Race Results and Race Report
Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset 2013
100 km Ultramarathon and 42 km Marathon
7th August 2013, Lake Hovsgol National Park, Mongolia
| 42 KM Female | |||||||||
Race No | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | Rank | Distance if not completed | Arrival Time Toilogt 42K | Arrival Time Toilogt 100K | Time when stopped | Running Time 42K | |
5 | Rebecca | Botwright | 1 | 09.08.00 | 05.08.00 | ||||
77 | Vinecki | Winter | 2 | 09.55.00 | 05.55.00 | ||||
64 | Kano | Megumi | 3 | 10.17.00 | 06.17.00 | ||||
59 | Vanhaeverbeke | Stephanie | 4 | 11.04.00 | 07.04.00 | ||||
15 | Takayama | Miho | 5 | 11.20.00 | 07.20.00 | ||||
68 | Eltschinger | Maureen | 6 | 11.22.00 | 07.22.00 | ||||
78 | Estelle | Dawn | 7 | 11.37.00 | 07.37.00 | ||||
22 | Glasgo | Emily | 8 | 12.53.00 | 08.53.00 | ||||
79 | Gormley | Aisling Mary | 9 | 13.11.00 | 09.11.00 | ||||
80 | Pardini | Margaret | 10 | 13.11.00 | 09.11.00 | ||||
100 | Tan | Li San | 11 | 13.25.00 | 09.25.00 | ||||
62 | He | Jiawen | 12 | 13.42.00 | 09.42.00 | ||||
75 | Mielcarz | Jessica | 13 | 15.10.00 | 11.10.00 | ||||
| 42 Female Veteran | |||||||||
Race No | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | Rank | Distance if not completed | Arrival Time Toilogt 42K | Arrival Time Toilogt 100K | Time when stopped | Running Time 42K | |
65 | Isaac | Sarah | 1 | 12.05.00 | 08.05.00 | ||||
66 | Reid | Judith | 2 | 16.47.00 | 12.47.00 | ||||
| 42 KM Male | |||||||||
Race No | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | Rank | Distance if not completed | Arrival Time Toilogt 42K | Arrival Time Toilogt 100K | Time when stopped | Running Time 42K | |
32 | Donato | Simon | 1 | 08.24.00 | 04.24.00 | ||||
69 | Nievergelt | Andrea | 2 | 08.38.00 | 04.38.00 | ||||
57 | Baatar | Baasanjav | 3 | 08.44.00 | 04.44.00 | ||||
2 | Shagdar | Tumenbayar | 4 | 08.45.00 | 04.45.00 | ||||
55 | Purevtsogt | Batnyam | 5 | 09.02.00 | 05.02.00 | ||||
52 | Nyamsuren | Batzaya | 6 | 09.03.00 | 05.03.00 | ||||
51 | Batbayar | Gansukh | 7 | 09.21.00 | 05.21.00 | ||||
85 | Batochip | Batnold | 8 | 09.41.00 | 05.41.00 | ||||
38 | Dessy | Gaspard | 9 | 55 | 09.43.00 | 11.48.00 | 05.43.00 | ||
53 | Tumur | Batnyam | 10 | 09.48.00 | 05.48.00 | ||||
33 | Hagen | Bernhard | 11 | 09.54.00 | 05.54.00 | ||||
84 | Sandagdorj | Zayat | 12 | 09.54.00 | 05.54.00 | ||||
81 | Alves Bezerra | Hugo Leonardo | 13 | 10.11.00 | 06.11.00 | ||||
56 | Sandagdorj | Otgonulzi | 14 | 10.14.00 | 06.14.00 | ||||
87 | Matton | Xavier | 15 | 10.20.00 | 06.20.00 | ||||
86 | Montoisy | Andoni | 16 | 10.25.00 | 06.25.00 | ||||
63 | Cadorette | Travis | 17 | 10.27.00 | 06.27.00 | ||||
71 | Meris | Marco | 18 | 10.39.00 | 06.39.00 | ||||
73 | Pantalone | Francesco | 19 | 10.46.00 | 06.46.00 | ||||
60 | Marshallsay | Andrew | 20 | 11.02.00 | 07.02.00 | ||||
88 | Holck | Steen | 21 | 11.11.00 | 07.11.00 | ||||
18 | Eltschinger | Cyrill | 22 | 11.18.00 | 07.18.00 | ||||
72 | Masters | William | 23 | 11.43.00 | 07.43.00 | ||||
37 | Kerkhove | Gautier | 24 | 12.18.00 | 08.18.00 | ||||
54 | Purevtsogt | Battulga | 25 | 13.11.00 | 09.11.00 | ||||
16 | Gan | Daniel | 26 | 15.03.00 | 11.03.00 | ||||
76 | Collier | Gavin | 27 | 15.10.00 | 11.10.00 | ||||
| 42 KM Male Veteran | |||||||||
Race No | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | Rank | Distance if not completed | Arrival Time Toilogt 42K | Arrival Time Toilogt 100K | Time when stopped | Running Time 42K | |
58 | Mickey | Cofer | 1 | 10.33.00 | 06.33.00 | ||||
7 | Musy | Nicolas | 2 | 76 | 10.39.00 | 16.35.00 | 06.39.00 | ||
82 | Clinton | Michael | 3 | 10.46.00 | 06.46.00 | ||||
61 | Krohn | Timothy | 4 | 10.47.00 | 06.47.00 | ||||
