Jones, were comfortable victors after their dash from over the border… Read more…
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We’re well past half-way through summer but there’s still plenty of action in Ireland, here’s a quick look at some of the happenings…. Read more…
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If you fancy a run-out tonight and live in proximity to Delamere forest, head down for the last in this summers Salomon Forest Trail 10k races. Proceeding start at 7pm, and with over 350 entered this one is gonna be a great end to a great series… Read more…
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The 35th International Snowdon Race is ready. Film crews are on the mountain today (15 July) for a final recce, the international teams have been confirmed, last minute news pieces and reminders are being posted on the excellent event website… Read more…
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It’s not often that you have to hail the exploits of the officials and helpers over the athletes in a race. But last night’s Stiperstones fell race seemed to be one such occasion. The rather inclement weather over the last week or so in the northern region of the UK… Read more…
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And lots of it! Those busy racers in Scotland have been racking up the hill miles in the last week or so. Emma O’Shea, Dan Whitehead and Brian Marshall have been amongst those making the headlines… Read more…
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The race details and UK selection criteria have been announced on the FRA site for this years World Mountain Running Championships in Slovenia. For those interested the Slovenian course is previewed here and looks pretty gnarly.. Read more…
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Last weeks epic race in the Italian Alps is captured by officinevideoboario. An excellent little film, with breathtaking scenery, an event befitting the world team Skyrunning championships… Read more…
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Colm Hill had done his best to keep the Leinster Championship alive into the final round at Fraughen Rock Glen before being undone by Brian Furey late in that race. On the slopes of Mt. Leinster he proved a man on a mission intent on securing victory, runner-up in the league and the course record… Read more…
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Perhaps predictably, Joe Gray led from start to finish at last weekend’s 7th NACAC trail championships. The race was pretty much a battle between American Gray and Canada’s Taylor Murphy, though runner up Murphy led the Canadians to the team win… Read more…
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Another IMRA summer league has waxed and waned as the thirteenth, and most technical, of the routes finished yesterday at The Great Sugarloaf (501m) next to the M50 highway. Barry Minnock had wrapped up the men’s individual title… Read more…
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Apologies to readers who like their daily fix of MST. As regulars will know we update on many occasions throughout the day. A few technical hitches, coupled with what seem like 24 hour days at work and house building, have resulted in very little time for this passion… Read more…
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First of all, welcome to the new Top-10 column at MST where we will be hoping to give you a bit of an insight into both the current and former elite from the Irish mountain running scene… Read more…
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Athletes from the United States of America and Canada will go head-to-head at the NACAC Championships in the Canadian Rocky Mountains on Friday. Athletes to watch from the United States include Joe Gray… Read more…
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Known for his epic road and trail trips, Stefan Gripmaster Repke is also know for his epic photography. As a running photographer he gets to mix business with pleasure as he trawls the world looking for the best trails, reviewing the best kit… Read more…
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Martin Yelling and Tom Williams‘s weekly podcast that is Marathon Talk is rather good. You can just log on, let it play and put the kettle on. 90 minutes or so of anything-goes chat about the world of running… Read more…
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Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority Ranger Matt Neale has raised more than £7,000 for charity by running 190 miles from St Bee’s Head to Robin Hood’s Bay. The 37-year-old completed his grueling continuous coast-to-coast ultra-marathon in 61 hours and 13 minutes. Read more…
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After a 3rd place finish in 2009 Sébastien Chaigneau, returned to the Olympus Marathon, an annual trail race up the slopes of Mount Olympus – the Greek mythical ‘mountain of the gods’ – to take a famous victory.. Read more…
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The future of British fell running looks likely to be safe in Scots hands after youngsters Robbie Simpson and Catriona Buchanan shone at the this weekend’s European Mountain Running Championships. Ahmet Arslan of Turkey made it 4 in a row in the senior mens event… Read more…
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At the 2010 Orobie SkyRaid race yesterday UK-based Salomon Trail Team affairs to win the men’s and women’s events. The race in the Italian Alps sees teams of three take part in a grueling test of both running and climbing abilities… Read more…
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Some lovely green shots of a fell race in the height of summer – what could be better? Saturday’s Callow race as depicted by Al Tye of Fell Running Pictures fame. A clear win for Welshpool-man Richard Roberts, with partner Anna Bartlett taking the ladies… Read more…
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The Irish Championship entered its third fixture this weekend at Lugnacoille, Leinster’s lone Munro, but arguably the easiest race of the series but also the final counter in the King/Queen of the Mountains competition setting the stage for an enticing drama… Read more…
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Summer is high and the racing is still very much on over in Ireland. Rene Borg reports on Trooperstown and the Rogaine. Two very different events, resulting in one very similar outcome – a win for Irish mountain-dominator Eoin Keith… Read more…
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The North Face Global Team athlete Tracy Garneau took first place, women, in the 100-Mile Western States Endurance Run 2010, which took place June 26 – 27, 2010. She won with a time of 19:01:55, and is the first Canadian to ever win the race. Read more…
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Superb news comes from the World Mountain Running Youth Challenge last weekend, as Welsh youngster Ffion Price led them home to take the world title. We missed this one, but better late than never, and what great news for mountain running in the UK as Brice led home a quality field in the girls event… Read more…
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850km in 8 days is gonna be painful, especially when it’s across one of the most unforgiving mountain ranges in Europe. So, Kilian Jornet can be forgiven for feeling the odd ache on his latest Quest. Episode 5 is now up, and Kilian even gets to meet Paula Radcliffe! Read more…
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Don’t miss out on what appears to have been a very busy few days north of the Border last weekend. A plethora of races up and down the country saw wins for Steven Fallon, Matthew Sullivan and Andrea Priestley amongst others… Read more…
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Take place this weekend in Bulgaria. A strong team for the UK will travel following the trials races a few weeks back, and with 26 nations represented it should be quite an event… Read more…
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Year after year the images available online for great races such as yesterday’s Western States 100 get more and more plentiful. It used to be that as such events you would get a couple of photographers, and you wouldn’t see the results for weeks… Read more…
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Welshman Tim Davies is having a great year in 2010. The mid-Wales man was a recent winner at the Welsh 1000m and was too strong for the opposition at yesterday’s British championship round 2 race at Sedbergh, winning from Rob Hope and Andrew Davies… Read more…
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This is what Geoff Roes wrote on his blog last Tuesday. The Western States 100 has barely finished but already people are calling it one of the greatest races in the history of the this trail running classic… Read more…
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The 2010 Western States 100 is now just hours away, and we are told that there is huge anticipation for this years race. Apart from the fact that it is probably the biggest ultra trail race in the US, a certainly young ultra trail running star has also made the trip. Read more…
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There seems no let up in the warm and dry weather in the foreseeable future, which is great for race organisers, but sometimes not so great for those taking part in said race. Lucky then that this weekend’s Sedbergh 3 Peaks is merely a short dash… Read more…
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Certainly when it comes to some footwear brands right now. I don’t think Merrell would mind us saying that inov-8 have the upper hand here, indeed ‘barefoot guru’ Chris McDougall is pretty clear and where he thinks the leading minds in this field are… Read more…
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When it comes to this daddy of ultra-trail races you need some local knowledge. So, when looking ahead to the hotly anticipated 2010 edition of this American classic it’s best left to those Stateside. Who better then than iRunFar.com: Read more…
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Wins for Steven Cale, Ricky Lightfoot, Clare Whitehead and vet Paul Jenkinson, amongst others, as the UK summer continued to shine on the ever-popular mid-week racing in the UK. The Pen 3 Hills race looked particularly steep, as this image by Gwynfor James demonstrates! Read more…
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The 2012 SkyGames® were officially presented by ISF President Marino Giacometti on Wednesday, June 23, in Ribagorça Románica in the Spanish Pyrenees where the event will take place. Read more…
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A long Leinster League season nears the end and the first signs of fatigue may have been apparent at the running of the new Seefingan course was 135 runners took the field. Or perhaps it was an air of post-script with Barry Minnock and Rathfarnham WSAF having wrapped up the individual and team titles last week… Read more…
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Andy Symonds is in fine fettle at the moment, and underlined his strength coming off last weekend’s LAMM win by winning the Run4It SHR championship long race at Glen Rosa on Saturday. He was chased home by Brian Marshall and Prasad Prasad in bright sunshine on the isle of Arran… Read more…
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Runners were once again treated to an unusually dry and clear passage up Lugnacoille’s “back door” in the Fraughen Rock Glen from which yesterday’s penultimate Leinster Championship race took its name. Read more…
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Another convincing performance from Merionydd runner Ifan Richards sealed a 3 minute win at yesterday’s Moel Hebog race in North Wales. Richards is in fine form at the moment and is riding high following his selection for the Welsh team at the International Snowdon Race in July… Read more…
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The Welsh mountain that is Tryfan has blown away its doubters and proven to be even higher than first thought. In this Grough article it seems that there have been doubters on the giant’s authenticity in being a 3000 footer! Read more…
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Even the support team look tired in this first episode of the epic journey the Kilian undertook Across the Pyrenees. The authenticity of this film is so strong, the engagement of one man with the brutal terrain is palpable… Read more…
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Borrowdale’s Simon Booth won today’s Great Lakes Race for a second consecutive year in a time of approx. 2 hours 40 mins – over 20 minutes in front of the second-placed runner! The 13 mile course is highly demanding, climbing over 7000ft… Read more…
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Sorry all UK readers, a bit late on this one this weekend. Plenty of interesting races this weekend in England, including Tebay. It’s Moel Hebog in North Wales and the classic West Highland Way race in Scotland… Read more…
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Do hill runners only accept the uphill to enjoy the downhill? Whatever their reasons, only 164 runners gathered excitedly in Crone Wood for the ascent up Djouce Mountain... Read more…
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Kenyan Haggai Chepkwony was the lead runner in last weekend’s Man vs Horse race in mid-Wales. The classic sporting contest over 22 miles was won yet again by four legs, as local Llinos Jones took the overall victory in 2 hrs and 7 mins… Read more…
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Following up a successful opening year can be difficult but the Mourne Way marathon series organisers seem to have the recipe. Good fields contested every one of the impressive array of distances on offer… Read more…
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Midges and the Scottish Highlands and Islands, they go hand in hand. But by all accounts 2010 is a bad year for those hoping escape to the hills and enjoy some sport. This BBC report shows just how prevalent the wee beast is this year… Read more…
