Two new winners took the wins at the 2021 ASICS Coast Ultra Xtreme presented by Sportsshoes.com with a runaway win from Nicholls, and a gutsy finish from Montague chasing down a 22 min deficit from the first day of the 5 day event.
The five-day ultra-run along the Cornish coastline covered 215km over 5 days challenging some of the UK’s best long-distance runners over a gruelling multi-day course.
The men’s race saw an early lead taken by Ashley Mansfield who created a sizable lead over the rest of the field on day 1.
It took the overall winner, 40-year-old Nathan Montague from Wiltshire, the next three days to chip away at the advantage setting up an exciting final day.
“Blood, sweat and tears, the latter out of relief at the finish at Lands End, I literally left every out there on the South West Coast path these five days,” says Montague. “It hurt, but with each step it was a privilege to race a multi-day in some of the UKs most beautiful but challenging trails.”
Montague posted a 4 hour 51 min final stage victory to take the title.
The women’s race saw a masterclass of running from the overall winner Emma Nicholls from Truro.
Leading from the start, 41 year old Nicholls posted the fastest time of any female athlete, and the fourth fastest time of the entire field, to create a huge 35-minute lead over the pack.
Nicholls extended her lead over each stage amassing a 2 hour 15 min led over second place crossing the finish on day five.
Nicholls said; “As we stood at Lands End at the start of day one and I knew an epic adventure awaited us. I was not disappointed as each day took us to a new and stunning part of the Cornish coastline. Culminating on day five with the most challenging terrain of all to finish back where we had first started. This has been an experience I won’t forget!”
Alongside the ASICS Coast Ultra Xtreme, presented by sportsshoes.com was the 16th edition of the Atlantic Coast Challenge and the Atlantic Coast Ultra.
The challenge saw athletes take on 78.6km, three marathons, of Cornish coastline over the final three days of the ASICS Coast Ultra Xtreme.
The Asics Coast Ultra Xtreme and the Atlantic Coast Challenge follows the coastal path starting and finishing at Lands End.
Ben Mason, founder of VOTWO events, the race organiser, said, “We are always blessed with some great weather and fantastic runners to enjoy the spectacular views and trails around Cornwall. There was a massive effort put in by everything taking part – each with their own story and goals from the event and I want to congratulate each and every one of them on their achievements.”
The events which attracted over 300 athletes are supported by Asics, CLIF, Precision Hydration, Geo Tracks and Sportsshoes.com with each athlete racing in the Asics Coast Ultra Xtreme gaining five ITRA points towards UTMB qualification.
For more information and to reserve a spot for next year, visit www.votwo.co.uk or follow on Instagram at @Votwoevents
