Race report: The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® 2013 - August 26 to September 1, 2013
The North Face® athletes took several top ten placements, including an incredible first place for Rory Bosio (USA) at the 11th edition of The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®, .
This year’s The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc® (UTMB®) will stand out from the many that have been, and maybe even those to come. Not only because it’s been the first one in three years that hasn’t been pestered by bad weather or course shortenings – perfectly blue skies blessed this year’s event – but also because of the record-breaking performances by the winners Xavier Thevenard’s (FRA) and Rory Bosio’s (USA). Both bettered the respective men’s and women’s records!
Photo: The crowd appreciate Rory Bosio's record performance © Alo Belluscio/The North Face®
American Rory Bosio made The North Face® UTMB® history by being the first woman to break into the men’s top 10 in 11 editions of the race. With her seventh place overall and first in the women category in 22h:37m:26s, Rory Bosio smashed the previous record of Krissy Moehl (USA) by more than two hours.
Five times winner of The North Face® Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc®, Lizzy Hawker, currently recovering from injury was on the course to cheer the runners on. She commented: “So proud of my The North Face® team mate Rory for her inspirational and beautiful run. Rory has achieved what I have always believed was possible for a woman within the race of the UTMB!”
Speaking of her second UTMB® experience, 29-year-old Rory Bosio explained, "It was a butt kicker, but I had a lucky day. I felt really good, and we had really nice conditions. Beating the course record is just the cherry on top of the sundae."
In the men’s division, 25-year-old Frenchman Xavier Thevenard took first place with an impressive record time of 20h:34m:57s, beating Kilian Jornet’s course record by over a minute. Xavier was joined on the podium by the two Spaniards, Miguel Heras and Javier Dominguez, who came second and third.
The North Face® American athletes, Timothy Olson and Mike Foote finished in notable fourth and fifth positions respectively at a time of 21h:38m:23s and 21h:53m:19s. 2012 & 2013 Western States 100 champion,Timothy Olson shares: "It was fun at first, but then it just hurt. I was definitely feeling broken out there more than once."
Fellow countryman Mike Foote explained: "It is so nice to run in the daylight. I'm always inspired by the people on the trail cheering you on, even in the middle of the night. The culture of the mountains is the reason why I come back every year." Foote returned for UTMB 2013 after being the highest-placed American coming in third position on the 2012 course.
The North Face® athlete Jez Bragg (UK), 2010 The North Face® UTMB® winner achieved a merited 10th place in the Men’s Category with a time of 23h:45m:41s. It was Bragg’s first race since his Te Araroa expedition, crossing New Zealand North to South in 3000km and 53 days. Brazilian team mate, Manuela Vilaseca crossed the finish line at 30h:17m:02s for a significant 8th place.
Unfortunately, having been at the head of the pack during the start of the race, The North Face® athletes Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA), Mike Wolfe (USA), Helen Cospolich (UK) and Zigor Iturrieta (ESP) had to pull out and abandon the race due to various physical impediments.
Photos, clockwise, l-r: Women's winner Rory Bosio, Emma Roca Rodriguez(3rd) and Nuria Picas Albets (2nd). Winner Xavier Thevenard at the start, Timothy Olson (4th) and Mike Foote (5th) © Pete Aylward
The North Face® ultra-running Team includes Jez Bragg, Sébastien Chaigneau, Zigor Iturrieta, Lizzy Hawker, Helen Cospolich, Fernanda Maciel, Thimothy Olson, Mike Foote, Mike Wolfe, Dean Karnazes, Hal Koerner, Michael Wardian, Rory Bosio, Nikki Kimball, Kami Semick, Diane Van Deren, Manuela Vilaseca, Xing Ruling, Tsuyoshi Kaburaki, Hiroaki Matsunaga, Yun Yanqiao and Minehiro Yokoyama.
THE NORTH FACE® UTMB® - 168 km – 9600 D+
2469 participants / 223 women / 1686 finishers
The North Face® UTMB®: Men’s Category
1. Xavier Thévenard – FRA – 20h:34m:57s
2. Miguel Angel Heras Hernandez – ESP – 20h:54m:08s
3. Javier Dominguez Ledo – ESP – 21h:17m:38s
The North Face® UTMB®: Women’s Category
1. Rory Bosio – USA – 22h:37m:26s
2. Nuria Picas Albets – ESP – 24h:32m:20s
3. Emma Roca Rodriguez – ESP – 24h:48m:14s
Click here for results from the 2013 The North Face® Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc®, including all GBR runners!
For further information on The North Face® ultra running athletes, race highlights, trail-running products and upcoming ultra-running events click:
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