Author: Tomo Sarf

 The Drei Zinnen Alpine Run exceeded all expectations today. 900 runners and 2 new race records and perfect weather provided an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Italian Dolomite mountains for everyone involved.  It was Sarah Tunstall (ENG) and Petro Mamu (ERI) who took the wins and provided some additional spice in the race to the World Cup title.

17 km and 1300 meters of uphill climbing, the race course is a big challenge but the reward at the finish is some absolute picture postcard views such as the “Forcella Pian di Cengia” and the “Piani lakes” and of course the majestic “Tre Cime di Lavaredo” towering above the arrival at the Locatelli Refuge in the background.  Sun and blue sky over the wonderful Dolomite peaks welcomed the runners who had this unique chance to race along the paths of this UNESCO heritage site.

It was a decisive stage in the race for podium positions in the World Cup 2019 even if Cup leaders Sarah McCormack (IRL) and Andy Douglas (SCO) have raced away with a big points advantage. Spots two and three are still completely open however and the winners here in Sesto (Italy) have brought themselves into contention.

The race unfolded with a fast starting lap around the town of Sesto and the favorites did not wait too long to give a strong signal of intent.  The existing records were going to be in jeopardy with such a fast start.  At the first checkpoint after 7km, at Fondovalle Hut, it was the Eritrean Petro Mamu who made the first move attacking the race before the climbing began in earnest.  Running with him was Joe Gray (USA) and compatriot Filimon Abraham, while the Cup ranking leader Andy Douglas held a position just behind with the Italians Francesco Puppi and Hannes Perkmann who were slightly detached at that point.

And it was the same story in the women’s race where there was an attack from the start by Sarah Tunstall, who had already put one minute into the Irish athlete and World Cup leader Sarah McCormack by 7km.  Tunstall had an additional one minute on the group following formed by Kenyan Wanja Nganga, Czech runner Lucie Marsanova, Timea Merenyi from Hungary and the Swiss ski mountaineering athlete Victoria Kreuzer.

 

From that point it was steep climbing that faced the runners and at km 12, the runners touched the Comici Refuge where the race had another jolt in the top positions as this long climb started to take its toll.  Out front, Petro Mamu and Joseph Gray remained alone in the lead but were battling it out between them where neither one or the other could break free.  Just behind it was Abraham who slowed slightly while Puppi gained on him to race for the 3rd position.

But out front on her own at the 12km mark, Sarah Tunstall continued to gain and was climbing stongly focusing on a race record possibility that seemed more like a certainty at that point as long as she didn’t blow up as the high altitude started to make its effect where runners pass the 2000m level and continue climbing higher to the peak of the race.  She was increasing her advantage over McCormack to more than 2 minutes by this point.

The short but steep descent from the Forcella of Piani di Cengia (Cima Coppa) has changed the complexion of the race in previous editiona and this section leads on to the final climb to the Locatelli Refuge and the finish.  Mamu and Gray were watching each other and Gray had a small stumble allowing the diminuitive Eritrean to take advantage and he surged away.  In the last 600 meters he was nearing his limit though and Gray fought back but the win went to Mamu in the end setting the new course record with 1h22’37” improving the previous record he set some years ago that was 1h22 ’44”.

Joseph Gray was 2nd in 1h23’09”, confirming his great form at the moment backing up from last weeks performance also at a race in Dolomite mountains. The podium of the day was completed with Filimon Abraham, 3rd in 1h25’55 “. The rest of the men’s top ten were evenly spaced, where the positions were unchanged following the descent off the Forcella in the final 2.5km with Francesco Puppi 4th, Andy Douglas 5th, Hannes Perkmann 6th, Zak Hannah 7th, Bernard Dematteis 8th, Tiziano Moia 9th and Francis Njoroge 10th

For the women’s finish there were no problems for Sarah Tunstall who won convincingly her first Drei Zinnen race with the addition of the new course record.  The Brit crossed the finish line in 1h41’45”, and there were impressive gaps back to her rivals.  Sarah Mccormack was 2nd in 1h46’21 “, third place went to Victoria Kreuzer in 1h47’40”.  

