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VOLVIC VOLCANIC EXPERIENCE 2019 (MAY30 to JUNE1): Kilian Jornet ambassador of the Volvic brand & the VVX’s guest of honor. Favorites and Races
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The Volvic Volcanic Experience – VVX – is coming, from May 30th to June 1st. An opportunity to dive into an exceptional region in the north of the Chaîne de Puys, a place where nature is preserved at the heart of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park. As multi-faceted as the area in which it is hosted, the VVX is both the host of a major sporting event (trail running, hiking and introductions to various outdoor activities) and an invitation to discover the local heritage in a convivial atmosphere.
Our colleagues Sergio Mayayo and Paula Bueno will be there to describe this adventure for all of you in carrerasdemontana.com, trailrunningspain.com and all of our channels.
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VVX 2019: Kilian Jornet Ambassador of the Volvic brand & the VVX’s guest of honor
World renowned athlete and passionate about the great outdoors, Kilian Jornet has become an absolute icon in the world of trail running within the past few years. His great and numerous sporting achievements as well as his charisma have made him one of the most renowned trail runners and a major player on the adventure and outdoor scenes. At almost 32 years old, and passionate about nature and adventure, Kilian has chosen to live in Norway where he finds the great outdoors and the peacefulness he cherishes so. Ambassador for the Volvic brand since 2018, he thoroughly enjoyed the natural environment of the Volvic Volcanic Experience as well as the people he met during his last visit. He was particularly impressed by the Volvic catchment area (a natural landscape of 38km2 and zone where the rain water penetrates the earth giving birth to the natural mineral water of Volvic) as well as the history behind it all. It’s therefore for the pleasure of the event’s organizers, volunteers, athletes, and spectators that Kilian will be back for the 2019 edition, the chance for another immersion into the Auvergne environment!
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Kilian will enjoy two days in the VVX with following schedule:
Thursday 30th May
- From 4 pm on, Kilian will join in with the other elite athletes running (Dawa Sherpa, Sangé Sherpa, Anthony Gay, Francesca Canepa, Meghan Laws, Sarah Verguet Moniz, Pedro Jose Hernandez…) for a public speaking before continuing with a 30 minute press conference
- 18:30 Opening ceremony for the 3rd annual edition of the VVX
Friday 31st May
- Kilian will be present all day long to cheer on all runners, whatever their age and experience, on the new 110 km format, the iconic Catchment Area Trail and the brand new Kids Trail.
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VOLVIC VOLCANIC EXPERIENCE 2019: The favorites of this third edition
Volvic Volcanic Experience will celebrate its third years with a ver good pool of elite runners. Among them, Italy will be represented by Francesca Canepa (ITRA index 714), the USA by Meghan Laws (ITRA index 663), Portugal by Sarah Verguet Moniz (ITRA index 663), France by Anthony Gay (ITRA index 831), and Nepal by Sangé Sherpa (ITRA index 815) and Dawa Dachhiri Sherpa (ITRA index 735).
Caroline Benoit and Anthony Gay both won the VVX’s 2018 edition of the 83 km format, respectively in women’s and men’s categories. Anthony and Caroline are wonderful ambassadors of the Volvic Volcanic Experience! As both a couple and a family, they now proudly represent the event which aims at families, children and all other nature, sports and trail lovers. Both have participated in practically all of the Auvergne volcano region’s races, often bringing home new victories!
As ambassadors for the VVX, they convey the event’s original and unique concept. In their own words, “the event’s organizers wish to open our regional landscape and culture to others. Only very few events try to establish what the VVX does. Although, of course, the trail races are the main attraction to the weekends’ festivities, there are also over 30 parallel activities open to the public for free. The organizers strive to thereby highlight the local activities, whether cultural, festive or artisanal. Their goal is to promote the territory as a whole and I’m pleased to see that it’s a success since runners are becoming aware of the destination’s uniqueness… and all this, thanks to trail racing!”.
Francesca Canepa from Italy with an ITRA index of 714, she starts her athletic career with snowboarding, specializing in giant slaloms, before turning towards trail running in 2010. Winning the Lavaredo Trail in 2012, the Tor des Géants in 2012 and 2013, the Eiger Ultra Trail in 2013 and 2014, the Hong Kong 100 in 2014 and the UTMB® in 2018. She also was the first italian winning UTMB.
Meghan Laws from USA with an ITRA index of 663, is one of America’s great trail runner athletes. She ranks 6th on the Western States Endurance Run in 2016 (160km), 3rd on the Waldo 100 km in 2017 and 10th in 2018 on the Lake Sanoma 50 (75 km). “As the years went by, I kept on increasing the distances I chose to run, starting with a 5 km race, then 10 km and finally, a marathon. Long distance races are where I excel! I had even qualified 4 times for the Olympic Marathon. I had brought my time down to 2.45 hours when I caught the ultra-marathon bug.”
