Henrik Olsson (SWE) and Anne-Cecile Fontaine (FRA) win the 7^th IAU World Challenge held on May 2-3 2009 in Bergamo, Italy. Teams from Japan and France won the men’s and women’s divisions, respectively. Both Henrik (SWE) and Anne-Cecile (FRA) also won the European Championship. Russia won the men’s European title and France did the honour in the women’s. Anne Cecile missed setting a World’s Best performance by 13 meters.

Bergamo, Italy hosted the 7^th IAU World Challenge on May 2-3 2009. Race day conditions were warm at 22 C and dropped to 13 C at night. 206 athletes participated from 28 different countries looking for the longest distance they can achieve in a 24 hour time period.

The course was around a 1133.945m loop. Teams had their tents set up on a controlled part of the course with several delegations bringing crews to help out with the athletes. The atmosphere around the aid station was electric all through the day and night.

The men’s race was a testament of persistence and patience and striking at the most opportune time. Henrik Olsson (SWE) was sitting in 11^th position after the first 6 hours. But buying his time, he was in 5^th place by 9^th hour and moved into the lead in the 15^th hour which he maintained till the end of the race. Olsson ran 257.042 km to win the 7^th IAU 24 hour World Challenge.

Second place runner Ralf Weis (GER) had an amazing run. His first time on the national 24 hour team at the World Challenge and he ran a very tactical race moving up the ranks in the later quarter of the race. In the end Ralf ran 244.492 km. Yuji Sakai (JPN) had another strong performance in this race, He finished 3^rd in Seoul at the 6^th edition of this race last year. This year he ran a very consistent run from start to finish completing 242.713 km

The women’s race came down to a battle between long time friends and team-mates, Anne-Cecile Fontaine (FRA) and Brigitte Bec (FRA). Anne-Cecile was second last year when she finished behind Anne-Marie Vernet.

Both Anne-Cecile and Brigitte ran an outstanding race with lead changes between the two for the first 15 hours when Anne-Cecile took over and the started extending her lead.

Anne-Cecile was gunning for the World’s Best Performance. The current record is at 243.657 km. However, in the end despite Anne-Cecile’s very heroic effort, she came short up by 13 meters completing 243.644 km.

Brigitte finished second with a total distance of 234.977 km. She improved on her placing from last year when she went home with a bronze medal. Local athlete, Monica Casiraghi (ITA) finished third overall after competing 234.977 km.

Top male runner coming into the championship, Fabien Hoblea (FRA), didn’t have a great race and finished in 86^th position with a distance of 152.928 km. Last year’s women’s champion, Anne-Marie Vernet (FRA) also had a tough time around the course finishing in 14^th position for the women with a distance of 202.051 km

Japan, continued their unprecedented streak, taking the men’s team honours. They were followed by Russia and Germany. For the women’s team, France once again came out on top, followed by a very strong performance by United States and Italy.

This race was also the European Championships and Henrik, Ralf and early race leader Valdimir Bychkov (RUS) were men’s European Championship. The women’s race was unchanged from the World Challenge winners.

The team winners were Russia taking home the gold for the men’s event followed by Germany in silver and Sweden in bronze. Women’s team event was won by France with Italy taking silver and Germany the bronze.

IAU is in the process of deciding the venue for 8^th IAU 24 Hour World Challenge 2010.

Results 24hr World Challenge 2009, Bergamo, Italy

Men:

Gold --- Henrik Olsson SWE 257.042 km (1^st European Championship)

Silver --- Ralf Weis GER 244.492 km (2^nd European Championship)

Bronze --- Yuji Sakai JPN 242.713 km

4^th Place --- Vladimir Bychkov RUS 240.506 km (3^rd European Championship)

5^th Place --- Eoin Keith IRL 237.206 km

Women:

Gold --- Anne-Cecile Fontaine FRA 243.644 km (1^st European Championship)

Silver --- Brigitte Bec FRA 243.977 km (2^nd European Championship)

Bronze --- Monica Casiraghi ITA 223.848 km (3^rd European Championship)

4^th Place --- Jamie Donaldson USA 220.219 km

5^th Place --- Julia Alter GER 219.293 km

Team Competition Men:

Gold --- Japan 706.984 km

Silver --- Russia 693.445 km (1^st European Championship)

Bronze --- Germany 689.111 km (2^nd European Championship)

4^th Place --- Sweden 684.333 km (3^rd European Championship)

5^th Place ---   France 681.166 km

Team Competition Women:

Gold --- France 684.078 km (1^st European Championship)

Silver --- USA 636.159 km

Bronze --- Italy 626.386 km (2^nd European Championship)

4^th Place --- Germany 598.365 km (3^rd European Championship)

5^th Place --- Finland 590.963 km

Nadeem Khan

Director of Communications

nadeem.khan@iau-ultramarathon.org