We have just heard some very exciting news: Emelie Forsberg – who apart from being a world-renowned ultra runners and a wonderful ambassador for the sport, also contributed a piece to Like the Wind in issue #3 – is coming to the UK to race the first Salomon Glen Coe Skyline race.

This is a race unlike anything else in the UK – a true mix of mountain running and alpinism (and before you get to excited, it is considered a dangerous enough undertaking that the race director has set strict criteria for those who want to enter… no Parkrun, this one).

©iancorless.com
©iancorless.com

Ian Corless, director for Skyrunning UK and media partner for the International Skyrunning Federation – who has been incredibly supportive of Like the Wing since the launch – introduced Skyrunning to the UK in 2014. He says:

From day one my aim and desire has been driven in providing UK runners challenging courses that would give them an insight into what is available in Europe. However, with careful planning and some great work with quality race directors, we are slowly but surely building a series of races that can offer a challenge to anyone! This was proven in 2014 when Stevie Kremer raced the Mourne Skyline MTR. Emelie’s presence in Scotland later this year is a dream come true but it’s only the beginning. I had a plan that in 3 years we would bring a host of world class talent to the UK to race and I can now see that coming to fruition, it’s a really exciting time.

©iancorless.com
©iancorless.com

We are really excited to see what this race brings and the fact that Emelie is taking part will undoubtedly mean that the quality of the field will be super-high. It will certainly be a race to follow this year and in the future.

For more information see the official press release below:


SkyRunningSkyrunning World & European champion to run Skyrunning UK’s

Salomon Glen Coe Skyline

Skyrunning UK and the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline is pleased to announce that Emelie Forsberg (Salomon International), world renowned Skyrunning™ World Champion (ultra) and recently crowned Skyrunning™ European Champion (ultra) will run the inaugural Salomon Glen Coe Skyline race in August 2015.

Emelie needs no introduction to trail, mountain and Skyrunners all over the world. Her rise in the sport has been meteoric! In 2012, from nowhere, Emelie arrived on the start line of Zegama-Aizkorri and although she didn’t win, the stage was set.

What followed has been an incredible and awe inspiring display of strength, skill and endurance and all with an amazing smile! Emelie’s love and passion for running is clear and with every step, she personifies all that is good in the sport. To that end, Skyrunning UK and the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline can think of no better ambassador to run the first edition of what will become an iconic race.

The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline is no easy race though. It’s a technical and challenging mountain race that has inherent risk and danger. It’s important to remember that Skyrunning is not a risk adverse sport! However, the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline does push boundaries and as such, race director Shane Ohly has enforced strict entry criteria for those who wish to run the 45.6km course that has 4139m of ascent.

Emelie’s presence at the race affirms that the course on offer will be a true test:

I love the mountains and I love technical courses. This route looks amazing and a challenge. Ridge running and scrambling; I can’t wait!

said Emelie after finishing 4th at the Dolomites SkyRace.

I have had a very busy calendar recently, I raced Mount Marathon in Alaska and won with a course record. The following week I did a VK and then won the Ice Trail Tarentaise for the 3rd consecutive time (a victory that gave Emelie the Skyrunning™ European Champion title) and then this weekend I did a VK and the Dolomites SkyRace. I need a little rest now but I am so looking forward to Scotland and this incredible course.

Ourea EventsShane Ohly from Ourea Events is the man, along with Gary Tompsett who has conjured up this incredible challenging course:

It is an honor that Emelie has decided to race at the inaugural Salomon Glen Coe Skyline and I am delighted that this world class Skyrunning course we have conceived has attracted a Skyrunning World and European Champion. This will also be very exciting for the local competitors and I know that everyone involved with the race is fascinated to see how all of the competitors measure up against such a challenging course.

We are not creating another mass participation fell or trail running event, but rather a world class Skyrunning course for experienced and competent participants. The Glen Coe Skyline is a fusion of mountain running and alpinism where competitors need to be skilled at both disciplines to negotiate the course.

The mountains provide a wonderful natural playground, the 2015 edition of the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline is going to be a spectacle like no other race that has taken place within the UK.

iancorless transparent copy“We are fully aware that this race is not for everyone,” said Corless. “However, just like the top European races we want to invite people to come and join us for the weekend. We want a party, a celebration of running and in the process Shane has in place opportunities to go into the mountains with guides and experience the race as spectators but in a safe way. This is going to be very special!”

The future of Skyrunning in the UK is very exciting and Ohly sums it up when he says:

I sincerely hope that aspirational races like the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline will contribute to the growth of the sport both in terms of participation and general awareness within the wider running and outdoor community. I would love to see the same kind of community engagement and atmosphere at UK SkyRace as I have personally experienced at European skyRaces like Zegama. Certainly this my goal for the Salomon Glen Coe Skyline and we will be working hard to achieve this.

Put the dates in your diary: Friday August 21st to Sunday 23rd 2015

Race Day is August 22nd

All images are ©iancorless.com – all rights reserved

Skyrunning UK can be found at www.skyrunninguk.com

The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline can be found at www.glencoeskyline.com

Information

Salomon logoThe Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ follows in the finest tradition of the most prestigious Skyrunning races, fusing mountain running and alpinism in a pure test of speed, endurance and skill on an uncompromising, world-class course.

The Salomon Glen Coe Skyline™ will take place on Saturday 22nd August 2015 and will be part of the Skyrunner UK Series. The event is only suitable for highly experienced competitors and all aspirant entrants will be vetted for experience. Entries are limited to 200 max. The current entry list is here.

Location and accommodation – here

The race route – here

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