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Slightly off the beaten MST track this, but interesting none the less. A report published by NPD Group shows that running footwear and apparel has fared better than most in the… Read more…
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This year’s Wicklow Way Relay found itself in one of the busiest weekends of the year with the Mourne Way Marathon up north and the European Trial in Crone Wood robbing the event of some long-distance men and aspiring internationals… Read more…
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While the wider IMRA membership rested after their efforts at the Wicklow Way Relay, those IMRA runners with international aspirations came out for battle on Sunday morning. Read more…
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After the third Trial and the fourth leg of the Skyrunner® World Series in Portugal on Sunday, June 13, Spaniard Tofol Castañer with his second place moves up to head the men’s ranking. Although absent Italian Emanuela Brizio remains leader in the women’s category. Read more…
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The camera never lies. Especially when you take a look at this image of the feet of ultra-legend Anton Krupicka. After the MIWOK earlier this year the great man’s feet took a battering… Read more…
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The Symonds boys Andy and Joe took a much fancied win at this weekend’s LAMM. Dad Hugh would have been proud of the duo as they took a sizable lead into the Sunday after an excellent Saturday’s running in the Highlands. Read more…
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In England this weekend that is. Round 3 of the English Fell Running Champs took place at the Ennerdale Horseshoe. This was one of the two long ones in the 6-race championships, all 23 miles of it… Read more…
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It was good to see two of the UK’s classier fell and hill runners coming back to something like form after injuries and setbacks have plagued the first half of their respective 2010 seasons. Read more…
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The GB team for the European Mountain Running Championships taking in Sapareva Banya, Bulgaria place on July 4. One obvious omission is that of trails winner Simon Bailey, one can only presume that he declined the offer… Read more…
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This weekend sees one of the UK’s best mountain marathons taking place in the Scottish Highlands. The Lowe Alpine Mountain Marathon is ready for action and with the final location and course details having just been announced… Read more…
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Well the youth is all right and ready to go for the 5th WMRA International Youth Challenge to be held in Piemonte on June the 26th. Girls will face with a 3.5km circuit (/- 190 m), with the guys running a 5.0km circuit (/- 270 m)… Read more…
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Rathfarnham brought a “new” team to the unique Sorrell Hill race when newcomer Colm Moran helped veterans Peter O’Farrell and Aaron O’Donohue secure the club’s fifth win in seven and put regular solar flare between them and their nearest rivals. Read more…
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July looks like a really hot month on the skyrunning agenda, with the first Skyrunning World Championships since the inauguration of the ISF taking place across the Italian Alps. These events are held every four years alternating with the SkyGames®, to be held in Spain in 2012. Read more…
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Chris McDougall is the zeitgeist right now. His book Born to Run unearthed the amazing Tarahumara tribe and extols the virtues of running barefoot, and how it freed him from injury… Read more…
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This was the long one in the Lakes this weekend. The 18 mile Duddon Valley Fell Race took place in hot conditions and was won yet again by Simon Booth. The Borrowdale man was chased home by Tom Owens and Lloyd Taggart for his third straight win… Read more…
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The 35th International Snowdon Race / Ras-yr-Wyddfa organising committee are very excited to announce the presence of 2009 Commonwealth Mountain Running Champion Wilson Chemweno on the start line of this year’s race taking place on the 24th of July… Read more…
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Carrauntoohil, Ireland’s highest peak, has hosted the premier mountain race in Ireland for twenty-three years running now but 2009 marked the last running of the old course. Access issues with a local farmer enforced a change to a route described as “the best ascent of the mountain”. Read more…
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Yes, perhaps the best off road running magazine in the world is back on the cyber shelves for number 3 of 2010. In this issue Denis and his crew talk waterproofs and trail running shorts and shirts, talk to Aussie Ray Zehab and US ultra-girl Caitlin Smith… Read more…
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Finding anything (outside of the fantastic bods on the FRA forum) on Sunday’s European Trails Race in Keswick has been surprisingly difficult – especially for what should be a pretty high-profile mountain running event… Read more…
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Heaps of news from north of the Border on a busy weekend. Wins for teenage sensation Robbie Simpson, Andy Symonds, Jamie Stevenson and Claire Gordon, amongst others. Some great results for Scottish athletes at the Euro Trials in Keswick too (more to follow on that…) Read more…
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New Zealander Anna Frost and Spaniard Sebastian Sanchez were the winners of the second Trial and third leg of the Skyrunner® World Series in Canillo, Andorra, Sunday (June 6). The race route was shortened after some seriously bad weather hit the region! Read more…
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The images tell the story of this weekend’s Welsh 1000m race, which finished amongst the Saturday pilgrimage on the summit of Snowdon. It was hot, very hot, especially for those embarking on the 22mile full course… Read more…
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Another incredible feat of ultra-distance running is under this remarkable 22 year-old’s belt. A total 850km in 8 days with an ascent of over 42,000m, for an amazing trans-Pyrenées adventure. No doubt there will be a Kilian’s Quest film to properly book end his run in due course… Read more…
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Tonnes of racing this weekend all over the country. As ever the exhaustive lists are online at the FRA, SHR, Scottish Hill Racing and WFRA sites. Picks of the bunch are the Welsh 1000m (previewed here), Duddon, Pen-Y-Ghent and the Glas Tulaichean (uphill)… Read more…
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After encountering some difficult terrain in the first part of his run across the Pyrenees, Kilian Jornet is by all accounts making good progress as he heads east across the great range. The earlier part of the week saw the little Catalan hit some really rough terrain… Read more…
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283 Munros in 39 days, 9 hours and 6 minutes. Think about it, that’s just over 7 peaks a day. All of which are over 3,000ft. After his failed 24hr attempt of 2008 Stephen Pyke had the taste, and starting on the 25th of April set about Charlie Campbell’s record of 49 days… Read more…
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Perhaps the classic of all Welsh classics takes place on Saturday – the Welsh 1000m, and this one is a beast. The role-call of winners includes fell-legends such as Kenny Stuart, Gavin Bland and Angela Mudge, amongst others. Read more…
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Barry Minnock’s absence at Scarr meant the Leinster League title stays up for grabs for another week. Tristan Drute would be the one to take full advantage when the Sligo AC man secured his first win under the IMRA banner. Read more…
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It’s Kentmere’s turn to put on the trail running jazz this weekend for the PUMA Kentmere Trail Race & Challenge 17km. This race is full and closed for entries, but the weather’s set fair for Saturday and will make for a festival atmosphere… Read more…
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Top ultra man Jez Bragg has had a frustrating 2010 so far. After a an excellent 2009, which saw him take a superb third place at the Western States 100 in the US, a stress fracture to his heel has seriously hampered his running this year… Read more…
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Thanks to the inov-8uk Twitter page for giving us the heads-up on Stephen Pyke’s amazing Munro Round – an attempt to run all of the Scottish Munros in around 40 days, some 8 days faster than the record! Read more…
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In England the ultra-short races, like Grasmere and Burnsall, have long formed their own hallowed tradition and the British Championship has likewise been constructed with all-rounders in mind:… Read more…
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Blacks, in association with The North Face are proud to announce the inaugural Blacks Single-Track 10K and 5K Trail Run. It will take place on Sunday 17th October 2010 in the beautiful setting of the National Trust’s Dunstable Downs, Bedfordshire. Read more…
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After months of preparation Catalan wonder Kilian Jornet is off and running in his 7-day quest to cross the mighty Pyrenees from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and Cap de Creus. On his run Kilian is ably aided by a gang of helpers and pacers – it’s a huge team effort… Read more…
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History repeated itself at the Isle of Jura race on Saturday as past-winners Rob Jebb and Angela Mudge came home comfortable victors at the classic Scottish race. It was another misty one this year, with many runners encountering nav issues on the paps… Read more…
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Italy’s Marco De Gasperi and Kiwi Melissa Moon won the race up the world’s second tallest building, the Taipei 101 Tower in Taiwan on Sunday (May 30). The 6th leg of the Vertical World Circuit® ascended 2,046 steps to the 91st floor of the 101-story building… Read more…
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Today’s big Welsh fell race on Cader Idris went off in damp conditions, on this most historic of mountains close to Dollgellau, as Mid-Wales man Andrew Davies added his name to the long list of winners… Read more…
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Bit late on this one – but better late than never! The lesser known of the fell running Hope brothers, Danny is fast gaining on his speedier British Fell champ sibling Rob in 2010. This was underlined on Sunday as the Pudsey runner romped to the win at Glaramara... Read more…
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A new team emerged in style on the Irish hill running scene yesterday. Orienteers CNOC took on a strong Rathfarnham team, yet came out with a one point win! They were led home by debutante Seamus O’Boyle who combined with Colm Hill and new-joiner to the team Niall McAlinden. Read more…
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The Beast of Ballyhoura Adventure Weekend takes place over the August BH Weekend, Jul 30 – Aug 1, 2010. The event is a uniquely Irish 36 hour non-stop race across the ancient & magical surroundings of counties Cork, Limerick & Tipperary. Read more…
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Some lovely summer-like conditions by the looks of it at last night’s 6th race in the Great Arete Series in north Wales. Good job then that the A Team (Al and Gwynfor) photographers were there to capture some stunning fell photos – this is what it’s all about! Read more…
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Germany’s tallest building, Berlin’s Park Inn Hotel, hosted the 5th stage of the 9-race 2010 Vertical World Circuit® – where runners from diverse athletic backgrounds battle against gravity to summit the world’s tallest skyscrapers. Read more…
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40 years after his ‘world record’ run in Edinburgh Ron Hill returned to the Scottish capital last weekend to take part in the Edinburgh Marathon. He isn’t an off-roader but old Ron is such a legend that a runner of any discipline should find his story inspirational… Read more…
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The exceptionally hot weekend was felt even more so by those of us who chose to venture a little closer to the sun on the hills of the UK! It seems that Scotland didn’t suffer quite as much, however alongside those at Llety the rest of the country was cooking… Read more…
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An unusual field of runners lined up on the tarmac of Ticknock carpark this Saturday to celebrate IMRA’s 30th Anniversary with a re-running of the very first competitive mountain race in Ireland: The Fairy Chase also the sixth race of this year’s Leinster League… Read more…
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Saturday 22nd saw IMRA celebrate its 30th birthday. Much younger than the FRA and BOFRA, thirty years still holds a lot of history and IMRA has decided to celebrate this with a re-running of the very first organised hill race: Fairy Chase. Read more…
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International Martin Cox comfortably won the British Inter-Counties race at Llety yesterday, in sweltering conditions. European-based Cox obviously coped in the heat which took a few casualties on 9 mile route based around Moel Famau… Read more…
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The much-anticipated new Trail Running magazine has hit the newstands. Bagged with Trail mag, the new publication is aimed at plugging the muddy gap in the trail running market that the average running mag only scrapes at… Read more…
