Tag: Zumaia Flysch

The runners woke to rainy conditions in Zumaia, ready to take on a course with softer conditions underfoot than we’re used to in the World Cup! Zumaia Flysch was the venue for stage 14 and 15 of this year’s competition, with the 42k race going off first at 7.30am, then the 22k race at 8.30am.

The runners tackling the marathon distance set off in the dark in a drizzly square in Zumaia. The start line included Charlotte Morgan (GBR), who has had a fantastic World Cup this year with wins at Canfranc Marathon and Tatra Race Run. But it was expected to be a tough battle with Oihana Kortazar (ESP), who won Canfranc Marathon last year. In the men’s race the stand-out runner was Raul Criado (ESP), who has also been on the podium at several World Cup events this year, but he faced a tough field of Spanish runners, including many locals from the Basque Country.

In the early stages of the women’s race it was Kortazar leading Morgan by a short distance. But at around the halfway point Morgan caught Kortazar and then slowly began to pull away throughout the second half. Morgan won in 5.18.30, with Kortazar second in 5.26.25. There was a big gap back to third placed Belen Perez (ESP) who finished in 6.29.55.

In the men’s race there was a clear leader from the start and that was Criado (in header picture above). He proceeded to stretch that lead further and further over the course of the race and the almost 3000m of elevation. The field of talented Spanish runners chased Criado but he was to prove too strong. Criado won in 4.35.16 with a big gap back to Ismail Razga (ESP) in second in 4.59.25. Igon Mancisidor (ESP) was third in 5.03.22.

Full results for the marathon at: http://www.kronoak.com/live/2021/flyschzumaia42k/

Conditions were still damp when the 22k classic distance runners set off. By now there was a fair bit of mud on the course, which added to the considerable challenge of a lot of uphill and downhill along the coastal route. Many of the athletes toeing the line were lying in the top 10 World Cup rankings, including Joyce Njeru (KEN), Lucy Murigi (KEN), Alice Gaggi (ITA), Geoffrey Ndungu (KEN) and Sandor Szabo (HUN).

In the women’s race it was Njeru and Murigi who set the early pace, and indeed were neck and neck for much of the race as they battled the conditions. Eventually it was Njeru who came out on top, taking another World Cup victory, hot on the heels of Trofeo Ciolo, but it was close. Njeru won in 1.41.32 with Murigi less than a minute behind in 1.42.14. Gaggi who came through for third place in 1.49.18.

In the men’s race Ndungu and Szabo led from the front. Like Njeru and Murigi they worked with each other in the early stages tried to make a break from the chasing pack. Ndungu gradually pulled away and took the win in 1.36.48 but Szabo was right behind him in 1.37.13. Amets Aramberri (ESP) was also close behind in third in 1.37.59.

Full results for the 22k at: http://www.kronoak.com/live/2021/flyschzumaia21k/

2021 has been a year of firsts for the World Cup. Not only did it visit Poland for the first time – twice, at Tatra Race Run and Tatra Skymarathon – but it also ventured into Spain for the first time. After a hugely successful Canfranc-Canfranc in mid-September we’re heading back to Spain for Zumaia-Flysch this weekend (3^rd October).

Zumaia-Flysch takes place in Gipuzkoa Province in the Basque Country in Northern Spain, near San Sebastian. This area is a UNESCO Global Geopark, so it’s important from a natural and cultural perspective. It’s an incredibly beautiful area sandwiched between the mountains and the sea.

As you’d expect for an area of natural heritage, the organisers of this race take their commitment to sustainability very seriously. This year they are trying to secure Europarc Certification for Care for the Environment and they are impressing upon runners the importance of leaving no trace, respecting the paths and using public transport where possible, among many other initiatives.

The event is the setting for stages 14 and 15 of this year’s World Cup. The first race is 42.8k and it’s our next (and final) long mountain race. One hour later it’s our next (and final) classic mountain race with the 22k.

42k race

The marathon distance race should provide a tough final test for the runners who favour the long courses. While it tops out at a modest 613m, the constant ups and downs over the route add up to a huge total of 2916m of elevation. 

Charlotte Morgan (GBR), currently lying 2^nd in the World Cup rankings, just 5 points behind Joyce Njeru (KEN), will be on the start line of the long race. With a decisive win at Canfranc-Canfranc a few weeks ago and a win at Tatra Race Run at the start of the World Cup, Morgan must be a favourite here. But she will face tough competition from Oihana Kortazar (ESP) who will also be hotly tipped having won Canfranc-Canfranc marathon in 2020 and finished 3^rd in Olla de Nuria and the Spanish Mountain Running Championships this year.

Raul Criado (ESP) will go in the men’s race. Just a few weeks ago he doubled up at Canfranc-Canfranc, coming 6^th in the short race and 3^rd in the marathon race. He also finished 3^rd at Tatra Race Run and he’s current lying 5^th in the World Cup standings. But he will face a tough field of Basque athletes and strong international runners.

22k race

The 22k classic mountain race looks like it will be a fast affair. It has 850m of ascent in total but the highest point is just 210m and it hugs the stunning coastline, so the shorter, runnable ascents may suit the runners with more speed. And there will certainly be a lot of faster runners on the start line.

For the women we’ll be seeing Joyce Njeru (KEN), our current World Cup leader, straight from her win at Trofeo Ciolo last weekend. Njeru is having an incredible year, having also won at Grossglockner and Krkonossky as well. We may also see a repeat of last weekend’s Trofeo Ciolo, where Njeru and Lucy Murigi (KEN) battled right to the end for victory as Murigi, currently 4^th in our World Cup standings, will also be on the start line. With a win at La Montee du Nid d’Aigle and a 3^rd place at Grossglockner Murigi is bound to be in contention. Other athletes expected to feature include Alice Gaggi (ITA), fresh from a 3^rd place at Trofeo Ciolo and a string of solid results leading to a 3^rd place ranking in the World Cup at the moment, Nadege Servant (FRA), who finished 3^rd at Canfranc-Canfranc, and Kitti Posztos (HUN).

The men’s race should also be very exciting. Petro Mamu (ERI) was our men’s winner at Trofeo Ciolo and at Trofeo Nasego a few weeks ago and he is currently lying 4^th in the World Cup rankings. Geoffrey Ndungu (KEN) has also been having a very good World Cup this year, with a win at Krkonossky and a 2^nd place at Trofeo Ciolo, as well as 4^th places at Trofeo Nasego and Grossglockner. He is currently lying 3^rd in the World Cup ranking. Sandor Szabo (HUN) has also had a great run of results in this year’s competition, including a 2^nd place at Canfranc-Canfranc and top 10s at Trofeo Ciolo and Krkonossky. This consistency has led him to be ranked 2^nd in the World Cup so far this year.

Useful information

Live streaming available at youtube.com/moxigeno from 7.15am on Sunday October 3

42k race starts at 7.30am local time

22k race starts at 8.30am local time

Race website: https://zumaiaflyschtrail.eus/

Video content available at: https://zumaiaflyschtrail.eus/bideoak/