Andy SYMONDS becomes France Skyrunner Series champion
Shortly after joining the SCOTT Running international team, Andy SYMONDS confirmed a solid yet smart come back into the skyrunning scene. Willing to test his abilities Andy first focused on the Skyrunner France series before hitting international races again. Having won the last stage being the Serre Che Trail, Andy brings home the 2015 Skyrunner France series title as well.
Andy, you’ve just raced the Serre Che Trail, how was it and why did you choose to do this race ?
The Serre Che Sky Race always looked like an appetizing prospect as it's a real mountain race that goes up high. I'm a big fan of racing to the tops of mountains, along ridges etc and enjoying the amazing views you're normally rewarded with. This year the scenic reward sadly wasn't on the cards, as it rained heavily all morning, visibility was down to a few hundred meters and the course was consequently modified to reduce risk.
You won the race hand in hand with your brother Joe, after covering the best part of the course along with him. Was that ever a plan?
Joe came out to stay for a week's holiday. Living up in Glasgow, Scotland, he likes to pop down with his family to soak up a bit of sunshine every year. So it was fitting that it rained cats and dogs for the 48km race I'd lined up for his stay! That said the conditions definitely suited him more than me! I felt like my muscles were cramping up and turning into blocks of ice! The race plan was to play it by ear, but if we both felt ok and roughly similar then the logical thing was to run together, and then after five hours side-by-side we felt it more appropriate to finish hand-in-hand rather than sprint flat out against each other. It's exceptional circumstances. Neither of us would probably do the same with anyone else.
This win titles you Skyrunner France series winner. Which of the race was the toughest for you? The one you enjoyed the most ? The one you want to come back to?
I have to say that they were all very different, both in terms of course, conditions and how I was feeling on the day. Ventoux is almost my local classic now, so that has a special place - especially with the biannual horrible weather it's raced in - snow this year. The Altispeed was an awesome course, with some good scenery and some good altitude, but I didn't feel strong on that day. Then Montcalm in the Pyrenees was a real classic up/down from valley to summit and finally Serre Che, the longest and toughest of the lot. I would like to return to Serre Che to experience the full course, if the organizers can guarantee sunshine and blue skies in future!
What’s next for you now, beside beer and celebration?
Ice cream. Oh and a nice looking race in Morocco called the UTAT. That's going to be though as it's over a mountainous 105 kilometers. The landscapes look stunning though, so once my legs have recovered from Serre Che they'll be itching to get out there. After the UTAT I'll be in the Pyrenees again in November for the inaugural edition of the SCOTT els2900. And then the real recovery will commence, until next year.
Photos © Robert GOIN