Ann Cecile Fontaine of France (© Nadeem Khan)
The 8th IAU 24 Hour World & European Championship takes place on
13-14 May in Brive-La-Gaillarde, France. Local athletes Fabien Hoblea
and Anne Cecile Fontaine are the top male and female athletes going into
the competition.
This race was formerly called the “World Challenge” but as of 2010, the IAU in working with the IAAF, has secured the title World Championship for all its major events.
The 8th edition of this event in being organized in beautiful Brive-La-Gaillarde in the south of France. This city is the most populated city in the Correze District and the second largest town in the Limousin area.
This year’s event is starting on a somber note. Mr. Patrick Marani, the Race Director for the Brive 24 Hour passed away on 7 May. One of his dreams was to host the IAU 24 Hour World Championship and he worked very hard to secure and accomplish this goal.
In order to continue the accomplishment of Marani’s goals, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) and the town administration have sanctioned the championships to go ahead and the IAU are in full support of their endeavour.
Local athlete Hoblea is the top male competitor going into the race with 267.074 km best. Last year’s winner Henrik Olsson (SWE) has not entered this year’s competition. Yuji Sakai (JPN) and Shingo Inoue (JPN) round up the top three with 264.389 km and 258.801 km, respectively.
In the women’s event, last year’s winner Anne Cecile Fontaine leads the competitors entered with 243.644 km. She is followed by her teammates, Anne Marie Vernet and Brigitte Bec with 239.685 km and 234.977 km, respectively.
There are a record 239 athletes (155 men and 84 women) representing 30 countries, who are taking part in this year’s edition of the event. In addition, Brive will see an additional 119 officials supporting these athletes. These numbers will be completed by hundreds of volunteers who will complement the athletes and officials during their stay in Brive.
The course that the race is being organized on is a 1200m looped route in the center of Brive. The course is mainly flat with half of the race on asphalt and the other half on softer ground.
There will be a section on the course designated for refreshments stand put up by the support crew of respective countries where athletes will be able to make stops and pick-up supplies.
The race has received tremendous support from the (FFA) and the Pays De Brive Athletic Club as the local organizing committee.
The IAU, along with the LOC, hope to put on a great competition reflecting the hard work of Mr. Patrick Marani and his supporters.
For Live results and regular updates, visit www.iau-ultramarathon.org (Live Updates) or follow IAU on twitter www.twitter.com/iaunews
Nadeem Khan for the IAAF
Top Athletes in the competition (based on 2008-2010 performances)
Men:
1) Fabien Hoblea FRA 267.074 km
2) Yuji Sakai JPN 264.389 km
3) Shingo Inoue JPN 258.801 km
4) Vladimir Bychkov RUS 257.327 km
5) Jon Harald Berge NOR 249.361 km
Women:
1) Anne-Cecile Fontaine FRA 243.644 km
2) Anne Marie Vernet FRA 239.685 km
3) Brigitte Bec FRA 234.977 km
4) Sharon Gayter GBR 226.489 km
5) Monica Casiraghi ITA 226.130 km
