T R A I L

KILIAN JORNET Change is a very good thing for the off-road superstar IMPROVE YOUR AGILIT Y Tips and exercises to help increase your chances of success on the trails PLUS The best products tried and tested

16-PAGE SPECIAL TRAIL KILIAN JORNET @ATHLETICSWEEKLY

TRAIL CONTENTS 2 Kilan Jornet on setting targets and weighing up risks 6 the volcano at the VVX Experience in 8 Tame the trails with exercises which will improve your agility 12 Kit yourself out for an off-road adventure with the best products

Kilian Jornet: has won all three of the races he Changing set as his main targets

DAM GEMILI goes into this meeting for the IAAF World as an individual, as well as in the – and to run the same time as him, weekend’s world trials in Championshipsman (see p42-45). 4x100m,” he says. “I went the closest I’m happy,” he said. great form after pushing Not bad for an athlete only that anyone from Britain has gone On doubling up at the world trials, former worldTRAIL champion AND MOUNTAINconsidered good RUNNING enough to be part SUPERSTAR to winning an KILIANOlympic 200m JORNET TALKShe added: “It’ll be a long weekend AYohan Blake to the wire at the of the relay squad when the last medal three years ago. Just three and then I’ll really start to sharpen TO EUAN CRUMLEY ABOUT BECOMING A FATHER AND ADOPTING Diamond League in Birmingham Aon DIFFERENTwave of Lottery fundingAPPROACH decisions TO thousandthsTHE SPORT of a second HE LOVEScame up before Doha. I’ve done a lot of Sunday, writes Jason Henderson. were made. between me and bronze in Rio.” work, so why not?” The 25-year-old’sT has fine been run a time of changeGemili for had Kilian a couple Jornet. ofEarlier lean thisyears comesHe wasto he also and close Forsberg to victory balancing in the demandsHe also ran well at 100m, with against Blake (seeyear p16) the propelled man known asdue the to greatesthamstring mountain issues butrunner he is ofBirmingham training, on andSunday parenthood when he between 10.04, them. at the Anniversary Games him on to the coveron of the this planet issue had his nowown backpersonal in form world after turned relocating on its wasNo longergiven thecan same an expedition time as Blake or adventure last be month, embarked so what’s his favourite of AW and he now axisruns when the 100m he and his partnerto Florida Emilie and thenForsberg Germany – also to be upon– 10.07. on a “I’d whim have but, liked given to have the broad won grin eventwhich now?spreads “It used to be the 200m and 200m at theIone Müller of the Britishfinest off-road athleteswith his coacharound Rana – welcomed Reider. the acrossbut to Jornet’s be beaten face by when Yohan the Blake subject – of hisbut new I’m familyconsistent in the 100m and Championshipsarrival at the of selectiontheir daughter Mag. “I want to show I can win medals set-upthe second-fastest is broached, you guy suspect of all time he wouldenjoying not have it it again,” any he says. As with any couple adjusting to life with a new baby, there other way. have been obstacles to overcome but the Catalan insists It is not just at his Norwegian home where there have those have mainly involved logistical arrangements when it been significant changes, however. When it comes to JORDI SARAGOSSA