70 | Nievergelt | Thomas | 5 | 10.50.00 | 06.50.00 | ||||
30 | Imai | Yasufumi | 6 | 65 | 11.05.00 | 16.03.00 | 07.05.00 | ||
83 | Hardeman | Cornelis | 7 | 11.47.00 | 07.47.00 | ||||
24 | Grobenski | Zvonimir | 8 | 11.47.00 | 07.47.00 | ||||
67 | Sudbeck | Robert | 9 | 16.57.00 | 12.57.00 | ||||
| 100 KM Female | |||||||||
Race No | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | Rank | Distance if not completed | Arrival Time Toilogt 42K | Arrival Time Toilogt 100K | Time when stopped | Running Time 42K | Running Time 100K |
26 | Edson | Sarah | 1 | 09.11.00 | 17.55.00 | 05.11.00 | 13.55.00 | ||
27 | Davis | Jane | 2 | 09.50.00 | 19.42.00 | 05.50.00 | 15.42.00 | ||
12 | Dabley | Linda | 3 | 10.17.00 | 21.10.00 | 06.17.00 | 17.10.00 | ||
| 100 KM Female Veteran | |||||||||
Race No | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | Rank | Distance if not completed | Arrival Time Toilogt 42K | Arrival Time Toilogt 100K | Time when stopped | Running Time 42K | Running Time 100K |
36 | Hamaguchi | Sachiko | 1 | 11.21.00 | 22.40.00 | 07.21.00 | 18.40.00 | ||
| 100 KM Male | |||||||||
Race No | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | Rank | Distance if not completed | Arrival Time Toilogt 42K | Arrival Time Toilogt 100K | Time when stopped | Running Time 42K | Running Time 100K |
20 | Schenk | Jonas | 1 | 08.30.00 | 14.44.00 | 04.30.00 | 10.44.00 | ||
9 | Lee | Brendan | 2 | 09.07.00 | 15.47.00 | 05.07.00 | 11.47.00 | ||
34 | Trebilcock | Paul Philip | 3 | 08.49.00 | 16.59.00 | 04.49.00 | 12.59.00 | ||
3 | Krzan | Noah Christopher | 4 | 09.55.00 | 18.12.00 | 05.55.00 | 14.12.00 | ||
39 | Roelandts | Jonathan | 5 | 09.43.00 | 18.12.00 | 05.43.00 | 14.12.00 | ||
35 | Dudek | David | 6 | 09.50.00 | 18.50.00 | 05.50.00 | 14.50.00 | ||
28 | Soulie | Mathieu | 6 | 09.55.00 | 18.50.00 | 05.55.00 | 14.50.00 | ||
25 | Hirst | Richard | 8 | 09.59.00 | 18.57.00 | 05.59.00 | 14.57.00 | ||
6 | Eastwood | Andrew David | 9 | 09.42.00 | 19.28.00 | 05.42.00 | 15.28.00 | ||
29 | Suntharaphat | Rahtee | 10 | 10.08.00 | 19.49.00 | 06.08.00 | 15.49.00 | ||
23 | Glasgo | Curtis | 11 | 09.40.00 | 19.53.00 | 05.40.00 | 15.53.00 | ||
10 | Agustin | Rogie | 12 | 09.54.00 | 19.55.00 | 05.54.00 | 15.55.00 | ||
11 | IJsselmuiden | Samuel | 13 | 10.10.00 | 20.00.00 | 06.10.00 | 16.00.00 | ||
17 | Henke | Thomas | 14 | 10.04.00 | 20.10.00 | 06.04.00 | 16.10.00 | ||
4 | Concannon | Paul | 15 | 09.58.00 | 22.06.00 | 05.58.00 | 18.06.00 | ||
| 100 KM Male Veteran | |||||||||
Race No | LAST NAME | FIRST NAME | Rank | Distance if not completed | Arrival Time Toilogt 42K | Arrival Time Toilogt 100K | Time when stopped | Running Time 42K | Running Time 100K |
21 | Wielenga | Doekle Johannes | 1 | 09.19.00 | 17.33.00 | 05.19.00 | 13.33.00 | ||
8 | Progin | Marc | 2 | 09.58.00 | 18.40.00 | 05.58.00 | 14.40.00 | ||
19 | Amhof | Eric | 3 | 09.39.00 | 19.48.00 | 05.39.00 | 15.48.00 | ||
1 | Nuuree | Enkhtur | 4 | 09.53.00 | 20.53.00 | 05.53.00 | 16.53.00 | ||
14 | Isaac | Simon | 5 | 10.49.00 | 21.10.00 | 06.49.00 | 17.10.00 | ||
31 | Murakami | Tadashi | 6 | 11.21.00 | 22.40.00 | 07.21.00 | 18.40.00 | ||
Race Report: 15th Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset
Unique Place & Unique People
Yes, it is truly a unique and pristine piece of nature: the crystal clear, mighty Lake Hovsgol, called “mother lake” by locals. The raw, rocky mountains. Chichee pass with its wonderful views of Lake Hovsgol and the panorama view all the way to the Siberian Mountains in the north. The mossy forests, the lakeside trails, the dry riverbeds, the seas of wildflowers and the aroma of herbs along the race course. The yak herds and the wild horses.
