I’ve read and taken part in a few conversations over the last month or so all loosely related in some way to the standard of trail running. What’s elite? What’s not? What are championships or series and what does that all mean? I got cranky at times, I ran and ruminated and thought that putting it down on paper and showing how laughable some of the claims are would make me feel better. That expanded to something somewhat larger than would be appropriate for a BCR post.

So Part 1 will just list a long string of organisations and events that claim some sort of “World” status with what I believe are varying degrees of validity. These are events that we as trail, road, and ultra-runners all have some association with. Part 2 will look more closely at home and Athletics New Zealand and their role or potential role in trail running etc.

For me, a World Championship is an event that attracts the best athletes in that particular discipline each and every time they are held. The participants may not be perceived as the best athletes ever, but the simple fact is they are the best athletes in their chosen discipline. It’s a different argument to say that XYZ would win if they ran. A) They didn’t and B) they might not. There is no better example of that than Mo Farah the Olympic 5000m and 10,000m Champion. He was relatively useless when he stepped up to run a marathon.

Jonathan Wyatt winning the 2005 World Mountain running title in Wellingtion.

The IAU – International Ultra Runners Association
The IAU have a long(ish) history of 24hr and 100km World Championships that attract the highest quality athletes competing at those disciplines. The best performances in any given year are often associated with those events. NZ has managed a couple of individual Silvers at the 100k and the Aussie has bagged a Bronze in the 24 hour. Both events have the backing of the IAAF. However it’s my opinion that the IAU have lost focus by trying to get into the trail running side of athletics. This has been to the detriment of the 100k and 24hr. The biannual Trail World Championships are farcical in their depth when compared to the other two events. It is beyond a joke for them to consider that the best trail runners from around the world are taking part. Yes, some do, but the overall standard is abysmal.

WMRA – The World Mountain Running Association are also backed by the IAAF and have held 29 annual championships to date, alternating between and up/down and an up only course. Since 2004 they have also run a Long Course (marathon distance) event that is usually attached to other classic events like the Jungfrau or Pikes Peak. The events are not a free for all and nations select teams usually based on their own mountain running championships. They also have a World Series which is more of a European based event and caters for the shorter distance. They know their niche/market and they are sticking to it (even if they have thrown the occasional tantrum). They tend to be a good crossover between the more traditional track and cross-country athletes. The notable standout from our point of view is the 6x World Champion and Olympian Jono Wyatt.

Sky Running Federation – Sky Running has its origins in the early 90’s and running up and down mountains for FKT (Fastest Known Times) this merged into actual racing and they have largely stuck to their knitting of altitude, difficulty and distance. Although they’ve successfully integrated the vertical K into their program, and have relaxed their criteria somewhat to allow other nations to hold sanctioned Sky Running Events. Most notably for the very successful Buffalo Stampede. Their biggest success has been their annual World Series.

Anna Frost finishing 2nd at the 2014 Ultra Sky Running World Champs.

Where they are falling down though is their World Championships. This years’ event was held on the same weekend as The Western States 100 mile and the Lavaredo Trail 100+km event. So it was no surprise at all to see 3 Aussie blokes finish in the top 10 in Chamonix with Anna Frost on the women’s podium and Ruby Muir running well for a podium before altitude got her. With a Kiwi in the top 10 at Lavaredo and another Australian in the top 10 at Western States, that’s the standard we’ve to come expect from watching races like TNF100 Australia, TNF50 San Francisco, Tarawera.

My biggest issue is that they have a Marathon the very next day, effectively splitting the depth of field in two. The timing as noted above meant there was in fact 4 high profile races on the same weekend, all of similar standard. It also means that there are TWO marathon length trail runs having World Championship status.

UTWT – Ultra Trail World Tour. I’m still not sure what to make of this, for New Zealand and Tarawera it’s a fantastic and I have no doubt helps bring in talent and vast qualities of money to the country. Beyond that it just seems to be a small pool of athletes getting paid to fly around to races and is in direct competition to Sky Running. So we have two World Series going head to head so what does winning one of them mean?

Now we get into what I think are the joke races and championships.

UROC – Ultra Race of Champions, “The Ultra Running World Championship”. That is the strap line on their webpage. It is a race born out of the frustration of a few people who couldn’t get into Hardrock or Western States and wanted to race each other for some money. Some of the best do turn up (especially when it have Sky Running Status and Salomon flew their team out there), but self-proclaimed world championship status. You have got to be kidding.

