GOLDEN TRAIL SERIES FINAL: ELHOUSINE ELAZZAOUI WINS THE MEN’S PROLOGUE.

Posted by Corriendo la Vida on October 21, 2023 in golden trail series, golden trail world series, golden trail world series 2023, Il Golfo dell Isola Trail, trail running spain | Leave a comment

GOLDEN TRAIL SERIES FINAL:ELHOUSINE ELAZZAOUI WINS THE MEN’S PROLOGUE.Elhousine Elazzaoui was the fastest in the Golden Trail Series Grand Final’s prologue and Linus Hultegard wins the GTNS race and moves the GTNS Nordics to the top of the team rankings.

Golden Trail World Series. The Adventure Bakery

GOLDEN TRAIL SERIES FINAL:

ELHOUSINE ELAZZAOUI WINS THE MEN’S PROLOGUE.

He was lagging behind on the climb but made up the time in the downhill due to a little mistake from Rémi Bonnet (Salomon/Red Bull, Switzerland). However, it was especially on the last flat section that Elhousine Elazzaoui (Holyfat, Morocco) ripped victory away from the Swiss. He won the men’s prologue by 19 seconds.

“It’s a confidence boost! I knew I was strong on the downhill and the flat. I didn’t go all out, but I didn’t completely hold back either. I’m really thrilled with this win, which has given me a boost for Sunday. It’s another day but I hope I’ll be able to reach out for victory again.”

It’s important to point out that unlike the women’s prologue yesterday, this men’s prologue has already changed the overall ranking before Sunday’s race, in particular with Patrick Kipngeno (Run2gether, Kenya) now in second position.

By finishing first out of the GTNS runners and 5th overall Linus Hultegard (Hoka, Sweden) has bolstered first place for the GTNS Nordics team, which already seemed to be on the cards after the women’s results. The rankings are based on the cumulative times of the two best men and two best women in each GTNS.

“I come from marathon running,” he confided at the finish line, waiting to be beaten by the Elites. “So, I’m pretty surprised that I was sat in the leader’s seat for so long. I really enjoyed the whole course, the climb and the downhill. I haven’t really checked out the route for Sunday, but I’m assuming it will be like today’s trails. I’m curious to see what’ll happen in the end.”

The women’s final is up next!

After these two prologues it’s now time for this final’s big race. Tomorrow, Saturday 21st October, the women will tackle the 26 kilometres and 1,400 metres of vert in the Golden Trail Series 2023’s ultimate challenge.

1 – ELHOUSINE ELAZZAOUI (HOLYFAT – MAR): 0:33:24 (+100 pts)
2 – RÉMI BONNET (SALOMON / RED BULL – CHE): 0:33:43 (+94 pts)
3 – PHILEMON OMBOGO KIRIAGO (RUN2GETHER – KEN):  0:34:41(+88 pts)
4 – PATRICK KIPNGENO (RUN2GETHER – KEN): 0:34:48 (+83 pts)
5 – LINUS HULTEGARD (HOKA – SWE): 0:35:34 (+78 pts)

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Check out the programme:

• Thursday 19th October – 4:30 pm: Women’s time trial DONE!
• Friday 20th October – 4:30 pm: Men’s time trial DONE!
• Saturday 21st October – 10:00 am: Women’s race (26km and 1,430m V+)
• Sunday 22nd October – 10:15 am: Men’s race (26km and 1,430m V+)

GTWS 2023: CALENDAR

• 14 May: Zegama-Aizkorri, Spain — 42 km / 2,736 m D+*
• 25 June: Marathon du Mont-Blanc, France — 42 km / 2,540 m D+
• 15 July: Dolomyths Run, Italy — 22 km / 1,750 m D+
• 12 August: Sierre-Zinal, Switzerland – 31 km / 2,200 m D+
• 16 September: Pikes Peak Ascent, United States — 21 km / 2,382 m D+
• 22 September: Mammoth 26K—Mammoth Trail Fest, United States — 26 km / 1,400 m D+
• From 19 to 22 October: Grand Finale, Il Golfo dell’Isola Trail Race, Italy — 23 km / 1,200 m D+ (+ prologue)