Tara Dower has made ultra running history for the second time, setting a new overall speed record on Vermont's Long Trail. She completed the 273-mile (439k) trail to raise funds for the Green Mountain Club, which preserves the historic trail.

Dower first sprinted into public consciousness less than a year ago when she delivered a new overall speed record on the Appalachian Trail. In September 2024, Dower hiked and ran from Mount Katahdin in Maine to Springer Mountain, Georgia in just 40 days, 18 hours and 5 minutes, 13.5 hours faster than Karel Sabbe’s 2018 record.

In March, she handed in another stunning time at the Black Canyon 100k, but June brought disappointment for the runner, who attempted her first Western States 100 but dropped out before the finish. Yesterday, her Instagram account revealed that she's back on top form, writing "She's done it!" with a photo of her embracing the trail sign at the southern terminus.

Running very long trails mostly by herself seems to be the perfect formula for the North Carolina native. She set off from the Canadian border on Saturday, August 16 at 10am and ran trail that follows the Green Mountain ridgeline all the way through the state to the Massachusetts border. Her time of three days, 18 hours and 29 minutes has to be confirmed, but once that happens, she'll hold the overall supported FKT, beating Will "Sisyphus" Peterson's time by nearly three hours.

The Altra-sponsored runner has previously worn the Altra Mont Blanc BOAs for long-distance races and pictures from the finish show she's still favoring the Utah-based brand's zero-drop approach to footwear.

Dower has set several FKTs including one on the 567-mile Colorado Trail in 2023 which she completed in eight days. She is known for using her running feats as fundraisers and publicly stated she intended to raise $10,001 for the Green Mountain Club; a fundraising page shows her effort has far surpassed that goal.

The Long Trail is oldest continuous footpath in the US, with 68,000 feet of elevation gain. Constructed between 1910 and 1930, it later became the inspiration for the Appalachian Trail and the two footpaths share 100 miles of trail.

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A female Scottish ultra runner has finished a 100-mile race so far ahead of the next competitor that she was home before he arrived at the finish line.

Anna Rutherford, 43, was competing in the first Castle to Castle Rat Race this weekend, which took runners from Bamburgh Castle in the northeast of England to Edinburgh Castle in the Scottish capital.

The runners set off at 7am on Saturday, July 18, and by the midway point, Rutherford, a lawyer and mother of three, had passed the male frontrunner and went on to spend the final 50 miles running alone.

Rutherford tells the BBC she even stopped to check on a man who was lying on his back on a golf course – he turned out to be stargazing – and still made it to the finish line in an impressive 17 hours, 23 minutes and 11 seconds.

The runner says that after arriving at the finish just after midnight, she went straight to bed at home in Peebles, less than an hour's drive from the center of Edinburgh, meaning she was almost certainly tucked in by the time male winner Danny Castro arrived in 19:18:11.

In response to a post on Facebook by race Rat Race Adventures, Rutherford praised the organizers' attention to women's needs along the route, including female-specific toilets with sanitary products: "MASSIVE congrats to RatRace for catering for women so well! I hope that came across - I was blown away!"

The last time we wrote about Rutherford, she had set a new FKT on the 214-mile Southern Upland Way, completing the cross-country route in 62 hours, 34 minutes, and 55 seconds – 17 hours quicker than the previous fastest female. That feat came only nine months after giving birth to her second child.

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A major date in the UTMB World Series calendar, the Hoka Val D'Aran saw many mountain running elites vying for the podium and places in the 2026 edition of the main Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. The trails of the Pyrenees saw their fare share of drama, as well as challenging weather conditions.

Stormy forecasts forced organizers to alter the race routes across all distances in order to ensure the safety of participants, staff, volunteers and spectators. Nevertheless, all those gathered were treated to a festival of trail running that saw some of the sport's biggest names deliver.

The shortened Peades d'Aigua (PDA) saw Chinese running sensation Maio Yao take victory in the women's race, despite admitting that she'd found the downhills "really tough", according to a Run247 report. Italy's Nadir Maguet was victorious in the men's race, over eight minutes ahead of second placed Leonard Mitrica from Romania.

Having been cancelled due to storms in 2023 and 2024, it was great to see the main Torn dera Val d'Aran (VDA) race take place this year, albeit in a slightly curtailed form due to the stormy forecast. On the altered 88 mile (142km) course, Belgium's Laura Van Vooren emerged victorious in the women's race, holding off the challenge of China's Yuanyuan Wu, with a time of 20:26:37. France's Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon ran an impressive 16:25:48 to take the win in the men's race.

In the shortened Camins d'Hèr (CDH), Norway's Mari Klakegg Fenre romped to victory in the women's race, over an-hour-and-a-half ahead of second placed Spaniard Amaia Razkin Medrano. The men's race was a closer run thing, with France's Baptiste Coatantiec beating Spain's Manuel Anguita to the finish line by less than four minutes.

