Spotted on Strava: Americans Win UTMB + Diplo Escapes Burning Man

Americans on the top step of the UTMB podium, the race for Red in the Vuelta, and an epic escape from Burning Man. It all happened on Strava this week.

Americans take the tape at UTMB

Over the last few years, debates around who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in this sport or that have become increasingly common. However, when it comes to trail running, it's increasingly difficult to look past the formidable Courtney Dauwalter. The American completed an unprecedented hat-trick of wins with victory at UTMB, having also won the Western States 100 and the Hardrock 100 over the last couple of months. Dauwalter was imperious over the 106 mile / 170km course, pulling away from the lead group after four hours before stretching her advantage through the rest of the race and finishing in 23hrs 29mins 14secs. Katharina Hartmuth came in second in 24:10:52, with Blandine L’Hirondel third 24:22:50.

In the men's race, Jim Walmsley became the first American man in the history of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc to take the tape. In a fascinating duel with fellow American Zach Miller, Walmsley was able to catch Miller off the back of the Champex Aid Station and extended his lead back into Chamonix. In front of a rapturous crowd, Walmsley crossed the line in 19:37:43. Miller was second in 19:58:58, with Germain Grangier rounding out the podium in 20:10:52.

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Kilian's quick scramble

One runner who was conspicuous by his absence from UTMB was the four-time champion Kilian Jornet. Jornet, who was advised not to compete in the race due to his ongoing recovery from a sacrum injury, still found time to go on a pretty epic scramble in Norway. If you want to see what a Kilian Jornet recovery scramble looks like, check out the video of his activity here.

Kuss leads the race for Red

The race for the Red Jersey in the 2023 Vuelta a España continued despite the inclement conditions on the course that forced the abandonment of Sunday's final climb. Jumbo-Visma's Sepp Kuss goes in to Monday's rest day leading the General Classification after Day 9 (35:23:20), ahead of Marc Soler (+43 seconds) and Lenny Martinez (+1:02).

Sabbe smashes PCT record

Some people beat records, others annihilate them. Belgium's Karel Sabbe definitely qualifies in the latter category, having taken five days off the previous Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) fastest known time. For those not acquainted with the PCT, it is a 2,652-mile / 4,268km trail running the length of the continental United States (from Mexico to Canada).

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Sabbe completed the run in an extraordinary 46 days, 12 hours and 50 minutes - some five days faster than the previous FKT set by Timothy Olson (51 days, 16 hours, 55 minutes). Incredible.

Diplo escapes Burning Man

In case it passed you by, this year's Burning Man festival in the Black Rock Desert in Northwestern Nevada has been beset by heavy rains, leaving thousands of festival goers stranded by thick mud. But while many are unable to get out, music producer Diplo joined forces with comedian Chris Rock to hike 6-miles / 11kms through the desert and back to safety.

Good luck to the many festival goers stranded at Burning Man, we hope conditions ease soon.