No Norwegian had completed the Badwater 135 ultramarathon, which markets itself as the world’s toughest race. On Thursday morning, Norwegian time, Simen Holvik was the first. The 46-year-old spent 22 hours, 28 minutes and eight seconds. – This race is probably one of the most special races I have ever had, he says to news. He came second overall in the race, but was thus the best man. The only person who managed to beat him was American Ashley Paulson – who also won the race last year. She ran a blistering 21.44.35. Brennhett Kondis.no describes the trail as follows: “The trail starts in Badwater Basin in Death Valley, which is 86 meters below sea level. This is the lowest point in the United States. Total distance is 217 kilometers (135 miles), and one ends at the Whitney Portal, which is 2,550 meters above sea level. In total, over 4,400 meters of altitude must be climbed.” FAR AND HOT: Simen Holvik did something no Norwegian has managed before him, with good help from, among others, Sondre Amdahl (back). Photo: Arnold Begay / Badwater.com But it is the heat that makes the race most extreme. When the start went, it was around 46 degrees. It was before sunrise. – The challenge is simply the temperature and low humidity. It was up to around 50 degrees. You can imagine opening the oven on Christmas Eve to check the ribs, and then running in it, says Holvik. When news talks to Holvik and his coach/assistant Sondre Amdahl on video on Thursday afternoon, many of the athletes are still out on the track. He even managed to spend a few hours in bed. – I’ve had a bad night. It takes some time to land after these runs. The body struggles to calm down, he says. – Gave me a sly smile But it was a good race. A very good race, where he had a clear strategy. – My tactic was to cover as many kilometers as possible before the sun came up, and get far on the trail, because it gradually rises in altitude. So that was the goal, to go hard. I don’t know how the atmosphere was in the car, he says, and looks away at his friend. – We were a little afraid that you had gone too hard, admits Amdahl. The first 10 kilometers went in 47 minutes. The first marathon in three hours and 15 minutes. So there were still 17.5 miles left to the finish line. No one else opened so quickly, and the Norwegian was first on the course until there were around 25 kilometers left. Then another escort car came up in the corner of my right eye. Ashley Paulson’s team. – The only duel was that when it was nearing the end, she slowly looked past and gave me a sly smile. She had a better pace and more energy left than I had, he notes. FIRST TO THE FINISH: Ashley Paulson is and will be the best in the world’s toughest race. Photo: Arnold Begay / Badwater.com – Thighs like minced meat In a temperature of around 50 degrees, fluid and nutrient intake is absolutely essential. Holvik estimates that he drank over 30 liters along the way, that is, more than a liter per hour. Still, the tank eventually ran out, and the final half marathon was brutal. – I had a really good last ocean marathon. Then it was both good and bad to have Sondre on his side. – Why bad and why good? – He says the right things. “You have to dig deeper, you can decide for yourself whether you want to win.” Then you run around with thighs that are minced meat, it hurts so much to just walk, all you want is to just sit down and drink coke and just relax. But that’s exactly when you have to have people pushing those points. But it hurts. – Isn’t it a bit provocative, then, that he wants you to continue when you just want to sit down? – Yes, you know what, it’s very provocative. But the problem is that it is so right. And then you can say you can always push out a little more, but then you get up there, and then he’s standing there with the Hawaiian shirt saying “come on, come on”. HAPPY GUYS: Sondre Amdahl (tv) reveals that Simen Holvik is a bit upset after the feat. Photo: news – Run like a full person Holvik ran the last miles with his brother. – I was staggering, and right there it was a bit steep, so my brother was a bit scared. He said “now you’re scolding, don’t look up”. Because when I looked up, I swerved, either to the right or to the left, he says. – He ran like a drunk person, says Amdahl and smiles broadly. FAR AND HOT: Simen Holvik did something no Norwegian has managed before him, with good help from, among others, Sondre Amdahl (back). Photo: Arnold Begay / Badwater.com Holvik emphasizes that he felt safe throughout, as it is mandatory to have a personal escort car and personal helpers. At the same time, he acknowledges: – It is a race that triggers the inhuman. Running around in 50 degrees, that’s not human. And it’s fascinating, but it works. Enormous amounts of training Making it work is all about preparation. – Training works. It’s honest. I have been training extremely well and there is no magic. I had two stays in Dubai. Run 300 kilometers in 45 degrees. And of course you get paid for it, says Holvik. – It requires enormous amounts of training for many, many, many years, and a willingness to prioritize it for many years. This is absolutely extreme, says Sondre Amdahl. Right after the race they celebrated with a beer. It did not taste good to Holvik. On Thursday evening they try again.
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Simen Holvik with success in “the world’s toughest ultra race” – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
