Canadian Judith Abbot lengthens lead in women’s division, while overall battle for third heats up at The Coastal Challenge
Written by Greg Dawson
Flatter terrain and cooler weather made for a faster course on the third stage of the Coastal Challenge Tuesday morning, allowing for Judith Abbot (Canada) to lengthen her lead in the women’s division.
With a strong finish on day one and taking first place on day two, Abbot is poised for her first adventure race win.
“It’s very exciting to watch Judith take on some of the most breathtaking, remote and challenging running routes in the world and come out with the will and ability to endure more,” said Race Director and event founder Tim Holmstrom. “Her mental strength is very tough for her first stage race and we’re very excited to see the outcome.”
The fight for third place proved to be the highlight of the day with Mark Lattansi (USA) getting off to a quick start and securing a position ahead of Ty Stevens (USA) who battled with Mark Lattansi (USA) to hold onto third place going into stage four.
“Out of the fog and rain, I saw Ty just before he summited
and I knew I had enough room to pass him,” said Lattansi.
With 400 meters left and Lattansi locked in and determined to pass Stevens, Stevens made a calculated move to look back and check to see if he could glide in the last few meters.
“When I saw Mark, I dug deep into my last bit of energy and legged it out and was fortunate enough to have enough time to withstand his surge,” said Stevens.
After the race, Lattansi remarked he still has two days to take over third place and possibly more.
Top five men’s division finishing times:
Javier Montero (CR) 3:08:30,
Cesar Ortega (CR) 3:08:41,
Ty Stevens (USA) 3:37:47,
Mark Lattanzi (USA) 3:38:18,
Ernesto Jimenez (CR) 4:21:35.
Top five women’s division finishing times:
Judith Abbot (Canada) 4:19:48,
Margaret Phillips (USA) 4:57:56,
Stacey Shand (USA) 5:19:48,
Melinda Barbee (CR) 5:51:29,
Shannon MacLeod (Canada) 7:38:39.
For more information or to follow the race, visit www.tccadventures.com.
About The Coastal Challenge (Route of Fire) – January 31 – February 6, 2010
Runners from around the world cover approximately 200 kilometers of exotic and wild Costa Rican mountainous regions and rugged coastline. For six days, runners embrace the spirit of adventure, discovery and camaraderie within a long distance running competition while navigating wide river crossings, rainforests, jungles, windswept highlands, beaches and rock outcroppings. It is an expedition run of epic proportions introducing competitors to the hospitality of the local Tico culture while pushing the limits of their will and endurance. Interested participants can register and find out more information at www.thecoastalchallenge.com.
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