News - Fri 16th Sep 2016 - UK's First Vertical Kilometre Race Kicks Off Skyline Scotland Weekend - Salomon Skyline Scotland

UK's First Vertical Kilometre Race Kicks Off Skyline Scotland Weekend

16th Sep 2016

France's Alexis Sévennec set a blistering 42 minutes and 17 seconds course record yesterday at the inaugural Salomon Mamores VK™, the UK's first Vertical Kilometer® format race. He pipped Norwegian favourite, Stian Angermund-Vik, to the podium by a mere 8 seconds. Another French athlete, Francois Gonon, came third with a very respectable 44 minutes and 48 seconds.

 

Alexis Sévennec

Alexis Sévennec makes light work of the incredibly steep slopes above Kinlochleven. Photo ©Guillem Casanova

 

The Salomon Mamores VK format is simple; runners start at 30-second intervals and make their way up 1000m (over 5km) as quickly as possible following a way-marked course. It makes for an incredible leg burning and lung-busting ascent from sea level to Munro summit. Of the 270 entries sold for the inaugural race, just 160 participants started (and finished) the course. 

 

Kilt start

Gary Banford starts the Salomon Mamores VK™ in fitting attire. Photo ©Guillem Casanova

 

The top 3 female athletes were all British, with Georgia Tindley finishing in 54 minutes and 34 seconds, closely followed by Stephanie Provan just 27 seconds later, and Zoe Procter in 58 minutes and 45 seconds.

 

This way

Elizabeth Jones seeks clarification on the race route from race director, Shane Ohly, at the start. Photo ©Guillem Casanova

 

The full official results are now finalised.

 

vertical in name vertical in nature

Hold on tight! Vertical in name, vertical in nature. Gaining 1km in height over just 5km on the ground. Photo ©Guillem Casanova

 

Next up in the Skyline Scotland weekend of races is Saturday's inaugural Salomon Ring of Steall Skyrace™. The course is a variation of the classic 'Ring of Steall' ridge-walking route, weighing in at ~29km with >2500m of vertical height gain. Participants can expect classic mountain ridges with steep ascents, traverses and descents on technical and challenging terrain with short sections of easy scrambling.

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