Ultra Trail Tour du Mont Blanc 2006 : The year of all records

Submitted by admin1 on Mon, 10/09/2006 - 03:29

A really fine victory for Marco Olmo who had already finished 3rd last year « I suffered a lot last year, I tried not to think about it. The conditions were optimum for me this year, it was much cooler. I am surprised by my victory, I am very happy » He joined Vincent Delebarre at Champex and from then on gained a strong lead which he would maintain until the Finish.

In second position on the podium, a less well-known trailer, the Hungarian Csaba Nemeth, also held his position until the end : « The night has been very cold, the freezing water made my throat sore, everything was freezing, the water, the food, then at sunrise, everything became very hot. It was tough. » This 38-year-old family man, originating from a little village to the east of Budapest, lives out his love of the open air. He does everything. He adores the mountains and trains in the mountains near his home. He came 5th during the 2004 edition.

In third position, Vincent Delebarre is pleased to have finished this year. In the lead until Champex, he then had to stop several times to recover. « I think I was lacking a few weeks of preparation. This year, right from the Start I wasn’t feeling well and my legs were hurting. In a career, it’s rare to complete two fine races. In THE ideal race, right along the course, it’s only pleasure. I lived that in 2003. This year, without the support of my friends and family, I would without doubt have retired. »

Disappointment for Christophe Jaquerod, last year’s winner who had to retire at Courmayeur.

For the Women, Karine Herry, of the Lafuma team also broke the record by completing the tour in 25 hours 22 minutes and 20 seconds. Starting as favourite, she ran a magnificent race and despite pounding rain, it was with a smile on her face that she crossed the Finish. « I have suffered a lot from the cold and from the three final hours of the race in the rain. I think that in normal conditions if a woman could go below the 24 hours, it will be me or another. » Simone Kayser (LUX) followed her over the Finish Line, 1 hour later. Finally Patricia Signorio (FRA) finished in third place.

The platoon – 90% of the runners – had to face the arrival of rain towards the end of Saturday and for most of them a second night of racing punctuated by a storm and a tempest. The cold and physical and mental fatigue would unfortunately be endured by a large number of them.

With 3,588 starters, 48 nationalities of which 192 women, the North Face Ultra Trail du Tour du Mont Blanc will remain the edition with all the superlatives : 2,535 race numbers (158 km), 1053 with 854 arrivals in Chamonix (86km), 48 nationalities coming from 5 continents, plus 800 volunteers.

An spectacular success for this 2006 edition, which from now on is positioned among the greatest long-distance races in the world. This year, 7000 people wanted to register but the organisation decided to limit the number of participants to 3,500 runners. (2,500 on the 158km and 1,000 on the 86km). This was a colossal gathering, an exceptional cast who found themselves around the mythical Mont-Blanc. Arriving from all corners of the Earth (not only from the mountains), the runners had one objective : to finish the race.

The North Face Ultra Trail du Tour du Mont Blanc has again confirmed its reputation as an out-of-the-ordinary race. Once more, it will have brought together lovers of the mountains, of cross-country running, of effort and of taking part. Many emotions and an always impressive sporting result…There is already a rendez-vous for next year.

RESULTS 2006 (MEN/OVERALL) 1. OLMO Marco (ITA) 21.06.06 2. NEMETH Csaba (HUN) 21.37.32 3. DELEBARRE Vincent (FRA) 21.59.29 4. LUKAS Jens (GER) 22.15.15 5. MILLET Guillame (FRA) 22.54.11 6. GRIVEL Stephane (FRA) 23.25.06 7. STAUB Vincent (SUI) 23.26.38 8. MERMOUD Nicolas (FRA) 23.40.36 9. OULEDI Wilfrid (FRA) 23.42.56 10. LLONCH CASASAMPERA Enric (ESP) 23.53.02 RESULTS 2006 (WOMEN) 1. HERRY Karine (FRA) 25.22.20 (25 overall) 2. KAYSER Simone (LUX) 26.05.58 (36 overall) 3. SIGNORIO Patricia (FRA) 27.45.51 (67 overall)

For more visit UTMB website at www.ultratrailmb.com