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Doubling as the first counter in the brand new UKA Mountain Running Challenge the big race this weekend takes place at Llety. The Inter Counties are a big target for many in any year, but with hard cash also at stake there could well be a few ‘road raiders’ hitting the slopes of Moel Famau on Saturday… Read more…
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86 had a crack at this classic dash up Latrigg last night, with victory going to Mathew Fraser. The Keswick club also bagged second through Steve Hebblethwaite. Ilkley’s Kelly Harrison won the women’s race from Judy Howells… Read more…
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Years ago when reading the Feet in the Clouds it was hard to forget the amazing tale of ‘Iron Joss’, indeed the story laid out by Askwith created a great appetite to learn more about “the life and times of the legendary Lake District fell runner and shepherd Joss Naylor” as Keith Richardson’s new book is sub-titled. Read more…
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The Irish contingent at the European Masters showed that like fine wine they certainly don’t spoil as the years pass: Eight individual and three team medals, including two gold, was the impressive haul for the team. Read more…
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A very strong Scottish hill racing contingent make their way south this weekend for the UKA Inter Counties fell champs at Llety, north Wales. Mark Johnston reports on the detail… Read more…
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The curtain raiser of the 2010 WMRA Grand Prix season saw a narrow win for France’s Julien Rancon in the men’s 13.2km mens race, with Marie-Laure Dumergues dominating the women’s event… Read more…
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Standing World Champions Kilian Jornet and Emanuela Brizio lived up to expectations in the second leg of the Skyrunner® World Series on Sunday, May 16, in Zegama, Spain – despite adverse weather and course conditions… Read more…
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The new Circuit of Avonbeg course is one of the closest things you’ll experience to one of the long English fell-races in Ireland and is a route brilliantly conceived by Paul Nolan, the former national coach and Irish international. Read more…
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Some highly competitive stuff at Cribyn, Goatfell, Moel Eilio and Sarn Helen over the weekend, amidst some glorious weather – and I have to say that the Manx race Creg ny Baa has produced my favourite fell photo of 2010 so far! Read more…
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The Pyrenees are in Kilian Jornet’s blood. This fascinating video recalls the young Catalan’s childhood experiences and underlines how this guy was born for the mountains and his Quests to achieve amazing mountain running feats. Read more…
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Plenty on for all you hill lovers. Saturday looks like the best day, weather wise, with Sunday looking a tad wet – not that a bit of rain would put any of you hardy racers off! Some great races on in England, Wales, the Isle of Man and Scotland. Read more…
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10 miles of mud (with hopefully dry weather this weekend!), sweat and tears in the Surrey Hills greet the runners. Read more…
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2009 series winners Kilian Jornet and Emanuela Brizio are confirmed participants in this years first race at Zegama on Sunday. Read more…
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The English and Scottish fell/hill championships have been updated after 2 rounds a piece. 2009 British Champ Rob Hope has a slender lead over Lloyd Taggart in England, with Olivia Walwyn and Emma Clayton sharing the lead in the women’s championship... Read more…
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Shrewsbury runners Steven Cale and Anna Bartlett made it two wins out of two in the Shropshire Hills Summer series at the Cardoc Classic last night. As usual in this great series the racing was fierce and none more so than the battle for the win… Read more…
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It’s that time again as the contenders for the 2010 Skyrunner® World Series pull on their racing shoes and head for Zegama on Sunday. The 5 race series once again climaxes in Bornea this year at the Mount Kinabalu International Climbathon... Read more…
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The Grough is a superb walker and climber resource, it’s also a daily bookmark for MST, and here’s why. Their feature on the 2010 Fellsman is quite brilliant. Insightful, in-depth and full of useful miscellany that makes for a great read. Read more…
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England Athletics has selected its men’s and women’s teams for the 7th World Long Distance Mountain Running Challenge to take place at the classic Pikes Peak race in the US this August. Recent 3 Peaks winners Morgan Donnelly and Anna Lupton have been selected, along with last year’s bronze medalist at the Kaiser Marathon, Ricky Lightfoot. Read more…
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More news from Ireland courtesy of Rene. A new league in Munster, starting with the Clare Glens race, plus racing at Gibbet Hill with Martin Monaghan taking a convincing win over form-man Mick Hanney… Read more…
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Vertical Kilometer® races are renowned for being immensely tough affairs. A race of 1000m of gain in the shortest possible distance. The Russians thought they would throw in a bit of spice and hold their 2010 Skyrunner® World Series Trial on Mt. Elbrus! Read more…
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This is a tough one, made all the tougher yesterday by that biting north easterly ripping down the country. Still 70 or so hardy fell runners were not deterred, and neither was the photo mountain goat Al Tye… Read more…
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Three days ago, I was still having breakfast with Kilian in his hometown in the Pyrenees. A 17 hour, 1500km trip through countries later, and the day after I am already exploring the trails in the wild mountain range between Austria and Slovenia! Read more…
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Prasad Prasad took a commanding win on Ben Lomond today. The Clydesdale man soundly defeated young-gun Robbie Simpson – some feat when you consider Robbies recent form on the domestic scene… Read more…
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A very strong field took set off in welcome break between showers yesterday evening at Prince William’s Seat. 220 runners once again added to what looks to be a record season for IMRA in terms of attendance and, as usual for the Leinster League… Read more…
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A couple of days after his third place at the British Orienteering championships, Murray Strain easily won the 37th Dymyat Hill Race last night near Stirling. Glasgow Uni student Jessica Martin won the womens event. Some great pictorial coverage from Chris Upson too… Read more…
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Over at the Coniston Fell Race site. After his dramatic descent off Old Man Ian Holmes won reasonably comfortably in the end, from Rob Hope and Morgan Donnelly. Emma Clayton took advantage of Olivia Walwyn’s mishaps to take the women’s race… Read more…
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The North Face reconfirms its commitment as technical sponsor for the renowned Lavaredo Ultra Trail in the heart of the Dolomites. Starting at midnight on Friday 26th June this over 90km ultra race is a true test of endurance… Read more…
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The British Championships were held over the weekend on the rolling hills of Cannock Chase. In glorious sunshine Sarah Rollins, British Army won her first British Long Distance championship claiming the crown of Queen of the forest. Read more…
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If my (very sketchy) calculations are right, Rob Hope‘s second place at Coniston over the weekend has put him in the lead of the 2010 English Fell Running Championships, after two rounds. The Pudsey and Bramley man was pleased with his run on Saturday… Read more…
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The joy of racing up and down rugged trails and hills on Wednesday evenings after a long day’s work will now also be available to mountain runners in the province of Munster. Read more…
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There are some races that any runner (off or on road) aspires to – perhaps the Everest Marathon, the 3 Peaks, Pikes Peak, the NY Marathon? The Comrades Marathon is one such race it seems. At 56 miles, it’s not the longest race in the world… Read more…
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This season has seen the beginning of Brian Furey’s rise to prominence in the Irish hills and the Connacht man went West together with a big IMRA contingent for the annual double-header of Croagh Patrick and Ben Gorm the two counters towards the Connacht Championship title. Read more…
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After last years’ feats, Kilian Jornet is embarking on some even more remarkable runs this summer. His run at Tahoe last year was one of many long distance efforts that captured the imagination of mountain runners the world over… Read more…
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After his fantastic fourth place at the recent British Championships race in Northern Ireland, teenager Robbie Simpson continued to demonstrate why he is being tagged as a future British champion after a convincing win at Stuc a’Chroin on Saturday… Read more…
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Some tales of legendary fell running, from the fell running legend that is Ian Holmes, are coming back from the Coniston fell race. First it was the words, then it was the photos, and now it’s the video. This excellent footage comes from Andy Wharfeego Holden, produced in double quick time. Read more…
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The Dublin Mountains Partnership (DMP) was setup in May 2008 with the aim of improving the recreational experience for users of the Dublin Mountains. Off-road runners now stand to benefit from this mission as the DMP team up with IMRA to bring runners a new exciting event. Read more…
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Battle resumes today at Coniston. After sitting out the 3 Peaks last week past winner Rob Jebb will be raring to go at this one, as will 2010 3 Peaks winner Morgan Donnelly. Looking at the start list it’s a whos who of the current crop of elite English fell runners. Read more…
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Welsh international Tim Davies won a great battle with Afan Humphries at yesterday’s UK trail running championships at the Red Kite Challenge race in Mid Wales. Tavistock runner Jo Meek comfortably won the women’s title… Read more…
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Once again, memories rolled back to 2007 and 2008 as Barry Minnock, Rathfarnham WSAF, continued to stake a claim to regain the title he has held as he made it two victories on the trot. Just under a minute later, 3ROC’s Gerard Butler held off Martin Bradshaw, Bilboa AC, in a tight finish for second and third… Read more…
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This high-profile instance grabbed some headlines last year, that said trail, fell and mountain running appear to be relatively clean sports. Not resting on their laurels, the WMRA has recently meet to discuss Anti-Doping… Read more…
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It was round 4 of the Great Arete series at Pen Dinas last night and Bunny Run 4 took place at Dimples Lane Quarry, both nicely captured by Gwynfor James, Paul Wood and David Brett. Where would we be without these guys?! Read more…
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This interesting little story was sent into MST by reader and runner Stephen Edwards. Steve is just an everyday guy, who loves the sport of mountain and trail running. Steve’s tale could be written by anyone of thousands of runners who travel for hours to events every weekend – for the love of running… Read more…
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The guys at inov8 are obviously getting busy. (and no this isnt an advert, and no we are not on commission, yet!). We were sent a job opportunity for the UK company that may well interest one of our readers out there… Read more…
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Here at MST we like to keep up to date, but we aint Reuters, so time and resources limitations mean that there is only so much content that we can chuck together. Take iRunFar though. Byron Powell seems to do nothing else but run and write… Read more…
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The International Skyrunning Federation (the body that overseas Skyrunning) held its first ever referees course that will enable officials the ability to ratify such things as race and event records… Read more…
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Lots of other racing up and down the country this weekend, with the Llantysilio race in Wales, the Beinn Ratha race in Scotland and the excellent Anniversary Waltz in Cumbria. Borrowdale strong-man Ben Bardsley won the ‘waltz’ from Chris Steele… Read more…
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James Walsh was amongst the winners at this weekend’s PUMA Hawkshead Trail races. Now in it’s 5th year, the PUMA Hawkshead Trail Race and PUMA Hawkshead Challenge is a 15km course through some of the most scenic and varied countryside in the Lake District. Read more…
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Plenty of action from our Irish weekend round-up: A hybrid half-marathon, a classical fell-race and a trail race were available for the picking for those not doing the Total Experience Adventure Race in Blessington. Read more…
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Anna Lupton won a second successive 3 Peaks race yesterday as she overhauled the long-time leader Victoria Wilkinson in the final hour of the 23.5 mile classic that takes in the peaks of Pen-Y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough… Read more…
