RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town closes out the first year of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors, the world’s leading long-distance trail race series. In a thrilling race near Cape Town, the Capital City of South Africa, the winners of the race have been crowned. Hugo Deck and Jazmine Lowther were the fastest over 98 Km and 4972 m of elevation.
Tenth edition of the Table Mountain Race
Six races, from 16 to 160 Km, 2800 participants, and 66 countries represented have transformed the famous Table Mountain overlooking Cape Town into a spectacular race arena for mountain runners.
Stuart McConnachie, Race Director commented on the race “The growth since the first RMB UTCT in 2014, has been phenomenal, though not entirely unexpected. We knew that if we could get the necessary permits to hold this event across Table Mountain National Park, it would not only be a hit locally but that it could grow into one of the biggest and best-known ultra-trail events in the world, and we are seeing that happen.” From 40 runners to 2800 in ten editions gives an idea of the continued growth and potential that remains for the race.
Commenting on the event’s unique appeal, Stuart said: “Ultra-trail running isn’t just a sport; it’s a journey of self-discovery. Our courses through Table Mountain push runners to their limits while surrounding them with some of the most awe-inspiring scenery on the planet.” From the flat summit of Table Mountain, you can see the divide between the Atlantic and Indian Oceans, the Cape of Good Hope, run through lush forests and jagged cliffs and on clear days you can see Robben Island, the island where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned for much of his captivity.
Saturday 04:00, heading to Signal Hill
Starting at the eastern end of the city, from a rugby field, the runners set off on time towards the first two climbs, Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, steep slopes to ensure a wake up and enjoy the lights of the city. At the first checkpoint on Signal Hill (11.8 Km, +545 m), the leaders were Dmitry Mityaev (Russia, Adidas Terrex) followed closely by Miguel Arsénio (Portugal, SportHG/AML Sport) and Thibaut Garrivier (France, Hoka) in the Men’s race and Antonina Iushina (Russia, Ogorodnikov) with Ekaterina Mityaeva (Russia, Adidas Terrex) and Eve Moore (UK) for the Women. Apart from the prestige (and prize money) of the race, the podium of the first edition of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors series was at stake.
A fast and relatively flat stretch at dawn took the runners to half marathon distance to face the first big climb of the race: almost a vertical kilometre in five kilometres to summit Table Mountain, which, as its name suggests, is flat topped. After almost 20 kilometres along its plateau and a gradual descent down to sea level completed the marathon distance where there is an aid station, one of the most picturesque points of the race, the beach of Llandudno. The race for the podium was stabilizing with Hugo Deck (France, Adidas Terrex) who was looking very solid and did fast ‘pitstops’ followed two minutes behind by Miguel Arsénio and a minute behind Thibaut Garrivier in the top three positions, all looking apparently strong. Jean-François Cauchon (Canada, Ciele/Norda), one of the contenders for the overall in Gran Canaria World Trail Majors series was at this point 12th. The women’s race was being led by Jazmine Lowther (Canada, The North Face) followed Antonia and Ekaterina while the local Samantha Reilly climbed to fourth around 6 minutes behind the Russians.
Halfway through the race: leading Hugo Deck and Jazmine Lowther
At 50 Kilometres, Suther Peak is reached, a short but intense and direct climb, then descend again to sea level, another beach sees the runners entering the decisive part of the race after refuelling at the aid station in Hout Bay at 56.5 Km. The positions become clearer. In the men’s category, the duel between Hugo Deck and Miguel Arsénio with less than 6 minutes apart, followed closely by Thibaut Garrivier (+9’ from leader), Dmitry Mityaev (+18’) and Michelino Sunseri (USA, The North Face, +24’). In the women’s race for the win were Jazmine Lowther (8th overall) followed 13 minutes behind by the couple Ekaterina Mityaeva and Antonina Iushina so the winner is expected to emerge from one of these three.
Short and intense climbs, and fast descents to the city at 76 Kilometres. At this point Thibaut Garrivier suffered a lot, his pace went down and was visible exhausted so Michael Sunseri tood advantage and passed Thibaut that was struggling. Just 22 Km and 700 m of climbing remain, for most, an extraordinary effort given the fatigue at this stage of the race. The challenging conditions with very hot temperatures was digging athletes’ energies.
Victory in the end for Hugo Deck
The same rugby pitch that saw them depart ten hours ago was waiting to welcome Hugo Deck as the new king of Cape Town, a brilliant victory almost from start to finish. A hard-fought victory in 10:31:02, 14 minutes ahead of Miguel Arsénio who secures the overall win of Gran Canaria Wolrd Trail Majors after winning at Swiss Canyon Trail and this extraordinary second. 31 minutes later arrived Michelino Sunseri who closed out the podium.
Behind them, big names crossed the finish line visibly fatigued: fourth place was Thibaut Garrivier who fought until the finish, fifth Patrick Ehrenthaler (Germany) followed in by Alexis Rosset (France), Richard Lockwood (USA, Norda/Chance) and eight was Jean-François Couchon, an excellent result for the overall series.
Jazmine Lowther Queen of RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town
The last timed check point was showing little difference in the race to the finish Jazmine and Antonina battling for position and at any time, one small mistake or weakness would be the decider. Later on Jazmine consistently opened the gap with Antonina until it was clear that only a mistake from the Canadian would change the result. Something did not happen.
Finally Jazmine Lowther, crossing the line in a time of 12:04:25, was crowned the Queen of the RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town (and seventh overall!), second place, 45 minutes behind, was Antonina Iushina, and the final podium place went to Eva Sperger (Germany, Salomon) who was 17 minutes behind.
Courtney Dauwalter and Miguel Arsénio win Gran Canaria World Trail Majors 2024
The South African race closed the successful first edition of the Gran Canaria World Trail Majors ultra distance series, which has been a success in terms of participants. The names of the following will go down in the history books of this sport, Courtney Dauwalter and Miguel Arsénio are the first to have won this series.
The other races at UTCT
The 100 mile race saw the victory of Aleksei Tolstenko (Russia, Adidas Terrex) while the local Kerry-Ann Marshall did in the female category. Robbie Simpson (UK, Adidas Terrex) won the PT55 while the legend Ryan Sandes (South Africa, Salomon) was third and Anna Tarasova (Spain, Chance) won the women division. Local wins in the EX23 with Siboniso Soldaka and Bianca Tarboton and KS16 with David Long and Marina Egorov. TM35 saw Daniel Jones and Kim Schreiber wins.
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Full results and streaming
RMB Ultra-Trail Cape Town: Full Results
You can relive the streaming on YouTube’s World Trail Majors channel here.
Gran Canaria World Trail Majors rankings are here.