Ruth CROFT and Alex NICHOLS shine in Les Templiers

With top international invited to this end of the year trail running meet, Les Templiers hosts a world class annual battle. This year, SCOTT Running athlete joined the fight.

Strong off of her win at Ultra Pirineu Marathon a month ago, Ruth Croft was now facing the best female competition in the world for this week end’s race. To give you an idea of the depth of the field, here was her competition:
- Emelie Forsberg who’s reigned over the trail running world for years including multiple Skyrunner world titles,
- Ida Nilsson (2016 The North Face 50 Mile Champion, 2017 Transvulcania Champion)
- Mimmi Kotka (2016 CCC winner and 2017 TDS winner)
- Camille Heron (2017 Comrades Champion, 2017 Tarawera 100k winner, 2015 50k world champion)
- Adeline Roche (2017 IAU Trail World Champion).

Feeling strong and in good form, Ruth made her move to the front runner in the first third of the race, and after the half way point, took the lead to never look back and win the 76k race with 3500m gain in 7h27’27’’. This win sets her as the current best female in the world on this distance.

Post race video interview on iRunFar.com

CROFT's final race of the season will be in San Francisco for the final of the TNF Endurance Challenge 50 miles.

In the men’s field, American runner Alex NICHOLS had a different strategy. With a fast and flat first section of the course that didn’t suit his strength, Alex stayed back checking into the 1st aid station in 21st position. Then he pressed on to 4th place at the last aid station, 8k from the finish line. With a final battle with Marc Lauenstein who’s won the World Long Distance Mountain Running in 2009, 2013 Sierre-Zinal in 2013, Pikes Peak Marathon in 2014 and the Marathon du Mont Blanc in 2015, Alex NICHOLS finished in 3rd position in a time of 6h49’26’’.

They both used the SCOTT Supertrac RC and the SCOTT Trail RC TR4 as well as their RC clothing.