Interview: We speak to Holly Rush after the 2015 ‘ASICS Beat the Sun’ challenge
On Sunday 21 June 2015, five continental relay teams featuring expert and amateur runners battled it out in an action-packed running relay race around Mont Blanc, ASICS Beat the Sun.
ASICS Beat the Sun is a celebration of running, global sporting cultures and team comradery and features runners from 17 different nationalities and inspirational athletes from around the world.
The teams featured three expert and three amateur runners, with each athlete running at least two sections in the 13 section course.
The UK expert Holly Rush and her amateur team mate Charlotte Love both turned in strong performances to keep Team Northern Europe in contention during the first half of the race, but the sun alluded them as the day progressed.
We asked Holly Rush a few questions after the event:
What was the highlight of your weekend?
Running the last 500m with the rest of my team; it was 11pm, dark and everyone was still out in town ringing cowbells as we ran, holding hands, through the finish line. I was super proud of them all, it had been a long old day with highs and lows but we were safe and sound!
What was your darkest moment?
When Christian got lost in the mountains and we weren't sure when he would get in, the GPS went down a few times so it was hard to know how far we had dropped behind.
How did the team work together?
The team was amazing, although we were all from different running backgrounds, each of us had an interesting story and it was an honour to run along side them. I was totally inspired by each of their stories and its only made me want to achieve even more.
What were conditions like out there?
Conditions were really good, there was snow on the top of Col Du Bonnhomme on my leg (2,700ms) and also on Christians leg but apart from that the sun was out but not as hot as last year.
Anything you would do differently?
I would have done a lot more hill training. Unfortunately, I have been coming back from injury and mainly been concentrating on flat work as my next race is the IAU World 100k Championships.
How far/long did you run during the challenge?
My first leg was 15k, with 1,300m vert gain and the second leg was 18k, with 600ms vert gain, although that was all in the last 4k! Tough!
What was the piece of kit you were most grateful for?
My Asics DS Racing shoes, I swapped shoes for my second leg of the challenge as I knew the trail was less technical, with road sections and I wanted to run fast. I was glad of these when I was hammering the last road section.
Read Holly's pre-race interview HERE
Read Charlotte's pre-race interview HERE
Find out more about the ASICS ‘Beat the Sun’ challenge at beatthesun.asics.com/uk
