There was a British double in the showpiece mozart 100 by UTMB this weekend as Jack Chamberlain and Fiona Pascall took the titles in hugely challenging conditions around Salzburg in Austria.
The day before the race organisers had announced that due to a weather forecast showing strong winds, cold temperatures and rain, both the mozart 100 (over 104km) and the mozart Ultra (80km) had been re-routed to “prioritise runners, volunteers and staff well being”.
This change didn’t affect the UTMB Index and Running Stones the finishers of both races gained and it was to prove a momentous day for Chamberlain especially as he notched the biggest win of his career so far, having finished third in the event last year.
Men’s race – ‘incredibly challenging’ for all
Chamberlain, who is based in Austria, crossed the line in a rainy Salzburg in 11 hours 19 minutes and 37 seconds, just under nine minutes clear of runner up Paweł Czerniak of Poland.
Italy’s Carlo Salvetti was third, with American ultrarunning great Dylan Bowman in fourth.
“You never know what’s going to happen and I wasn’t sure whether I could win today – especially when there are guys like Dylan Bowman here,” said a delighted Chamberlain afterwards.
Bowman for his part underlined the importance of handling the ups and downs that such conditions bring when he was interviewed just after crossing the finish line.
He said: “That was so incredibly challenging. I’ve never raced in weather conditions like that. The underfoot conditions were crazy.
“I had a bad, bad low point around 50k and for about two-and-a-half hours I was really suffering but I turned it around. I rallied and I finished and I’m really happy, thankyou guys for having me.”
Women’s race – Pascall a class apart
Pascall produced a superb performance to dominate the women’s race – and take seventh overall – as she stopped the clock in 12:06:04.
That was nearly 40 minutes ahead of Claudia Chmielowska (POL) in second, with Maryline Nakache (FRA) rounding out the podium in third.
It was a second UTMB World Series win for Pascall following her victory at the Julian Alps Trail Run last August.
And it added to more good Austrian memories as she had been part of an impressive Great Britain quartet at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Innsbruck last year alongside Barkley Marathons legend Jasmin Paris, Meryl Cooper and Julia Davis, who finished fourth this weekend in the mozart Ultra.
And writing afterwards on Instagram, Pascall summed up the challenge perfectly as she said: “In the gloomy darkness, as we counted down the minutes to 0500, we stood in the lashing rain, the cathedral looming over us on one side the castle on the other, there was a hush around the square and a sense of foreboding about the runners.
“The supporters huddled under umbrellas, sharing wry smiles and smug looks, but wondering if they should be encouraging their loved ones into this kind of behaviour.
“The rain didn’t stop for one second of the next 12.06 hours but I quickly remembered how much I love splashing around in the mud.
I laughed out loud on multiple occasions.
“I am so incredibly grateful to all of the organisers, staff, supporters and volunteers who stuck it out all day and night in these mad conditions.”
Marathon also a tough test
Chamberlain, Pascall, Bowman and co were out there for around 12 hours but it sounded super tough too in the mozart Marathon over 40km, with 1,650 metres of elevation.
Andrzej Witek of Poland won the men’s race and explained: “I think I won because I am a good downhill runner.
“This weather is very good for running on the flat surface, but on downhills it becomes extremely technical, so I managed to use my strong side to get this victory. I am very proud – mozart 100 is a very popular race in Poland and many people travel to Salzburg. It’s an amazing day for me.”
And that was echoed by women’s winner Nuria Gil Clapera of Spain who said: “There is a lot of mud all over the course. On the downhill sections, it was very slippery – you had to be very careful not to fall.”
mozart 100 by UTMB results, Saturday 1 June, 104km
MEN:
- Jack Chamberlain (GBR) – 11:19:37
- Paweł Czerniak (POL) – 11:28:17
- Carlo Salvetti (ITA) – 11:33:21
WOMEN:
- Fiona Pascall (GBR) – 12:06:04
- Claudia Chmielowska (POL) – 12:44:42
- Maryline Nakache (FRA) – 12:52:32
