Q&A with the winners of the 2010 Trans Alpine Run

6th GORE-TEX® Transalpine-Run - September 4th to 11th 2010

Q&A with: Andy Symonds and Tom Owens, Winners of the 2010 Trans Alpine Run and Tim Lloyd, Manager of the Salomon Trail Team

Your victory in the 2010 Trans Alpine Run was, from the outside, a repeat of 2009. But something tells me this one was a lot tougher than 2009, with the longer route and weather conditions seemingly affecting everyone. Is this how it panned out and if so which stages really tested you both mentally and physically?

Yes, the route was very different this year and that meant that although we'd already raced over eight days through the Alps and hence had a certain level of confidence in our ability, we'd not been tested over this length (2010 was 80k longer than last year). To be honest, the 2009 route is much better, it has much more proper mountain running, whereas this year there were many very long sections of road and forestry service roads, and we knew that this wouldn't suit us as much. The weather isn't really a big factor for me, I love running in the sun and don't suffer too badly in the heat, but at the same time a bit of rain and snow is always going to give Brits an edge over any softer Europeans! The main issue with cold weather is it makes it that much harder to jump in cold fountains after the race!

Photo © www.transalpine-run.com

Once again the support team out there seemed to be excellent, how important is that when stage racing?

Having a team there to support makes a huge difference. What it means is that we only have to think about running and we know that when we arrive we'll have warm clothes, food, swift transport back to our hotels and massages. Luckily none of us suffered with injuries this year (or even blisters - which has been a big issue previously), so Andy W (the physio) could focus on maintenance. It really does make a big difference - after all that's what multi-day stage race cyclists do too.

From a support perspective Tim, give us a little insight into how you would prepare the teams in the morning and help them recover after the stage, and what tips would you offer for people looking to undertake a multi-day event?

When working with athletes as professional as Andy, Tom, Angela and Chunky, the support role becomes much easier than it can be with less experience people. By the time we arrive at the race most of my work is done – logistical planning, travel, accommodation, equipment etc.  The key player for the team at the event is our physio Andy Walling, he is a godsend.  It makes such a difference to have a physio of his quality and expertise.  Tips for teams thinking about an event like this – plan far enough in advance that you are able to train and prepare properly. Don’t be put off by the scary nature of the event, you’ll struggle to find a more sociable and fun event than the TA, the happy memories will live on far longer than those of sore legs!  Oh, and bring a pair of shoes half a size too big because after day 3 you are likely to need them!

Photo © www.transalpine-run.com

Additionally, how would you rate this win versus the Teams win in 2009?

Both wins were incredible in their own ways.  It never ceases to amaze me how tough these guys are, never a word of complaint and running at an amazing race pace day after day over the roughest terrain and great distances!  I think the guys would rate this years win as better than 2009 simply because there was so much more ‘flat’ running in 2010.  They much prefer running up and down steep mountains.

One aspect which is quite striking, apart from the winning margins, is the contrast between the 'Brits' and the European runners. They seem a lot more 'obsessed' with kit, whereas you seemed to 'pull your trainers on and run'. Is this a true reflection?

Going to the start line of the Transalpine Run is a bit like attending a fashion parade of the latest gear and gizmos of mountain running attire. Gear is certainly important, particularly shoes and Tom and I really strive for light-weight sacks, hydration and feeding systems (using the Salomon Hyrdo Revo pack), but I never ceased to be amazed by some of the stuff donned at these Euro races. They'd certainly get funny looks turning up to a British Champs fell race dressed in compress-everything suits, with bottle cages dangling in all directions (how much water do they need to drink?!) and the inevitable walking poles! I guess it's fairly natural to have a bit of a kit fetish, but at the end of the day running is a fairly natural and very simple sport, so there's no need to over-complicate things.

Photo © www.transalpine-run.com

As far as kit is concerned, what would be your most essential piece over the week?

Hydro pack with a 150ml bottle cage on the shoulder strap and ZipVit gels attached on each side by safety pins so that they rip off open. (Tom and I should put a patent on that system!)

Footwear is something which interests many trail runners and fans of trail running and can be likened to tyre selection in motor sport in a way - get it wrong and it could ruin your race. Tom and Angela appeared to be wearing the same shoe (Salomon Speed Cross 2) for the whole event, whereas you had a selection of shoes Andy. Give us a little insight into that, and what influenced your choices.

This year there was a real mix of terrain and gradients and hence there wasn't a single shoe to fit all stages. I usually opt for the SpeedCross2 for real mountain stages, but the XR was the natural choice for Stage 6 which kicked off with a half-marathon on tarmac. The XR is super comfortable and great for tired legs as it puts a spring in the stride of a tired leg. At the same time it's grippy enough to deal with medium rough tracks and trail. My third pair, which I used twice, was an adapted pair of slabs with the pronation control and chassis removed and with a SpeedCross grip slapped on the bottom. These really are the bee's knees of fell shoes taking the best aspects of the slab and the speedcross and toning them down for racy-ness.

Andy hinted in post-event exchanges that next year might see new challenges as far as racing programmes go. So are we looking at the Three-peat in 2011 or will you be looking at other events as the major goal for the season?

Tom and I are in agreement that we'll almost certainly not return to defend this title for a third time. If I was to return it would definitely be on the western course (i.e. 2009, 2011, 2013 etc...), as I didn't get anywhere near the enjoyment out of the long forest service tracks and road stages of this year's eastern route. However I don't think you'll see us on the start in 2011 - hopefully you'll see some other Brits there though! For me there are a lot of challenges and adventures to be had and I'd like to try as many of them as possible! The likes of the utmb will have to be tackled in the not too distant future and I'd like to return to the Sky Running scene also. If you're doing the Transalp it really needs to be the focus of the season and I would never want to race much in the lead up to such a long event.

For mere mortals the Trans Alp appears to be too difficult to contemplate, yet many everyday runners seem to complete it every year. What advice would you give to an aspiring Trans Alper?

Go there to have fun and don't start to fast!

Men's results

Mixed results

Women