In the ranking of the World Cup for the men; Andy Douglas takes home enough points so that the Scotsman now has a big leading margin with 525 points and he is out of reach by the rest going into the final event.   Following him is Filimon Abraham and with today’s 3rd position he rises to 320 points.  It’s getting exciting for the 3rd step of the final World Cup podium which is possible for at least 5 athletes.  Bernard Dematteis climbs to 215 points chased by Zak Hannah with 195, Mamu with 190, Puppi with 175 and then Beçan from Slovenia with 165 prove that everything is still open and still to be decided at Smarna Gora in Slovenia where the finals take place in October!

It’s mission accomplished for Sarah Mccormack who with the 2nd place today flies to 395 points and is now unreachable.  Sarah Tunstall jumps into 2nd place with today’s victory. She has 200 points and now has overtaken her compatriots  Emma Clayton and Charlotte Morgan. Kenyan Lucy Murigi has also been distanced and due to illness could not race this weekend.  Austrian runner Alexandra Hauser rises up to 160 points and is now 3rd overall.  Louise Mercer from Scotland was 16th at the Drei Zinnen.  She reaches 115 points in the general classification and she is now 5th overall.

The updated and complete World Cup overall rankings available on the official WMRA website.  Next stop for the World Cup is planned for the final in Ljubljana, 12th October 2019. The 40th Smarna Gora Race. 

See WORLD CUP #6 page for more Drei Zinnen Alpine Run details.  

TOP 10 – Drei Zinnen Alpine Run 2019  :  WOMEN’s RACE 

Sarah Tunstall (GBR) 1h41’45”

Sarah Mccormack (IRL) 1h46’21”

Victoria Kreuzer (SUI) 1h47’40”

Lucie Marsanova (CZE) 1h50’56”

Alexandra Hauser (AUT) 1h52’19”

Jane Wanja Nganga (KEN) 1h53’31”

Monika Pletzer (GER) 1h54’47”

Timea Merenyi (HUN) 1h55’10”

Petra Pircher (ITA) 1h56’31”

Dimitra Teocharis (ITA) 1h56’36”

 

TOP 10 – Drei Zinnen Alpine Run 2019  :  MEN’s RACE

Petro Mamu (ERI) 1h22’37

Joe Gray (USA) 1h23’04”

Filimon Abraham (ERI) 1h25’55”

Francesco Puppi (ITA) 1h27’29”

Andrew Douglas (SCO) 1h27’48”

Hannes Perkmann (ITA) 1h28’42”

Zak Hannah (IRL) 1h29’20”

Bernard Dematteis (ITA) 1h31’00”

Tiziano Moia (ITA) 1h32’30”

Francis Maina Njiore (KEN) 1h33’22”

 Photos: By Marco Gulberti / Corsa in Montagna 

Tre Cime di Laveredo from the finsh area of the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run

Tre Cime di Laveredo from the finsh area of the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run

Rifugio di Locatelli and the finish of the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run

Sarah Tunstall (GBR) in 1h41’45” makes her the fastest ever.

Sarah Mccormack (IRL)

Victoria Kreuzer (SUI) comes through strongly in the final half and completes the women’s podium

Petro Mamu (ERI) men’s winner and new record.

Joe Gray (USA) finishes less than 30 seconds behind.

Filamon Abraham (ERI) in 3rd

Francesco Puppi (ITA) 4th place.

Andrew Douglas (SCO) finishes in 5th and still leads the 2019 World Cup classification

Hannes Perkmann (ITA) in 6th

Zak Hannah (IRL) arrives in 7th place

Bernard Dematteis (ITA) in 8th

Bernard shows it’s a real privaledge to run next to such amazing mountains.

Tiziano Moia (ITA) 9th and recovered from a fall on the course

Francis Maina Njiore (KEN) rounds out the top 10 in the men’s field.

