Chamonix, France, has remodeled right into a buzzing hub of pleasure as hundreds of path runners and followers converge for the twenty first version of the legendary 176K UTMB (Extremely-Path du Mont-Blanc). We all know we are saying this yearly, however severely—this time it’s true: this yr’s race would be the most thrilling but, with an elite subject that’s deeper, quicker and extra aggressive than ever earlier than, and we’re right here to inform you all the pieces you want to know to cheer in your favorite athletes.
This isn’t simply any race—it’s the crown jewel of the ultratrail calendar and the top of the UTMB World Sequence Finals. With a staggering 10,000 metres of elevation acquire unfold over 176 kilometres (106 miles), UTMB calls for the very best from its rivals. The guts-pounding motion kicks off proper within the centre of Chamonix on Friday at midday ET.
Ladies’s race
2022 champion Katie Schide (who completed second final yr) is gearing as much as chase a uncommon double victory, aiming so as to add the UTMB crown to her latest Western States 100 (WSER) win, the place she clocked the second-fastest time ever. Like fellow American Jim Walmsley, Schide hopes to observe within the footsteps of the legendary Courtney Dauwalter. As race week kicks off, Schide took to Instagram to share her blended feelings: “So right here we’re: race week. And I’m actually excited/curious/nervous to see the place I’m at, having ready particularly for this subsequent race in a a lot shorter timeframe than previous years, however with extra confidence about what I used to contemplate my largest weak point (the precise working).”
However Schide gained’t have it straightforward. She’ll be up in opposition to a powerhouse subject, together with Hungary’s Eszter Csillag, who positioned third on the 2023 WSER and fifth ultimately yr’s UTMB. France’s Blandine L’Hirondel, recent off a third-place end on the 2023 UTMB and a win at CCC in 2022, can be within the combine. And let’s not overlook Germany’s Katharina Harmuth, who secured second place ultimately yr’s UTMB. This battle of the elites guarantees to be as thrilling as it’s unpredictable
Canadian ladies to observe
Quebec’s very personal Marianne Hogan is again and able to make her mark after a difficult battle with accidents following her spectacular second-place end on the 2022 UTMB. Hogan, who additionally positioned third at WSER in 2022 and secured second on the Extremely-Path Cape City 100K in 2023, is raring to reclaim her podium spot. Becoming a member of her from Canada are rising stars like Quebec’s Geneviève Asselin Demers, Kelsey Hogan of Newfoundland and Ontario’s Claire Heslop, all set to offer their greatest on this world stage.
However the pleasure doesn’t finish there. The listing of high feminine contenders reads like a who’s who of trail-running greatness. Australia’s Lucy Bartholomew, China’s Fu-Zhao Xiang—who positioned fourth on the 2023 UTMB and seventh in 2022—and Spain’s Maite Maiora, who completed fifth ultimately yr’s UTMB, are all lining as much as problem Schide. With such fierce competitors, this race is shaping as much as be a nail-biter from begin to end.
Males’s race
Final yr, Walmsley lastly seized the UTMB victory he’d been chasing, after two years of relentless coaching within the French Alps. Now, recent off a commanding win at WSER, he’s again to defend his title—however the highway to a WSER-UTMB double is something however simple. Standing in his means is Ludovic Pommeret of France, the 49-year-old who claimed victory at this yr’s Hardrock 100. Pommeret, who completed fifth in final yr’s UTMB, appears to solely enhance with time and is hungry for redemption.
The U.Ok.’s Tom Evans, who gained the 2023 WSER and took third at UTMB in 2022, is gunning for a high spot. He’ll be toeing the road alongside French-Canadian Mathieu Blanchard, who secured second at UTMB in 2022, and France’s Germain Grangier, who was third final yr. And let’s not overlook Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz, one other French powerhouse, who dominated each the Hardrock 100 and Diagonale des Fous in 2023. With such a stacked subject, Walmsley must struggle tooth and nail to remain on high, making this yr’s UTMB one of the vital thrilling but.
Canadian males to observe
Like the ladies’s race, the boys’s subject at UTMB options a few of Canada’s most interesting expertise. Main the cost is former pro-cyclist Christian Meier, who’s making waves after a first-place end at each the 2023 TDS and Path 100 Andorra 50K. Meier is not only right here to take part; he’s right here to dominate. Alongside him is Ryan Atkins, a world champion in impediment course racing, bringing his distinctive mix of pace and toughness to the path.
Fernie, B.C.’s Ethan Peters returns for his second UTMB, seeking to enhance on his earlier efficiency, whereas ultra-champion Scott Cooper, who made historical past by successful Western Canada’s first-ever 200-mile race in underneath 50 hours, can be within the combine. Together with his spectacular endurance, Cooper is a severe contender. Different Canadians to observe embody Simon Widmann, Chris McNamara (Cooper’s coaching associate), Kevin Biggs and Samuel Frigon. This Canadian contingent is able to make their mark on the world stage, and so they’re not simply right here to observe from the sidelines.
Don’t miss a second of the UTMB motion! Tune in to the dwell stream beginning Friday, August thirtieth at midday ET, by clicking right here. For real-time updates, observe @canadiantrailrunning and @canadianrunning on X. Should you’re craving extra pre-race insights, take a look at Freetrail’s “Trailgating” sequence on YouTube, co-created by extremely path professional Dylan Bowman, the place you’ll discover top-notch interviews and must-follow storylines.
