Sandes good and ready for the ‘CCC’ race
LEADING South African trail athlete Kane Reilly suffered in tough conditions in the second half of yesterday’s Ultra Trail Mont Blanc “OCC” 56km race in the French Alps, while Hout Bay’s ultra-distance star Ryan Sandes was putting the finishing touches to his preparation for this morning’s “CCC” 101km race, which links the Italian town of Courmayer, the Swiss resort of Champex-Lac and French city Chamonix.
The Ultra Trail Mont Blanc is the biggest trail running event in the world, boasting a series of top quality races around and in the vicinity of Europe’s tallest peaks in France, Italy and Switzerland.
While the 170km UTMB race on Saturday remains the blue riband event of the week, UTMB races over shorter distances have become almost as competitive, attracting many of the world’s leading athletes.
Reilly made a brave attempt to compete with the world’s best but paid a heavy price for his fast start from the Swiss town of Osieres, falling back through the field after running with the early leaders, struggling on the climbs to 2000m peaks in driving rain, and eventually finishing 33rd in six hours, sevens minutes and six seconds.
“It was a good experience and I really enjoyed it,” said Reilly. “After a season where my body has responded to anything I asked of it, it didn’t quite turn up today. I felt good at the start – it did not feel too fast, but then it suddenly hit me and I was struggling on the climbs.
“I decided relatively early to rather ease back and ensure I finished the race rather than to keep a competitive pace which could have ended in disaster. So I relaxed, hiked a few of the sections and had more time at the aid stations. I would have liked to have finished higher up in the field, but the experience was great for the future.”
Victory in the Western States 100 miler in the US in June has re-established Sandes as a world ultra-trail leader, emerging in triumph following a tough period of illness and injury.
Returning this week to Chamonix, where he was forced to retire early in last year’s 170km UTMB, Sandes has opted for the “CCC” this time around. The 101km race is better suited to his racing strategy for the year, but he is nonetheless serious in racing for a podium position and the significant ranking points on offer.
“The CCC used to be regarded as a soft option to the UTMB but has become far more competitive over the years. Now it is one of the highest ranked events in terms of ranking points so attracts top fields,” Sandes said.
“Although I could have done with another 3- 4 weeks’ training preparation, I’m feeling good and ready to race. Following the Western States I rested for some weeks then travelled back to the States to join the Salomon team in a training camp, which included taking part in a ‘Pack Burro’ race (47km) in Colorado, where each runner has to have a donkey in tow!
“Having to adapt again to the jet-lag probably cost me some training but I’m feeling good and looking forward to Friday’s race. It’s one of my favourite places for trail racing and has a proud legacy.”
Fellow Salomon athlete, Briton Tom Owens, and topranked ITRA athlete in the field, American Hayden Hawks, could prove Sandes’ toughest competitors, while last year’s winner of the UTMB 170km, veteran Ludwig Pomeret, will likely come through strongly in the latter stages, especially if the weather conditions are tough.
Tomorrow’s 100 miler looks certain to be a classic, with the return of Spanish mountain super-star Kilian Jornet. His contest with talented younger Americans Jim Walmsley and Zach Miller has been the biggest talking point in Chamonix this week, while 43-year-old French school teacher Caroline Chaverot is favoured to defend her title in the women’s competition.
Sandes’ best performances have come in warm to hot conditions and with temperatures at Chamonix continuing to plummet and more rain forecast, he could find the going tough.