 

Luca Cagnati (ITA)

The final 150 metres

Lucie Marsanova (CZE)

 

Alexandra Hauser (AUT)

 

Petra Pircher (ITA)

Japan represented with Fujio Miyachi 

Women’s top three, (Left to Right) McCormack, Tunstall, Kreuzer

Men’s top 3 (Left to right) Gray, Mamu, Abraham

 

It’s time for the Drei Zinnen Alpine Run in the heart of the Dolomiti mountains in northern Italy.   With the end of summer fast approaching and the first signs of autumn in the air it’s also a decisive time for the World Cup.  With the final two races taking place in the next month for the 2019 World Cup season it will be time to see who the new champions will be even if the top two positions in women and men’s categories are looking difficult to reach given the top performances and in particular their level of participation in the race events.  It goes to show that by participating you can reach a high position in the overall ranking.

Sara Botterelli (ITA) last years winner at the DreiZinnen Alpine Run finishing

The Dreizinnen Alpine run takes place in Sexten (Sesto) Italy and with a great race in a beautiful and famous location it is a fitting penultimate round for the World Cup and if readers want to do one beautiful mountain race in their life then this one would certainly be a good course to recommend.

But it is also now the time to focus on the competition, because with two races still to be disputed there are many top athletes who will try to re-enter the top positions of the World Cup ranking by running this Drei Zinnen race and the big final in Slovenia on October 12th when it will be time for the Smarna Gora Race.  The cup is now firmly in the hands of Andrew Douglas. The Scotsman from Team Hoka One One maintained an impressive run away win this season winning all the first 4 tests and finishing in an excellent 6th place at the majestic Sierre Zinal last August.  He really has shown the way and a clean pair of heels to all other mountain runners.

Interesting too is that Andy will just need to start in the next two races to receive the 50-point bonus reserved for those who have run all the events, and this would only be an extra guarantee to fend off any challengers.  The great attention is behind Douglas, to reach the podium positions and it’s a tough challenge that has been created between many of the athletes on the world mountain running circuit that still have a chance to arrive on one of the top places.

Martin Dematteis, his twin-brother Bernard, the Eritreans Petro Mamu and Filimon Abraham, the Irishman Zak Hannah, the Slovenian Timotej Beçan, the Italian Francesco Puppi, all have the chance to enter the top 3 of the 2019 world cup.  It’s a fascinating scenario shaping up where anyone of them can do it.  But to do it, they will need to be in the top positions Saturday at the Drei Zinnen Alpine run, which will represent a sort of “last-call”  for those who want to dream big.  They must bring their A-game out in the Dolomites this weekend!

In the women’s ranking everything is ready to celebrate a new winner of the World Cup in 2019.  Irish athlete Sarah McCormack of team INOV-8 will just need to finish in the points at one of the next two races to be sure of the victory.  It’s a great achievement for this strong athlete who brought a universal approach to mountain running, showing that with her ability to be competitive on all terrains and distances and competing regularly at World Cup races it would put her in a commanding position.  The Drei Zinnen Alpine Run will be the final test for other top athletes such as Sarah Tunstall (GBR) and Lucy Marsanova (CZE) who are looking for a victory in Sexten, or like the Scottish runner Louise Mercer, a good placing here can bring her closer to her season-target: the world cup overall podium.

The Drei Zinnen will be covered by the WMRA MEDIA team, follow the social media channels for live tweets on Twitter and Facebook posting, fun stories as well as background stories on WMRA instagram with profiles, photos, videos and much more.

Here you can see the World Cup ranking after 5 races of 7: Current World Cup Ranking

Photos credit WMRA and DreiZinnenlauf

Sarah Tunstall (GBR) trying to reach a World Cup overall podium

Andy Douglas (GBR) has a solid grip on the 2019 World Cup title

 A chance to run and race in a UNESCO World Heritage site welcomes all participants at the Drei Zinnen Alpine run that finishes beneath the iconic dolomite peaks of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo starting in the region of Alto Adige in Italy.

This year the race will take place for the twenty-second time and will make its debut on the WMRA Mountain Running World Cup calendar.  From the first edition in 1998 the athletes and athletes from Italy dominated the race, with 14 successes leading the ranking by nations.
 
