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The North Face Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc
Polartec is an official partner of the what some call the most difficult foot race in Europe
The Ultra Trail Tour du Mont-Blanc> (also referred to as UTMB) is a mountain ultramarathon. It takes place once a year in the Alps, across France, Italy and Switzerland. The distance varies between 150 and 160km, with a total elevation gain of around 8500m. The race is run in one leg. Some believe that it is the most difficult foot race in Europe.
While the best trailers complete the loop in slightly more than 20 hours, most runners take 30 to 45 hours to reach the finish line.
From 2006, a second race Courmayeur - Champex - Chamonix (half-loop) has also been organised, and a third race was added in 2009: "Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie".
This new race will cover approximately 105 km and include 6700 m of positive altitude difference, to be completed in a time limit of 30 hours! In the philosophy of The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc®, this is a race in unspoilt wilderness, taking place on the Great Ride mountain trails of the Mont-Blanc and Beaufortain regions. Starting at 5am on Saturday 29th August, Chamonix Mont-Blanc and finishing in Cormayeur, Italy, the race will require semi self-sufficiency with 6 refreshment posts along the route providing drink and/or food.
The route
The Deux Savoie and the Val d’Aoste provinces have always been part of the Savoie States. Runners will discover these three beautiful regions around the Mont-Blanc. After a 5am start at the centre of Chamonix, running first through Les Houches and then Saint Nicolas de Véroce during the hours of darkness, competitors will leave the peaceful villages of the Savoie to reach a wild and magnificent mountain trail. After an ascent of Mont-Joly (2525m), the route follows some of the most beautiful trails and crosses some of the most awesome passes of the Beaufortain and Tarentaise region; the Aiguille Croche, the Col du Joly, the Col du Bonhomme, the Cormet de Roseland, and le passeur de Pralognan. Only on descent to Bourg Saint Maurice will the runners return to civilization. After a warm welcome from the volunteers in Bourg Saint Maurice and neighbouring Séez, a long ascent along the Roman Road will lead to the Col du Petit Saint-Bernard. Entering the Val d’Aoste runners will pass through the villages of La Thuile and Pré Saint-Didier before finally arriving triumphant in Courmayeur!
Major difficulties
Ascent of the Mont-Joly (2525m), the Aiguilles Croches, Col de la Fenêtre, Col du Bonhomme, and Passeur de Pralognan (2567m).
For more information, see Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc
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