With just 6 months to go until LUT2015 the race is already taking shape. Preparations are well under way and we look forward to welcoming new participants as well as those returning to enjoy the host Venue Mailba Lodge, and the incredible trails the Maluti Mountains have to offer.
We are excited to welcome back our Canadian and Spanish contingents who have supported and shown interest in the race since its inception in 2013.
Ryne Melcher, https://twitter.com/rynemelcher, who will be covering the race for the Canadian trail media, returns this year with his wife Kristin who will be competing again having first run in 2014. Rune also coaches Stacie Carrigan who placed 3rd in the 2013 race, she was unable to run in 2014 due to injury, but she returns this year as part of the Canadian contingent.
The race has received great Spanish support from its inception. This year Alfonso Garcia from Territorio Trail will attend the race and has planned to bring two Spanish elite runners who will contend for the podium, still to be selected. https://twitter.com/TerritorioTrail. The international contingent will have their work cut out for them with defending champ Lucky Miya returning to defend his title. The local Basotho have also proven a strong force, and did extremely well in the 2014 event. They also made a good show in the first SkyMarathon of the year (DNT2015) held in the Drakensberg in March.
For the majority of entrants this event is going to be a personal challenge. Covering 50km of rugged mountain terrain in one day is no easy feat. The trails take the runners through breath taking sections of the Maluti Mountains. This year there is a shorter 38km course that has been introduced, it follows the first 38km of the 50km route and will still challenge the runners with them spending 12km running above 3000m in altitude.
Lesotho Ultra brings out the best and worst emotions people have contained within them. There are times where every runner on the route feels like they are failing, but nearly all of them triumph over the finish line. It is an incredibly special race and the setting is truly spectacular.
We are very pleased to announce that our presenting sponsors for 2015 are The North Face and Metropolitan Lesotho. They have shown great support for LUT in its early years and the ethos of these two companies ties into the race perfectly. It’s all about adventure, persistence and finally triumph.
We are gathering a great group of volunteers who will be manning aid stations and helping to ensure runners safety alongside the medical crew and park rangers.
Accommodation- Maliba Lodge (an incredible host venue) only have tented accommodation available. The tents are large and mattresses are provided. All services like plug points, toilets and showers are central. There is alternative accommodation in the area which is very basic and we will be writing a separate email in the near future offering this option. Or find more accommodation here: http://www.lesothoultratrail.com/athlete-info/alternate-accommodation
Passports - be sure you have a valid passport to travel into Lesotho!
We can’t wait to host you in November! Good luck with your training and preparations.