The 2nd edition of GlobalLimits Sri Lanka  – The Wild Elephant Trail – started today with an emotional opening ceremony in the ruins of the Yapahuwa Temple.  All participants were blessed by the monks and young students of the local school opened the official race by singing the national anthem of Sri Lanka.

The first stage was designed with 35,2km and 3 checkpoints. Start time was 7:45am local time. Runners were facing  quite a hot day with nearly no shade. However all runners finished the stage in a good shape and were amazed by the beautiful landscape, passing lakes, rice fields, huge rock formations as well as climbing up to a monastery.

Winner of the first stage was British national team Runner Nathan Montague in 3:05hrs ahead of South African Alwyn Maass in 3:56hrs and American Brian Smith in 3:58hrs.

Fastest woman was Austrian Christina Khinast in 3:58hrs finishing together with Brian Smith. Christina already finished on the podium in the 2 recent races in Cambodia. Second woman was Sophithida Kong from Cambodia in 4:07hrs ahead of American Jessica Roper in 4:50hrs.

All 4 Spanish runners, Xavi Marina, David Mora, Tony Andrades and Jaume Teres Costa finished hand in hand after 4:29.

Runners stay overnight in the temple complex of Sesseruwa.

Tomorrows 2^nd stage is planned with 36km finishing in a local village were runners enjoy a night when staying in the local village houses together with the family of the home.