Jasmin Nunige returns to the 2016 Ultravasan as the defending champion. In the following interview, Jasmin talks about why she’s returned, how she’ll approach Saturday’s race, and how her fitness compares to last year.
For more on who’s running the race, check out our Ultravasan preview. Be sure to follow our live coverage of Ultravasan starting early Saturday morning in Europe, which is Friday night in the US.
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Jasmin Nunige Pre-2016 Ultravasan Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Bryon Powell of iRunFar here with Jasmin Nunige before the 2016 Ultravasan. How are you?
Jasmin Nunige: Fine, thank you.
iRunFar: Welcome back to Mora. You won this race last year with a very strong performance. What brings you back?
Nunige: Yes, it’s so nice here. I love this country and the race. It’s really beautiful. It’s why I’m so happy to be back again.
iRunFar: Last year at this race, you went out very hard and maybe suffered a little bit at the end. Do you think you’ll run the same way this year?
Nunige: Exactly. I will do my race again. I have changed a little bit my nutrition during the race. I hope I will still be strong in the end also.
iRunFar: This year, I think the race is going to be a little different because there’s a stronger women’s field and some people with some very fast marathon backgrounds. How do you think the race will play out?
Nunige: Exactly. I also think it will be a fast race, but for me, it’s important to do my own race and my own rhythm. It’s 90k. It’s a long race. It’s difficult to look after the other girls, so I decide to make my own race.
iRunFar: Yes, and you’ve done some other racing this year. You went back to Swiss Alpine Marathon recently and won that for the seventh time?
Nunige: Exactly. Yes.
iRunFar: How did that race go for you?
Nunige: It’s my home race, and I know the trail. It was a good race for me. I really could perform. It was three weeks ago, and now I hope to continue to perform here.
iRunFar: Since you’ve done that race so many times, it’s probably a good test of your fitness. How do you feel relative to last year?
Nunige: Last year was really a strong year. Now, I had some more problems in June, but I’m coming back. I think it’s a good time now.
iRunFar: What were your problems in June?
Nunige: I had some problems with my MS, multiple sclerosis. I had to slow down a little bit. Now I’m coming back.
iRunFar: Now you’re feeling strong, and your training is going well?
Nunige: Yes, exactly. The last two weeks were really good.
iRunFar: This year there is a change on the course. There’s 4k that have switched from very fast dirt road to much more technical section. Is that good or bad for you?
Nunige: I like both. I think it doesn’t really matter. I know we need perhaps a little bit longer, but I love these technical parts. That’s why I’m happy about this.
iRunFar: The weather should be cooler than last year. Is that also good for you?
Nunige: Yes, for the race it should be perfect. I like the sun, but when it’s too warm, it’s really more difficult. I think this year will be perfect.
iRunFar: Do you think you can run faster than last year?
Nunige: I don’t know because the last 20k last year was really hard. Perhaps it’s possible to run faster, but I don’t know that I’m able to do that this year. It’s possible to run faster than me last year.
iRunFar: You or someone else.
Nunige: Yes.
iRunFar: Best of luck, and enjoy the course.
Nunige: Thank you very much. See you.
