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.
The Federazione Italiana di Atletica Leggera (FIDAL), the Italian athletics federation anti-doping court, banned ultrarunner Luca Manfredi of Italy from racing after he tested positive for triamcinolone acetonide metabolite. Manfredi had recent wins at the 2021 Chianti Ultra Trail 73K and the 2020 La Scarpa della Val Trebbia. The former professional cyclist also served a 2-year doping ban from 2010 to 2012. Officials have not yet decided or released the length of his second suspension.
Nika “Early Bird” Meyers has set yet another FKT, this time with a new female self-supported record on the Colorado Trail. She completed the trail West to East. Her time of 9 days, 14 hours, and 19 minutes for the 486-mile Colorado Trail is still pending confirmation. In 2019, Meyers set an FKT on Vermont’s Long Trail — the first female unsupported time for that route on record.
Coloradan Quinn Brett — who became an adaptive athlete after a T11 spinal cord injury in 2017 — has become the first adaptive athlete to complete the Tour Divide. She rode the 2,700-plus miles with 149,664 feet of vertical gain supported, finishing in 25 days. She’s also completed the White Rim Trail, and is currently riding her hand cycle around Mt. Rainier National Park.
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Want to win a few prizes (or a grand prize), just for biking? DOST Bikes and PeopleForBikes have teamed up to launch Monthly Ride Challenges through RideSpot. The contests run each month (August, September, and October) and consist of a variety of mileage and volume of ride goals. Complete the challenge/s and you are entered to win prizes like cycling socks, apparel, even an e-bike. Open to riders in the U.S. and Canada. Learn more.
In other news, 2021’s “Fittest People on Earth” have been announced after the close of the 2021 CrossFit Games, which ran from July 27 through August 1.
Australian athlete Tia-Clair Toomey has won the title of “Fittest Woman on Earth,” who, with this win claimed her fifth consecutive title and is only the second crossfit athlete in the history of the Games to do so. U.S. athlete Justin Medeiros won the men’s overall games and the title of “Fittest Man on Earth,” making history in his own way as the youngest male to ever win at age 22. For Fittest in the Masters category (65+), U.S. athlete Ken Ogden (age 66) won for men and U.S. athlete Patty Bauer (age 68) won for women.
Finally, REI has announced that it’s opening a second store location in Missouri. The REI Town and Country, Missouri, Co-op will open in Spring 2022. The retail location will also include a full-service bike shop.
