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The women’s elites kicked off the major event of the Mont-Blanc Marathon today at 6:45 a.m.
A leading trio quickly formed between Judith Wyder, first time participant in the Mont Blanc Marathon, Monica Madalina Florea, not used to long distances and Sophia Laukli, the defending champion, cross-country skier of the American national team and winner of the Golden Trail World Series 2023.
Monica Madalina Florea then took control of the race after the Col des Montets. Her special training this year on the descents paid off but did not allow her to distance herself from Judith Wyder for long, who stayed in her tracks before setting off alone to win.
Sophia Laukli suffered a drop in form at the end of the race and lost sight of her two competitors after the climb of Flégère and even saw 3rd place fly away in the last descent to the benefit of the Chinese Miao Yao.
Wyder finally won in 04h11min 12s with a lead of 2mn 30 over the Romanian Florea, who was overjoyed at the finish line. Yao takes 3rd place in 4h18mn 30s.
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Judith Wyder 1ère :
“I’m happy with my strategy today. I felt strong on the rolling parts, but had more difficulty on the steep climbs.
Despite everything, if I could stay in touch with the girls in front I knew that I could then go for the victory and that’s what I did.”
Madalena Florea 2nd :
“It was my first trail marathon and I am super proud of my race. I tried to go for the victory, I played on the last climb, but the last 6 or 7 kilometers seemed really long to me…
I am very happy, for me this second place has as much value as a victory. »
Miao Yao 3 months:
“On the descent I saw that I could get back on Sophia, I saw her in the distance and that gave me motivation. I told myself that I had to keep pushing to try to get the podium.
It was finally on the final part that I managed to catch up and I am very happy with this podium. »
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