2 AW TRAIL AW TRAIL 3 TRAIL KILIAN JORNET @ATHLETICSWEEKLY MARTINA VALMASSOI the day job, there have been some sizeable alterations too and a difference in approach Jornet winning which has paid dividends. Sierre-Zinal It is not unusual to see Jornet at the top of a podium and he has achieved the feat three times this year. The big difference is that those victories have come in the only three races he has chosen to contest in 2019. The 31-year-old has spent the majority of his competitive life negotiating mountain running and ski mountaineering seasons crammed with racing assignments. This summer, he set his sights on just three classics – Zegama-Aizkorri in northern , Sierre-Zinal in and last weekend’s Pikes Peak in – winning them all and smashing the record for INSTAGRAM “I am someone who is very afraid of things the second item on that particular agenda. Kilian in general,” is the unexpected reply. “I’m not Jornet There has been a change in training, too. For with his a fearless person at all. I have always tried to a man who can often be found leaping across daughter control the things I can do and those I cannot. Mag earlier vertiginous ridges and scaling the world’s great this year “Before doing any activity I am very cerebral peaks at great speed, he has also come rather in terms of ‘okay, these are the risks that are more down to earth, with road and track workouts there, these are my capacities and this is how the having featured as part of his regime, too. mountain presents…’ “Normally what I have done since 2006, when I “So I try to visualise everything and I know that started both and ski mountaineering when I take the decision there will be some risk seasons, would be to do 10-20 races in the winter but I try to control everything that I can so it’s not and then 10 in the summer,” he explains. “I would the case that before I was just going for it and try to reach a good level on average and to win now (that he’s a father) I’ll look at the risk. I’d look as many as possible but never have a focus like at the risk before and now it’s the same situation.” ‘these are the two big goals of the season’ – I The pull of the mountains remains strong, would just go from race to race. though. “My training before was just do a lot of volume “Climbing fast is something that I love and but never intensity because that came during the I like to climb mountains in a light way and 30 or 40 days of racing in the year. But this year I am not a fearless in a fast way,” adds Jornet, who grew up in the has been the first where I’ve run during the winter Pyrenees. “It’s interesting, especially when it’s – I’d never done that before and was only skiing. person at all. I have very technical stuff. Then you are really in the “So I’ve run during the winter plus introduced always tried to control moment – the past doesn’t exist, the future intensity. I have been running on the flat for the the things I can do doesn’t exist – I think that’s a really cool feeling first time in my life and I have been improving and those I cannot when you are just living this precise instant and a lot. I probably can’t improve my Vo2 max but it’s just like kind of meditation. You are blank on KILIAN JORNET it’s many things like technique, biomechanics, the brain and need to concentrate on the instant. neuromuscular connections and inter-muscular I did 24 hours doing loops on skis to see how “I like variation. A long day – from 10-15 hours co-ordination – things like there is a lot of ‘many metres of elevation I could do. That’s not in super technical terrain, combining running improvement to do.” fun at all but it’s very interesting because you with climbing, that’s what I enjoy the most but it’s For someone who has achieved so much and discover your body and how you are. Racing for not the sort of workout where you finish and feel who has his place firmly etched in the mountain me now is more about that – it is the checkpoint’ that you’re completely done. running history books – not to mention the to see if the training has been working.” “I like to do some long elevation days – Summits of My Life project which saw him taking He adds: “I am very happy with what I have where you find somewhere with an elevation of on speed ascents of some of the most iconic done and in the races it’s more about having 700m-1000m and I try to do some fast laps up mountains on earth – there is still clearly an fun – plus racing is very good training. In the and down three or four times. That’s very good appetite for more. But what keeps driving him? mountains it’s to explore, to have ideas and to training.” “Exploration, I think,” he says. “That can be see if they work.” Crucially, he adds: “It’s just to change, to do external – to visit places, for example, to have an With these ideas can come a great deal of different things and test the body in different Personal bests just got softer with the new Ghost 12. idea in the mind about what it can be to climb a inherent risk, of course. Given that he is now a ways.” The perfect mix of comfort and performance that you’ll fall in love with fast. certain mountain in a certain way and to see if father with great responsibilities, has he changed If ever there was an example to back up the it’s possible. his approach when it comes to choosing his old adage that change is good for you, then Kilian “Then there’s inner exploration, too. This winter adventures? Jornet is it. www.brooksrunning.co.uk

4 AW TRAIL AW TRAIL 5

XX.indd 1 11/07/2019 16:06 TRAIL VOLVIC VOLCANIC EXPERIENCE @ATHLETICSWEEKLY

The VVX events take the runners Participants set off on their trail adventures through some stunning landscapes

