2022 UTMB: fifth place for Hong Kong-based Csillag comes from excel spreadsheet and steady pace
- Eszter Csillag climbed from 17th to fifth with a conservative well-planned pace at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
- The Hungarian has been living in Europe since March, preparing herself for the challenge that lay ahead
Hong Kong resident Eszter Csillag finished fifth at the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), despite it being her first 100 miler and sitting in 17th place in the first 20km.
The 171km race is one of the most famous ultra marathons in the world. As such, the start line is always packed with talent. But the Hungarian national’s low position in the first half of the race was no cause to panic.
Csillag had worked with fellow Hong Kong-based ultra runner John Ellis to devise a detailed pacing plan, and had an excel sheet with the times she was supposed to arrive in each checkpoint, and even had the times of other women who had run around 27 hours previously, which was her target.
“Up to Courmayeur (80km), it was about being patient,” said Csillag, who previously had only run 100km races.
“All I could do was be patient, which meant going slow, looking after myself, eating, making sure I didn’t get cold, or injured, and to make sure I arrive at Courmayeur.”
“At shorter distances, you don’t get this going slow, then pushing more later. So, I could enjoy being outside and the stars. I enjoyed having a race where I could enjoy being outdoors and not just pushing. But I knew I had to arrive at Courmayeur, and then the play starts.”
Csillag arrived at Courmayeur (80km) in 13th place and then began to push. She steadily moved up the rankings and entered the top 10 at around the 98km mark.
