Oman and 3 Ultras…

Given that we’ve been in coronavirus lockdown and many of the summer trail races have been canceled this year, I look back at my last season’s bonanza’ of competitions with some nostalgia. At the time I was wondering ‘why oh why’ was I was cramming in three 50km’s when completing one is usually enough and…

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Gore-Tex Transalpine-Run

katy dartford France-based journalist

This Autumn, myself and team mate, high performance dietitian, Rebecca Dent are planning to take part in the Trans Alps Run, one of the greatest challenges for mountain and trail runners. The route for 2015 will be 268k and 16.310 meters of vertical climb through 3 counties, crossing mountain passes and beautiful valleys along the main Alpine ridge.…

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Mountain Craft. Filming with Arc’terxy

katy dartford France-based journalist

I’ve literally just heard that this has premiered at the Kendal Mountain Festival 2014…. Back in June I wrote about how I was helping out on a shoot by Arc’terxy for British Mountain Guides, whom they sponsor. The film “Mountain Craft” is about how guides take on all the challenges of mountain environments and manage them…

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From Marathon to Ultra….. The OCC

katy dartford France-based journalist

Last week I successfully completed by first official “Ultra Marathon” (ie anything over the distance of 50km.) The OCC or Orsières – Champex – Chamonix, is designed to offer something for those fairly new to Ultra running as its considered a middle distance race, (Trail Ultra Medium (M) between 42km and 69km). Mountain running is something I’ve…

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Reporting for Chamonix

katy dartford France-based journalist

I’ve just started writing for the Chamonets website; activity reports, news, gear and restaurant reviews. It means if there is something going on in Chamonix… hopefully I will be there! Here’s my report on climbing and trail running. Chamonets is actually part of the Skinets websites and relevent gear reviews or reports are shared across all the sites. Skinest are…

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Cheese and Trails in Mauritius….

katy dartford France-based journalist

A plate full of cheese dribbled with olive oil, a little bread and two omeletts…..no, this wasn’t my choice for breakfast, but the choice of Yan De Maroussem, LUX’s trail running and hiking guide, who was about to take us on a hike up le Morne mountain. I was keen to get some advice from…

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Mauritius; an ‘Adventure Island’?

katy dartford France-based journalist

Mauritius. It’s all about lounging by the pool sipping cocktails, fine dining, glamour,… and honeymoons, right? Well, actually- the island, in the Indian ocean just 2,000 kilometres off the southeast coast of Africa is looking to reinvent itself as an island for the adventurous too….. I’ve just spent a week at the LUX Le Morne hotel…

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The (not so) Petite tour des Fiz

katy dartford France-based journalist

I know there’s been some “big” running event going on in Chamonix this weekend    ( ie The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc ) and a few friends have put in an awesome effort to complete the CCC  – (Courmayeur Champex Chamonix) This all puts  my “little” race in perspective… ie another 18 odd hours…

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Mont Blanc Marathon: A walk in the park…

katy dartford France-based journalist

It’s been a long winter here in Chamonix, so I was feeling less than ready to run  my first ever marathon in the mountains ( and second ever marathon) on the 30th of June. I’d managed to do about 3 hill runs with the girls from the Chamonix Ladies Running club and Chamonix Alpine Endurance…

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Top Ten Fearsome Fell Runs

I’ve been enjoying quite a bit of hiking and mountain running lately – so was rather pleased to put together a list of top fell runs for the BMC’s Summit Magazine: Top 10 Fearsome Fell Runs ( I know I’m going to have to try out a few very soon….)

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Tor des Geants

I’m currently spending some time in Chamonix on an Alpine Mountaineering course with UCPA/ Action Outdoors….however I clearly should be thinking about getting my running shoes on- the town is brimming with gnarly looking runners getting ready to take on the North Face Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc . …next year,next year 😉 It’s hard…

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