Running the

FIND myself sitting in the which stands the Puy-de Dome. clearing of a beautiful forest A network of trails provides the in central France, the shadows perfect way to explore this area and lengthening as the sun begins it’s from just outside the centre of Ito slip behind the surrounding trees. Volvic that the VVX runners begin volcanoes I’m sharing a beer with like-minded challenges which vary in distance, souls, chatting about running and from 15km right through to an EUAN CRUMLEY VENTURES TO FRANCE TO TAKE PART outdoor adventure, while the music eyewatering 220km, not to mention IN A RUNNING FESTIVAL WHICH IS OUT OF THE ORDINARY from the jazz trio in front of us the kids races which are also floats on the gentle breeze and the staged. satisfying creak of fatigue coming The Goulet site, location of the from my calf muscles reminds Volvic spring and now also a visitor me of the memorable race I had information facility, is the heart of The start/finish line of the VVX completed earlier in the day. race weekend. Race registration was a constant hive of activity It is safe to say I’ve had worse takes place in the old bottling weekends than the one I spent factory, a short walk from which at this year’s Volvic Volcanic can be found the start/finish line a mass outdoor dinner for the Spain, Germany and , to bite but the hard work and Experience (VVX). and the aforementioned forest runners. as well as a few Brits and there concentration were offset by a This is a trail running festival spaces which provide the backdrop There was a mix of celebratory was a warm and inclusive feel to bombardment of the senses. which will return for its fourth edition for various concerts and musical and nervous energy in the air as proceedings as we gathered to get The backdrop changed abruptly in 2020 and, as the name suggests, entertainment, as well as outdoor minds turned towards the running under way. upon reaching the first of three very aims to offer something over and activities, bars and the post-event challenges which lay ahead. The idea of getting in touch with well appointed feeding stations in above the chance to simply test banquet. With races starting and finishing nature and being conscious of an active quarry but it wasn’t long your off-road athletic capabilities. With my number collected and an throughout the day, the Goulet your environment is a key them at until we were running back into the Take the location, for starters. early start to race day looming the was a constant hive of activity and the VVX and, setting off, it quickly trees and heading for the highest The small town of Volvic (yes, it is following morning, food was indeed already buzzing when I began to became apparent to me that you point on the 25km route. the source of the internationally- on my mind and getting fuelled up make my way to the start line the could not really hope for better The climb was worth the effort, as known mineral water) is around a before heading to bed became a following morning. trail running conditions than those we ran out into the bright sunlight to two-hour transfer from Lyon airport priority. Thankfully, the organisers I had chosen the 25km Volvic on offer here. Much of the route be met with absolutely spectacular and is one of the entrances to the certainly had that covered. Experience Trail and, given that wound its way through the stunning views across the hills. Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature The VVX prides itself on involving there was over 1000m of climbing forests and, as a result, the pine It was largely downhill from those just curious to see what was or endured a tough day out on the n The 2020 edition of the Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. the community and the event made involved across the route, knew that straw which coated the trails made there and the growing noise from going on. challenging trails. Volvic Volcanic Experience As the car edges closer the sure that the centre of Volvic was in it was not going to be a particularly underfoot conditions bouncy and the Goulet site provided plenty of This was a place which made It was time to find that beer will take place from horizon begins to be dominated by full festival mode, taking over the easy option. responsive. motivation to accelerate towards you want linger and watch as more and compare notes. The VVX had May 21-23. For more the tree-clad, and now dormant, main town square with an opening At the welcome dinner I had With plenty of ups and downs, the finish line area, which was full runners began to emerge – either certainly given us plenty to talk information visit volcanic slopes – the proudest of ceremony that was followed by spoken to people from France, it didn’t take long for the hills of runners, supporters, families and having achieved their ambitions about. volvic-vvx.com

6 AW TRAIL AW TRAIL 7 TRAIL PERFORMANCE @ATHLETICSWEEKLY UNSPLASH

Agility is a key part of successful trail running

Improve you r ag i l it y JOHN SHEPHERD OUTLINES SOME TIPS, TRICKS AND DRILLS WHICH WILL HELP YOU TO EXCEL OFF-ROAD

AMING the trails requires numerous sportspeople – be it Being able to repeat a skill under real time and space. A runner who rest of the body. Running on uneven and agile trail running. Your feet are control it pays to do specific doing a stage race or back-to-back more than great aerobic football, rugby or tennis – and you’ll fatigue is the mark of a great athlete has to “think” less about how they terrain magnifies the forces at play. obviously the first point of contact exercises. trail runs over consecutive days. capacity to get from A to B have seen players skipping around and a trail run requires this ability. run across varied terrain will be Descending relies on eccentric with the ground and the ankle A group of 23 trail runners If you incorporate agility training and undoubtedly involves cones and performing fleet-footed, Trail running, with its varied much faster than one who has to muscular actions to control the modulator. This joint has to had their ankle strength tested into your sessions you will be less moreT skill than road or track multi-directional drills through floor terrain, requires adaptation to the consider every step. Research also momentum, where the muscles move laterally and backwards and after a 6.5km downhill trail run. likely to suffer from ankle strains running. ladders. running style. Researchers in Gait indicates that, the more controlled around the ankle, knee and hip will forwards to roll with the terrain. Immediately post run it was found and also knee, hip and back You need to be able run across This type of training does not & Posture discovered that postural and stable a runner is, the more lengthen to control and slow speed Sports scientists have studied that plantar flexor (toes down problems, as well as reducing rough terrain, uphill and downhill usually feature in many runners’ stability, step and stride frequency, economical they will be, too. (it’s these eccentric actions which how fatigue affects injury while position) strength declined by 25% potentially injurious specific joint on loose surfaces and across rocks workouts, but I think it is something braking forces and impact on lead to DOMS). running on various surfaces. Much and that two days later it was still fatigue. It will also boost your and rutted paths. To do so well will that can be used to improve trail foot-strike and kinaesthetic factors Improve speed and Performing regular eccentric research has focused on the down by 10%. “rough terrain” coverage running mean the introduction of an extra running agility when suitably were all altered when underfoot beat potential injury exercises can therefore help to muscles, ligaments and tendons of This is important as it indicates skill, increase your speed and dimension to your preparations. adapted. Not only will you be better conditions changed. Downhill running creates a great reduce this outcome and improve the ankle. how fatigue develops and how it can confidence over such terrain Agility training is something off-road but you’ll be less likely to Kinaesthetic awareness refers to deal of “shock” that needs to be eccentric strength and capability. Even if you have (or think you still be hanging around after your and increase your kinaesthetic that features in the regimes of suffer injury. how we control our movements in controlled through the legs and the The ankles are vital for speed have) good ankle stability and race or even during it, should you be awareness.

