Winners of Inaugural Mauna to Mauna Ultra Race Announced

Sylvia Ravaglia of Hawai‘i placed 1st place in the womenʻs division of the Mauna to Mauna Ultra. Photo courtesy of Endurance Events USA.

Winners have been announced in the first Mauna to Mauna Ultra–a coast-to-coast footrace that took participants up Mauna Loa and Maunakea volcanoes on Hawai‘i Island.

Hawai‘i Islandʻs Sylvia Ravaglia ranked 1st place in the womenʻs division of the inaugural challenge.

The week-long race and survival challenge began on Motherʻs Day, May 14, and ended on Saturday, May 20, covering roughly 155 miles of cumulative distance.

The event began at Coconut Island in Hilo and wound its way to Hapuna Beach. Participants climbed 22,238 feet in altitude throughout the race, passing through some of the remotest places in the world in multiple climate zones.

Some 20 countries were represented by the participants, who carried their own backpacks with food, sleeping gear and other necessary equipment. Survival skills played a critical role alongside running and hiking abilities. Among the competitors were five champions from the eventʻs sister race, Grand to Grand Ultra.

The winners of the Mauna to Mauna Ultra were:

Vicente Juan Garcia Beneito of Spain placed 1st in the menʻs division of the Mauna to Mauna Ultra. Photo courtesy of Endurance Events USA.

Men (Name and Race Time)

1. Garcia Beneito, Vicente Juan (Spain), 26:46:17
2. Vieux, Florian (Switzerland), 27:38:16
3. Wakaoka, Takuya (Japan), 30:37:36

Women (Name and Race Time)

1. Ravaglia, Sylvia (Hawai‘i, USA), 34:32:28
2. Gayter, Sharon (UK), 37:52:14
3. Lavender Smith, Sarah (California, USA), 39:03:36

For more information, and to learn details about the Mauna to Mauna Ultra 2018 visit www.m2multra.com. For information regarding registration, sponsorship, or other event-related questions, contact Colin Geddes at [email protected]. 

The event was sponsored by the Hawai‘i Tourism Authority, Island of Hawai‘i Visitors Bureau and the County of Hawai‘i.