Lesotho trail run gathers huge international field
On Saturday the 26th November 2016, Lesotho Ultra Trail is expecting its largest field on the start line as it enters its fourth year, in addition to athletes from 11 different countries across the globe.
“The race has always been a sell-out, but this year we have operated an efficient substitution procedure which means that those who have been forced to withdraw have been quickly replaced,” said Andrew Booth, Race Director.
Equally exciting are the elite runner fields consisting of local and international runners from around the world. In particular the ladies race is going to be very difficult to call with no less than five competing internationals up against South African Karine Bezuidenhout. Defending champion Tracy Zunckel as well as previous winner Trish Bahlmann have both withdrawn due to other sporting commitments. The men’s race is the opposite with seeming only one international runner in podium contention.
“We consider both South African and Lesotho Nationals to be local runners at Lesotho Ultra Trail, and it appears that one of them will take the title. Bruce Arnett took second in 2015 after winning Skyrun the weekend before. He is going to try and do it again, so that will be an interesting story to follow. Eric Ngubane is always a great bet, but he will be running the course for the first time on race day,” said Booth.
While the racing will be hot up front, most of the field will be aiming to finish the prestigious 50km Ultra Skymarathon or the 38km Mountain Challenge. The route that starts and finishes at Maliba Lodge, the host venue, climbs to the top of the Maluti Mountain Range topping out at over 3200m above sea level. The race is run along purpose-built trails up and down the mountain, but for a section along the top, runners follow the marked route along a network of shepherd trails. The race crew, assisted by Donkeys, trek supplies into the mountains and help ensure the safety of the participants.
For more information about Lesotho Ultra Trail visit www.lesothoultratrail.com
Elite Fields:
Ladies:
- Karine Bezuidenhout (RSA)
- Krissy Moehl (USA)
- Hillary Allen (USA)
- Monica Ochs (USA)
- Manu Vilaseca (BRA)
- Holly Page (UK)
Men:
- Eric Ngubane (RSA)
- Quinton Honey (RSA)
- Bruce Arnett (RSA)
- Gerard Morales (SPA)
- Tsokolo Mohavi (LES)
Race Information:
Race name: Lesotho Ultra Trail
Venue: Tsehlanyane National Park
Date: Saturday 26 November 2016
Distances: 50km, 38km
Start time: 06:30am
Sponsors: The North Face and Metropolitan Lesotho
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LesothoUltraTrail/
Photo credit: Dom Barnardt
Runners tear off the start line at Maliba Lodge in 2015, with 50km of trails in the Maluti Mountains ahead of them. Photo credit: Dom Barnardt
Runners will climb to 3200m above sea level to summit and traverse the Maluti Mountains during the Lesotho Ultra Trail. Photo credit: Dom Barnardt
Karine Bezuidenhout (3rd in 2015) will have a strong challenge from the international ladies field in this year’s event. Photo Credit: Terence Vrugtman, AdventureLifeSA.
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