And yes, it was a unique group of people that gathered at this beautiful place in August 2013: The local nomads, the Mongolian cooks, musicians and dancers. The horsemen overlooking the course and helping at aid stations. The runners from no less than 22 countries: From Canada and China, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Italy, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, France, the United States and many more.
Among the participants was a Canadian TV crew, following Simon and Turbo, hosts of the adventure TV series “Boundless” (https://tv.esquire.com/shows/boundless) on their quest to complete the most beautiful 100k of their life. There was Mongolia “legend” Marc Progin, a Swiss national who travelled by bike through the most remote places of Mongolia and took part in MS2S for many times. Marc is a passionate photographer, organizes exhibitions, publishes photo books and put together an impressing slideshow for the MS2S runners (https://www.progin.com).
There was 14-year old Winter Vinecki, raising money for prostate cancer research after her dad passed away when she was 9 years old. Winter aims to be the youngest runner to complete a marathon on every continent. After Mongolia, only two are left (www.teamwinter.org).
There were Andrew and Rogie, two US soldiers based in South Korea, who decided to step up the training program quite a bit. There was Sarah, organizer of the Amazing Maasai Ultra in Kenya (www.amazingmaasaiultra.org). Sarah ran the MS2S for a second time after an injury slowed her down at her first Mongolia visit.
There were all the helpers: Erke, the good soul of the event, who organized everything in Toilogt camp. Shuree, who took care of participants in Ulaanbaatar. Fredrik, a Swedish expat in Beijing, volunteered as race photographer and took stunning pictures. Maite from France supported the organizing team as an intern on the spot. Imai, a Japanese runner who fell in love with Mongolia a year before, came back and brought his wife and Japanese friends along. Imai also supported the MS2S with Japanese translations of brochures and flyers. There were the race doctors Martin and Benjamin, taking care of the runners’ needs and always dedicated to minimize risks. And of course Chalotte, the time-keeper, webmaster and co-organizer.
We cannot thank all of you enough. It’s the people who help making the MS2S what it is – the world’s most beautiful 42k and 100k run.
Acclimatizing in Paradise
From Ulaanbaatar to Murun by plane, from Murun to Toilogt in Russian vans. Thanks to a new road leading all the way to Lake Hovsgol, the second part of the trip turned out to be much easier and faster than it was a few years back. What once was a bumpy, tiring four hour journey is now a quite relaxing two hour drive
Once the group arrived in Toilogt camp at the lakeshore, the outside world seemed to stop turning. No cell phones, no internet, no news, no job, no stress. Just nature and a group of friends preparing for the run of their life!
On the first evening in camp, fellow runner Dave, from Detroit but based in Amsterdam, organized a Hash run including a few beers, limbo dance and a get-together at the campfire. A great way to get to know each other and start into an amazing week…
Acclimatizing to the altitude of 1’600 meters is rather easy in a beautiful place like this: The MS2S participants went out for horseback riding, kayaking on the lake, hiking, mountain biking or checking the race course.
Race Day
3am in the morning – wake up call at camp Toilogt. The atmosphere is fascinating. Starry sky, a cold breeze; runners gather in the breakfast room, have a bite, a hot tea. Gear check – compass, flashlight, rain gear; it is a mix of pure excitement and nervousness. At 3:55am, the 77 runners gather outside at the START sign. Its cold and dark, many flashlights, last pictures taken, jumping and stretching to warm up the muscles…countdown and BAMM! The race starts and the runners enthusiastically head into the dark forest for the first 2k.
