Adidas x Alpindustria Elbrus Race

§staticmap(9900,4,450,250) Hello, on August 1st 2013, you’ll be organizing the Elbrus Ultra Trail. Can you tell us where it is located? The race starts in a Azau, a Caucasian village in South Russia, located at the feet of Mont Elbrus, the highest mountain in geographical Europe (5 642 meters above the sea level). How old is the race and why was it created in the first place? The race was in my mind since I was climbing Mt. Elbrus in August 2008. Having experience as elite athlete racing in orienteering and ski-orienteering, adventure racing, running, MTB, XC Skiing and having spent my childhood in the Elbrus area with my family (because my father was mountaineer), when I was standing on the top with a fantastic 360 degrees view and I thought that it was a great venue for endurance events – Running, Adventure Racing, MTB, Ski-tour! In 2010 I met another guy obsessed by the same idea – Sergey Zon-Zam and we decided to develop the race together and in 2012 the Elbrus World Race was born. Credit : Elbrus World Race What kind of route have you set up for the runners? How would you describe it? It is high! With starting point at approximately 2,200 m above sea level and the highest point of the course on the Elbrus Mountain Race is at 3,700 m. This makes the race special in terms of acclimatization for participants and it demands that we put on obligatory clothing and mountain safety along the course. How many runners do you expect on the starting line? What type of runners do you plan to attract? The first year we invested resources into promotion of the race and expected at least 100 participants. We got 7 participants. Now we changed our strategy and now we rely on natural growth because we realized that racing in Russia, especially in Caucasus area perceived by non Russian athletes as sort of “exotic”, expensive, efforts-to-arrange-Russian-visa demanding. On a local market we do not have so many potential participants – I estimate that mass sport in Russia is 10-20 times smaller than in Europe. Credit : Elbrus World Race Do you organize other races during the Weekend? If so, on what distances? Actually we have arranged three races. The Elbrus Mountain Race is 105 km long with a 4,900 meters elevation gain .The course is not marked on the terrain. We provide runners with a map and a downloadable GPS file. Teams of 2-4 persons can participate. The time limit is 72 hours. It starts from Azau on Thursday at 8.00. The Elbrus Mountain Marathon is 42 km long with a 3,450 meters elevation gain. This time, the course will be marked. Individuals and teams can participate. The time limit is 24 hours. The race starts from Verkhnii Baksan on Saturda at 8.00. The Elbrus Trail is a 30 km race with a 1,900 elevation gain and is run on a marked course. Again, Individual and teams can participate and the time limit is 24 hours. The race starts at the same time as the Marathon. In addition to the running races, we will make a test uphill race on mountain bikes. If we get positive experience with mountain bike race – it will be in official program for 2014. Credit : Elbrus World Race At that time of the year, what kind of weather can we expect? At the end of July or begining of August as in many other mountain regions in the northern hemisphere, the weather should remaine stable, sunny and warm. Have you planned festivities around the marathon? Sure, pasta party before and the banquet after. The race finished, what advice would you give a runner who has never been to Azau before? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing? Try climbing Mt. Elbrus before the race, it will be a great way to be ready for the race! And don’t forget to taste the delicious Caucasian cuisine! In a single sentence, what would you tell the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them register for the Elbrus Ultra Trail? You are very welcome to the Elbrus World Race, we will make you discover new experiences and build beautiful memories! Interview with Ivan Kuzmin, Race Director. Ivan is a 50 Swedish/Russian (he has both citizenship) with 3 children, making a living selling snow groomers in Scandinavia. He has an impressive hit list: Ski Orienteering World Champion in 1994, 5000 meters track personal best of 15.10 in 1985, Marathon best 2:52 in 1998, ranked #1 in Adventure Racing in Russia in 2007. He also has an experience organizing international events in orienteering, XC skiing and Adventure Racing.