Dawa dachhiri sherpa with an ITRA index 735, was born in the Himalayas, at 2700 m altitude, he has won more than 100 races among which the Annapurna Mandala Trail, the Tchimbé Raid, the Grand Raid du Mercantour, the 6000D… In 2010, he lands an impressive 5th place on the Grand Raid de la Réunion. He’s also the very first winner of the UTMB® in 2003.
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VOLVIC VOLCANIC EXPERIENCE 2019: The races
The VVX is compound of 4 races, 110km, 43km, 25km and 15km, located in the heart of a region shaped by volcanic eruptions. Apart of these for, this year there will be two new races, the Great Volcanic Crossing Experience – Trail Adventure Race: 220 km/7500-m climb and the VVX Kid’s trail run with several distances.
Let’s see the different races here:
Chaîne des Puys-Faille de Limagne Experience (110km – 4 ITRA points): A trail for the toughest runners through the very heart of the Auvergne volcanoes, it can also be completed in relay teams of two or three. Designed to take in the entire Chaîne des Puys zone, which recently became a UNESCO world heritage site, this race allows you to explore this exceptional region in a completely new way, thanks to the balance of scenery and ascents up some of the area’s characteristic hills. Part of the trail includes an ascent to the summit of the legendary Puy de Dôme (1,465m) to view the spectacular sunrise. For this third instalment of VVX, the trail will have a few nice surprises and will be extended to 110km to give you the chance to explore the northern part of the Chaîne des Puys. The final 30km of the Volvic Catchment Area Experience trail will bring this spectacular volcanic experience to a close.
Volvic Catchment Area Experience (43km – 2 ITRA points): A trail for the initiated runners amongst you, offering a route through the northern part of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Park and all around the Volvic catchment area, a protected natural zone which is the source of the mineral water that takes its name. This course offers superb views of the Chaîne des Puys that stretches more than 30km towards the south, between the Faille de Limagne, enclosed valleys and the Plateau des Dômes.
Volcanic Experience Trail (25km – 1 ITRA point): The Volcanic Experience trail will be back in 2018 for this third instalment with a new feature—part of the trail will pass through two active volcanic rock quarries! The trail will take you through part of the Chaîne des Puys/Faille de Limagne Experience trail to show you some of the main volcanoes in the northern part of the Chaîne des Puys, such as Puy de la Nugère, Puy de Jumes and Puy de la Coquille. Trail bonus: breathtaking views from Puy des Gouttes and others.
Lava Stone Experience (15km): A short, accessible trail with limited climbing and natural surroundings between Volvic and its neighbouring villages. This race offers a number of exceptional panoramic views of the Chaîne des Puys, which recently became a UNESCO world heritage site. It crosses a prime area for Volvic stone extraction and includes unique pathways lining several of the territory’s characteristic quarries.
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VOLVIC VOLCANIC EXPERIENCE 2019: What is new?
The “XGTV®” Great Volcanic Crossing Experience. Trail Adventure Race (220 km / 7500 / 6 ITRA points): For this third edition, the Aventure en Terre Volcanique association is offering a new, long-format race it will happening from 29 to 31 May 2019 in addition to the four VVX races.
This duo or solo ultra is based on an original concept with out-of-the-ordinary features. The spirit of the Great Volcanic Crossing Experience is one of mental engagement, solidarity, and adventure that incorporates athletic values and mountain sports, all at the heart of the French volcanic landscape.
This test of ultra-endurance will take competitors on a 220-km route through the Auvergne volcanoes (total climb of 7,500 m), along the most emblematic Grande Randonnée hiking trails in five areas: the Dômes mountains, the Dore mountains, the Cézallier massif, the Cantal massif, and the Artense plateau.
This adventure race, where participants will be equipped with nothing more than a GPX-track road book and will follow the red-and-white Grande Randonnée trail blazes 95% of the time, requires a good sense of direction on and off the trail. The route offers a chance to discover the richness and diversity of the different zones of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Nature Park.
The Great Volcanic Crossing Experience can be undertaken solo or in a team of two. Two categories will be established. The participants will be travelling through a sometimes rugged and demanding mountainous environment, requiring a certain level of technical, physical, and mental capabilities.
Runners must have run at least two trail ultras of over 100 km in the last three years.
VVX KIDS’ TRAIL RUN, new kids races: Kids also need their race! Takes place on the same site as the adults’ race. Waves of 20 kids will be sent off at a time; the next wave will leave as the last gets back to the starting line. Each child will be able to do as many circuits as they like during the 30 minutes allotted. This event is for children born between 2005 and 2013, divided into three categories:
Red circuit, 500 m/10-m climb: children born in 2013, 2012, and 2011
Blue circuit, 700 m/15-m climb: children born in 2010, 2009, and 2008
Yellow circuit, 1,100 m/20-m climb: children born in 2007, 2006, and 2005
Limited to 200 participants
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Info by Abel de Frutos for Trailrunningspain