8 AW TRAIL AW TRAIL 9 TRAIL PERFORMANCE @ATHLETICSWEEKLY SHUTTERSTOCK

Trail running challenges the body in different ways to road and track running SHUTTERSTOCK Agility exercises Make it even more specific: leg’s thigh moved through parallel your side, throw a light to medium direction of travel. Lift your back foot legs creating useful trail running Floor ladder find a relatively even underfoot and for trail runners exercises to the ground. Arms in position with weight med ball (2kg-5kg) to you up and over your standing foot to agility. will help your slight grade hill and do ladder drills the legs as if running. from about 2m away. bring your thigh to a position near How many? Do 3 x 20m, Floor ladders running agility downhill and uphill. Try running The idea is to stop dead on the Catch the ball and control the parallel to the ground as it passes alternating lead leg. How to: 100m toward the ladder, performing landing foot as you move into the momentum that will be generated to the front of your body. – Run through with high knees, drills through it on your ascent, running posture. Doing this will through your body to avoid wobbling The foot will land in front of the Triangle hop hitting every gap. continuing for a further 100m, emphasise the eccentric muscular too much and placing your other and your legs will very briefly How to: stand on your right leg. – Run through with low knees, turning back and then completing actions required to do so in your elevated foot on the floor. Throw cross. Step the leg that is behind to Hop about 75cm forward and then hitting every gap. some further drills through it on legs. Hold for a second and then the ball back to your partner and the side and then repeat. Think “high immediately straight across to the – Run through with sideways high your way back down to then run a swing the elevated thigh’s leg back repeat. in front” “low behind” in terms of the left, about the same distance. knees, foot in each gap. Do right and further 100m. Do this for 15 minutes and forwards to jump into another How many? Do 2x10 reps from required leg movement. Then immediately on landing left leg to the outside reps. bound and blocked landing. Repeat. each leg with your standing leg to Use your arms for balance and hop back to your starting position. – Lateral hops with outside leg Eccentric emphasis How many? 4 x 10 bounds the outside and 2x10 from each leg let your hips rotate to facilitate the Basically, you’re hopping a leading the direction of travel with – Sideways double leg jumps. that you exercise each leg and each stop bounds with your standing leg to the inside movement. right-angle triangle pattern. Keep its foot going into each rung. Experiment jumping two to three direction of travel – where relevant How to: stand tall and swing one Catch, return and throw med of the direction of throw. You’ll be up on your toes as you your torso relatively upright and – Lateral hops with inside leg gaps at a time. – equally. leg, keeping the knee bent, away ball standing on one leg No partner? Throw the ball do this. This exercise will generate make your landings on your leading the direction of travel – Hop through gaps and sprint 10m All these variations will develop from you to jump yourself forward. How to: stand on one leg, holding against a wall and catch the return. twisting forefoot foot contacts so forefoot. with its foot going into each rung. at end. all-body co-ordination and require Land on the same leg in what can your non-grounded foot a couple of you’ll need to control these and How many? Do 3 x 6 on each leg – Straight leg jumps into each How many? Perform each drill varied foot placements – very be called a sprint posture. That’s centimetres from the floor. Have a High-low side-steps in so doing will work the muscles, (you can vary the direction too, that’s gap. Power up from the ankles. two to three times and make sure useful attributes for trail running. with your torso upright and the other partner, positioned immediately to How to: stand sideways to your tendons and ligaments of the lower to say, hop forward then right).