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It’s the big one this Saturday as the longer distance fell specialists hit Yorkshire for the 3 Peaks. Some more updates come in the form of Gary Devine – who is by all accounts going to have a crack at the MV40 record… Read more…
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What a return to the hills and what a race! Barry Minnock, the hegemon of the 2007 and 2008 Leinster Leagues, contested Howth. Given his traditional dominance many would have expected a foregone conclusion… Read more…
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A couple of Wednesday evening blasts to note down, as the summer series’ around the country get underway. Steven Cale and Anna Bartlett got their fast legs on to win at the Wrekin Streak, whilst in Scotland Matt Gillespie and Jessica Martin blew away the cobwebs at the Kaim Hill Race. Read more…
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Legendary mountain runner Kenny Stuart is to return to the place of one of his greatest mountain records on the 24th of July, as he is the guest of honour and official starter at this year’s 35th International Snowdon Race, some 25 years after his record run. Read more…
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Interesting news comes to us from our fell contacts that two of the race favourites for Saturday’s 3 Peaks are now ‘non-starters’. The biggest news comes in the form of Rob Jebb, who has pulled out of the race. Read more…
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The popularity of midweek racing continues to grow as huge numbers hit the fells. With the great weather we are currently enjoying there are some great lighting conditions for the hardy photographers up on the hill… Read more…
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Although finishing second behind Italian Antonella Confortola, Anna Frost won the NZ mountain running title at Mt Campbell on Saturday. it was far more clean cut in the men’s race as mtn legend Jonathan Wyatt easily took the title… Read more…
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This weekend sees the 56th edition of one of the most iconic fell race or mountain races in the world. The 3 Peaks race is one of those races that is on a fell runner’s ‘must do’ list, and represents a true fell running classic… Read more…
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The Classic Ras y Moelwyn (Moelwyn 3 Peaks) took place on Saturday in warm conditions. Top Welsh mountain man Richard Roberts took the win by over 7 minutes. At the Mynydd Troed race on Sunday Martin Shaw and Helen Fines were also clear winners… Read more…
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A lot going on north of the border this last weekend, with big wins for teenage sensation Robbie Simpson, the return of Angela Mudge at Tarmachan, where Brian Marshall posted an impressive win. Full details now online at the SHR site… Read more…
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In later years, the small knoll standing prominent over the small marina town of Bray has served as the Leinster League opener and once again this year prospective finishers could get the first of the seven necessary counters at Bray Head, the shortest course in the league. Read more…
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The trail running boom continues in Ireland this summer. Not only could the new Wicklow Adventure Race which featured a mountain run of the famous Spink in Glendalough celebrate around 700 entrants (!) but there’s three more off-road running events for the really eager to match themselves against… Read more…
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Early notice on this one as tomorrow will be spent off-line. Some great racing in England, Wales and Scotland this weekend, with the classic Moelwyn Three Peaks in north Wales, the fast dash at Screel, and the Coledale Horseshoe to name a few… Read more…
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MST is not the first to ask if the likes of trail, mountain and cross country running will ever make it to the Olympic or Commonwealth Games. There are logistical hurdles to conquer, sure, but we think it about time that our great sport was recognised in these spheres… Read more…
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The new flavour in UK urban running races seems to be tower running – that of running the stairs of major landmark buildings in major cities. With the pioneers at Tower 42 last year, and the Gherkin this year, three new races are now set for May in Leeds, Portsmouth and London… Read more…
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Okay, it may be financially tough out there right now, but one great British world record holding runner is struggling to make ends meet right now. Ultra man William Sichel has taken to his blog to appeal for a major sponsor. Having recently become the oldest ever Briton to run 1000 miles at the recent Athens race, William has been all over the Scottish press and media. Read more…
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The ancient moon-like landscapes of Mount Sedom come alive as more than a thousand riders and runners flock to the biggest sports festival of the year. Read more…
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You might not care. But then again you might. Tonight sees more lame debating live on telly (yaaawn) – but I’m not going to get into politics on here, oh no. However, we need to know what will any change in government mean to the humble outdoor type in the UK? Read more…
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Yep, win 29 (!) for Ian ‘Bunny’ Holmes at last nights second race in the series. A massive 323 runners turned out for the race, amazing. Photos from Paul, along with full results and report, now online at the terrific WoodenTops site… Read more…
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The weather forecasters got it exactly spot on when they forecast sunny, warm and settled conditions for western Scotland mid-week and this made for another excellent Highlander mountain marathon. Read more…
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With all that goes on in the big world of off-road running it’s a job to keep up. So, imagine my embarrassment when I realised that we had missed this great run from our old buddy Moire at the 4th Annapurna Trail Ultra race in Nepal… Read more…
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While the Silent Valley race opened the British Championships in the Mourne Mountains this weekend, there was also plenty of action south of the border. Not far away in the Cooley Mountains, the traditional opener of the Leinster Championships took place at Black Mountain. Read more…
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The talk on the forums is about how tough the Silent Valley race was on Saturday, with its apparent big ascents and craggy tops it wasn’t for the light-hearted. For winner Andy Symonds all of that technical stuff was “right up his street”… Read more…
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British teams fared well at the 2010 FISU World Student Cross Country champs in Ortario over the weekend – however it was Portugal’s Sara Moriera and Japan’s Tetsuya Yoroizaka who took individual honours… Read more…
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Byron Powell bagged himself an interview with 2010 Marathon Des Sables winner Mohamed Ahansal. The Morrocan has now won the last three events and here he talks to iRunFar about the race prep in the Atlas mountains and other interesting stuff… Read more…
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After ‘wintering’ in the UK Anna Frost is now back home in New Zealand. Kiwi Anna is looking forward to another successful year in Europe on the Grand Prix and Skyrunning circuit, with a big goal at the World Mtn Running Champs in September… Read more…
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Preparations for this year’s World Mountain Running Championships in Slovenia are well underway, and last week the local organising committee officially presented the 2010 plans… Read more…
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After a titanic struggle over at the Silent Valley, Kendal AC man Andy Symonds came out on top of the first race in the 2010 British Fell Running Championships yesterday. Pippa Maddams took the ladies race, but was run close by the in-form Lauren Jeska. Read more…
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The Silent Valley won’t be so peaceful this Saturday as the 2010 British Fell Running Championship hopefuls head to Northern Ireland for round 1 of this year’s race series. Reigning champs Rob Hope and Pippa Maddams (was Jackson) will be there… Read more…
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Went out for a little run ridge run in the hills this afternoon, okay, okay, I know 2 hours to do 8 miles, I stopped for endless photo and product shots, which I may use in the future – plus the technology gave up on me about 1 mile from home as you will see! Read more…
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With one of the most significant publications in off road running being announced this week, we couldn’t leave it there. MST wanted to get to the bottom of this new title and to the heart of the question: Why? Read more…
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The Q2 edition of Trail magazin has hit the virtual shelves, and yet again it’s a cracker! Denis Wischniewski has put together another work of trail running art with such features on downhill only running and compression wear! Read more…
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Often running is seen as something that we do in our spare time, a leisure activity, fitted in with our busy lives of work and other stuff. It’s maybe more to those lucky enough to do it professionally. But to some it’s a way of life, running is their life, they live to run. Read more…
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The 2010 Marathon des Sables is well underway. Now in its 25th edition the race is into its 4 stage today and is currently being led handsomely by Mohamad Ahansal. Looking down the results you might also see a certain J Cracknell (GBR) currently in 9th place! Read more…
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The Woodentops gang wasted no time on Tuesday evening in getting the images from race 1 in the famous Bunny Runs online. Of course King Bunny Ian Holmes won, with a massive 300+ runners taking part! Read more…
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The 2010 Trail du Mont Ventoux is an event that ascends and descends one of the most astounding mountains in the world. By no means the highest, Ventoux still dominates the skyline and is a mecca for trail runners in France. Read more…
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After many ‘trail running supplements’ from various publications in the last year or so the owners of Trail magazine have taken the plunge and announced a brand new title fully dedicated to “Trail running, Fell Running, Mountain Marathons, Adventure Racing & Orienteering” Read more…
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With the glut of racing over the Easter weekend comes the glut of results. Events such as the Manx Mountain Marathon, the Pendle Fell Race, the Knockfarrel Hill Race, the Cordon 3 Peaks Classic and the Askham fell race all produced some great racing… Read more…
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Blackburn fast-man Thomas Cornthwaite won today’s sprint up and down Rivington Pike in Horwich by a comfy 19 seconds from Ricky Lightfoot. 2009 winner Rob Hope produced a strong run for third in this classic 3.25 mile race… Read more…
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With 4 races in Scotland and 8 in England and the IOM it’s a busy old weekend, though no races in Wales, NI or Ireland. Still the classic Manx Mountain Marathon goes ahead on the Isle of Man, and the short, sharp Rivington Pike race takes place in Horwich… Read more…
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A call on the Scottish Hill Runners site shouts the name of the Highlander, a two-day event taking place at Gairloch in the NW Highlands over the w/e of the 10/11 April. Entries are open right up until the Friday evening (9 April) at 8pm… Read more…
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In an unusual move the Fell Runners Association have announced a series of backwards running mountain races. The races will be uphill only and be on set trails and marked courses of around 6 miles in length… Read more…
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One down 8 to go. Described as “The Trunce – A Series of Short Off Road Races” this highly popular race series got underway for 2010 on a soggy Monday evening in Oxspring, just outside of Barnsley Read more…
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As reported a few weeks back the money on offer in the US for trail racing right now is considerable. The La Sportiva Mountain Cup, starting this weekend, and advertised as the Top Ten Trail races in North America… Read more…
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After her return to racing last weekend at the World XC the IAAF profile the great Ethiopian Tirunesh Dibaba. The feature unfortunately didn’t coincide with her winning yet another title… Read more…
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Now available. Thought I would do a new post, as opposed to re-hash! So, a win for Steven Cale, by a sizable margin. Anna Bartlett comfortably won the ladies. Great to see a whole host of junior races too, that’s the future after all! Read more…
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I’d be grateful if someone could point me towards the results of yesterday’s Wrekin fell race, as I am struggling to find them if they are out there! It looks like Anna Bartlett probably won the women’s prize from the images online… Read more…
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The 2012 SkyGames® will be hosted for the first time in Spain, home to some of the world’s top athletes in the field. The nomination went to Ribagorza Románica in the Pyrenees, an ideal location for the fourth “high altitude Olympics” situated at 2,000 metres above sea level. Read more…