Nine times an “Azzurra” has risen to the top step of the podium, while so far there have been five victories for an Italian athlete. Among the winning athletes there are also two South Tyrolean athletes: Nathalie Santer, the former biathlete from Dobbiaco, won the first edition in Sesto Pusteria, and the Sarentinese runner Renate Rungger triumphed 15 years later. The organizers of the ALV Sextner Dolomiten association are still waiting for a South Tyrolean victory in the men’s field.  Perhaps this barrier could be broken by Hannes Perkmann; the Sarentino athlete wants to participate in its debut World Cup appearance. The last Italian victory in the men’s field dates back to 2012 with Gabriele Abate.  Among women, however, in 2016 Sara Bottarelli established herself as a local Italian winner on a shortened track due to weather.
 
Behind Italy, New Zealand ranks as the second nation in the South Tyrol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run with eight victories. Only Jonathan Wyatt, living legend of the mountain race and current president of the WMRA (World Mountain Running Association), reached the finish line at the Locatelli refuge six times with what is still the best time.  In this way the former World Mountain running champion also holds the record of victories at the renowned South Tyrolean event. His fellow country woman Anna Frost, on the other hand, has two successes.
 
After 20 years a Germanic winner
 Six victories have gone in the past two decades to athletes and athletes from the Czech Republic, to which Anna Pichrtova, who boasts the record of victories with four races won, contributed greatly. Immediately behind this, with four first places, is Germany, winners of the last edition, with Anton Palzer and Michelle Maier completing a double for the country last year. With her triumph last year, Maier also set a new course record with a time of 1h42’34 “
 
With three victories it’s Poland in fifth place, ahead of Eritrea, which has two, in addition to France, Great Britain and Switzerland (each a victory). The record of the route in the men’s field is held by the former mountain running world champion Petro Mamu: in 2013 the Eritrean athlete reached the finish line in 1h22’44 ‘‘. It may be that this record is broken on September 14th with the debut of the World Cup race bringing a very competitive line up.
 
Anyone wishing to compete with the international elite of mountain running on one of the most beautiful routes in the world can do so: until 8.00 pm on 11 September registration is open for the Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run on the official website.

 Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run – albo d‘oro (winners circle)
1998:?Marco Gaiardo ITA 1:23.25 / Nathalie Santer ITA 1:49.18**
1999:?Marco Gaiardo ITA 1:23.46 / Izabela Zatorska POL 1:38.20**
2000:?Emanuele Manzi ITA 1:23.22 / Izabela Zatorska POL 1:35.17**
2001:?Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:19.58 / Anna Pichrtova CZE 1:31.47**
2002:?Jan Blaha CZE 1:46.11? / Anna Pichrtova CZE? 2:00.54***
2003:?Thierry Icart FRA 1:47.58 / Ruth Pickvance CZE 2:11.43***
2004:?Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:40.17 / Anna Pichrtova CZE 1:57.54***
2005:?Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:40.35 / Anna Pichrtova CZE 1:56.14***
2006:?Martin Ashley Cox GBR 1:45.27 / Anna Frost NZL 2:06.01***
2007:?Antonio Molinari ITA 1:28.54? / Antonella Confortola ITA 1:46.44
2008:?Helmut Schiessl GER 44.50 / Antonella Confortola ITA 53.52*
2009:?Helmut Schiessl GER 1:28.51 / Anna Frost NZL 1:42.59
2010:?Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:26.23 / Mariagrazia Roberti ITA 1:44.45
2011:?Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:29.02 / Mariagrazia Roberti ITA 1:51.00
2012:?Gabriele Abate ITA 1:26.16 / Mariagrazia Roberti ITA 1:47.36
2013:?Petro Mamu ERI 1:22.44 / Renate Rungger ITA 1:49.28
2014:?Jonathan Wyatt NZL 1:27.58 / Victoria Kreuzer SUI ?1:48.10
2015:?Andrzej Dlugosz POL 1:31.01 / Antonella Confortola ITA 1:48.06
2016:?Petro Mamu ERI 1:02.06 / Sara Bottarelli ITA 1:16.24*
2017:?annullata???/cancelled due to weather
2018:?Anton Palzer GER 1:29.31 / Michelle Maier GER 1:42.34
* tracciato abbreviato
**variante
***mezza maratona

