The 14th edition of Ultra Trail des O Plateaux (UTOP) delivered its verdict this weekend. A great performance was recorded in the legendary 126 km race.
A new champion and a new record. The UTOP Ultra 126 km race has reserved a new champion for this 14th edition. Heritiana Andrianaivo was crowned champion. He set a new record of 16h 25min 41sec, beating the old time of 16h 45min 31sec set by Jeannot Avotraniana last year. It’s a well-deserved victory for the new champion after being on the podium several times. This time, Heritiana Andrianaivo took her biggest chance after intensive preparation. ” This race was very difficult to face. I almost cried before crossing the finish line. This is my first title and I spent a year training to win it., rejoiced the champion. Second place was won by Patrick Randriamampionona, who arrived an hour later with a time of 17h 41min 30sec. Dolys Rambelomanana completed the podium with a time of 18h 15min 13sec. Among the women, Estrine Rasoa won her second consecutive victory. She also improved her time with 20h 39min 16sec, against 22h 38min 02sec. Leaving Marozevo Friday evening at 8 p.m., she arrived in Ambatobe on Saturday at 4:30 p.m., without showing any signs of fatigue on her face. “It’s the first time I’ve finished in broad daylight. I didn’t encounter any major problems along the way, apart from the rain and an injury to my left foot which prevented me from running faster on the descents,” she said. Vavy Valérine was crowned vice-champion, followed by Rojoarisoa Rabesandratana. The champions will participate in the next UT4M in Grenoble and in the Trail de Bourbon in Reunion. UJSM journalist Alfred Razafintsalama was forced to abandon his 89 km race. He assisted a Mauritian runner in hypothermia at the Angavokely Pylon and had to take her to Ambohimiadana.
A great success
In the 70 km semi-trail event, Jean Jean and Marie Noeline Razafiarisoa took first place on the podium. MCB Madagascar offered them two plane tickets to take part in a race in Mauritius. At the end of the qualifying race for the Island Games over 35 km, the first four men and women are shortlisted to form the Malagasy national team. The consolidation will start very soon. The atmosphere continued yesterday at the LFT in Ambatobe with the Fun Run, Zaza Trail races and the trophy presentation. “This 14th edition was a success. The number of participants exceeded 2,500 runners and more than 500 volunteers were mobilized. No serious incidents were recorded and everyone returned home safe and sound. We have organized events at all checkpoints. The inhabitants of the villages along the route were also included, as several infrastructures were built in the communities, allowing them to participate in the race for free. We would like to thank all the runners and partners of this edition”, underlined Rivo Andriamanalina, president of UTOP.
Manjata Razafy