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Pippa Maddams (was Jackson) had a cracking run at the tough Causey Pike race in Keswick this weekend, taking the ladies race by over 7 minutes, and running in 13th overall from a field of 143. Rob Jebb was also supreme in the men’s event, winning from Mike Fanning… Read more…
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Previous to 2009, the lack of parking at Lough Tay had always enforced a very strict limit on competitor entries, leaving many disappointed to miss out, as was particularly evident in 2008. With coaches to and from the start this year and last… Read more…
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It was the story of the home-town hero as local Wicklow resident Mick Hanney could celebrate his first win in the second DEBRA Wicklow Mountain Half-Marathon. Read more…
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Borrowdale’s Morgan Donnelly took no prisoners as he romped away from the field at yesterdays Llangynhafal Loop race in Clywd. Quickly establishing a lead from the off Morgan went on to win by 4 minutes, taking a minute off Tim Davies course record into the bargain… Read more…
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I am afraid that a weekend elsewhere, with no online connection meant that the MST World cross country coverage didn’t materialise! Good job then that the likes of Athletics Weekly’s Jason Henderson were on the ground in Poland top bring us some to coverage… Read more…
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Another busy weekend on the fells and mountains of England and Wales (Scots race El-Brim-Ick Dash is postponed). A weekend of great names too – from Lads Leap to the Blakey Blitz. Nothing is particularly long, but there are some tough races going ahead… Read more…
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One of the most traditional fixtures of the IMRA calendar, the Wicklow Way Trail, and its big brother, the Wicklow Way Ultra (the out-and-back equivalent) has awaited eager hill runners every April since 1998, when Maurice Mullins laid out the route. Read more…
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As reported earlier today on MST (we hadn’t seen this AW article) this weekend’s World Cross Country will not be aired on the BBC. This Athletics Weekly article suggests that a contractual breakdown is the root cause… Read more…
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Going into a major championship race on the world stage always concentrates the mind of the UK’s endurance runners, this this weekend will be no different as the cream of British XC head for Poland, and the World XC… Read more…
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Unlike in the women’s race, the mens event at this weekend’s World Cross Country Championships should be a wide-open race. 2009 champion Gebre Gebremariam will be back to defend his title in Poland… Read more…
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Spain will be bidding for rare European medals in the senior men’s race at the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland, on Sunday thanks principally to the presence of their European champion Alemayehu Bezabeh. Read more…
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MST wasn’t online when this ASICS video was released. I remember a friend of mine sending me the link, and I was amazed. Have just stumbled upon it again and thought that I would share, amongst you readers – its still amazes me… Read more…
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It has been a tough few months out there for mountain, xc and road runner Sarah Tunstall. With no races to her name for the whole of 20009/10 cross country campaign, and a range of injuries that have held her back, the Kendal athlete is looking forward to the summer. Read more…
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The senior women’s race at this year’s World Cross Country champs should be one of the most exciting in whole of the programme as one of world endurance running’s rising stars meets one of the greatest women’s distance runner of the current era… Read more…
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Eryri Harrier Tim Higginbottom won the big mountain race in Wales this weekend, Ras Yr Aran. Calder Valley’s Helen Fines made one of her by now regular forays into the Welsh heart-land to take the women’s race… Read more…
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Plenty going on in Scotland this last weekend, some great coverage coming from the Scottish Hill Runners of the Criffel, Chapelgill and Craig Dunain races. Well known for their short-distance tussles in 2009… Read more…
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IAAF Ambassador Wilson Kipketer was in Bydgoszcz last weekend to promote next Sunday’s IAAF World Cross Country Championships (28 March). Kipketer’s positive personality lit up the dull sky above Bydgoszcz. Following on from a rainy day on Saturday… Read more…
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Sziols are an eye wear brand hailing from Germany, specialising in adventure sports – nothing too unique there. However, they have dedicated huge research into running, and dedicate eye wear that adapts to a runners need – not the other way around… Read more…
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In the past years, the IMRA Colleges Championships has been held as part of the Crone Wood Winter League race. This year feedback from students prompted a change to a dedicated inter-varsity challenge to be held at the classic mountain of Camaderry… Read more…
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Fell and mountain runners are said to be some of the toughest athletes about. Are you one of these people? Do you think you have what it takes? Well, if you want to be part of a TV programme that is looking for the fittest people in Wales, read on… Read more…
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Famous for producing future GB internationals, the 50th English Schools XC took place at Heaton Park, Manchester earlier today. The course was heavy in places, a real cross country affair, and there were some surprise winners in the six categories… Read more…
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After the dust-bowl of Jordan in 2009 the 2010 world cross country returns to something like a purist sport as the annual circus hits Poland in a week or so. One of the most debated aspects of any world cross is the course… Read more…
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The Edale Skyline takes place this Sunday, all 21 miles of it. A classic long one, made specially harder as it is in the early season and can be open to some foul weather. (mild and probably wet this w/e by all accounts) Read more…
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The Winter League finished on a high note with another gorgeous sunny day at the revised Carrick Mountain route. Your trusty reporter went for a run of the route before the race and local man Mick Hanney had done a good job creating a varied and exciting route… Read more…
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South African ultra-man Ryan Sandes took his place in Atacama Crossing history last week as he completed the 6 day brute in less than 24 hours – winning by almost 6 hours in the process. For the uninitiated the Atacama Crossing is a footrace across one of the most unforgiving desserts in the world – through the heart of Chile… Read more…
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The UKA selectors have announced their selections for the forthcoming World XC champs in Bydgoszcz on the 28th March. Interestingly the powers-that-be have deemed that only 4 men are worthy of the trip… Read more…
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What a day! Here I am in the bar of the Hotel Florens, Jonathan Wyatt to my left, checking his mail, Thomas Lorblanchet to my right sharing a joke. The UK team are in bed (Anna, Andy and Ricky) after a long day of product testing, seminars, photoshoots, runs and focus groups – oh and some pretty good food and lively social discussion. Read more…
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Well Mt. Ventoux anyway. We are happy guests at the 2010 Salomon Advance Week, here in Bedoin, France. Advance what? Advance Week is the time of year when Salomon athletes, product people and journalists come together for a look into the future! Read more…
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This year the Skyrunner® World Series celebrates seven years of world-class athletes and events with 14 races in 12 countries across four continents. With 700 km to run and 30,000 vertical metres to climb, the 2010 World Series will not only sweep you off your feet but also take your breath away! Read more…
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Mo Farah turned up and spoiled the party at Cofton Park yesterday as he ran away with the men’s race at yesterday’s UK Inter-Counties cross country, doubling up as the UK trials for the World XC in a few weeks… Read more…
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Barely 12 days after race entries opened for the 2010 Snowdon Race the race limit of 500 (plus elite invites) has been reached – and in record time. Race organiser Stephen Edwards had one word for MST tonight “astounded”… Read more…
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For many of the UK’s elite endurance athletes who like a bit of XC in their programme, it’s the big one this weekend. Many can only hope of making a dent in the front half of the World XC results sheet come late March… Read more…
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Mark Keneally broke his silver Duck at this weekend’s Irish National Senior/Junior XC and led his team Clonliffe to another title in this year’s Irish cross-country season. The Clonliffe man took the expected win by 14 seconds from Galway’s Gary Thornton… Read more…
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Snow gave way to sunshine for the penultimate race of the IMRA Irish Winter League – Maulin, the shortest (7k or 4.3 miles) but steepest (474m ascent or 1555 ft.) in this five race series. The final run-in on the Wicklow Way fire-roads is explosive… Read more…
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The Gripmaster does it in all sorts of locations – filming that is. Have you ever tried to run and film? I have and it looks as though I am just stood shaking the camera. What is his secret? Some interesting stuff out in the forest this time… Read more…
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After Kenyan Mark Bett romped away with the 33rd Algarve International Almond Blossom Cross Country, it was up to the Portuguese World XC hopefuls to book their places for Poland at the final meeting of the IAAF 2010 Cross Country Permit series. Read more…
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England international mountain runner Emma Clayton is a bit of an all-rounder, she excels on the road and track, however the Scunthorpe athlete shows most talent on the fells. With a coach, a running dad and a supportive family, Emma has all of the ingredients to make it to the top… Read more…
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Rob Jebb continued his good early-season form yesterday at the Black Combe fell race in Cumbria. The Bingley man finished almost two minutes clear of Ellenborough’s Ricky Lightfoot, Borrowdale’s Jim Davies was third. Read more…
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By all accounts on the FRA forum Ian Holmes ran away with the Half Tour of Pendle yesterday, with Jo Waites winning the women’s race. Full results not available at time of writing, but some excellent images here and here Read more…
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Yet another exuberant film from the Gripmaster – this time at the 3 stages of the October 2009 edition of Keep on Running at St. Wendal. The event saw a 3km prologue through the town centre followed by two fast and muddy stages in the forests around St.Wendel. Read more…
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And what a treat there is in store for fell runners in the UK – the weather is set to be decent, and there are masses of races on. So, now there’s excuse (this author included) to not get our there and rock ‘n roll on the rocks and rolling hills! Read more…
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The Portuguese XC selectors will need to get their thinking caps on come Monday, as those hoping to make the plane to Bydgoszcz, Poland for this year’s World Champs on 28 March go into battle at the Algarve International Almond Blossom Cross Country. Read more…
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This historic annual 42-mile jaunt-in-the-dark through the Peak District kicks off tomorrow night (5 March) at 10pm. The High Peak Marathon is a night time navigation race for teams of four, starting and finishing at Edale Village Hall, Derbyshire. Read more…
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Unlike some other national XC events, the English National attracted record numbers of competitors to last weekend’s championships in Leeds, according to a report over at England Athletics. A total of 4303 runners finished in the ten races that were staged… Read more…
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The North Face Endurance Challenge runs from may to December across the States, culminating in San Francisco where the winner of the men’s and women’s 50 mile titles can bag $10,000 a piece! With rounds in New York, Washington and Wisconsin (plus one other) there is $14,000 on offer, as each round has a $1,000 first prize… Read more…
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The Sticky Toffee and Beauty and the Beast trail runs take place at Cartmel Racecourse on the 20th of March, and there are a few days left to grab yourself a place. 10 and 18km courses await across gently winding footpaths, although the ‘Beast holds much more darkness in store! Read more…