Ufficio stampa Südtirol Drei Zinnen Alpine Run:

Hannes Kröss
HK Media

Photos: www.dreizinnenlauf.com

It was the day of falling records in Zinal, Switzerland for round 5 of the World Mountain Running World Cup and it was Kilian Jornet Burgada (Esp) who arrived home first breaking the record from Jonathan Wyatt (Nzl) by clocking an incredible 2h25.35 for the 31km mountainous course.  Not long after the women’s record was also smashed when Maude Mathys (Sui) with a dominating start to finish run surprised all with her powerful performance taking 5 minutes from the record held by Anna Pichrtova (Cze) since 2008 

Jornet broke away early from the start at Sierre and at intermediate points of Ponchette and Chandolin had an advantage by over 2mins over 2016 winner Petro Mamu (Eri) back from a 2 year enforced absence and he also finished faster than the former record.   Between Chandolin and Hotel Weisshorn, Kilian Jornet took his foot off the gas dropping to 20 seconds above Wyatt’s record and Mamu reduced the gap to 1min27.  From Weisshorn (the high point of the track) to the finish it was something amazing with both athletes literally flying to the Zinal finish. Kilian made the big difference with his powerful uphill preformance, normally his weaker part of a race, and it was where he earned all his advantage over all the other racers.  In the second part though he was still able to push hard while second placed Mamu finished stronger still and clocked 2h26.17, in the end only 42 seconds behind. The 50miles World Record holder Jim Walmsley (Usa) led home a field packed with quality and his podium place in 2h31.52 was a very positive debut for him for his European trail and mountain running campaign.  Juan Carlos Carrera (Col) and Robbie Simpson (Gbr) completed the top five.

WMRA World Cup leader Andrew Douglas (Gbr ) placed sixth and consolidated his leadership in the Mountain Running World Cup.  His run puts an overall win beyond doubt going into the final two races.

History was also made today in the women’s race where Maude Mathys took the record back to her home country.  2h54.26 was the old record belonging to Anna Pichrtova but today the swiss athlete and back to back defending European Champion improved it to a near unbelievable 2h49.20,  no one would have predicted a time so fast and indeed she dominated race without any trouble and her gap was increasing each kilometer arriving in 51st position overall.  

In 2h54.20 Judith Wyder (Swi) completed a terrific 1-2 for Swiss athletes and she went under the former course record as well.  After an exciting battle with Wyder, third place was Silvia Rampazzo (Ita) in 2h56.17,  the fastest italian female result on this legendary course. A sprint battle for fourth went to Ruth Croft (Nzl) who was just in front of Anais Sabrie (Fra).

As Douglas did in the mens competition, it was Sarah McCormack (Irl) who gained some more important points for her leadership in WMRA World Cup and her 13th place along with the DNF by Lucy Murigi due to injury could now give her a solid grip on the crystal World Cup trophy.

The next race round #6 for the World Cup is scheduled for the 14th of September at the majestic Drei Zinnen in Sexten, in the heart of the Italian Dolomiti.  If Sierre Zinal is one of the most iconic then Drei Zinnen is one of the most beautiful mountain race tracks.  The World Cup finals will be held at the historical Smarna Gora, in Slovenia, on October 12th.

