With the dust now settling on the 2022 Tor des Geants® we asked our three INOV8 athletes to reflect on their experiences at one of the world’s toughest ultramarathon events.
Staged amid the formidable mountains of the Valle d’Aosta in Italy, a total of four races were staged, including the classic 330km ultra running race and the even longer 450km Tor des Glaciers.
Paul Tierney once again rose to the challenge to finish a brilliant 4th place in the 450km race, crossing the line in Courmayeur after 136hrs 23mins. Having completed the 330km race three times previously – in 2017, 2018 and 2021 – this was Paul’s first time on the 450km course, which includes around 32,000m of ascent, almost 4 x Mount Everest.
Nicky Spinks also made her debut at the 450km distance having twice previously completed the 330km – in 2019 and 2021. Like in 2021, she again achieved a superb podium spot, finishing third woman in 173hrs 20mins.
Damian Hall, sampling the Tor des Geants® experience for the first time, placed 14th in the 330km race (88hrs 04mins).
As expected, all three had many stories to tell, the best of which are captured in their answers below.
PAUL TIERNEY
Race: Tor des Glaciers 450km
Finish: 4th overall
Time: 136hrs 23mins
Your experience in one sentence: An ambivalence inducing week.
Difficulty rating: About as hard as I expected. As with most races of its kind, there were times when I really had to hammer the self-talk and try to block out negative thoughts. And other times it was just really enjoyable.
Favourite moments: Spotting the Matterhorn in the distance as the first morning dawned and knowing I'd be right underneath it four days later. Running with the Spanish contingent on the second night – I couldn't understand much of the conversation, but they were good craic! Seeing Sarah and the dogs as I approached the finish.
Lowest moment: The section between Champorcher and Donnas on the third night. It's not as inspiring as some of the other terrain and therefore doesn't get as much foot traffic. It was quite overgrown, I was pretty sleep deprived and in places and the navigation was tricky.
Favourite bit of the course: It's hard to beat the Grand Paradiso National Park.
Something you learnt about yourself: I can survive on less sleep than I thought.
Sleep taken: I think I had 6 hours. I possibly could cut this down a little more. I think you learn to gradually survive on a little less as you gain experience on multiday races.
Hallucinations and cravings: Going into the third night I thought I saw a donkey with its head in a food bag, but it was a stone wall with long grass on top! After a slightly rough patch on day two, I regained my appetite and then really looked forward to proper meals for the rest of the race.
Recovery: The slowest bit was catching up on sleep, but I'm feeling pretty normal again now.
Thoughts on a return: Yes, I’d go back. Although it was a very definite no halfway through the race.
Kit performance: All great. I've used the TRAILFLY G 270 since they first came out and I love them. They are perfect for this race. My pack was a prototype of something upcoming – it’s the best pack I've ever used, so much easily accessible space to keep food, bottles and pieces of kit.
Advice to TDG hopefuls: If the shit hits the fan (it probably will), stay calm, have a sleep and reassess afterwards. You have time to work your way back into a good place.
NICKY SPINKS
Race: Tor des Glaciers 450km
Finish: 3rd woman
Time: 173hrs 20mins
Your experience in one sentence: A rollercoaster of highs and lows but leaving me with a mixture of disappointment and confusion. Not what I expected to feel at all.
Difficulty rating: Easier on my legs and feet than I anticipated which was a surprise. I power walked a lot more, even on some downhills, and it lessened the impact. Mentally it was much harder than I expected. It was much tougher being an unsupported runner rather than a supported runner. I found the checkpoints didn’t provide enough varied food for me and I missed not having someone meet me. I also struggled to sleep.
Favourite moments: Hearing my friend Kirsty Hewitson’s voice coming into the checkpoint at Neil. She was in the 330km race. We chatted away non-stop. Also, navigating over the tricky parts of the course and enjoying smooth chocolate, calorie-filled mousses and double expressos with three sugars at some of the refugios. Bliss.