10 AW TRAIL AW TRAIL 11 TRAIL PRODUCTS @ATHLETICSWEEKLY

PAUL FREARY TESTS THE LATEST GEAR DESIGNED TO HELP YOUR OFF- 361° – Yushan Price: £119.99 Stockist: 361europe.com A new trail offering, this shoe is the brand’s most versatile off-roader. This model shoe features the 361° proprietary cushioning technology, ‘Qu!kfoam’. This response material is encapsulated in the heel and covers the full width of the forefoot, Fi rm footing a configuration which ensures good cushioning and a great toe-off. A forefoot rock-plate provides protection from sharp stones and the outsole has a versatile design which works well in all conditions and even feels reasonably comfortable on those short ‘door-to-trail’ sections of a run.

Hoka One One – Evo Mafate 2 Inov-8 – Trailroc G280 Price: £160.00 Stockist: hokaoneone.eu Price: £140.00 Stockist: inov-8.com While the deep midsole cushioning and rugged Another brand new model, we’ve only been out Vibram outsole remain unchanged from the first a couple of times in them so far, but already version of this shoe, this update sees a refreshed we’re impressed. The shoe has the familiar and improved upper. outsole pattern but now has the benefits of the A new ‘MATRYX’ fabric is used which has a remarkable Graphene material. strong yet flexible and breathable construction. The 4mm studs offer exceptional grip as well Used in conjunction with a soft neoprene-like as durability and are light and flexible too. material in the tongue and toe box, Hoka has The cushioning is a little deeper than many created what we think feels like their best fitting of the brand’s fell racing options which means Vivobarefoot – Magna Trail Scott – Supertrac 2.0 Adidas – Terrex Two Boa GTX model yet. The stretchy nature of the shoe hugs added comfort as well as a little support as it Price: £160.00 Stockist: vivobarefoot.com Price: £110.00 Stockist: Scott-Sports.com Price: £129.99 Stockist: boafit.com the foot and, even with reinforcements around the wraps up around the foot and guides it through Barefoot running may still split opinion but the The second version of this shoe brings the This feature-packed shoe has technology in every toe area, it feels sock-like. The midsole of CM-EVA the gait. We also like the upper, with a soft mesh trail is perhaps the best place to try this category features of Scott’s premium racing models part of it. The sole features a Continental rubber and rubberised foam creates a stable platform. and padding around the heel and toe. of footwear. to a wider audience with footwear that is compound that offers great traction on a variety The low-profile design means the foot easy to pull on and go. of surfaces and in a variety of conditions. The Topo – Hydroventure 2 is placed in close contact with the uneven The Supertrac is a versatile mountain cushioning is a single density and, as well as Price: £140.00 Stockist: topoathletic.co.uk terrain, making it easy to adapt to the variety of running shoe which has great cushioning, offering reasonable impact protection, it remains Topo shoes offer a low drop design to encourage a conditions which you will inevitably encounter. grip and comfort, making it perfect for long pretty stable regardless of running gait. more mid to forefoot running action, as well as a These boot-like shoes offer a rugged sole days on the trails. The seam-free upper uses Gore-Tex to provide roomy toe box to accommodate the way in which the design that is also highly flexible, providing the The deep chevron-shaped lugs cope waterproofing, while the Boa enclosure system foot will spread naturally. ability to handle the terrain with ease. with all surfaces with ease and, when it delivers a precise and dialled-in fit, which is The waterproof upper, along with the gusseted The broader fitting upper, particularly in the toe comes to soft ground, they bite well to give also highly adaptable thanks to the L-series Boa tongue, ensures your feet will stay dry and its box area, means the foot can spread naturally, a confident footing. fastener. lightweight, seamless construction means it fits and again helping to negotiate the contours of the The cushioning hits the sweet spot of Adjustment on the go is easy to do and, should works well with the foot. The dual density midsole ground. The upper is strong and seamless and having enough for firm surfaces but not too the shoe become encased in mud, it is still quick cushioning has a softer forefoot, providing a nice feel the bootie construction means any loose debris much when on soft ground and the upper is and easy to undo, making it a great feature for on rough ground. is kept at bay. soft and light, but highly breathable. trail shoes.

