Grand Ballon, 21. May 2009

"The first stage of the WMRA Grand Prix 2009 was held in a small French city Willer-sur-Thur in Alsace. Grand Ballon - the highest peak in Vosges Mountains - was the finish of the GP race for the second time.

Over 500 runners from 12 countries gathered on the start lines in Willer-sur-Thur (men) and Goldbach (women). Men ran a 12km course and the women ran just the upper 8km of the men's course.

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In the men's race, the world's best mountain runner of the last seasons - New Zealander Jonathan Wyatt, started in a group of international runners including 2008 winner Meyssat, Czech champion Krupicka. It was very hot in the first part of the course (temperatures hovered in the 20s? with sunshine?), with the group still running together. In the second part of the course, Wyatt increased the pace and got a small advantage over his competitors, which was enough to cross the finish line as the winner.

In the women's race Suisse triathlete Maya Cholet was victorious. In 2008 she finished in fourth place and this year she improved the result to win the race.The chief of the organizing committee - mr. Jean-Alain Haan - put on a quality event. The organization was smooth and runners had a wonderful experience in spite of some stormy weather at the finish.

Tomo Sarf for WMRA / IAAF

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Results:

MEN
1 WYATT Jonathan NZL 1:00:46
2 MEYSSAT Emmanuel FRA 1:01:30
3 KRUPICKA Robert CZE 1:02:03
4 RANCON Julien FRA 1:02:24
5 BURRIER Eduoard FRA 1:02:41

WOMEN
1 CHOLLET Maya SUI 51:18
2 KUSTER Simone FRA 52:02
3 TAYLOR Candice GBR 53:40
4 KUSTER Line FRA 54:16
5 GALLAND Valerie FRA 54:55

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