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Athletics fans are in for a treat this weekend when the Woodie’s DIY Inter Club Championships of Ireland take place in the Phoenix Park over a spectator friendly course. Mark Kenneally of Clonliffe Harriers will start as favourite to win the men’s Senior title on Sunday. Read more…
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Runners Digest went the extra mile at the English National XC on Saturday to produce some outstanding coverage. The mainstream media (outside of Athletics Weekly and Nicola Bamford’s excellent report) scratched the surface, but the ‘Digest really got down and dirty in the Leeds mud. Good work chaps… Read more…
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Andy and Joe Symonds are a pretty classy pair of fell runners, but even they struggled over the weekend during a run out in the Ochils. The scenery looks breathtaking, but a quality run session was probably never really on the cards… Read more…
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Belete powers to a convincing win at the Diekirch IAAF permit meeting, Freya Murray at the Fukuoka International XC, Ritzenhein out of world cross and new Kenyan coach Leting gets a grip with his charges… Read more…
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Inov-8 athlete and top all-rounder Jethro Lennox has had a busy start to 2010. On his Inov-8 blog he documents a mix of fell and cross country racing, and loading in the miles (100 a week at the mo’) for mountain marathons later in the summer… Read more…
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Last week’s Vertical Rush race pushed tower (or vertical) running another step closer to being a sport that engages with the consciousness of everyday and elite runners… Read more…
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It was high noon on the Noon Stone on Saturday as renowned orienteer Matt Speake overhauled the cream of English fell running to take a slender win over Dark Peak team-mate Lloyd Taggart. Rob Hope took third place with 2009 champion Simon Bailey in seventh… Read more…
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But be quick. Race entry forms are now online for download, then to be sent to race admin – entry opened at midnight today (1 March). The race organisers have an entry limit of 500, plus international / elite invitation runners, and at 12pm today over 200 forms had been downloaded. Read more…
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As previewed on Friday the pre-race favourites dominated across senior and age-group races at Saturday’s English National XC champs. Both Steph Twell and Andy Vernon ran away with the senior crowns… Read more…
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It’s a real job keeping up with what’s going on across-the-Pond when it comes to trail and off-road news. Some great resources out there such as Trail Runner, Trail running Soul and Byron Powell’s excellent iRunFar.com. Read more…
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This weekend sees runners go uphill all over England. From Hereford to Dufton to Guisborough. Next weekend (6 – 7 March) sees a huge amount of racing on the calendar, so people will either be honing their form or saving themselves. Sunday looks a bit iffy – weather-wise – so be careful and enjoy the sport! Read more…
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Kenyan Levy Matebo and sisters Mimi and Almenesh Belete will start as the favourites as Luxembourg’s Eurocross, the penultimate IAAF Cross Country Permit meeting of 2010, celebrates its 40th anniversary on Sunday (28). Read more…
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Scottish Athletics have posted a highlights video on their You Tube page from last weekend’s Scottish National Cross Country Championships. Nice work. Read more…
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An excellent preview on this weekend’s English National Cross Country Championships at the famous Roundhay Park in Leeds, by Athletics Weekly’s Steven Mills. This year’s racing should be highly competitive across age groups… Read more…
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Fascinating and apt little article on ice spike from the Run to Win guys. Personally I might think twice about putting screws into my favourite trail shoe, and you can buy off-the-shelf shoes like these... Read more…
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A host of celebrities will on Thursday (February 25) join more than a thousand Londoners to climb the 920 stairs of Tower 42 to raise money for housing charity Shelter at the Vertical Rush event. Elite internationals such as Anna Frost will join the throngs racing up the City of London’s second highest building. Read more…
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Despite some confusion among runners as the mooted 10k course was changed to an 8k course on the day, the crowds in Lough Key, Roscommon, were served to an enthralling spectacle as 21-year-old Brendan O’Neill of Dundrum South Dublin ran home from halfway. Read more…
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GB international Freya Murray showed why she is entering world class when it comes to cross country running, as she won the Scottish National Cross Country Championships by a street at Callander Park on Saturday… Read more…
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We like to practice what we preach here at MST. The trails in the Dyfi Valley area are some of the best in the UK – fact. So I thought I would share some of what I saw out there today, as I happened to have my camera with me. For the record – 8 miles, 61 minutes. Read more…
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Great report here from John Griffiths on Saturday’s Welsh Cross Country Championships in Swansea. With Andrea Whitcombe now an adopted Welsh girl there was only ever going to be one winner in the women’s event. Alex Hains comfortably won the men’s crown, romping away from Nat Lane… Read more…
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The flat reddish hulk of Tibradden Mountain has been known as a vaunted ‘ankle-breaker’ in hill-running folklore, strewed as it has been with loose rocks and scree. In later years, heavy erosion of the central trail had forced the route out of circulation for a while… Read more…
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The Kenyan Cross Country Championships took place on Saturday in Nairobi, and whilst the women’s event produced a relatively predictable winner in Linet Masai (World cross champ Florence Kiplagat is injured), the men’s race produced a new star… Read more…
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The 2010 edition of this classic fell race in north Wales took place in snowy conditions. Some great images from the Fell Running Pictures crew of Al Tye, Gwynfor James and Pete Mac – where would we be without this lot?! Read more…
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A race each for the Welsh and English this weekend. (We realise that there may be other races, but can’t find ‘em!). Two classic little races in the shape of Moel-y-Ci in Snowdonia, and Ilkley Moor, both races are 5 miles and should see some fierce racing at the head… Read more…
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Defending champion Freya Murray (Edinburgh AC), who finished ninth overall when representing the British women’s team in December’s European XC Championships, returns to Falkirk this weekend to defend her Scottish XC crown… Read more…
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The floods of November 2009 in Cumbria have directly effected over 1500 households and businesses. Many businesses are still closed severely affecting local employment… Read more…
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It’s quite a while since Daniela Vassalli lost a tower running race. Imagine her shock when that defeat was dished out by a 13 year old, in the season’s fourth Vertical World Circuit ® race on Basel’s Messerturm last Saturday… Read more…
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Map My Tracks, the outdoor social network for sports and fitness enthusiasts, has launched OutFront, a multi–sport iPhone app for sports enthusiasts. OutFront provides F1-style performance runners of all discipline… Read more…
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Some important changes were made to the council membership and to races under the auspices of the World Mountain Running Association at the council’s annual meeting, which took place on the 23rd of January in Monte Carlo. Read more…
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Arguably two of the greatest middle distance runners in history, Seb Coe and Steve Ovett are subject of a new BBC film that depicts their bitter rivalry that gripped Britain in the late 70’s and early 80’s… Read more…
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One of the most popular run/bike events of 2009, iROC™ has had to cancel this years event due to date clashes and feeback from competitors – however the organisers say that they will be back in 2011 bigger and better… Read more…
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Reigning womens World Cross Country champion Florence Kiplagat will not be on the start line in Poland for the 38th edition, on the 28th of March. Understandable really when you consider that the Kenyan has not run in anger since last year… Read more…
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Well on my desk at least. Yes, we have finally got our hands on a pair of Walsh Spirit Lite shoes – the Bolton fell-shoemaker’s statement of intent in trail running. At first glance the understated Walsh signature is there, with very little in the way of bells and whistles… Read more…
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Thanks to the Run4It footwear guru Steve Wales for providing us with this little gem which we missed when first released back in December, 2009. Steven Fallon is a hill runner and racer of repute, with regular Vet category prizes north of the Border – and has completed an amazing 14 Munro Rounds! Read more…
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Not just the product, but also this little Brooks micro site which highlights the effects of it’s new technologies in a light-hearted, and slightly self-deprecating manner. Brooks are a little left-field of the running mainstream, and we like ‘em for it! Read more…
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Sweden make some great kit. None more so than the lovely ProWarm Olympia crewneck thermal top, which has been looking after me on the hill for the last month. Craft are masters in the cold, but also provide some of the best textiles for all climates… Read more…
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After months of editing the Gripmaster finally unleashes the 2009 race highlights in one super trail running packed 16 minute film. The race was an epic last year, with Saab Salomon pairings of Andy Symonds and Tom Owens carrying all before them... Read more…
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Dathan Ritzenhein won his third senior USATF xc title in Indianapolis today, running away from a select group with around 3km to go. With many top athletes choosing to sit the race out ‘Ritz’ was always going to be head and shoulders above the rest… Read more…
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Chris Upson runs the excellent Scottish Hill Racing site, as with many in this sport it is for the love, so thanks must go to him and the SHR guys out on the hill at yesterday’s Carnethy 5 Hill race. Some great shots from Chris here… Read more…
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Running in almost perfect fell running conditions Rob Jebb cemented his place still further in Carnethy 5 Hill race legend’s role call, as he won today’s race from Carnegie Harrier Andy Symonds… Read more…
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Although a crisp wind was lightly tugging at the runners in today’s Tarren Hendre race – run off in excellent mountain running weather. Eryri Harriers’ Iwan Morton and Andrea Rowlands both comfortably won the mens and ladies categories, in the shadow of Cader Idris… Read more…
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The first real ‘big one’ of the 2010 Scottish scene is almost upon us. The Carnethy 5 Hill race is a classic in many ways (route – 2500 feet total climb over 5 summits, race history, past winners). There are 610 entered for this weekend’s race, and the men’s field is pretty nicely loaded… Read more…
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Northern off-road specialist Steve Vernon is getting his sights set on landing the big prize in English cross country this winter at the National XC champs in Leeds later this month. He can expect a tough challenge as ‘the National’ is on the shopping list of many an XC racer… Read more…
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The US national XC championships and selection race for the World Cross Country Championships, take place this weekend in Indianapolis. Read more…
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Not off-road running, but we are always attracted to inspirational running stories and thought it appropriate to point you towards this inspiring little interview by Pre’s Mustache of marathon legend Dick Beardsley… Read more…
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In the absence of many established hill runners in this year’s Winter League, notably defending WL champion Eoin Keith of Boards AC, there has been room for daring outsiders to establish themselves among the echelons of IMRA race winners. Read more…
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In pictures. Thanks to jellybabyfairy and Eileen Woodhead for covering the Wadsworth Trog and Half Trog, in less than ideal photographic conditions! Results are on the Calder Valley home page... Read more…
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In the third 2010 Vertical World Circuit® race to the summit of the Gherkin, Sunday, February 7, Italian runners Fabio Ruga and Daniela Vassalli were the winners in this first race up London’s iconic landmark. Read more…
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The biggest expo of running gear – bar none. ISPO is the place to go if you want a handle on what’s hot for the coming 12 months. Not being one to shy away from new kit the Gripmaster made the trip to Munich to enlighten us… Read more…
