Winter conditions on the Skalla - WMRA Grand Prix

Antonella Confotola of Italy and John Sombol of Kenya won the 5th WMRA Grand Prix race in Skaala Uphill in Norway on Sunday (16).

Sombol was only 5 seconds ahead of Jonathan Wyatt of New Zealand, the six times World Mountain Running champion. Despite tough winter weather conditions 1500 participants (new record) finished the 8th edition of the 8.2 km long extreme mountain running race with a total climb 1814 metres.

Before the race some international runners asked why a rucksack was obligatory. After the race they didn't ask about that anymore, but were very happy to have enough warm clothes on the finish line 1848 meters above sea level at the summit of the Skaala mountain.

All participants in the competition class had to carry a rucksack /backpack/ weighing at least 2,5 kilos with warm clothes (and some food) for the race (both up and down!) because it could be cold at the top. It was the toughest and most winter weather conditions in 8 year’s history of the race.

Tomo Sarf for the IAAF

RESULTS:

Women
1. Antonella CONFORTOLA, ITA  1:26:35
2. Iva MILESOVA, CZE 1:27:00
3. Guro Flatekval, NOR 1:27:05
4. May Britt BUER, NOR 1:27:50
5. Tuva Staver TOFTDAL, NOR 1:31:42
6. Merete HELGHEIM, NOR 1:33:49
7. Therese SJURSEN, NOR 1:34:52
8. Norunn StAVO, NOR 1:38:39

Men:
1. John SOMBOL, KEN 1:09:55
2. Jonathan WYATT, NZL 1:10:00
3. David SCHNEIDER, SUI 1:10:50
4. Jon DUNCAN, GBR 1:11:07
5. Sammy KIRUI, KEN 1:12:31
6. Joseph GRAY, USA 1:12:48
7. Øystein SYLTA, NOR 1:13:31
8. Kristen SKJELDAL, NOR 1:14:10
9. Sindre BURAAS, NOR 1:14:41
10.Rickey GATES, USA 1:14:57