Video emotions from: Ivano Bonetti:

Link to official race classification:  Race Results

See the current standings in the overall classification of the: World Cup

Photo Credit: Marco Gulberti

Remi Bonnet (Sui) leads Davide Magnini (Ita) up the first climb

Andrew Douglas continues his great form with 6th place and puts him in a commanding position in the World Cup

Elisa Desco (Ita) passes the check point at Chandolin at one third distance

Sarah McCormack (Irl) takes a stronger grip on the overall World Cup with her 13th position

Silvia Rampazzo (Ita) celebrates third place

Kilian Jornet (Esp) winner of 2019 Sierre Zinal

Ruth Croft (Nzl) took 4th place

Winner Maude Mathys (Sui)

Jim Walmsley (Usa) takes third

 

 Judith Wyder (Swi) 2nd

The World Mountain Running Association World Cup comes to a peak point of the season with the iconic Sierre-Zinal in Switzerland.

This year the Swiss race has assembled the best ever elite field in mountain running: something impossible to miss for lovers of offroad running. With such a field, organizers think that Jonathan Wyatt’s race record of 2h29.12 from 2003 could be really in danger.  Legendary six times Sierre-Zinal winner Kilian Jornet Burgada (Esp) will be the favourite but he is up against ultrarunner Jim Walmsley (Usa) who clocked last May the new World Record along 50miles.  Jim has good history in the shorter distance running so expect him to push Jornet hard even if it’s Jim’s first time racing it.

Petro Mamu (Eri), 2016 winner in Zinal and winner of the Thyon-Dixence last sunday could be a leading contender having sat out 2 years of competition.  Then Robbie Simpson (Gbr) and Robert Surum (Ken) respectively second and third in 2018 are back and will be pushing for higher places in 2019.  We should remember that Robert Surum has already set the best ever intermediate split between Hotel Weisshorn and the finish line!

By winning the Mont BlancMarathon in Chamonix in June, and Dolomyths Run in Canazei in July, Davide Magnini (Ita) will aim certainly for a podium in Zinal but this track will not suit his style given he is an expert over more technical terrain and Sierre-Zinal is known to be a very fast track.   Andrew Douglas (Gbr) the current leader of the WMRA World Cup will search for points in Zinal to try to ensure his leadership and he will again be faced by the Dematteis twins from Italy (Bernard and Martin) and Filmon Abraham (Eri) to improve positions in the World Cup ranking.

European champion Jacob Adkin (GBR) and silver medal Stian Aarvik (Nor ) will be among the other stars in a very deep Elite field.  Both are capable of winning races.  Here though they will be shooting for a top 5 place given the strength of the competition.

Turning to the Women’s field and while she has never won Sierre-Zinal, Mathys Maude (Swi) comes to try finally to add it to her resume and after winning the European Championships in Zermatt last June she can be considered the favourite. On her way she will meet defending World Champion and three times SZ winner Lucy Murigi (Ken) who has stated she will aim clearly for the course record belonging to Anna Pichrtova (Cze) in 2h54.26 (2008).  Let’s consider that the record from Anna is probably the stronger of the two open course records.  

Michelle Maier (Ger) 1st in 2016, Elisa Desco (Ita) 1st in 2011 and Simone Troxler (Sui) are also contenders top places in the women’s race.  Sarah McCormack (Irl) will be raing and ready to defend her leadership in the World Cup from a possible attack from Murigi who wants to regain points on irish athlete.  Sarah Tunstall (Gbr) won in Austria and she’s got experience on this track and in great form.  Another UK based runner to watch is Holly Page, coming back from injury then Silvia Rampazzo (Ita) and Ida Nilsson (Swe) are top runners that are capable of reaching a podium place.

The race joins two of the Worlds major Mountain Running competitions – the World Cup for Mountain Running and the Golden Trail Series and looking at previous Golden Trail winners we have to mention that Judith Wyder (Sui) winner of DolomythsRun and Ruth Croft (Nzl) winner of Mont Blanc Marathon will be strong.  Elianne Dvergsdal (Nor), ultra trail specialist Amandine Ferrato (Fra) and Ragna Debats (Ned) will complete the amazing women’s starting list for this edition of the “Course des cinq 4000”

The race features a peoples race with thousands of participants who also complete the same course, 31km and 2200m of ascent starting in the Valais town of Sierre and finishing at the Mountain town of Zinal.

Text: Corsa In Montagna, Photos: Justin Britton