FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Pure Wilderness: Running in the Land of Ghengis Khan
-The registration period for the 17th Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset 42km and
100km trail run, taking place on 5th August 2015, starts on 1 October 2014.
-Adventure seeking runners can now register for this unique experience on
www.ms2s.org.
-Runners from no less than 13 countries participated in 2014; new race
record set for 42km distance.
Mongolia (24 September 2014) - Wild horses, wild yaks and seas of
wildflowers: The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset 42km and 100km ultra marathon
truly offers pure wilderness to the participants. "It is one of the most
remote races worldwide. The untouched nature in the Hovsgol National Park
is the main reason why many of our runners refer to the Mongolia Sunrise to
Sunset as the most beautiful 100km run on the planet", says race director
Nicolas Musy. The course in the National Park in Northern Mongolia follows
lake-side single tracks and horse trails. It includes steep hills,
windblown lowlands, craggy mountains, marshy forests and spectacular views
over mighty Lake Hovsgol and all the way to the Siberian Mountains in the
far North.
Register now!
The registration period for next year's race starts on 1 October 2014.
Runners with an appetite for a special adventure can now secure early bird
rates for the race package online on www.ms2s.org. "This is not a one-day
event. We offer a week full of discovery and adventure", explains Musy.
Participants gather in a picturesque camp at the lakeshore, sleep in
traditional Mongolian yurts and get in touch with local nomads and their
culture. In the days before and following the race, runners can enjoy a
variety of leisure activities: horseback riding, fishing, kayaking, hiking,
or mountain biking.
2014: New record for 42km
Runners from 13 countries gathered at the shores of Lake Hovsgol in August
2014 for the 16th edition of this spectacular race. French runner Alex
Balson, who lives in Northern Mongolia and is familiar with the course, set
a new record time for the 42km in 3:48 hours. An impressive time,
especially considering the difficulty of the terrain and the accumulated
elevation gain/loss of 2,255 meters in the marathon distance. For the 100km
ultra distance, the accumulated elevation gain/loss is no less than 3,365
meters. Sean Smith from Australia managed to come in first in 13:37 hours.
Especially remarkable was the breathtaking finish in the veteran category,
where 69-year old Marc Progin from Switzerland and Hans Andersen from
Denmark sprinted head-to-head through the finish line and shared the first
place in 14:52 hours. The fastest female on 42km was Rose Kennedy from the
United States, while her compatriot Rhonda Stricklett won the 100km ultra
distance in strong 14:25 hours.
Preserving the National Park
The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is organised on a non-profit basis. All
proceeds are used to keep Hovsgol National Park pristine and clean as well
as to support the culture of the local nomads via the "ecoLeap foundation"
registered in Geneva, Switzerland. "We want to keep this pristine mountain
area as beautiful as it is now. That is why we fund a litter control
project and its ongoing operation including hiring park rangers, providing
eco-friendly garbage bags and raising awareness nation-wide through TV ads
and education of local children and families", explains race director
Nicolas Musy. The ecoLeap foundation also supports the local culture, adds
Musy: "It is not only the pristine nature that makes this part of the world
so special. It is also the unique culture of the nomads and their way of
life. The nomads should be proud of their abilities and culture."
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