Elite Men – 2016
They run the Ultra-Trail World Tour this year*!
(ITRA Performance Index XL Category)
Copyright: Craig Kolesky / Red Bull Content Pool
Ryan SANDES – PI 882
From: South Africa
Trailrunner since: 2006
Program: Tarawera Ultramarathon, February
Ultra-Trail Australia, May
UTMB, August
The races he would dream to win: UTMB; Western States 100
Tim TOLLEFSON – PI 878
From: United states
Trailrunner since: 2014
Program: Transgrancanaria HG, March
Ultra-Trail Australia, May
Eiger Ultra-Trail, July
Ezakimak, August
CCC, August
Best memory on a trail: Competing at the 2015 UTMB’s CCC. “Witnessing the energy that is European trail racing was spectacular. Thousands of trail runners, fans, and volunteers spread across 3 countries was truly magical. It was an honor to just be there.”
The race he would dream to win: UTMB
Julien CHORIER – PI 862
From: France
Trailrunner since: 2005
Program: Transgrancanaria HG, March
Lavaredo Ultra-Trail, June
UTMB, August
Grand Raid de la Réunion, October
and Interlac; Ironman Nice
Best memory on a trail: Finishing the Grand Raid de la Réunion with my daughter for the victory.
The race he would dream to win: All those I have not won yet.
“What a privilege to discover the current world to discover myself, my limits, my feelings! What a joy to share these emotions and beautiful values of sport-nature with the greatest number!”
Jason SCHLARB – PI 882
From: United states
Trailrunner since: 2011
Program: Tarawera Ultramarathon, February
Marathon des Sables, April
Hardrock 100, July
UTMB, August
Best memory on a trail: “The first 10k of Grand Raid 2014… tens of thousands of locals screaming, playing music and cheering racers on through the night. Brought me to tears.”
The race he would dream to win: UTMB or Grand Raid. “But the best race to win is the one where I have to dig the deepest, work the hardest and do what I might think I can’t do.”
Pau BARTOLO – PI 880
From: Spain
Trailrunner since: 2009
Program: Hong Kong 100, January
Transgrancanaria HG, March
Madeira Island Ultra Trail, April
Lavaredo Ultra-Trail, June
UTMB, August
Best memory on a trail: “For me there are 2 big memories: my arrivals at the finish line in Chamonix for CCC2014 and TDS2015, both victories were very important for me. It’s the resume of a big work for me and my family.”
The race he would dream to win: “UTMB is the biggest race in the world, so it could be incredible for me to win again in Chamonix.”
Arnaud LEJEUNE – PI 851
From: France
Trailrunner since: 2010
Program: Hong Kong 100, January
Transgrancanaria HG, March
Eiger Ultra Trail, July
UTMB, August
Grand Raid Réunion, October
Best memory on a trail: “My 4th place at the 2011 CCC (UTMB). My first big performance with my family and friends who followed me the entire race. And my daughter at the finish line saying “Bravo Papa, you didn’t cracked””
The race he would dream to win: “I don’t really want to win, just running the races I didn’t run yet. Like Hong Kong or in the United States. I hope to finish them one day.”
Michael WARDIAN – PI 821
From: United States
Trailrunner since: 1996
Program: Tarawera Ultramarathon, February
EcoTrail Paris and Verticale de la Tour Eiffel, March
Compressport Trail Menorca Cami de Cavallas, May
San Diego 100 Miler, June
UTMB, August
and other long distance on-road and off-road races…
Best memory on a trail: “One of my best memories was completing last year the full Tarawera 100K in New Zealand and I was so happy but that was nothing compared to seeing all the other athletes complete the race including Paul Charteris the race director. Running these ultra distances on trails change people and I love seeing them cross the line and know they did something epic.””
The race he would dream to win: “I would love to win the Tarawera 100K… it is one of my favourite races in the world and winning it would mean the world to me.”
Pau CAPELL-GIL – PI 848
From: Spain
Trailrunner since: 2012
Program: Hong Kong 100, January
Transgrancanaria HG, March
Madeira Island Ultra Trail, April
Compressport Trail Menorca Cami de Cavallas, May
Lavaredo Ultra-Trail, June
Eiger Ultra-Trail, July
TDS, August
Best memory on a trail: “I had good moments in these 3 years because in every year I learnt a lot and I won differents championships, but the best moment was last July in Sierra Nevada when I won the Spain Ultra Cup. I strived during all 2015 and winning the Spain Ultra Cup was the best award.”
The race he would dream to win: “The best race in the world, UTMB. This race is the summit of ultratrail and winning it would be a dream.”
Ryan KAISER – PI 851
From: USA
Trailrunner since: 2014
Program: Hardrock 100, July
UTMB, August
and Javelina 100. October
Best memory on a trail: “My best memory during competition was running the final 1.2 miles of the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run with my wife and friends. Their motivation and support during the final stretch of the race has to be my fondest memory.”
The race he would dream to win: “Winning the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run would be a dream come true.”
but also François D’HAENE – Gediminas GRINIUS – Luis-Alberto HERNANDO – Tofol CASTANER BERNAT – Seth SWANSON – David LANEY – Dylan BOWMAN – Antoine GUILLON – Miguel HERAS-HERNANDEZ
For the list of UTWT supported athletes, please visit here.
*To be a finisher of the UTWT you need to finish 2 member races.
The general ranking of the UTWT is the sum of the 3 best results of the year.