South Africa’s 26-year-old trail runner, Bianca Tarboton, will be participating in another UTMB World Series event, this time in Switzerland where she will take on Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB taking place on 12 – 16 July 2023. The Adidas Terrex trail runner will be eyeing this event as one of three European events that she would like to take on in the coming weeks.
She recently shared on The Running Podcast, “I have three more races in Europe. I race predominantly in Europe now. I have a contract with Adidas Terrex and it’s a European based contract which means a lot of my racing in the year will now take place in Europe. I have three more marathon distances there in the year, following which I will then come back in September and hopefully I can race one or two South African races.”
After being in Europe for a month racing, Bianca came back home last week. She has enjoyed a little break from her travels by spending a few days in Cape Town before heading to Switzerland tomorrow for more racing. She will spend quite some time travelling across Europe where she plans to race Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB this month, Sierre-Zinal in August and the Infinite Trail Race in September.
Bianca is stoked with how the first half of the year has gone for her so far. After claiming top podium spot for the marathon distance at the inaugural Mountain Ultra-Trail (MUT) by UTMB which took place in George, Western Cape. And coming 12th last week at Marathon du Mont Banc, “I did the Marathon du Mont Blanc in Charmonix, France last Sunday. Very prestigious race and it’s part of the Golden Trail Series in Europe. So, I was really happy to come 12th at such a prestigious event. It was my first marathon in Europe so I didn’t have many expectations.”
The Adidas Terrex runner has a UTMB Index of 734. A UTMB Index assesses the performance level of each trail runner, the UTMB Index is calculated for each of the 4 UTMB World Series race categories: 20K, 50K, 100k and 100M. Trail runners are also given a General UTMB Index calculated by combining results from all race categories. A valid UTMB Index is mandatory to enter the UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery. Runners also run to qualify for a place at the Finals, they must have at least one Running Stone (which can only be acquired by racing a UTMB World Series Event), and a valid UTMB Index in the necessary category. However, Bianca has already qualified for the UTMB Mont-Blanc by winning this year’s MUT by UTMB event in George.
CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za for free.
Cape Town Lens: Gympie. The Railway Hotel next to the old railway station.