The third stage of the Beyond the Ultimate Mountain Ultra provided yet another day of breathtaking landscapes and grueling challenges. Known as “Ala-Köl” this stage took runners through a diverse range of terrains, featuring rope bridges, pine forests, glacial lakes, and moraine fields.

Stage 3 began with runners navigating rope bridges to exit the initial valley, setting the tone for a day filled with technical challenges. The first significant obstacle was a sharp ascent through dense pine forests, which then opened up to reveal stunning electric-blue glacial lakes. The 1,500m climb demanded a mix of light technical scrambling and steady trekking, testing the runners’ endurance and agility.

As the runners ascended, they were rewarded with views of Ala-Köl Lake, the second-largest alpine lake in the world. This serene yet daunting body of water, fed directly by a glacier, guided the runners towards the highest point of the stage at 3,907m. The climb was a mixture of technical scrambles and more manageable trails, requiring careful navigation. The descent from the pass was steep and challenging, with rocky terrain adding an extra layer of difficulty.

In the men’s race, after trailing in the first two stages, Simon Dicks stormed the front to claim first place in Stage 3 with a commanding time of 7:01:00. It was a significant reversal in fortune after finishing behind Alex Welch in both prior stages. Alex crossed the line in 7:55:00, solidly in second, but now with the pressure squarely on him going into Stage 4.

Bert Gossey remained rock-solid in third (8:40:00), continuing his impressive upward trajectory across the stages. Stéphane Pagani followed in fourth (9:18:00), staying consistent and tough, with an outside chance at a podium.

In one of the most dramatic shifts of the race so far, Maria Russell surged to the front of the women’s field, taking Stage 3 victory in 9:31:00. After trailing Ioana Barbu and Jemma Wilkinson in earlier stages, Maria now holds the advantage in cumulative standings.

Jemma Wilkinson came through in second for the day with 9:59:00, showing strength late in the stage, while Natalie Chun grabbed third (10:23:00) with her most confident performance yet. Stage 1 & 2 leader Ioana Barbu faded slightly to fifth place today (10:43:00), and is now facing a tough battle to reclaim the top.

A special shoutout goes to the final four finishers, who remained on course deep into the night, pushing their limits until nearly midnight: Ben Smith, Chih Hung Wei, Kole Chia Yang and Madeleine Ryan.

All four crossed the line together in 16:27:00, exemplifying the grit, teamwork, and determination that define this race. In these moments, finishing becomes the ultimate victory