The world’s best ultra trail runners descend on Chamonix in the Alps this week, writes Adrian Stott For a week toward the end of August or early September every year, the French mountain resort of Chamonix becomes a global trail running hub as runners congregate from all over the world to compete in the annual Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) races. Opinions among runners continue to be divided on the influence and growing global outreach of the UTMB operation, which now covers 48 events throughout the planet. The self-styled “UTMB World Series” has evolved to include a distance close to 100 miles, 100km and 50km at each venue, with shorter mountain and junior races added at most venues.
The Chamonix event hosts the UTMB World Series Finals. Simplified, you qualify for the finals by collecting points or ‘stones’ from taking part in other UTMB World Series events. The blue riband of Chamonix is the UTMB race itself, over 171km/105 miles, with 9963 metres of climbing.
The route circles Mont Blanc from Chamonix in France, travelling through Italy and Switzerland, before finishing back in Chamonix. The two other classic races are its sister race, the CCC over 101km and the OCC over 57km, which are also World Series final races. What cannot be denied is that some of the world’s best trail and mountain runners will be in Chamonix this week, battling it out for podiums, with several thousand other runners of all standards joining them on the start lines.
In such a large field, it is impossible to mention all contenders, but we have highlighted a few to watch out for, together with leading GB interest in each race. Evans, who has become one of the world’s leading professional trail runners, has become renowned for meticulous planning. He recently launched his own “Ultra Sound Podcast” and has been chronicling his build-up to UTMB to his many social media followers.
Joly, along with Evans, Wigley, Wade and other athletes, have been spending time at altitude in Tignes, close to Chamonix. “My own prep has been much better this year with a solid six weeks in Spain heat training, followed by four weeks in Tignes, altitude training,” says Joly. “My target is to run 21hrs, which I think I’m capable of with the experience of last year.
If all goes to plan, you won’t see me much on the coverage until the end of the race.” Wade also says he has put in a good, solid training block. They also happen to be the top four from June’s Western States 100.
Time will tell who has recovered best for the different rigours of UTMB. Pascall has also been benefiting from a shorter spell in the Alps. “The road has been rocky since Mozart in early June,” she says.
“I picked up an Achilles injury two weeks after the race and had to take four weeks off completely, even cycling. “I very nearly didn’t come out to France but decided to go for it and have had a few weeks of solid training out here. I’m hoping the enforced time off has left me well-rested rather than undertrained, but that remains to be seen! It has helped my attitude.
I was putting a lot of pressure on myself to perform this year, but now, while still keen to do my best, I’m just grateful to be here.” Page is looking forward to the race, saying: “I had a terrible experience with a stomach virus when I did it last time (2019), so hopefully it can’t be any worse than that. I have no outcome-based goals because I can’t control what anyone else does, but I am feeling strong and although it’s been quite a long time since I ran this distance, I am confident that the many years of mountain experience in my body will pay off.
There’s no reason why I shouldn’t be at the competitive end of the race. “It’s not a course which particularly suits my biggest strengths (I would like some more steep technical sections), but I have had an unbelievable number of setbacks in the last few years, with many periods when I wondered if I would ever run again, I am just delighted to be on the start line feeling healthy, ready to see what I can do with what I have. The course is beautiful, I know there will be friendly faces cheering along, and I can’t wait to get started!” Davis has been mixing trails with roads this year and says: “I had a solid few weeks in Chamonix and I’m feeling good and excited to run! I’ve never completed at a UTMB final yet so am excited to learn a lot and have a great time on those trails.
I’m hoping to start nice and easy and see where I can pick up.” Albon has proven ability over the years as an ultimate competitor and if recovered from Western States should be challenging the podium. Simpson, who like Albon (and Evans), are full-time athletes, should also be up with the leaders.
Jones, who holds down a full time job, has not had the opportunity to spend time in the Alps but says: “Preparation has gone well. I’m fit, healthy and excited to race in a top-class field. It’s a tough course and I’m looking forward to testing myself.
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