Lowest moment: The worst was when I went to change from Track 3 to Track 4 on my GPS and it wasn't there. This was at Rif Abrussi, which was changed as a checkpoint. We (I was with two French guys) had missed the replacement checkpoint. Hungry and very tired, we continued and slept in a cowbarn to wait for daylight.
Favourite bit of the course: There were two wild, high exposed areas – one after Neil and before Refugio Coda, the other after Refugio Crete Seche.
Something you learnt about yourself: I must have more confidence in my own ability. When times got tough, I latched onto other runners. When I finally went alone, I was much happier and progressed much quicker.
Sleep taken: I planned to take about 1.30 hours per night, but the sleeping arrangements were very crowded and too busy for me. The best sleep I got was on the trail, in the cowbarn and in Refugio Frassati near the finish (the room was cold and empty – lovely for me).
Hallucinations and cravings: No hallucinations. For the final 100 miles (after our last drop bag) my pack was so full of clothes that I cut back on food and tried to live off the checkpoints. I ended up energy-depleted and obsessed about calories, asking for puddings and putting three sugars in drinks.
Recovery: I’ve had a lot of brain fog – it’s felt like being permanently jet lagged.
Thoughts on a return: I would love to go back and do it again but do a proper job. I feel like I bluffed my way through and I’m quite annoyed at myself.
Kit performance: The TRAILFLY G 270 were perfect – my feet had enough room to expand when a bit swelled but snug enough to avoid any friction. I changed my BOOMERANG footbed halfway through the race, for a fresh feel. The new VENTURELITE JACKET was a godsend on the cold nights, it kept out all the rain and wind.
Advice to TDG hopefuls: Get support. And get that support to meet you at as many places as possible, especially after Gressonay. Look after your feet. I changed my socks at every checkpoint, swapping them with a pair that I had been drying on the back of my pack. Carry a handheld GPS.
DAMIAN HALL
Race: Tor des Geants® 330km
Finish: 12th man, 14th overall
Time: 88hrs 04mins
Your experience in one sentence: Apart from a wrong turn, rampant hallucinations and head-melting deja vu, had The Best Time ever.
Difficulty rating: Harder than expected. The distance and vert are tough enough but throw a blanket of chronic sleep deprivation over the top and you’re in for some rough (but retrospectively entertaining) times.
Favourite moments: The first and third nights were magical in big mountains. The first under a glowing full moon, the third wrapped in mist. Reaching the competitively welcoming rifugios, with their cowbells, pasta and Italian ‘tea’.
Lowest moment: Realising, on the last day, that I’d done an extra mountain and therefore slipped out of the top-10. I reminded myself that shit happens when you do this stuff, and I could either sulk about it or complete the adventure.
Favourite bit of the course: Rifugio Coda is the halfway point. It’s also at 2,200m after a three-hour climb, with views straight down Italy in one direction and endless serrated mountains in the other. There were lots of welcoming Italians. I didn’t want to leave.
Something you learnt about yourself: I can survive on less sleep than I thought.
Sleep taken: Three 10-minute naps, I think. A little more may have helped.
Hallucinations and cravings: I hallucinated wildly for the last two days, rocks and trees constantly turning into people, all looking away from me. Often hipsters. Sometimes inflatable people (Michelin man) and animals (sharks). Also, permanent deja vu isn’t as fun as it sounds.
Recovery: Big toe still throbs a bit, possible nerve damage from previous races.
Thoughts on a return: In a heartbeat.
Kit performance: The new TRAILFLY ULTRA G 280 were excellent; protective but light, comfortable and with extra cushioning. I was using a prototype pack that excelled too.
Advice to TDG hopefuls: Take the time to eat well. And try not to take any wrong turns.
More from tor des geants® 2022
*Photos by Sarah McCormack, Paul Booth, Alison Walker & Nicky Spinks
