Lambert Santelli and Eva Maria Sperger victorious at Restonica Trail by UTMB

Lambert Santelli and Eva Maria Sperger claimed victories in the 100M category race at the 2023 Restonica Trail by UTMB.

The UTMB World Series event on the Mediterranean of Corsica featured four distances and attracted a number of big names.

Super Santelli

France’s Santelli, the 2019 Restonica Trail winner, dominated the 108km Ultra-Trail di Corsica as he finished in 15:15:31, over an hour and a half clear of Belgian Jerome Vanderschaeghe.

Paul Zunino (FRA) completed the men’s podium around 40 minutes further back, edging out Guillaume Beauxis (FRA) by 10 minutes.

Germany’s Sperger came home in 20:59:42 to clinch the women’s title, overcoming Aline Coquard (FRA) and Sandrine Beranger (FRA), who were comfortably second and third respectively.

Restonica Trail

Elie Besson-Pithon (FRA) finished just less than half an hour clear at the front of the 67km Restonica Trail, crossing the line in 8:27:35.

Thibaud Le Coguic (FRA) took second, less than five minutes in front of third-place Kevin Raymond (FRA).

The women’s edition was won by Italy’s Natalia Mastrota, who clocked 11:02:28.

Second and third were separated by only one second, with Sabrina Mauratte (FRA) taking the tape just ahead of Gaelle Loridat (FRA).

Brilliant Baronian

Thibaud Baronian said before Restonica Trail that he was looking to ‘relax the legs’, but the Frenchman did more than that as he marched to victory in the 33km Tavignanu Trail.

It was an all-French podium as Baronian, who was fourth in the Short Trail category at last month’s World Mountain and Trail Running Championships (WMTRC) at Innsbruck-Stubai, clocked 3:11:34, just over seven minutes ahead of Loic Robert and around 10 minutes clear of Noel Giordano.

Louise Serban-Penhoat (FRA) was the only woman to go sub-four hours, stopping the clock at 3:59:29 for an impressive win.

Germany’s Juliane Rossler took second over 20 minutes further back, with Mathilde Coulon (FRA) taking the final podium place.

Dominant Alix

The shortest race of the weekend, the 20K Girou di Tumbone, was dominated by France’s Adrien Alix as he finished in 1:18:47 – over five minutes clear.

Colombian Daniel Mejia took second, three minutes ahead of Stefane Costa (FRA).

Najwa Laajail triumphed in the women’s edition, finishing in 1:36:54 as she topped another all-French podium featuring Maelys Devos and Victoire Alzon.

Restonica Trail by UTMB results

Ultra-Trail di Corsica, Friday 6 July 2023, 100M

MEN:

1. Lambert Santelli (FRA) – 15:15:31
2. Jerome Vanderschaeghe (BEL) – 16:40:42
3. Paul Zunino (FRA) – 17:23:36

WOMEN:

1. Eva Maria Sperger (GER) – 20:59:43
2. Aline Coquard (FRA) – 21:19:41
3. Sandrine Beranger (FRA) – 22:07:40

Restonica Trail, Sunday 8 July 2023, 100K

MEN:

1. Elie Besson-Pithon (FRA) – 8:27:35
2. Thibaud Le Coguic (FRA) – 8:56:38
3. Kevin Raymond (FRA) – 9:01:23

WOMEN:

1. Natalia Mastrota (ITA) – 11:02:28
2. Sabrina Maurette (FRA) – 11:17:54
3. Gaelle Loridat (FRA) – 11:17:55

Tavignanu Trail, Sunday 8 July 2023, 50K

MEN:

1. Thibaud Baronian (FRA) – 3:11:34
2. Loic Robert (FRA) – 3:18:56
3. Noel Giordano (FRA) – 3:22:06

WOMEN:

1. Louise Serban-Penhoat (FRA) – 3:59:29
2. Juliane Rossler (GER) – 4:21:18
3. Mathilde Coulon (FRA) – 4:25:24

Girou di Tumbone, Saturday 7 July 2023, 20K

MEN:

1. Adrien Alix (FRA) – 1:18:47
2. Daniel Mejia (COL) – 1:24:08
3. Stefane Costa (FRA) – 1:27:07

WOMEN:

1. Najwa Laajail (FRA) – 1:36:54
2. Maelys Devos (FRA) – 1:39:24
3. Victoire Alzon (FRA) – 1:41:52