XTerra – Yes they too have a self-proclaimed World Championships that is really just a group of Americans trying to use the Ironman Model to make money from trail running. At the last year’s championship, from 850 odd finishers there were 3 Kiwis, 15 Australians, 1 German, 1 Argentinian and 5 from Japan. With awards for 5 years age groups (aka. Triathlon), everyone goes home a world champion.

Badwater – you guessed it, they also claim to be the world championship. From this year’s website, “Scheduled for July 21-23, the new and improved 135-Mile World Championship….” I don’t really have anything more to say about such a ridiculous statement for a closed entry private event.

So what’s the point? It’s clear to me that in recent years there has been a proliferation of groups trying to make money out of trail running (and running in general) by claiming some sort of world status. The IAU and WMRA have long established histories and conduct well run championships with the best athletes in those disciplines. Beyond that, trail runners seem to go and run the events they and their friends want to go and do. Championships for trail running don’t seem to be working.

We caught up with Ruby and James ahead of this weekend races. Ruby will be doing the 80km Sky Ultra on Friday, while James tackles the Mount Blance Marathon on Sunday.

• You have both had a bit of time out from major trail running races here in NZ over the summer- what have you guys been up too?

Ruby checking out the French Alps. Photo: Blake Hose

RM- Mainly rolling around on a foam roller, and an evil little ball. Going to work and feeling sorry for myself. Was recovering from a stress fracture and after that found my back was dysfunctional and it was a long journey back from there.

JK- I devoted 2013 to my chiropractic studies, and CADENCE coaching, and put any ideas of competition on hold for twelve months. I graduated as a chiropractor at the end of 2013 and have spent the early part of 2014 building my fitness.

• With this time out, this is a “come back” race of sorts- how are you feeling about our first big race back?

RM- I am really happy to be running again, especially in such a mind blowing place. To be honest I haven’t been able to do anywhere near the preparation I’d like, but I am thinking of it in a positive way; I am very fresh.

JK- It is great to be back training, and I am excited about getting to Chamonix and mixing it with the best that Europe has to offer.

• How has the build up been? How have you prepared for such an under taking?

RM- I have been having to train a bit smarter then usual as I haven’t been able to put in anywhere near the milage I am used to. I have been doing a more conventional road runners training, keeping my easy days real easy. Racing some short fast Harrier races in the weekends and doing a fartleck and a hill rep or track session each week. I managed to get two longish runs in the mountains which were a good confidence booster. I think I am really only hitting around 100km a week tops as I am still quiet near the beginning of my journey back.

JK- My progression over the last three months has been exactly as I had hoped. I have, and continue to work hard on my technique, flexibility and mobility in order to keep my body functioning the way that I need it to. When I sat first discussed the plan with the CADENCE Coaching team, we identified that it was important to put myself into tactical situations due to my lack of racing in recent times. So, I have raced a lot (by my standards) generally on tired legs. I put the finishing touches on my preparation last week with a week staying and training out of Snowline Ski Club on Mt. Ruapehu.

• You have both compete in championship events before (James Commonwealth Ultra, Ruby World Mt Running), but have either of you raced in France or a Sky Running Event before?

James racing the Commonwealth Ultra Champs in Wales.

RM- When I went to the Mountain Running Champs I also ran Drie Zinnen in the Dolomites in Italy. This is my first time in France and my first Sky Running race.

JK- This will be my first time racing in France, and my first Sky Running event

• Ruby I know you are now in Chamonix- first impressions? James?

RM- Chamonix is awesome, a beautiful tourist town with lots if tempting french treats and expensive things to spend money on. everyone here looks fit. The mountains and trails are so close to town and good fun running. I am already certain the Kristian and I will be heading back here, hopefully in the not too distant future.

JK- I think I one of the last of the Australia/New Zealand team to arrive in Chamonix. I will be arriving in Chamonix on Thursday.

• What are your expectations for the Sky Running World Champs?

RM- I don’t really know what to expect, sometimes I believe I will do quite well, others I am preparing myself for a schooling. I guess I will back myself to say I believe I have the potential to do well at these events, and even win them but I don’t know that this is the time. There are the top runners here with much more experience than me.

JK- It is hard to know what to expect from Sunday’s race. If nothing else it will give me a great benchmark to work from as my fitness and speed continue to develop over the coming months and years.

• Post Sky Running World Champs- will you be doing any other races in Europe?

RM- I am heading home the monday after my race. I would love to but have work and more importantly a beloved at home. The original reason I signed up to this was I was given an extension until the end of June to get a 3 point race in for UTMB, and this was the last race in June. I am not sure about UTMB though, I don’t really have the money to come back again. More so I am pretty sure I can’t bring myself to leave KDay back home again, UTMB is on his birthday and it seems pretty cruel.

