Race Report Stage 1 - Albania

It's race day! The GlobalLimits Albania - The Hidden Treasure stage 1 race begins. This stage is 38km long and the runners will cross the mountain ridge of Berat County. The total ascent is 1154m. The route takes us through a valley, small villages lined with fig trees and towards the finish line at the local school in the Buzë village. With the well wishes from the Director of Culture of the municipality of Berat and local school kids singing of the national anthem of Albania, our runners are ready to start! The race started at 7:45am local time. 

Erin Drasler from the USA made a new female course record and finished the 38 km as the overall winner in 4:04 while Martin Dittberner from Germany followed 16 minutes behind. 2nd woman was Christina Khinast from Austria and 3rd woman Teresa Lam from Hongkong. Arben Shati representing Albania was 2nd male and Eilon Armon from Israel in third.

Special to mention today Harri Washington from the UK, finishing 4th female. She just arrived at the camp at 3am in the night and only had 2 hours sleep after a flight odyssey of 36 hours to reach Albania.

Carol Davies from England thinks the course is beautiful and she even got invited to a raki (a local liquor) on course by the locals!

Tomorrow’s stage 2 of 30,6k starts at 7am local time. Follow GlobalLimits on Facebook www.facebook.com/GlobalLimitsSportMarketing/ and Instagram @globallimits_running