Albi is a city located in southern, France on the River Tarn. The historical city is located 85km northeast of Toulouse. Albi was voted as the Top Town of Sport Events in 2012 by the French newspaper l´Equipe.
In the men´s field, In the absence of Florian Reus (GER) we will be crowing a new European Champion. Going into the race Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) is the top runner. With a personal best this year of 260.491km Sorokin will look to put in an early fast pace. Bela Mazur (HUN) and Zoltan Csecsei (HUN) will be looking to stay close to Sorkin as well with personal bests of 247.040 km and 243.460km.
The field is very tight in bests achieved in 2016 prior to the race. Dietmar Korntner (AUT) and James Elson (GBR) with a distance of 243.068 and 242.490km achieved in 2016 and veteran Irish runner Eoin Keith with a distance of 241.938km this year will also be vying for that top spot for men.
In the women´s field, Maria Jansson (SWE) is back to defend her European Championship title gained at the World and European Championship in Turin last year. She has a best distance of 242.686km this year. Teammates from Hungary, Viktoria Makai and Boglarka Vago with bests of 225.600km and 223.540km, respectively will also be aiming their eyes on a podium finish.
The women´s field has several runners running in the 215-225km range. Anne Marie Vernet (FRA) is back in the mix having run 222.419km this year. Amy Masner (IRL) completes the top 5 with a 217.068km distance this year.
The day-night event will be run around approximately an 1120m course. The field has 180 runners signed up representing 24 countries.
The race starts at 1000hrs and promises to be an exciting one.
Top 5 athletes in the field (based on 2016 results)
Men:
Aleksandr Sorokin (LTU) 260.491km
Bela Mazur (HUN) 247.040km
Zoltan Csecsei (HUN) 243.460km
Dietmar Korntner (AUT) 243.068km
James Elson (GBR) 242.490km
Women:
Maria Jansson (SWE) 242.686km
Viktoria Makai (HUN) 225.600km
Boglarka Vago (HUN) 223.540km
Anne Marie Vernet (FRA) 222.419km
Amy Masner (IRL) 217.068km
Nadeem Khan
IAU Director of Communications
nadeem.khan@iau-ultramarathon.org