12 AW TRAIL AW TRAIL 13 GMG 2019 Flyer_Layout 2 11/03/2019 19:40 Page 1

TRAIL PRODUCTS @ATHLETICSWEEKLY

Tracksmith – Twilight Long sleeve Price: £65.00 Stockist: tracksmith.com For those changeable weather conditions or that “Definitely the best marathon I’ve early morning run which taken part in! Top organisation and starts out in the cold, this great chat between competitors.” long sleeve moisture-wicking Ray W, participant shirt is the perfect choice. The silky soft feel of the fabric feels great against the skin and, regardless of the temperature, it manages to keep you feeling fresh. It’s light too, so you hardly know you are wearing it, giving a feeling of freedom on the trails. FULL MARATHON /

Thorlos – Outdoor Athlete SUNDAY 8th September 2019 Price: £15.50 Stockist: thorlos.com We tried all the trail footwear featured in this www.wildfoxevents.com www.glencoemarathon.co.uk issue using these socks and found them a Image Ed Smith real treat. With super-soft padding throughout, they On-Running – provide an additional layer of cushioning Cloudventure Peak and strategic support to the foot that Price: £135.00 enhances every trail run. Stockist: on-running.com The moisture-wicking fibres mean they Light and fast, this model is aimed at the are breathable and reduce water adsorption trail racer who is looking for aggressive in wet weather, but most importantly grip and a light, versatile shoe for they retain their shape and ➤ Trail running skills training technical events. comfort after every wear The slim, stretch-fitting upper really and wash. ➤ Guided trail running holidays hugs the foot and the narrow heel and midfoot section instantly provide a ➤ Bespoke events sensation of speed – think ultra-light Gelpacks Direct – ➤ All levels of runner welcome road racer feel but with masses of Reusable cold/hot pack traction! Price: £19.99 ➤ Led by professional On-Running’s ‘speed-board’, as used Stockist: gelpacksdirect.co.uk in all their models, employs a split These compress packs come with a mountain running guides forefoot design which helps the foot soft-touch fabric pouch with mesh backing adapt to the contours and terrain whilst Compressport – Free Belt Pro for optimal transfer of the hot or cold therapy. still providing a responsive push-off. The pack can be used for a variety Price: £40.00 Cushioning comes from the familiar of injuries and is a Stockist: compressport.com Cloud design pods in the heel area and cost-effective This clever waist belt stretches to fit and is great when descending, while in the treatment provides non-bounce storage for a range forefoot there’s a combination of varying option. size studs to cushion and grip when of items. The soft fabric means there’s no travelling at speed. irritation and the large concealed pockets It’s almost a shame to get these make for great, versatile storage. It’s easy to dirty, but they will see lots of use in the carry a phone, gels and even poles (in the coming months! silicon grip straps). Great for any type of trail adventure. 14 AW TRAIL visit TrailRunningScotland.com AW TRAIL 11

AW August 29 Trail ads.indd 1 27/08/2019 11:12 TRAIL ULTRA LONDON

London’s secret run ONDON is famously and onto Richmond. It will be a far crammed full of landmarks, more urban experience compared with just about every nook to the many ultra distance races and cranny of the British which take place in more remote Lcapital known throughout the world locations, with an added bonus – particularly to the many runners being that the route is perfect for who hit the famous city streets on a supporters looking to cheer on their daily basis. runners at various points along the There is one route, however, which course. many people are unaware of – and This will be a chance to uncover which will provide the backdrop for a one London’s few remaining brand new endurance event taking running secrets and to see a place this autumn. side of the city you will not have The Capital Ring is a footpath experienced before. which forms an inner circle around Whilst the inaugural event will Greater London and, on October us the southern half of the Capital 5, will host those taking on the Thames. There is also a shorter the Thames Barrier, Eltham Ring there are plans to include the challenge presented by Ultra distance, starting at the halfway Palace, Wimbledon Common and northern half of the route in 2020, London. point of Crystal Palace and Richmond Park. where the ultimate challenge for There are two distance options following the second half of the It will provide a challenge for ultra runners will be to complete on offer. Starting in Greenwich route for a distance of 27.5km. participants who will also need the entire 125km circular route in and finishing in Richmond upon The multi-terrain course – a mix to ensure they navigate the the ULTRA LONDON 125. Thames, the full ultra challenge of trails, footpaths, parks, woodland correct paths through parts of covers 55km and largely follows and more – takes in some of Falconwood, Grove Park, Crystal n For more information and to the Capital Ring route south of the London’s finest scenery, including Palace, Streatham, Wimbledon enter, visit ultralondon.co.uk

16 AW TRAIL