FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Running with wild horses: Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset
- Runners from no less than 21 countries gathered at the shores of Lake
Hovsgol to participate in the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset trail run 2016.
The Brazilian athlete Cicero Souza won the 100km category.
- Trail running in the Mongolian wilderness is a unique adventure.
Registrations for the 19th edition of the breathtaking Mongolia Sunrise to
Sunset 42km and 100km are now open on www.ms2s.org!
- All proceeds of the non-profit event go to environmental and cultural
projects in Hovsgol National Park.
Mongolia (10 October 2016) - You cannot feel further away from the hectic,
modern world: Wild horses, yaks, untouched nature, some shamanic "Ovoos"
and a few Mongolian gers here and there. Every year since 1999, runners
from all around the world soak up this unique atmosphere and participate in
the Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset (MS2S). The MS2S, a non-profit 42km and
100km ultra trail run, is without a doubt among the most beautiful and
memorable runs on the planet: seas of Edelweiss and other wildflowers, the
majestic mountains, marshy forests and of course the deep blue pearl of
Mongolia, Lake Hovsgol.
"Our race offers spectacular views from start to finish - be it on the
lakeside single trail when the sun rises behind Lake Hovsgol, on the
impressive mountain passes or through the windblown lowlands and dry
riverbeds", says Nicolas Musy, race director of the MS2S. Not only the
views are breathtaking, the race itself is as well: The accumulated
elevation gain/loss in the marathon distance is more than 2.200 meters; in
the 100km ultra run it is more than 3.300 meters. Musy: "Still, everybody
with a strong spirit and good training can finish the race. The cut-off
time is 18 hours."
Early bird rates - register now!
The registration period for next year's race has already begun. Runners
with an appetite for a special adventure can now secure early bird rates
for the race package online on www.ms2s.org. "This is not a one-day event.
We offer a whole week full of discovery and adventure", explains Musy.
Participants gather in a picturesque camp at the lakeshore and sleep in
traditional Mongolian yurts. In the days before and following the race,
runners can enjoy a variety of leisure activities: horseback riding,
fishing, kayaking, hiking, or mountain biking. The 2017 race week will take
place from July 29th to August 5th 2017.
2016: an international running family
In the 2016 race, runners from 21 countries participated in the MS2S.
Runners spent a week together at the shores of Lake Hovsgol, creating an
exceptional atmosphere - one big running family. The Brazilian runner
Cicero Souza was able to secure the win on 100km in a time of 12:59 hours.
British Ruth Murdie was the fastest ultra-lady in 16:19 hours. The 42km
winners were the Mongolian runners Tugldur Tselmegsaikhan and Purevchuluun
Narmandakh. In the veteran 100km category, Swiss Hans Jörg Hegner won in
strong 15:50 hours.
Preserving the National Park
The Mongolia Sunrise to Sunset is organised on a non-profit basis. All
proceeds are used to keep Hovsgol National Park pristine and clean as well
as to support the culture of the local nomads via the ecoLeap foundation
registered in Geneva, Switzerland. "We want to keep this pristine mountain
area as beautiful as it is now. That is why we fund a litter control
project and its ongoing operation including hiring park rangers, providing
eco-friendly garbage bags and raising awareness nation-wide through TV ads
and education of local children and families", explains race director
Nicolas Musy. The ecoLeap foundation also supports the local culture, adds
Musy: "It is not only the pristine nature that makes this part of the world
so special. It is also the unique culture of the nomads and their way of
life. The nomads should be proud of their abilities and culture."
The Hangzhou Mountain Marathon (HZMM), a preparation run for MS2S, will
take place on October 22nd in the hills near the famous West Lake in
Hangzhou, China (http://ms2s.dk/hangzhou-mountain-marathon).
For more information, please visit: www.ms2s.org and
www.facebook.com/MongoliaSunriseToSunset and www.twitter.com/MS2S_Trail
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