The World Sky Running Championships was held last weekend in Chamonix, France. Kilian Jornet, Saul Padua, Jono Wyatt, Anna Frost and Emelie Forsberg were some of the big names on show. There were 3 world titles up for grabs; 80km Ultra, Marathon Skyrace and the Vertical Kilometre. I was to compete in the vertical km.
For those who don't know what a vertical kilometre is, it's a race less than 5km in distance but with a minimum of 1000m of accent. This race is 3.7km in length with 1000m of vertical gain. We start in the centre of Chamonix before running up the road to the cable car station. We skirt around and follow a track for about 150m before taking a left on a narrow track. This then zigzags all the way up to the top cable car station. At about 700m the track becomes very technical, with via ferrata ( Cables and ladders ) which is why the sticks are banned on this course. Upon reaching the station we run around the outside and the finish kicks up 150m up the track.
The crowds on the course are Amazing! The atmosphere is incredible with hundreds of spectators lining the course, shouting, screaming, ringing cow bells. I set off at a fairly quick pace. I wanted to get into a rhythm that I could sustain for the majority of the race. I rounded the bottom station and made my way up onto the narrow track. My heart was coming out of my chest but my legs felt ok. I like to get my head down on this part and just concentrate on doing one zigzag at a time. I felt to be running well and my time at 500m confirmed that. You get scanned at 500m I presume so no body can cheat and go up in the cable car, but also so spectators can follow the live tracking. My time at 500m was 19.30. This gave me and extra boost as I knew I was on for a good time so I kept my rhythm up to 650m.
At this point the tracks becomes a lot more uneven. Sharp rises and rocks mean that it's incredibly difficult to run. Coupled with the via ferrata and it become impossible. From then it become a case of how fast can you walk. This was when I started to struggle. My walking isn't as good as it used to be, probably because I don't walk as much any more. I lost a lot of time on this section. I knew the time was slipping away but I couldn't do anything about it. When I reached the summit there were huge crowds. A final push to the line and the times come up on the big screen at the finish. I ran 44:17. I was disappointed as I could only manage 7th in the Espoirs Category ( U23 ). I was hoping for a podium. However upon reflection I have concluded that it wasn't as bad as first thought. I ran a lot more than last year and I was a lot quicker to 650m, I just lost it on the top section through walking which hopefully I can improve. I still have another 3 years in my age category so I have a few more chances.
Kilian Jornet won the Vertical Km and then went on to win the Marathon on the Sunday. Luis Alberto Hernando won the 80km with Emelie taking the women's title from Anna Frost. The races are extremely popular and really well supported by the locals, the atmosphere is incredible and I will defiantly be back next year.
For those who don't know what a vertical kilometre is, it's a race less than 5km in distance but with a minimum of 1000m of accent. This race is 3.7km in length with 1000m of vertical gain. We start in the centre of Chamonix before running up the road to the cable car station. We skirt around and follow a track for about 150m before taking a left on a narrow track. This then zigzags all the way up to the top cable car station. At about 700m the track becomes very technical, with via ferrata ( Cables and ladders ) which is why the sticks are banned on this course. Upon reaching the station we run around the outside and the finish kicks up 150m up the track.
The crowds on the course are Amazing! The atmosphere is incredible with hundreds of spectators lining the course, shouting, screaming, ringing cow bells. I set off at a fairly quick pace. I wanted to get into a rhythm that I could sustain for the majority of the race. I rounded the bottom station and made my way up onto the narrow track. My heart was coming out of my chest but my legs felt ok. I like to get my head down on this part and just concentrate on doing one zigzag at a time. I felt to be running well and my time at 500m confirmed that. You get scanned at 500m I presume so no body can cheat and go up in the cable car, but also so spectators can follow the live tracking. My time at 500m was 19.30. This gave me and extra boost as I knew I was on for a good time so I kept my rhythm up to 650m.
At this point the tracks becomes a lot more uneven. Sharp rises and rocks mean that it's incredibly difficult to run. Coupled with the via ferrata and it become impossible. From then it become a case of how fast can you walk. This was when I started to struggle. My walking isn't as good as it used to be, probably because I don't walk as much any more. I lost a lot of time on this section. I knew the time was slipping away but I couldn't do anything about it. When I reached the summit there were huge crowds. A final push to the line and the times come up on the big screen at the finish. I ran 44:17. I was disappointed as I could only manage 7th in the Espoirs Category ( U23 ). I was hoping for a podium. However upon reflection I have concluded that it wasn't as bad as first thought. I ran a lot more than last year and I was a lot quicker to 650m, I just lost it on the top section through walking which hopefully I can improve. I still have another 3 years in my age category so I have a few more chances.
Kilian Jornet won the Vertical Km and then went on to win the Marathon on the Sunday. Luis Alberto Hernando won the 80km with Emelie taking the women's title from Anna Frost. The races are extremely popular and really well supported by the locals, the atmosphere is incredible and I will defiantly be back next year.