Runners need to be especially cautious on these first 2k in the forest: trunks, trees, roots – it’s dark and slippery. But everyone is prepared and briefed well and makes it out of the forest without serious problems. A lakeside horse trail for the next 10k: The sun doesn’t rise yet, but the night slowly fades into the morning. It is magical. Some of the fast runners already pace up Chichee pass, while others only approach the first aid station at kilometre 12.
It is steep up the mountain, but every single step is beautiful. Mist over Lake Hovsgol. The view is spectacular. The sun rises and makes the scenery on Chichee pass just perfect. Fredrik, the race photographer, waits up there with his equipment and takes some of the most beautiful pictures, with the lake, the mountains, the mist, the sunrise and the runners who just overcame the first of many obstacles on this tough course.
Wow, it’s beautiful. Damn, it’s steep!
The first downhill is steep and tricky. Loose rocks, wet grass – it is important to take care and don’t put too much pressure on knees and ankles. Then follows one of the most beautiful parts of the race– simply stunning: Through marshy forests, riverbeds, past the 25k aid station, up a fairytale-like valley and up on Khirvesteg pass. “It is one of the most gorgeous parts of the race. But still, this is where some of you might curse me”, is what race director Nicolas had said the day before the race. And really, it is a mix. A mix between “Wow, it’s beautiful” and “Damn, that’s steep”. Up on the pass is a Mongolian Ovoo. Runners circle it three times clockwise to ensure good luck.
After another demanding downhill, runners move back to the lakeside and finish the last 10k of the marathon distance along beautiful horse trails. They pass yurts, herds of yaks and horses and run along the lake all the way back to the camp. Every minute is just remarkable. Simon, host of the Canadian TV show Boundless, finishes the marathon first in a great time of 4:24 hours. He wanted to run the 100k, but got knee problems during the two downhill sections. An injury from a mountain bike race a few weeks earlier was too much for him to complete the 100k. Swiss athlete Andrea, who cycled the whole 42k course on a mountain bike two days before the race, finished second in 4:38 hours. And the local Mongolian runner Baasanjav came in third in 4:44 hours. Mickey won the veteran 42k category in 6:33, followed by organizer Nicolas from Switzerland (6:39) and Michael from the USA (6:46).
The fastest lady was Becky, a UK runner based in Doha who came to Mongolia with her boyfriend and 100k finisher Paul. Becky crossed the 42k finish line after astonishing 5:08 hours. Second came 14-year old Winter with a great time of 5:55 in this tough mountain marathon. Congrats Winter, what you do is really inspiring! Japanese Megumi ranked third female with a time of 6:17 hours. In the veteran category, Sarah won in 8:05 followed by Judith (12:47).
100k – 42k = 58k to go!
While some of the runners enjoyed their well deserved Chinggis beer or cooled their sore feet in Hovsgol Lake, for other MS2S participants the 42k mark was just one of many aid stations. The ultra runners had 58k to go. 58k along the lake, in the forests, into the valleys, up on Jankhai pass and all the way back to Toilogt camp. 100 extremely tough kilometres with an accumulated elevation gain/loss of 3,365 meters! For most of the runners, this was a completely new experience, a new personal record and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Swiss athlete Jonas, a passionate and very fast marathon runner, decided to try an ultra marathon for the first time in his life. When he crossed the finish line, cheered up by many fellow runners, he seemed to have burned the last drop of energy. Race doctor Martin helped him to sit down on a chair. Completely exhausted, shaky knees, out of breath; but: a fantastic winning time of 10:44 hours! After some water, tea and soup, Jonas regained energy very quickly and enjoyed his victory – the second best time ever achieved at MS2S! Second was Brendan from New Zealand with a great time of 11:47, followed by TV host Turbo in 12:59 hours. Turbo was out of energy after 35k already, needed to walk to the 42 finish line, but regained energy after eating more. He was able to keep on running after 45k and made an emotional finish – an extremely tough race! We can’t wait to see the Boundless Mongolia episode…
Experience counts: Multiple MS2S participants Doekle, Marc and Eric finished first, second and third in the 100k veterans’ race. Doekle finished in remarkable 13:33, Marc in strong 14:40, Eric in a great time of 15:48. See you next year, gentlemen!
Sarah was the fastest female 100k runner with an impressing time of 13:55. Congrats and good luck with your Kenya race, Sarah! Second was Jane with a time of 15:42, followed by Linda in 17:10 hours. The only runner that managed to finish in the ladies’ 100k veteran category was Sachiko from Japan – she finished ultra distance in 18:40! Congratulations
Follow us on Facebook!
A picture says more than 1000 words. We will upload some of Fredrik’s race photos to www.MS2S.org and to our Facebook page (www.facebook.com/MongoliaSunriseToSunset) in the coming days and weeks. Please also share your photos and videos. The 16th Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset will take place on August 6th 2014! Please help us to spread the word. It would be great to see you again in Mongolia, at the “mother lake”!
Your MS2S organizing team