UTMB 2019: Ruth Croft wins OCC with dominant ‘perfect performance’ to defend her title
- The New Zealander was 12 minutes ahead at 50km but was still pushing hard, despite the time cushion
Ruth Croft won the 55km Orsières, Champex, Chamonix (OCC) at the Ultra Marathon du Mont Blanc (UTMB) race week for the second consecutive year. The New Zealand runner’s victory was assured long before the end. She opened a 12 minute lead over Azara Garcia de los Salmones by 39km, but still seemed to be pushing hard.
The OCC is the shortest of the week’s major races. The UTMB festival host seven races and attracts some of the best runners in the world. Short and sharp races suit Croft, who has been dominating similar distances this season, winning the 42km Marathon du Month Blanc and coming second in the 44km Trail World Championships.
She finished the OCC in five hours, 50 minutes and 14 seconds. Garcia de los Salmones finished second (6:08:04). Yuri Yoshizumi of Japan finished third (6:16:31)
Croft said she planned to start fast to push one of her competitors, Sheila Aviles Castan. The Spanish runner had never run 55km before, so Croft hoped she could tire her out. It worked, and Aviles Castan dropped out around 35km.
“It was definitely hotter than it was last year, but I’ve had a lot of international travel this year, so my body wasn’t as fresh. I was definitely struggling on the up hills,” Croft said.