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Olympian and Olympic commentator Steve Cram has unveiled plans for a brand new race around Kielder Water & Forest Park. The marathon doesn’t appear to have a name yet, but Athletics Weekly reports that all will be revealed in their magazine, out this Thursday… Read more…
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All points of the continental compass were represented among the gold medallists at the 2010 European Clubs Cup Cross Country in Bilbao. Spain won the senior men’s individual and team titles, Russia’s Sports Club Luch Moscow took both women’s team competitions and Turkish athletes romping to three individual victories… Read more…
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Another new name in energy drinks – yes. Same formula, different bottle – no. When you cut through the detail of this new product you will see that they promise ‘no crash’ running, after the ‘spike’. What am I on about? Well you know how when you take an energy drink… Read more…
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A measly 8 seconds separated Mercia’s Andrew Davies from 2009 English fell champ Simon Bailey at yesterday’s Long Mynd Valleys race in Shropshire. In what appears to have been a really close race the first 6 finishers were separated by less than a minute… Read more…
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This next few weeks will see many National XC championships take place in Africa and Europe, ahead of next month’s World XC. Moses Kipsiro defeated 2009 World Mountain Running champion Joseph Kusuro at Saturday’s Ugandan championships on a dry course in the Amuria district. Read more…
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St.Mary’s students Steph Twell and Andy Vernon took expected wins at Saturday’s BUCS cross country championships in Sterling. With Twell facing little in the way of international class opponents, her win looked a formality. Read more…
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Some of you might remember the Irish pocket-rocket that is Moire O’Sullivan? Now residing in Vietnam, Moire is still putting here running abilities to test in the heat and hilly terrain just outside of Vietnam City. You might also remember Moire’s XT Wings review? Read more…
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An absolutely glut of races this weekend after a quiet few weeks. The Mickledon Straddle is cancelled, but otherwise there is plenty to choose from. One of the picks for us is the super-tough Long Mynd Valleys, regarded as one of the hardest races on the calendar… Read more…
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There can be nothing worse than cold hands (in my book anyway). The Swedes know a thing or two about keeping warm – they have to. So, when Simon @ Big Sky Agencies sent me through some Craft cold weather goodies I was rubbing my (cold) hands in glee… Read more…
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The 31st January deadline for the discounted early bird rate created a huge surge of online entrants over the weekend of 30/31st January, causing online entry breakdown for many. Some entries managed to get through the PayPal system, but many were left disappointed Read more…
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Spain’s recently crowned SPAR European Cross Country Championships gold medallist Alemayehu Bezabeh will be out to defend his European Champions Clubs Cup Cross Country title on home soil in Bilbao on Sunday… Read more…
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It only seems like yesterday that we were down in Bordon covering the last of the 2009 Saab Salomon Turbo X races. Well, its now February and it’s just over 4 weeks until the first race of the 2010 series gets underway at Surrey Hills near Bracknell on the 7th of March… Read more…
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That seems to be the question right now, as mainstream media, big brands and the likes of inov-8 battle it out over the question of barefoot / minimalist running, with inov-8 stating, “Slowly there is a weight of impartial scientific evidence emerging… Read more…
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New Zealand mountain great Melissa Moon won the Empire State Building Run-Up in New york yesterday. The 40 year-old ran the 1,576 steps and 86 floors of the historic skyscraper in 13 mins13 secs, well outside the women’s record of 11:23 set by Andrea Mayr in 2006. Read more…
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After winning in Antrim just over a week ago Kenya’s Mike Kigen underlined why he is being hailed as one of the contenders for this years World XC champs, with a demolition job on some top class African and European opposition at the Cross Internacional de San Sebastián on Sunday (31). Read more…
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Nope, no siree, not if the uplands of Wales are anything to go by. There is still some snow on the roadside here in mid-Wales, but in Snowdonia there is still plenty to remind us that it is still only just February… Read more…
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Emerging as one of the best young XC prospects in the UK, Jess Sparke ran away with the coveted Southern Cross Country Championships this weekend at the home of XC in the south, Parliament Hill. Bedford’s Neilson Hall took the men’s title. Read more…
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This must be one of the best magazines on the world’s newstands. Except it is online. I can’t read German, but it didn’t stop me from spending 20 minutes looking at the imagery and taking in the emotion of the superb off-road running e-zine that is Trail Magazin… Read more…
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Huge crowds appear to have greeted the racers at this weekend’s Discovery Kenya XC championships in Eldoret. Yet another name was served up on the east-African conveyor belt in the form of Joel Kimurer, who ran away from top marathon man Sammy Kitwara to take the win. Read more…
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A whole different game of mud, sweat and tears this one. Not really off-roading as we know it, but wanted to post this one for the images alone. Some great shots on the BBC site from AP on yesterday’s 8 mile Tough Guy Challenge in Staffordshire… Read more…
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After Milan and New York, the 2010 Vertical World Circuit® uniting the world’s most spectacular skyscrapers in an exciting new sports discipline, will head for one of London’s most iconic landmarks on Sunday, February 7. Read more…
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Ethiopian Humegaw Mesfin took his second major Cross Country win this year at the 78th edition of the Cinque Mulini in San Vittore Olona on a sunny but chilly morning. The women’s race went to reigning 1500m Olympic champion Nancy Langat who beat young Ethiopian Tizita Bogale by five seconds. Read more…
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Autumn has been a busy time in terms of trying out new alternative trail running shoes for this reviewer and with my inflamed metatarsals I hoped to find a shoe that struck a good balance between grip, lightness, and protection from the dangers of the trail. Read more…
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Fell shoe originators Walsh have recognised that time stands still for no man (or woman). The ultra-pure sport of fell running will never leave their hearts, however in a nod towards other off-road running activities that are emerging the Bolton pioneers have released a range of trail shoes… Read more…
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Multiple world mountain running champ Jonathon Wyatt can’t afford to hang around for the good weather. Jono takes the elements as he finds them, and crack on. What’s more running in the white stuff does great things for your endurance, and trail-handling skills. Read more…
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For top UK youngster Nick Goolab the last month or so has been a trying time. A lack of racing due to postponements and the poor weather has left the Belgrave man chomping at the bit to get out there and test himself in the competitive arena… Read more…
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A glut of snazzy running gear has arrived at the MST lounge this week for some hardcore testing over the coming season. Brooks have delivered their all new Green Silence shoe, designed for the flat lands, and isn’t even out yet – so we’ve got some fresh produce… Read more…
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Most XC runners (outside of Africa) don’t really associate the discipline with flat, grassy courses and warm sunshine, but this is what the runners got at this weekend’s Kenyan Police champs in Nairobi… Read more…
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Uber-road races the Great North Run and the London Marathon are placed on investigative journalists operating table to be sliced and diced in how they operate when it comes to charity entries and donations. Read more…
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The day dawned overcast and cool, the tops were clear and only a few spots of rain dampened the day. Conditions under foot were still tricky in places as the last of the compacted ice on some well used tracks lingered and a snow bank on the lower approach to Bishop Hill provided interest! Read more…
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The Spiritual Home of Irish Mountain Biking it may have been called but Ticknock woods remains a deeply rooted fixture both during winter and summer in Ireland and with Howth Winter cancelled by recent snow… Read more…
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African cross country is really ramping-up its act as 2010 creeps towards the IAAF World Cross Country in Bydgoszcz, with Kenya holding its annual police and forces championships and Ethiopia’s 3rd Sululta Cross Country meeting… Read more…
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You know MST, a few pairs of shoes here and there, we like to take our time over these things. The guys at Gripmastertrails.com like to test things with a little more gusto it seems. Goodness knows how many pairs of shoes hit the trails on this little test, but it was a lot! Read more…
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After her despondent weekend in Dublin back in December, Mary Cullen gave Euro champ Hayley Yelling a taste of her own medicine at the Antrim International XC on Saturday. The leading Irish XC runner romped her way to a 31 second gun-to-tape win on the Greenmount course… Read more…
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The 2010 Vertical World Circuit® kicked off on Sunday with a double sprint up Italy’s two highest towers. 2009 VWC® champions, Thomas Dold from Germany and Italy’s Daniela Vassalli lived up to their reputation by scaling the 70 floors to win. Read more…
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Commonwealth Games 10,000m champion Boniface Kiprop may be a late withdrawal, but there is still a formidable field for the Antrim International, the sixth IAAF Cross Country Permit race of the season, which takes place on Saturday (23). Read more…
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A $million is a lot of cash by almost any sporting standard. The super-rich Gulf states seem to be happy fritter their money about these days and I am sure that the great Haile Gebrselassie will be more than happy to add that little lot to the small-fry $250,000 for the win at tomorrow morning’s Dubai Marathon… Read more…
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One lucky winner of this prize contest will get to travel to the South of France to run alongside the likes of Kilian, Jono, Adam Chase and Ricky Lightfoot, have a closer look at the 2010 Salomon range, and some exclusive future products, developed by the world’s best. Read more…
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You can never have enough mountain-craft, so the good people of the Scottish Hill Runners have called on clubs to come forward should they be interested in taking part in navigation and safety courses. The courses would be open top all runners, not just SHR members.. Read more…
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Mary Cullen and Ana Dulce Felix will head to Northern Ireland this weekend in an attempt to revenge surprise Euro XC winner Hayley Yelling at the Antrim International Cross Country. The race will also be an opportunity for Cullen to put the disappointment of Dublin behind her, where 12th place was well short of expectations. Read more…
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Defending Empire State champion Thomas Dold of Germany will attempt to join two other five-time winners of this historic tower race in NYC, when he headlines the field at the 33rd annual NYRR Empire State Building Run-Up on Tuesday, 2 February. Read more…
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This year’s 35th edition is set to be one of the most exciting as the organising committee are looking to attract a world-class field to this historic mountain race up and down the highest peak in England and Wales… Read more…
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The 2010 world XC circuit was back on track last weekend, with racing in Seville, Rovereto, Cardiff, Eldoret and Victoria (Australia). Wins for Benita Johnson at the Aussie Nat champs, Linet Masai in Seville and Abere Chane in Italy, plus much more… Read more…
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Interesting news piece on the inov-8 site, regarding the off-road shoe specialists’ drive towards ‘neutrality’, and how some of today’s running shoes could be adding to runners’ injury lists… Read more…
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Ultimate Trails™ is a new series of off-road events in adventure trail running, mountain biking scheduled for 2010. With an exciting and fun atmosphere for competitors and spectators alike high on the agenda. Race commentary, great courses and other entertainments all make for a fun family day out. Read more…
