2011 Race Review
Overall Men’s Champion: Riel Carol (19:16:00)
Overall Women’s Champion: Helen Taranowski (22:06:07)
Team: GB (U.K.) Paul Mott, Sharon Gayter, and Robert Treadwell (75:16:05)
The winner of the Al Andalus Ultimate Trail 2011 was Riel Carol, who completed the race in 19:16:00 hours – about two and a half hours ahead of Richard Webster who finished in a fantastic 21:47:49. Just behind Richard by about 20 minutes was our fastest female and 3rd placed overall finisher – Helen Taranowski (22:06:07). Team GB (Paul Mott, Sharon Gayter, Robert Treadwell) dominated the teams section of the race, and Victor Garanto Faro came in 5th overall as the first Spanish. Congratulations to all who entered, especially to Riel who ran a flawless race – we hope to see you all again in 2012!
Competitors comments
I join the chorus in thanking the organisation, the volunteers and the other competitors for a wonderful week! I thoroughly enjoyed myself as well as the great course designed by Paul Bateson. I will keep the memories of stage 2, running down the mountain, legs tired, in company of deer, under the scorching sun: magical!!
Riel Carol (GBR), 1st place overall
It was an incredible race, and the team worked so hard to make this a success. It really ranks up there as an excellent week of hard running. The trails were superb, all great running, remote, challenging and hot. Support was excellent, constant reassurance from motorcycles, efficient checkpoints with such encouraging volunteers, campsite food and villages were great entertainment and food and such a relaxing atmosphere. You really put on a good show.
Sharon Gayter (GB), 2nd place female, 1st place team TEAM GB
Massive thank you to the organisers, the support staff and the runners for making this (my first multi-stage event), an event that I will remember for many many years. The heat, the hills and some interesting technical sections made this a tough race that pushed me physically and mentally but I think I can now say, after a few days have passed, that even though it was tough, it was still fun and enjoyable.
Helen Taranowski (GBR), 3rd place overall and 1st place female
Congratulations to all who took part in this incredible adventure. It was awesome!! Thanks to Team Axarsport, the nurses, the “Check Pointers”, the “Research Team”, and to everyone who made the race possible!! You made me enjoy and have a great “vacation” week at my country but having to practice my English and French, which were a bit rotten. Thanks a lot. Hope to see you soon or if not maybe next year. I’ll be running faster by then, be prepared to run fast!!
Felicidades a todos los que tomaron parte de esta increible aventura. Fue genial!! Gracias al Equipo Axarsport, las enfermeras, las personas en los Puntos de Control, el Equipo de Investicación, y a todos los que hicieron posible la carrera!! Me hicisteis pasar una gran semana de “vacaciones” en mi propio país, teniendo que practicar mi Inglés y Francés. Espero volveros a ver pronto o sino el año que viene. Correré más rápido por entonces, así que estad preparados para correr rápido!!
Víctor Garanto Fajó (ESP), 5th place overall and 1st Spanish
Massive thanks to all the AAUT organisers for staging a challenging but thoroughly gratifying and humbling event, plus huge respect to all the competitors. For those who didn’t complete it, it’s not failure if you enjoyed it. It’s your courage that counts.
Robert Treadwell (GB), 1st place team TEAM GB
Thanks again for everything, I have done lots of events and you got all the big things right on this one! The atmosphere was fantastic
Tom Harper (GB)
Nach 5 Tagen und insgesamt 220 Kilometern habe ich erfolgreich den Al Andalus Ultimate Trail geschafft. Ein anspruchsvoller Lauf in traumhafter Umgebung. Sehr zu empfehlen!
Norman Bücher (DE)
Thanks to Paul and his crew for a fantastic event. Brilliant concept, brilliant course (but very tough) brilliant crew and brilliant organisation. I will be back for another dose of fun in the sun next year.
Edward Chapman (GB)
