In contrast to the 2011 Zegama race of blistering sun and blue skies, the 2012 race was undertaken in torrential rain and cold temperatures.
The 0900 start in Zegama Sq was a chilly one as runners struggled to keep warm.
But start they did for what was going to be a tough day. The course is a classic marathon distance but has an elevation of 5400m. That makes for one tough race. What had been a slippery course in the previous 2 days became a very slippery and potentially dangerous course on race day for the inexperienced. Runners post race explained how they found it very difficult to keep upright. In particular the long final descent of some 13k.
British born Nick Clark who placed 3rd at Western States and then 3rd at Hardrock some two weeks apart in 2011 said ‘that is one proper mountain race, it was extremely slippery and the rocky sections became treacherous because of the mud left by other runners’.
Joe Grant basically said ‘I made completely the wrong shoe choice… Road flats were not a good idea :-)’ obviously a hint of irony, but Joe says that ‘I just didn’t have any other shoes!’ of course Joe ran Transvulcania La Palma – hot and dry conditions! Joe hadn’t anticipated such tough conditions as last years race was run in 30+ degrees.
In contrast I spoke to third placed lady, Emilie Forsberg post race and she said ‘I loved the conditions, I didn’t find it too slippery and I didn’t get cold’ when I told her that 2nd place was just in front of her at the finish she said ‘I wish I had known, I would have given it everything I had… I think I ran too hard at the beginning… I was at my limit at the end’.
It was certainly a tough day. Some pre race favourites suffered, in particular Max King. He came to the race focused and ready to take the race to Jornet, Hernando and Owen. On the day though it was not his day. When I saw him with just 2k to go he looked cold. Post race he said ‘I just wasn’t prepared for that. The terrain, the technical aspects, the weather’.
Kilian however was in his element. Pre race during an interview I asked him how he felt post Transvulcania La Palma. He said ‘I feel good, I am recovered and I am looking forward to the race’ when I mentioned the conditions, he said ‘I would like it cold and wet’. He got his wish! Seeing Kilian run down the trail like a bouncing mountain goat is so impressive. His ability as a skier is reflected in his running as he bounces from left foot to right.
At 7km into the race a group of about 20 runners pushed hard on the muddy and slippery climb from Otzaurte to Ultzama. Kilian, Hernando and Tom Owen locked together at the front with Max King not far behind.
In the ladies, Oihana was leading Nuria Picas, Emelie Forsberg and Zhanna Vokueva. The most impressive of these runners was Emelie, she climbed almost like a cross county skier, feet apart pointing out and pushing hard up the climb.
The climb to Aratz saw the runners string out and Hernando and Jornet battle against each other. Conditions at the race summits became very difficult with snow falling and cold temperatures.
Despite the weather, supporters still came onto the course and offer support. A sea of umbrellas and gore tex protecting from the spectators from the elements.
British lady Lauren Jeska put a pre race plan in action and started to work through the female field. Pushing hard on the rocky sections which she loves and then she took the lead on the ridge between Aizkorri and Aitxuri. She said the decent from the summit was just crazy… So steep and so slippery. At the feed at Urbia she was well in the lead but says after the race that she started to struggle. On the final long decent she could not keep upright and the lead that she had built disappeared finally relinquishing 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. She said ‘I love rocks and I love the climbs but that final 13k decent of mud was a nightmare, I couldn’t keep upright’ obviously disappointed not to make the podium, she still had a great result for 4th.
Kilian now had taken the lead putting some 2 minutes into Hernando with Owen in 3rd place. It remained this way right to the finish, Kilian pushing hard and just missing the course record by 2 minutes.
Great photo of Kilian HERE courtesy of the race on Flickr.
In the ladies race, Oihana took the lead away from Jeska and pushed hard for victory. Behind, Picas and Forsberg reeled in Jeska too and placed 2nd and 3rd.
This race followed on from the Transvulcania La Palma and had a stacked field with Mike Wolfe, Joe Grant, Nick Clark, Ian Sharman, Max King, Nikki Kimball and others taking part. Mike Wolfe placed the best in 13th place it was an introduction into a new type of running for them all.
Mike Wolfe went on to say ‘It was incredible. Just a tough tough race. We can perform on these courses but we would need to be more specific with our training’.
Another year over and the 2011 first places are repeated with Kilian And Oihana. I can’t wait for 2013… I wonder what the weather brings?
Less cloud, MORE SKY maybe.
Race Results HERE
iancorless.com 
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