Canadian woman makes history at Iceland’s “toughest single stage race”
Canadian Alison Ytsma became the second woman ever to complete the Mt. Esja Ultra, a 77-kilometre mountain running event in Iceland.
Canadian Alison Ytsma became just the second woman ever to complete in what’s known as Iceland’s toughest single-stage race, the Mt. Esja Ultra, on June 19. The ultramarathon is 77 kilometres, made up of 11 loops, and includes 6,600 metres of elevation change.
Ytsma was the only competitor in what was the fifth edition of the event.
The mountain is located just outside of Reykjavik, the Nordic island’s capital, and is often referred to as the “city mountain.” The race also features a marathon. According to an Instagram post from her club, she completed the run in 18 hours and 23 minutes.
Halldóra Gyða Matthíasdóttir Proppé of Iceland finished the event last year and became the first woman to do so when she made it to the end in 17 hours, 16 minutes and 53 seconds.
Each 7K loop is run on a hiking trail with portions of technical terrain. There’s an aid station at the bottom of the mountain, which marks the beginning and end of each loop.
The trophy is believed to feature a piece of the mountain peak too. “So I just made the race that much easier for everyone next year,” joked Ytsma on Facebook.
Ytsma grew up in Vancouver but is now based in Toronto. She runs and bikes during her downtime as she works full-time as a public health researcher. She also competes in triathlons and appropriately owns an Icelandic sheepdog.
Prior to competing in Iceland, Ytsma was part of the Nous Bruce Project, an all-women’s team of 15 that set the fastest known time (FKT) for completing the nearly 900-kilometre Bruce Trail in five days, 17 hours and 56 minutes.
That Bruce Trail record could be in jeopardy as a team of 18 women, the Wild Bruce Chase, are attempting the run from Tobermory, Ont. to Niagara Falls on July 1.
Check out the latest buyer's guide:
