The North Face®, the world’s premier supplier of authentic, innovative and technically advanced outdoor apparel, equipment and footwear, celebrates 1st place for The North Face® athletes Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA) and Fernanda Maciel (BRA), at the 123km ultra-race of The North Face Transgrancanaria, Gran Canaria, Spain, 2nd-4th March, 2012.
At the stroke of midnight (GMT) Friday 2nd March 2012, 600 ultra-runners from across Spain and Europe began the long night’s run of either 123km or 96km through Gran Canaria’s National Park, tackling the varied and demanding terrain that the island has on offer. Starting at Playa Del Ingles, in the south of the island, the 300 runners of the 123km race climbed to an accumulated height gain of 11,000m, to a maximum height of 1,949m at the highest point of the island, finishing at the capital, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria in the north throughout Saturday afternoon and long into the night. Competitors in this year’s races faced unusually strong winds and variable temperatures from 4-22°C.
Despite falling and injuring his knee at the beginning of the race, renowned French ultra-runner, Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA) was thrilled to take 1st place, finishing with a record time of 12h:54m:18s. Upon his win Chaigneau stated: “The race was tough as 70 percent of it is run during the night and there is a big change in temperature. I am really happy that I broke the record, although it was never my objective. When I run my main focus is the pleasure that I get out of it”. Wearing The North Face trail-running shoe, the Single Track Hayasa, Chaigneau led the race from 42km in, cruising at a remarkable average speed of 10km per hour. Claiming the 2nd spot just over half an hour behind was Portuguese athlete Armando Teixeira (POR), with Uruguay based runner, John Tidd (ESP) taking 3rd place with a time of 14h:31m:50s.
In the women’s category, Fernanda Maciel (BRA) claimed women’s 1st place and 5th overall in a strong time of 15h:02m:29s. Of the result, a delighted Maciel commented “I am very happy because I had a great race, along a beautiful route and I really enjoyed myself”. Fernanda arrived over two hours ahead of the second woman, Spanish runner Esther Fernandez Gonzalez (ESP) and more than four hours in front of Denise Zimmerman (SUI), who placed third.
Marking the start of the ultra-running season, The North Face Transgrancanaria featured races for all levels of runners at various distances: from the full 123-km race; a coast-to-coast 96-km race; a 42-km marathon; and a starter run of 24-km. More than 1800 people from 21 different countries took part in the four races.
The Transgrancanaria 2012 123km Top Places:
Men
1. Sebastien Chaigneau (FRA) 12h:54m:18s
2. Armando Teixeira (POR) 13h:27m:19s
3. John Tidd (ESP) 14h:31m:50s
Women
1. Fernanda Maciel (BRA) 15h:02m:29s
2. Esther Fernandez Gonzalez (ESP) 17h:25m:45s
3. Denise Zimmermann (SUI)19h:23m:45s
Due to a stomach complaint Zigor Iturrieta (ESP) left the 123km race after 54km, but later joined and successfully completed the 42km marathon. After leading the women’s race for the first third Lizzy Hawker (GBR) also stopped her race at 54km due to muscular leg pain.
Follow The North Face® European ultra-running events throughout the season:
The North Face® Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji® www.ultratrailmtfuji.com
May 18th-20th, 2012: Mount Fuji, Japan
The North Face® Lavaredo Ultra Trail www.ultratrail.it
June 29th -30th, 2012: Cortina D’Ampezzo, Dolomites, Italy
The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® www.ultratrailmb.com August 27th– September 2nd, 2012: Chamonix, France
For further information on The North Face® performance athletes, race highlights, trail-running products and upcoming ultra-running events click:
Youtube link to the Get Ready For Race Report: The North Face Transgrancanaria 2012: www.youtube.com
Web: www.thenorthfacejournal.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/thenorthface.europe
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