MANUELA SOCCOL WINS THE AUSTRALIAN ULTRA-TRAIL

21/12/2023

Another Belgian victory during a 164 kilometer ultra-endurance running race.

Manuela Soccol, an athlete from Genk (province of Limburg), won during the Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB which took place in Australia. Some 230 participants from all over the world gathered for this 164 km long extreme race. Very large elevation changes were also on the program for this ultra-trail taking place around Mount Kosciuszko which peaks at an altitude of 2,228 meters in the Australian Cordillera located on the borders of the States of New South Wales and Victoria.

The 35-year-old Belgian completed this long journey in 22h24' and ranked first in the women's ranking. Her race was perfectly controlled since she accomplished the feat of overtaking the Australian Stephanie Auston, the winner of the previous edition, in the last kilometers.

Manuela Soccol is also sixth in the general classification in a race won by Australian Chris Lenkic in 19h23'.

After a successful career in athletics, including participation in the marathon during the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, the one who also won the 20 kilometers in Brussels twice (2015 and 2016) seems to take great pleasure in take part in these extreme races that Belgians are fond of.

Her next big challenge will be to shine during the UTMB, the famous Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.