From the inspiring to the tragic, ‘Adventure News of the Week’ presents a wrap-up of top news in the world of exploration and adventure. Here’s what you missed this weekend, and a few things to look forward to.
Hundred-mile first-timer Adrian Macdonald won the Leadville Trail 100 Run by a 40-minute margin. The Fort Collins, Colorado, resident broke the tape with a time of 16:18:19, iRunFar reports. Leadville marks the first 100-mile race of Macdonald’s short but powerful ultrarunning career; the 32-year-old bagged his first 50-mile race just earlier this year.
Leadville local Annie Hughes took first in the women’s division with a time of 21:06:58, leading the women’s pack with an hour advantage. The 23-year-old runner pulled ahead by mile 23.5 and kept it that way for the remaining 76.5 miles.
Hughes recently broke the women’s supported FKT on the Collegiate Loop, finished second overall in Mace’s Hideout 100, and will attempt the grueling 240-mile Moab ultra in just a few months.
— iRunFar (@iRunFar) August 22, 2021
Charitable outdoor and animal welfare groups in Afghanistan need donations, support from abroad more than ever. Here’s how you can help. Amid the uptick in violent chaos, heartbreak, and displacement throughout Afghanistan, nonprofits refocus their efforts to help relocate the region’s people and animals, writes UKClimbing.
It’s easy to spread awareness through social channels, volunteer time, and donate funds or supplies — all from a safe distance. Here are a few charities that really need our support:
- Afghan Ascend, mountaineering leadership and training program for women
- Nowzad, animal welfare and adoption charity focused on rescuing, rehabing, and relocating pets and wildlife
- Free to Run, women-focused outdoor leadership and recreational running program
Benjamin Vedrines set a new Spaghetti Tour FKT, climbing 18 Swiss alpine peaks in fewer than 10 hours. Ascending the string of Alpsian summits in just 9 hours and 18 minutes, the solo French mountaineer blew past the previous FKT by a boggling 4 hours and 21 minutes.
In other climbing news, Ashima Shiraishi sent Jade, a V14 boulder problem, in RMNP late last week. The renowned competitor ticked her first V14 in 2014, becoming the second woman to send the grade outdoors. She was 13 years old at the time. Then, in 2016, Shiraishi became the first woman and youngest person to send V15 with her top-out of Horizon. Check out the uncut footy of Shiraishi’s Jade V14 send.
The Big Mountain Enduro race heads to Colorado’s Purgatory Resort on August 28. The sold-out stop along the BME race series will bring pros, amateurs, and spectators to the San Juans for two days of action-packed up- and downhill events.
And gravel bike powerhouse, ENVE Composites, is gearing up for a new course — Reality TV. The brand is looking for five endurance cyclists to compete in its new All-Terrain Bicycle Challenge. Aspiring competitors have until August 27 to apply.
Originally a small Wasatch-adjacent cyclery, ENVE first made waves with its innovative composite fork. Since then, it’s branched into the events space with its annual Builder Roundup customs show and Grodeo backcountry race. ENVE’s unique business roadmap is turning the company into something like a titan of the off-road cycling industry.
