The 2023 Swiss Alps 100 occurred on the second weekend in August, and for me it was the final leg of an amazing journey round Europe. We travelled by practice from Berlin on the Thursday, and the near-1,000-kilometre journey took us by way of some breathtaking landscapes, which grew to become steadily extra spectacular as we neared the Swiss municipality of Fiesch that hosts to the occasion.
The picturesque middle of Fiesch, the house of the Swiss Alps 100. Photograph: iRunFar/Sarah Brady
As my physique wasn’t as much as one other extremely simply then, I used to be participating within the roughly 10-kilometre vertical race. I feel on studying the stats of the race as I signed up for it, I had seen solely what I needed to see, and satisfied myself that this was a reasonably commonplace vertical kilometer, with a couple of 1,000 meters of elevation acquire. It was solely whereas consulting the route map within the begin space on race morning that the penny dropped that it was extra like 1,850m. A whole lot of bang for the buck for a 10k race!
The race began at 10 a.m. on the Friday, a half hour after the 100-mile fundamental occasion, which had the extra draw this 12 months of being a Hardrock 100 qualifier. Our race adopted the 100-mile route for roughly 7k, earlier than deviating to a steep climb to the end.
The beginning space simply earlier than the 100-milers set off. Photograph: iRunFar/Sarah Brady
Unusually for an uphill mountain race, we began with just a few hundred meters of downhill on the highway. This was a great way of spacing out the sector earlier than we bought to the slender singletrack that adopted because the climbing commenced. I discovered myself in the back of the lead pack by the point we began the climb, with a spot behind me to the bigger chasing pack. Already there have been two girls gone on forward, however shifting so properly I didn’t have any designs on chasing them. And after I appeared round, I couldn’t see anybody shut behind to problem me for third place. So, it was a type of races the place my destiny appeared sealed from very early on.
Even at that hour of the morning the warmth was selecting up, and I used to be grateful for the shade within the wooded sections within the first half. However as soon as the course opened up a bit increased up, the views have been greater than adequate to compensate.
The route took in some gorgeous views. Photograph: iRunFar/Garth McGimpsey
Our small area had strung out fairly rapidly, however gratefully we caught up with the again of the 100-mile area quickly sufficient, and selecting off 100-mile runners whereas providing phrases of encouragement gave the run some momentum. At 7k, we bought to the help station. It was small and low-key, however the ambiance and the welcome for the runners, significantly within the 100-mile, was further. I used to be humbled by what these people have been getting down to do, protecting 160k with 10,150m of peak acquire, whereas I used to be fretting about an 1,850m climb.
I hurried previous the help station with out stopping for water. Not good. I’ve been working path races for about eight years now, and nonetheless have a approach of constructing it appear like it’s my first time. The final 3k to the highest was when the climbing actually picked up. I one way or the other wobbled my option to the highest, and fortunately managed to carry on to 3rd place.
Puffing and panting my approach up the previous few meters. Photograph: iRunFar/Garth McGimpsey
As soon as the exertion was over, solely then might I absolutely soak up the place I used to be. Probably the most serene and otherworldly end space, overlooking the Aletsch Glacier (Grosser Aletschgletscher.) Measured to be 23k in size as just lately as 2014, though sadly decreasing year-on-year, that is nonetheless believed to be the biggest glacier within the Alps. My accomplice, Garth, had been busy friend-making whereas he waited for me on the high, so we hung round for some time to soak it in and discuss to the opposite runners and supporters earlier than taking the cable automotive again down.
The Aletsch Glacier (Grosser Aletschgletscher) seen from the highest of the Swiss Alps 100 Vertical route. Photograph: iRunFar/Garth McGimpsey
We spent three nights in Fiesch across the occasion, and located it a brilliant base to vacation from, with good public transport linking up the area. The occasion itself has one thing for everybody, from the 100 miler right down to a 100k, 50k, and Vertical. Additionally, having travelled to very large international occasions reminiscent of UTMB and the Path World Championships this summer season, in addition to no-frills ultras at house in Eire, I’d describe this occasion as a cheerful center floor in that respect. Though development is inevitable, for now at the least it retains an intimate really feel.
A contented head on the end! Photograph: Photograph: iRunFar/Garth McGimpsey
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The end arch of the 2023 Swiss Alps 100 Vertical. Photograph: iRunFar/Sarah Brady