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This classic Irish round has been awarded status as a points scorer for the years big French Ultra, the UTMB. Writing for IMRA, Eoin Keith reports that runners wishing to take part in the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc need 4 points from qualifying events, the Wicklow Round will now carry 3 points… Read more…
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The 2010 Vertical World Circuit gets underway this Sunday (24 January) at the Vertical Sprint Regione Lombardia. The event is organized by Vista Comunicazione in collaboration with the International Skyrunning Federation which has carried out research on Vertical Running® since 2007. Read more…
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Andy Vernon crushed the opposition at today’s McCains Cross Challenge in Cardiff. The Aldershot athlete delivered a 30 second defeat to the feet of Stroud runner Tom Russell. Hatti Dean was also comfortable in her victory of the women’s 6km race. Read more…
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The premier UK cross country race series, the McCain Cross Challenge, arrives Cardiff this weekend. GB internationals Jessica Sparke and Andy Vernon are in great form and should start as favourites as the series comes to the Principality on Sunday (17 Jan)… Read more…
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Kenya’s Linet Masai and reigning world XC champ Gebre Gebremariam head up the women’s and men’s line-ups for this weekend’s top international cross country event, the Cross Internacional de Itálica, in Seville on Sunday (17 Jan) Read more…
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Most of the UK fell programme remains badly affected by the snow and ice, albeit a thaw is expected this weekend. White Holme Circular, K.G.S.M.R. (Kielder) are canceled / postponed respectively, with Ashurst Beacon leaving it til the last minute... Read more…
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Boniface Kiprop is the latest addition to a classy field getting ready to assemble itself in Northern Ireland in just over a week. As reported on MST a few days back, many GB athletes will be making the trip west to Antrim for some quality competition and a taste of international cross country running… Read more…
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You might think that the end of the white stuff is good news for people to start getting about again, and for races to go ahead. However, an article on the Grough tells us to be extra cautious if you are out there on the hill this weekend, as melting snow on higher ground means the risk of avalanche… Read more…
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21 year-old Teessider Ricky Stevenson hasn’t yet set the world on fire, in world class terms. But the 2009 / 10 XC season has seen Stevenson emerge as one of the UK’s brightest young talents on the country, culminating with his big win at the weekend… Read more…
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Top endurance-event organisers Pro-Velo Support have announced details for their latest ultra-trail race this Spring. The Wiggle Lightning 12 is a smaller incarnation of the Adidas Thunder Run 24 which takes place at Catton Park later in the year. Read more…
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This year’s runfurther championships are now online. The series opens up with the 32 mile beast that is Howarth Hobble / Wuthering Hike and finishes off with Round Rotherham. The series if free to enter… Read more…
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Montrail has signed four new elite trail runners to Team Montrail including Max King, the winner of the 2008 and 2009 XTERRA Trail Run Championships and the 2009 USATF Trail Marathon Championship. Read more…
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New kids on the drinks block Orbana have come up with a product that looks to put an end to the ‘boom-and-bust’ of sports drinks – i.e feeling charged to feeling crappy due to the generous caffiene and sugar content that some beverages out there contain… Read more…
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Nicola Bamford profiles Edinburgh XC winner Joseph Ebuya for the IAAF and unearths yet another world-class talent from east-Africa who has found fame and fortune through athletics. After a time in the Army and then traveling to Europe without shoes or food Ebuya was (inevitably) snapped up by Ricky Simms... Read more…
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Whether running or biking, a hot brew is always a welcome sight after a session. A very timely little article on Triathlete’s World extols the virtues of a hot drink to re-hydrate at this time of year, especially if you have got extra cold out there… Read more…
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This is old news in a way. But the more barefoot running research comes out against heavily cushioned shoes, the more the body of evidence grows. Yes? No? All I will say on the matter is that since I have resorted to 90% of my running off-road, I have far less injuries, take from that what you will… Read more…
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Jane and Graham Porter, organisers of the inaugural Wexford Open Trail Series have issued the dates for this year’s return: 28th March Little Sliabh Bhui, 25th April Kilbrannish South, 9th May Gibbet Hill. More details have been made available on the 2010 series at IMRA. Read more…
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The main reason for the Gripmaster’s latest foray into the powder was (we think) to test out the Icebug SISU olx shoe. Whatever the reason we think that Stefan and his female partner had a lot of fun out there in the heavy snow that now covers Europe… Read more…
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During a weekend that stopped most of the programme in its tracks those gritty Lancastrians showed the rest of the UK that the show must go on – whatever the weather. The Lancashire AA Country Cross Country Championships went ahead as planned at a snowy at Witton Park on Saturday… Read more…
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Events company 26 Extreme have announced that the 2010 Mourne Way Marathon is set to take place on 12 June 2010. Last year’s event was a huge success and this year’s run aims to build on its popularity… Read more…
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The Gripmaster needs to muster all of his gripping mastery in this weather, but shows us that he has lost none of his powers in this little set of playful images from Bavaria… Read more…
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The head of endurance running at UKA, Ian Stewart, doesn’t think that there is too much wrong with Mo Farah, but none the less still sees the need to send the Brit distance ace off to see the UKA specialists to make sure that he is physically sound… Read more…
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There must be something in the air in Europe right now. The weekend of XC shocks continued as Ethiopia’s Humegaw Mesfin outgunned world cross country champ Gebre-egziabher Gebremariam in the last few yards of the Cross Internacional Zornotza in Amorebieta, Spain yesterday… Read more…
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Excellent round-up from Nicola Bamford, reporting for the IAAF on the International races at this year’s Great Edinburgh cross country. The mainly domestic affair that was the men’s 4km (not reported on here yesterday) was yet another upset as north-east rising star Ricky Stevenson beat Mo Farah into third place… Read more…
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One of the very few off-road races to survive a weekend running programme that was ravaged by the weather. It looked like a great turn out for the CCTPR with only one or two pairs of unprotected legs visible in the freezing conditions… Read more…
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Erm, it didn’t quite go to script this afternoon at the BUPA Great Edinburgh International cross country. Kenenisa Bekele had made it clear beforehand that his recent layoffs and moves into business had not affected his running, and was in good shape… Read more…
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Double Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba stormed through the snow to take victory at the Great Edinburgh International XC. The Olympic 5 and 10,000 metre champion, made a surging break in the final lap to romp to victory on the frozen course… Read more…
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You might think that running in the snow is hard work but good fun. It can also be dangerous, with all of those hidden dips and rocks nicely concealed by fresh, white powder. Funnily enough Ironmate Mark Kleanthous states that the deep powdery stuff is safer that the hard-pack… Read more…
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One of the best of many, many previews of the big XC event of 2010 so far. The men’s and women’s fields are completely loaded. Set the TV to BBC One on Saturday, get a brew on and watch some world-class cross country… Read more…
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With all of this extreme weather around hill runners will be training up their local office block at this rate, however tower running is gaining credibility the world over with the likes of Step Change and of course the Vertical Running World Circuit. Read more…
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Abraham Cherkos Feleke from Ethiopia, the reigning World Junior 5000m champion, won the 53rd edition of the Campaccio International Cross Country race – EA Permit – which took place today (6) in San Giorgio su Legnano. Read more…
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Predictably the UK fell, hill and mountain racing events have been hit this weekend. This lot are a hardy bunch but the extreme weather has made much of the higher ground un-runnable, and then there is the travel logistics to add in… Read more…
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The great Ethiopian graces the Scottish capital on Saturday at the BUPA Great Edinburgh international XC. In a super little interview with Herald Scotland Kenenisa talks about his first race of 2010 and his expanding business empire back in Addis… Read more…
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The current conditions in the UK are having an impact on running events across the board, with cross country running being hit up and down the country. This weekend is Area champs weekend and it looks like many will be postponed… Read more…
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The citizens of Bydgoszcz are taking to their feet each week to promote the 38th IAAF World Cross Country Championships which will be held in the Polish city on Sunday 28 March 2010. Read more…
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It’s not running, but it’s outdoor, and it’s hills and fells, what’s more it’s a great round-up of 2009 by one of the best outdoor sites on the net. With tributes to the likes of John Evans and stories on the English coastal path. Make sure you click here for page two aswell… Read more…
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After a highly disappointing run at the SPAR Euro XC in December, UK endurance hope Steph Twell will look to make amends and put 2009 behind her as she takes on the likes of Euro champ Hayley Yelling and Olympic champ Tirunesh Dibaba at this weekends BUPA Great Edinburgh International cross country… Read more…
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Welsh TV company S4C (available on satellite to those outside of Wales, on on Clic after screening) will show the Amazon Jungle Marathon this week, starting on Tuesday (5th) at 9pm GMT, and then on Weds and Thursday evenings at the same time… Read more…
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There’s a saying that goes “a million people can’t be wrong”, well I’m not sure how many pairs of the Mudclaw™ 330 that Inov-8 have sold (probably not quite a million!) but I am sure that one of their best-selling shoes is so for a reason… Read more…
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Alex Vero this month releases Running to the Limits. With interviews and profiles from such greats as Haile and Richard Nerurkar the film follows Vero in his quest to run a marathon in sub 2 hrs 20 mins… Read more…
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The 2009 Yearbook is the first of its kind for IMRA. It features 80 pages of articles… which capture the magic that was mountain-running in Ireland in 2009. With articles from 17 contributors and featuring the amazing photographs of John Shiels, this yearbook is a limited-edition hardcover book that will grace any coffee table. Read more…
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The Irish Mountain Running Association represents hill running in all the four Provinces of Ireland (Connacht, Leinster, Munster and Ulster) yet an oft-heard joke is the inference that the association is more The Leinster Mountain Running Association. Read more…
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It was a case of out with the old and in with the new at the classic Auld Lang Syne race on new year’s eve. 380 brave souls got out there in the deep snow of Bronte Country, with Ali Brownlee outsprinting fell legend Ian Holmes. Read more…
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There was a flurry of racing across the snow filled fells and hills of England, Wales and Scotland as the new decade dawned. Great to see some hefty turn-outs at the Greenmantle Dash, The Morning After and Aonach Mor… Read more…
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Diego Perathoner, organizer of the 2009 European Championships in Canazei, Italian Dolomites, was killed together with three other rescuers in an avalanche on December 26. Perathoner died in a rescue attempt to find two tourists who had gone off-piste, they were also killed in the tragedy. Read more…
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After a Festive period of house moves, illness and ISP issues (BT – grrrr!) Mud, Sweat and Tears is back online. 2010 will be bigger and better (we hope) with even more off-road news, new features and exclusives… Read more…
