Endurance athlete Mark Morrison has successfully tackled the formidable challenge of the Valle d'Aosta SuperMarathon in Italy, securing a strong top-15 finish in a race he described as a "bucket list" event.
Morrison completed the gruelling course, known for its significant elevation changes, in a time of 3 hours, 58 minutes, and 25 seconds (3:58:25), placing him 14th overall in the Men's race. His performance also earned him an impressive fourth place in the Senior Male Masters 40+ Age Group Division.
Speaking after the race, Morrison admitted the event lived up to its billing as an "extremely hard and very hilly" challenge, particularly the punishing final 6 kilometres which ascended steeply into a mountain village.
"It was a great experience and definitely a bucket list race I wanted to tick off," Morrison shared. "I was able to stay in that first group for the first half and then the second half I got dropped and was in subsequent groups behind. However, over the last 6 km hill it was unbelievably hard at the end of a marathon and I suffered quite a lot with the altitude and gradient of the climb. It was like something out of Tour de France or Giro cycling and just went on forever."
Despite the severe test, Morrison expressed satisfaction with his result. "I’m so pleased that I got this result. Obviously, it would’ve been better to get a podium and or finish in the top 10 overall; however, once we hit the final stage I ended up losing four or five places."
Morrison's grit and determination in completing such a demanding international event underscore his commitment to pushing his limits in the world of endurance running.
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