December
12
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K42 VILLA LA ANGOSTURA (42K-15K) CRISTIAN MOHAMED AND RAGNA DEBATS WINS. THE RACE by MAYAYO.
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The 16th edition of K42 Villa La Angostura is now history. One of the best mountain marathons in South America hosted more than 2,000 bib-numbers in their 15k-42k races, many of the elite runners have already run there, including Kilian Jornet, Miguel Heras, Luis Alberto Hernando, Oihana Kortazar, Zaid Ait Malek or the heads of this 2018 Ragna debats and the Dematteis twins.
After two wins in 2009 and 2011, Cristian Mohamed from Mendoza won the XVl edition of the K42 Adventure Marathon. He also took the the title back to Argentina, since in the last six years all the winners were foreigners (Miguel Angel Heras, Marco de Gasperi and Francisco Pino).
“I ran the first six kilometers with the Italian, but it was going at a pace that we would not be able to sustain. I knew that the race begins in the climb to Bayo, in the Raizal and I took care until there, “said the Cristian, who ended up taking six minutes to a world elite as is Bernard Dematteis.
Among the women, the winner was the Dutch Ragna Debats, World Champion of Ultra Trail. She crossed the finish line in 4h14m46, in his first experience in Argentina, being seventh of the general: “Some mountains to enjoy a lot and a very demanding race. It will be very interesting next year, ” she said, also thinking about the 2019 World Cup.” I was conservative because I knew that the second part was demanding. I found myself very well”, she said.
RESULTS
Men
- Cristian Mohamed (Mendoza) 3h39m42
- Bernard Dematteis (Italia) 3h45m41
- Esteban Las Peñas (San Juan) 3h54m12
Women
- Ragna Debats (Holanda) 4h14m46
- Yennifer Castro (Neuquén) 4h27m25
- Verónica Ramírez (Esquel) 4h34m31
Results k42 Villa la Angostura
The Italian Martin Dematteis was the absolute winner 15 kilometers from the K42 Adventure Marathon. The race started on Friday at 14, with a cool climate but ideal for running. second came an animator of the KSeries, the man from Puerto General San Martin Víctor Caballero. “I run for K15 because I wanted to win the South American Masters and I did it,” he said when he arrived in 1h18m36. In third place, of Gualeguay and in his debut in mountain, the podium was completed by Luciano Pared, with a time of 1h19m46.
The first to cross the finish line for women was the native of Esperanza, Patricia Isabel Ponce in 1h28m05. “I have no experience in the mountains, I am a street racer, but I came because I wanted to win the South American Championship,” said the 44-year-old athlete with 35 minutes for 10k.
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K42 VILLA LA ANGOSTURA: The race by Mayayo
Once upon a time, in Patagonia… A different piece of the world. Distant and isolated between huge lakes, snowy peaks, primeval forests and the wind, the almighty “Viento Blanco” whose power is ever present this far down South. windy. Mapuches, conquerors, Jesuits, pioneers, soldiers, fishermen, hunters, mountaineers, skiers … all passed through here and left their mark. The end of the world for some. Paradise on earth, for others.
Running here for the first time with the 16th edition of the classic mountain marathon K42 Argentina Series has been a unique combination of pain and pleasure. The K42 Villa La Angostura race is anchored in the middle of Patagonia Argentina. When travelling from the Barilochee airport to the race village you do so along Via 40, a greatly scenic route that allows you to feel welcome in the heart of the Nahuel Huapi National Park.
Its creation in 1922, was a pioneer in Argentina, from land donated by Perito Moreno himself. It is therefore a historic territory for all the country as the most ancient national park, yet Villa La Angostura also boasts a second national park. Back in 1971 the tiny peninsula of Quebrihue, hardly 13km long, where the first local pioneers settled, was separated to house the Brand new Arrayanes National Park. It is the smallest in the country, shelter of the sweet cinnamon tree that gives it its name and with privileged views from the top of its cliffs to the huge lakes and snowed mountains that encircle it.