Elbrus World Race (EWR) – first time ever First edition of Elbrus World Race 2012 will be held first week of August 2012. EWR is a union of four contests – Ultra Trail Marathon, Mountaineering contest, Adventure Race and Trail Running contest EWR is an annual event EWR creation was driven by love and a dream. Two founders of EWR – Sergey and Ivan spent many days on Elbrus and Elbrus area since childhood and dreamed to make big event on Elbrus. Inspiration came from big events around the world like race around Mont Blanc and also from desire to do something own, something special. Credit : Elbrus World Race Elbrus World Race contests Elbrus Ultra Trail – one stage, mountain ultra-marathon, with individual participation. Length of 81 km, 7 mountain passes, the total elevation of 6,350 meters, the total descent – 7,150 meters. Starting on Thursday, 2nd of August, at 12.00 in the village Azau. Time limit – 48 hours. Elbrus Traverse – one stage, mountaineering contest, for twos or threes, Traverse – the ascent from the village Azau south of Mount Elbrus on the western summit of Elbrus (5642) and descend to the Elbrus World Race North Camp on the north side of Elbrus. Length of 27 km, the total elevation of 3300 meters, the total descent – 3,150 meters. Starting on Wednesday, 1st of August, at 22.00 in the village Azau. Elbrus Adventure Race – one stage, adventure race in the foothills of Mount Elbrus. Elements: mountainbike, adventure run, fixed ropes. Approximate winning time – 24 hours. Teams – three, at least one female participant in the team. Starting on Wednesday, 1st of August, at 12.00 in the village of Elbrus. Time limit – 72 hours. Elbrus Trail – running contest with the individual participation. Length of 28 km, one mountain pass, the total elevation of 1900 meters, the total descent – 1900 meters. Starting on Friday, 5th of August, at 10.00 in the village of Verhnii Baksan. Time limit – 24 hours. The Elbrus World Race event center and event camp will be located in the village of Elbrus. Facts about Elbrus Elbrus (5642) – is an iconic mountain in Caucasus mountain chain, located in south Russia between Black Sea and Caspian Sea. With its 5642 meters (18 510 ft.) above the sea level western summit of Elbrus is a highest point of geographical Europe. Elbrus has a volcano nature explaining the distinct, “round” look of the Elbrus. Elbrus is dominating above surroundings with whole 4741 meters of shoulder drop. Elbrus area is dynamically changing – region of Elbrus is traditionally popular for alpine skiing and mountaineering. Russia is planning to develop Elbrus region into modern mountaineering and ski cluster with 3 times increased infrastructure capacity compare to current one. Estimated size of investments is over 2 billion US dollars for coming 10 years. EWR organization EWR organization – is a team of event specialists, mountain guides and international volunteers connected by passion for mountains and motivation to make a great event. EWR President – Sergey Zon-Zam – mountaineer, high mountains guide, creator and owner of Russian market leading outdoor retail chain “Alpindustria”. EWR Race Director – Ivan Kuzmin, Ski-Orienteering World Champion, adventure racer, director of several International sport events – ski races, adventure races, orienteering races Elbrus World Race is assisted by “Alpindustria” -http://www.alpindustria.ru/, leading Russian outdoor retail chain and professional mountaineering tour operator with the network of experienced guides and expertise in mountaineering and mountain security in the Elbrus area. Contacts Ivan Kuzmin, race director www.elbrusworldrace.com E-mail: info@elbrusworldrace.com Tel: +7 985 220 6949

Credit : Elbrus World RaceWe regret to inform that we are forced to cancel Elbrus World Race 2011. The Elbrus area is officially closed for tourism and sport by the authorities. This is due to the terrorist attacks that occurred in the region of Mount Elbrus in February. If the area of Elbrus will be opened in summer 2011, we will make test races. We believe in positive life developement in Caucasus. With renewed vigor, we will prepare for Elbrus World Race 2012. Elbrus World Race 2012 will take place in the first week of August 2012. Welcome to Elbrus World Race 2012! Elbrus World Race Ivan Kuzmin Race director