Looking for Wild Elephants in Sri Lanka

Only one week after Ultra Trail Hong Kong, the Asia Trail Master series continue with another inaugural event: the Wild Elephant Trail” from 6-14 March 2015 in Sri Lanka.  A country that, moreover, is quite new to the sport of trail running.

As the official press release by organiser Global Limits reads: 52 runners from 23 countries from all continents in the world, including top Sri Lankan marathon runner Sanath Bandara, will compete in the stage race.  The Asia Trail Master series team is happy to promote this new event, and assist in the development of running opportunities for athletes in Sri Lanka. 

The course is expected to be quite adventurous and technical in parts, but filled with cultural landmarks as well.  The press release continues: the 210km, 6 stages race begins at the rock fortress of Yapahuwa, the short-lived capital of medieval Sri Lanka.  The runners will then head to Sasseruwa, the giant Buddha in “Freedom from Fear” pose, the picturesque Ritigala Mountains, and the Kandalama Lake.  The finishing line is set at the top of the World Heritage Site, the Sigiriya, ”The Lion Rock”.  In between the stages, the runners will stay at local pilgrim halls, campsites, and local village houses.  

Finishers of the stage race will collect a significant haul of Asia Trail Master points, and by coincidence the distance points - 175 - are the same as for last weekend's single-stage UTHK race. The rule for stage races namely says that 175 is the maximum number of distance points that can be won, which aims to avoid all-too-easy gains. 

Progress of the stage race can be checked via the GlobalLimits website, but also here and on the Asia Trail Master series facebook, twitter and instagram sites.