It’s third time round for the Matterhorn Ultraks 46K on Saturday, August 22. The magic mountain that gives its name to the race isn’t the only star of the show however. A Skyrunner® World Series race since its launch, the event attracts a deeply stacked field from around the world.
The women’s field is led by American Stevie Kremer, 2014 world champion for the combined title and race winner, back for more. Joining the hot competition is world champion for the Sky distance, Italian Elisa Desco, second here last year and another American, Megan Kimmel, surprise winner at the Dolomites SkyRace®.
The strong Spanish line-up includes: Maite Maiora, currently ranked third on the Skyrunner® World Series, Azara Garcia de Los Salmones and Paola Cabrerizo, respectively first and second at Zegama, Oihana Kortazar, Anna Comet Pascua, and Eva Maria Moreda. The ever-strong Stephanie Jimenez, Czech Anna Strakova five times winner and record holder at Sierre Zinal, Holland’s Ragna Debats, and Briton Natalie White. No less than seven out of the top ten ranked women will be racing here on Saturday.
The men’s field has among the favourites Italy’s Tadei Pivk, currently leading the ranking with two straight wins in Zegama and Dolomites. Heading for a third? Strong competition will come from Spain’s Manuel Merillas and Romanian Ionut Zinca, ranked second and third respectively; Briitain’s Tom Owens (ranked fifth); Aritz Egea (third here last year), Sintu Vives and Jessed Hernandez are among a strong Spanish contingent; Moroccan Hassan Ait Chaou and Norwegian Eirik Haugsnes.
Add to the mix, Tromsø SkyRace® winner, Londoner Jonathan Albon, an obstacle racing world champion who is seriously getting a taste for skyrunning – and excelling. The course here is less technical but fast, and runners will also have to deal with the altitude, which reaches 3,100 metres. Six out of the top ten ranked men will be racing. The records to beat? Kilian Jornet’s 2013 time of 4h43’05” and Stevie Kremer’s 2014 record of 5h18’43”.
The 46 km course, designed with the help of top runners, including Martin Anthamatten, race ambassador, takes on a tough 3,600m of ascent and descent. The famous Gornergrat observation station marks the highest point of the race at 3,100m altitude, overlooking the Grenz Glacier and Monte Rosa, Europe’s second highest summit. The entire course is overshadowed by the iconic Matterhorn peak. Lifts, trains and helicopters take spectators and supporters to the most spectacular view points to follow the race – an experience not to be missed.
Nearly 700 runners from 34 countries will be toeing the line in Zermatt Saturday.
Some 2,000 participants from 44 countries will participate overall in the weekend’s four events – a 30% increase on last year’s figures.
As sponsor of the Matterhorn Ultraks 46K and Official Watch of the 2015 Skyrunner® World Series and European Skyrunning Championships, an Alpina Horological Smartwatch will be awarded to the winners of the Alpina Sky Prize: the fastest man and woman on the “Alpina Triangle” segment, from Sunnegga to Riffelalp via the Gornergrat, will each receive a luxury horological smartwatch.
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INFO: Race website