JK- After Chamonix, my partner and I are planning to follow the Tour de France. I don’t have any other races planned, though if an opportunity presents itself we shall see.

• What do you have planned for the upcoming summer in NZ- where can we expect to see you race next and what are your major goals for 2015?

RM- If things go well my next plan is Kepler, going to give that record a shot. Beyond that I haven’t laid any plans. Running is a fickle mistress and I am not confident enough to plan that far ahead.

JK- I haven’t set any major goals beyond the Mont Blanc Marathon, though Total Sport’s new Coastal Challenge Series looks like it has my name written all over it.  Also, A big thank you to CADENCE Coaching, Barefoot Inc, Total Sport & Out Wear NZ for their continued support.

Helen and Lara leading the woman’s race

The women started off at 10am and pre race favourites Lara Prince and Helen Gillespie shot to the front of the pack. Gillespie, having done the Coast to Coast a week earlier, fell off the pace and Lara Prince was the first to summit Avalanche Peak. By the Waimakariri Prince had established the expected lead that she held to the finish, while Rose Pearson moved into 2nd place and Gillespie 3rd- which is how they finished.

The men, starting 30mins later, were lead off by defending champ Tane Cambridge, with 2010 winner Grant Guise right behind. Guise was quickly dropped and passed by UK fell runner Rhys Findlay-Robinson, who stormed up the 1100 meter scramble of Avalanche Peak to claim the “King of the Mountain” title in 50mins. Cambridge was next over the top, with adventure racing world champ Chris Forne on the hunt in 3rd. At the top of the scree slope into the Crow Cambridge reclaimed the lead, while Forne moved into 2nd down the Crow. Down the Waimakariri Forne was within 1 min of Cambridge, but that was how it stayed, with Tane Cambridge winning his 2nd Avalanche Peak title in 2hrs28min12sec, just 47sec ahead of Chris Forne! Grant Guise recovered somewhat, passing a fading Rhys Findlay-Robinson, who had gotten off course down the Crow- such is the nature of the APC.

A solid numbers of runners and “trampers” lined up in what is a unique and extremely mountainous race by New Zealand standards. While it wasn’t the turnout of over 300 that the event has experienced in the past, numbers were up on the previous 2 years. While “Sky Running” has been very popular in Europe for years and is currently gaining traction with new events and series’ being added, this style of race seems to be fading here in New Zealand. Avalanche Peak has to be the closest we have to a “Sky Race” here in New Zealand and I certainly hope the steep climbing, technical running and truly hardy mountain runners keep turning out to support this great event.

Anna winning transvulcania back in May

Sky Runner Experiences in La Palma, Less Cloud. More Sky Conference, Zegama by Anna Frost.

Way back in May the first race in the 2012 Sky Runner series, TransVulcania, took place and a week later the 2nd race in Zegama was held. Between the 2 races the Sky Running Federation held the Less Cloud, More Sky Conference. We caught up with kiwi Anna Frost, who won the TransVulcania to she what she thought about the conference and how NZ fitted into things.  Apologies for taking so long to get this out, but we do feel it is still very relevant.

BCR- What did you learn at the Less Cloud, More Sky Conference Anna?
AF- We discussed the direction of SkyRunning in general. Where it started, what
was happening now and where we would like it to go. As a group of International
representatives we decided that we would rather our sport didn’t get involved as an Olympic
sport. That by doing this we would reach into political unrest and financial problems,
including national selection/representation and also the inevitable – drugs in sports.

BCR- How does that all relate back to NZ?
AF-It lays a platform and guidance for NZ to follow and to be guided by in our involvement and
development in the association.

BCR- Where you think/see NZ fitting into the sky running scene?
AF- NZ has a perfect environment and culture to be involved in SkyRunning. Obviously
the financial pressure for athletes to travel to NZ is always going to be a contributing
factor, but I think tourism NZ and local authorities would be more than accepting to
have international exposure from top athletes from around the world coming to race and
experience NZ. i.e. Anton Krupicka coming to Tarawera100.

BCR- What NZ can learn and what we can apply to races here?
AF- The culture, support and spirit of the athletes, their family and friends, the supporters and
all the communities around are essential for an event to ‘feel’ right. It takes a lot of passion
and endless hours given.

BCR- What do our runners and race organisers need to do to keep up with what everyone else is
doing?
AF- Keep in touch with European races, send organisers or athletes to these events to
represent and to ‘feel’ the spirit. Then do what you can with what you have to create an
exciting and different event.