Red Bull X Alps: Final Athletes Make Monaco After Two-Week Adventure Race

Published by Mountainblog on 07/17/2015.

It is over 12 days since a start gun fired in Salzburg, Austria on one of the world’s most exciting, demanding and epic adventure races. Today, at midday in Monaco, the clock finally stopped on the race.
Thirty two athletes from around the world ran out of the historic city on Sunday July 5. They have battled their way across the mountains of Europe to Monaco – flying over jagged peaks and passes, hiking and running along long and hot valleys and up steep mountain climbs.

They have endured extreme conditions, from thunderstorms and rain to strong headwinds that make flying difficult, from the cold of flying at high altitude to searing hot temperatures on the ground.

Of the 32 who set off, 19 made the magical finish, a landing float in the Mediterranean Sea. Ten athletes withdrew or were eliminated and just three were left in the race when it ended.

Christian Maurer (SUI1) won the race for the fourth time in 8d 4h 37m. Sebastian Huber (GER3) was second in 8d 23h 43m and Paul Guschlbauer was third in a time of 9d 5h 59m.

Says Race Mastermind Hannes Arch: “What the athletes have achieved is incredible. Despite the fast times, conditions were really tough this year. It shows just how professional the athletes are. They have demonstrated true courage, tenacity and skill but I have the biggest respect for their ability to act responsibly in extreme conditions.”

The ‘last hero home’ was Michael Witschi (SUI3) who finished shortly before the clock stopped at 12:00, exactly 11d 23h and 43m after setting off.

An hour earlier, Honza Rejmanek (USA1) made goal. It was a special moment for the American meteorologist. This was his fifth time competing in the Red Bull X-Alps and although he came third in 2009 this was the first time he made Monaco.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “It’s been a wild ride. It’s been the most intense, fast paced Red Bull X-Alps – it’s picked up speed year by year. It’s just incredible. It’s surreal. It’s amazing to be here finally. Making Monaco was more important to me than even that podium in 2009. Here we finally get to finish the race.”

Meanwhile, 140km to the north was the American ‘lone wolf’ adventurer Dave Turner. This morning he announced that his race was over – but he’d continue anyway to the sea. “I’m not giving up,” he posted online. “I will push on and make it to the sea on my own, just me and my ‘vol biv’ backpack once again. The adventure continues.”

Wish you could turn back the clock and relive the excitement? You can. Head over to redbullxalps.com to read our race reports, explore the athletes’ tracks, stats and more.

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