History has been kind to this region, which is now one of the best preserved in Argentina, as well as boasting Good quality for its public services and security for visitors and locals alike. It sure has come a long way: From the old Jesuit mission of the Nahuel Huapi, massacred in 1717 by the natives, to the Cerro Bayo ski resort created by a Belgian from 1975, Villa La Angostura has managed to maintain its natural charm and get closer to those passionate about the mountain, hosting skiers, mountains bikers, fishermen, trekkers and Trail runners alike.
The key step for mountain runners came when Diego Zarba and Norma Heredia started the dream of a great alpine marathon, to climbed from the village to the snowy top of Cerro Bayo at 1.800m. Sixteen editions later, this is the K42 Villa La Angostura that I lived, where the race report is but a part of the great charm of travelling here. This was my personal experience:
Madrid-Buenos Aires-Bariloche-Villa La Angostura. More than 30 hours of travel to rest in La Posada del Cipres, I hope it was worth it … Yesterday I picked up the bib and the mandatory “T-shirt” for running the race. Tomorrow I will run my first K42 her and I’m uncertain. Two injuries this season have left me with few runs and low form. Up to 21km last Saturday in Ecotrailmadrid I was long, with cramps in the final stretch. We went through the physical afterwards, of course, but still … How will this 42k / D+2200m course treat me now?
Saturday 17NOV The only advantage of changing schedules when crossing the Ocean? We run at 9am, but from 5 o’clock I walk with my eyes like saucers already. For once, I have time to prepare everything with care and arrive without any stress to the start, with Ragna Debats and Bernard De Matteis as top favorites. Martin already won yesterday on the 15k race. Great atmosphere here today, over 2000 runners come together for this event. Many girls, many, since the organizers allow for more than 12 hours to cross the finish line thus making the race open to entire groups that will be hooked on mountain races from this finish line onwards. Bravo!
We are off! Cries of encouragement throughout the town, until we turn and enter the spectacular Patagonian primeval forest. A first loop of 15km going up and down the thick forest. It is magnificent. We run along single trails and just a few meters away, the land appears virgin, as if the plant of man had never stepped on it. Foret loop done! It hurts, but we’re already down,. Now we are heading gradually up to the base of Cerro Bayo ski station, which from the top of its 1,800m always decides the race.
Lots of life and support along the course. Every 6km or so there is a check point where we may reload food and drink, and more than thaat, every few meters there is someone cheering, supporting. And many, many security volunteers, almost on each ramp. And of course, do not forget icy river fording, a classic in Patagonian racing. Here it will be up to three freezing currents where we refresh our legs before finally reaching the base for ski station Cerro Bayo, on the 26k. Here begins the fiercest rush, along the vertical path aptly named RAIZAL II, for we negotiate the climb among thick roots and trees along its 3.5k / D + 800m.
Finally, we are out of the forest and into the snow. Cold. It starts to snow. Stop. I put on cuffs, gloves, a hat and a windproof vest. Let’s go! Last loops on snow and we reach the Summit at 1,800m, the whole panorama of Nahuel Huapi opens up: Forests, lakes and snowy peaks. Down there you can see La Angostura. ¡VAMOS!
Very fun downhill, more than I expected. The upper section has delicate parts between broken rocks and variable snow. We keep going down, until we leave the ski station after the Tronador Restaurant, now we are back to the forest.
We run along the last 10km already. Delicious. There are a thousand curves and countercurves along the path in strong descent where you can show off…if you still have strength. And where to suffer if, as it happens to me today, cramps are unleashed. Patience, alternate run-walk as you can and continue. Last kilometer! We run all along the main avenue with the whole town cheering. Nice touch.
THE FINISH LINE. It has takeen 7h03m for these 42km/D+2200m. Happy … even more so when they welcome us in goal with a hot stew of lentils and meat, before taking a shower and getting ready for the big night party with all the other runners. Happiness, was this.
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Info by Abel de Frutos for Trailrunningspain
