I was fortunate to meet up with TNF athlete, Lizzy Hawker earlier this year in Zermatt. I was curious as to the health of Lizzy and also how she had been filling her time whilst away from the sport.

From an injury perspective, it is slowly does it. One step at a time in the hope that Lizzie’s injury woes are behind her. Lizzy said, ‘but I just need to be careful.’

Ironically, our chat in Zermatt was just days before the TNFUTMB, a race Lizzy has dominated in the past. Lizzy would be at the 2014 UTMB but in a role as an ambassador and not racing.

So, what has Lizzy been up to?

Well, to put it quite simply, Lizzy has been working hard to create a race of epic proportions, the ULTRA TOUR MONTE ROSA (UTMR).

‘I have been working hard to develop a beautiful trail race around Monte Rosa on the Swiss / Italian border. We will hold a zero edition 4 day stage race in August 2015, and the full inaugural 150km ultra marathon in 2016,’ said Lizzy.

The website: www.ultratourmonterosa.com

all images ©alextreadway

‘I first went to Zermatt at the age of 6, and that is where my love of the mountains started. The opportunity to create a race here and to share this love means a lot to me. Having explored the trails in this region extensively, I am convinced they are some of the most magnificent in the alps.’ As we all know, Lizzy has very much pioneered the way for trail and mountain running, particularly for women, so, to have this passion reflected back as a race director can only be a good thing. ‘My intention in founding this race is simply to give people an opportunity to explore these trails, and to experience the value of challenging themselves within the context of an ultra distance race. Running and racing has, over the years, given me so much, and this is what I would like to share with others now.’

Crossing six high passes, this race will be a very tough event! Passing through Zermatt, the iconic Matterhorn will provide a backdrop as the race heads away accumulating over 10,000 m of ascent/ descent with an average altitude of 2000m.

‘It is a circumnambulation around the huge and imposing massif of the Monte Rosa. On often technical trails. It is firmly in the “hard” category. It is tough, beautiful and alluring!’

Lizzy is certainly in a reflective period of her career, summed up in her comments, ‘As race director, I would really like to encourage more women to participate and we will work towards achieving this in various ways. It will also be really important to us to support all our runners in their journey to reach the start line, and beyond, so that as many as possible can finish and enjoy their experience.’

Entry criteria for the ultra marathon will be tough, but Lizzy and her team will encourage participation and greater access through our stage race and provision of training camps.

More information will follow in due course and I will be looking to provide a full and in-depth interview with Lizzy in the coming days/ weeks.

Entry opens January 1st 2015

2015 Race Route & Details:

RACE DATE: 20 – 23 August 2015 

• TOTAL DISTANCE: 150km
• TOTAL ASCENT: +10,000m
• AVERAGE ALTITUDE: +2,000m
• COUNTRIES: Switzerland and Italy

 

STAGE I:  Grächen to Zermatt 

• Date: Thursday 20 August
• Start: Grächen (CH)
• Finish: Zermatt (CH)
• Distance: 33 km
• Ascent / Descent: +2200m / -2000m
• Time Limit: 12 hours

 

STAGE II:  Zermatt to Stafal 

• Date: Friday 21 August
• Start: Zermatt (CH)
• Finish: Stafal (IT)
• Distance: 38 km
• Ascent / Descent: +2700m / -2500m
• Time Limit: 14 hours

 

STAGE III: Stafal – Macugnaga

• Date: Saturday 22 August
• Start: Stafal (IT)
• Finish: Macugnaga (IT)
• Distance: 36.5 km
• Ascent / Descent: +2700m / -3200m
• Time Limit: 14 hours

 

STAGE IV: Macugnaga – Grächen

• Date: Sunday 23 August
• Start: Macugnaga (IT)
• Finish: Grächen (CH)
• Distance: 40 km
• Ascent / Descent: +2600m / -2250
• Time Limit: 14 hours

*PLEASE NOTE: 2016 will be the first edition and single stage!

IMAGE GALLERY HERE all images ©alextreadway

LINKS

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2015 Registration is available HERE