What is the Hoka Val d'Aran by UTMB?

Comprising seven individual races, with distances ranging from 6 miles (10km) to 101 miles (163km), Val d'Aran has been the European Major of the UTMB Wold Series for four consecutive years. It sees over 5,000 participants from more than 80 countries take part.

The setting is the spectacular Pyrenees, the mountain range that runs along the border between Spain and France. Val d'Aran itself is an Atlantic-facing valley in the heart of the range. It's often cited as being 'the Essence of the Pyrenees', with its lush forests, 10,000ft (3,000m) peaks and rich cultural heritage.

The seven races of the meet include the Torn dera Val d'Aran (VDA), Camins d'Hèr (CDH), Peades d'Aigua (PDA), Experiència d'Aran (EXP), SKY 15K Promesas and SKY - Baqueira Beret.

The VDA, CDH and PDA are the three that enjoy the highest profile. The 100mi (163km) VDA is the flagship event, a grand tour of the Val d'Aran that entails over 32,000ft (10,000m) of elevation gain. It's a challenge that's equivalent to that of the legendary Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.

The 68 mile (110km) CDH takes the runner into some of the Val d'Aran's wildest and remotest areas while exploring its mining heritage. Meanwhile, the 34 mile (55km) PDA is a stunning run through the mountains of Naut Aran, taking in Colomérs, a stunning glacial cirque.

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It may be one of the world's most legendary trail races, yet keeping the adrenaline flowing for all 100 miles of the Western States Endurance Run is no mean feat. British runner Fiona Pascall cited an unlikely source behind at least a tiny bit of her success in finishing 5th in the women's race on her debut on the course.

Pascall posted on Instagram to reflect on the race, thank her crew and ponder whether it was being charged by a bear that helped her get through the notorious canyons. In her post, she said: "I'm not sure if it was the ice keeping me cool or the adrenaline from being charged by a bear that made the canyons better than expected, but getting through them feeling ok was an amazing feeling."

She didn't expand on the exact circumstances of the incident, or how long it lasted though, going on to thank the pacing services of Ian Sherman and the miraculous impact of using ice in the California heat.

What's next for Pascall?

The younger sister of 2021 Western States women's race winner Beth Pascall, Fiona bagged her 'Golden Ticket' after winning UTMB Chianti in March, a race in which she held the lead for several hours. This followed on from a fruitful 2024, when she won the 100-mile Julian Alps Trail Run in Slovenia, following on from her win at the Arc 50 – Arc of Attrition race on England's Cornish coast in 2023.

A Salomon UK ultra-runner, she lives in the Quantock Hills in England's southwest and fell in love with long-distance mountain running after taking on the Bob Graham Round in the Lake District National Park, a classic fell running challenge.

She and Western States 2025 winner Abby Hall will undoubtedly lock horns again at this year's Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc in August. After winning Chianti, Pascall now has secured entry to both the 2025 and 2026 race. We'll be watching closely come August, that's for sure.

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Global trail running events powerhouse, UTMB Group, is considering adding a third UK event to its 50-strong World Series.

The UK already hosts UTMB events Ultra-Trail Snowdonia in Eryri National Park and Cornwall's Arc of Attrition, which launched earlier this year.

Speaking to SportsPro, Florian Lamblin, the UTMB World Series Director, had this to say of the UK: "It's one of the most dynamic markets in trail running," and that "it has become the fifth biggest market in the world, after France, China, the US and Spain".

Reports suggest that the UTMB is eyeing up potential ultra events in the Lake District, Peak District, Scotland or Ireland, all places with rich mountain running heritage. The Lake District in particular is thought of as the spiritual home of fell running and has produced some of the nation's greatest mountain runners, while the Scottish Highlands boasts an almost endless skyrunning playground.

It's also reported that the UTMB is in talks with the likes of the BBC and Eurosport in the hope that future events will be broadcast to the British public.

Does UTMB improve local events?

We spoke to trail running author and Advnture contributor Jen Benson about what this would mean for the UK's trail running scene. As someone who has run both the Arc of Attrition and the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia since they were taken over, as well as attempting Ultra-Trail Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) and who has covered the main Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc as a journalist, she knows the UTMB operation better than most.

She said: "As such an established force in the ultramarathon world, UTMB brings with it a wealth of experience, expertise and resources. Some worry races lose their uniqueness when they’re bought by UTMB, but in my experience that hasn’t been the case. There have been issues, mostly due to the rapid rate of expansion of UTMB, but the organization does listen and does make changes for the better.

"UTMB races have a big event feel and this, along with the opportunity to gain a place at the World Series Finals in Chamonix, is hugely appealing to many runners. For those who prefer smaller races with a more local vibe, there’s a fantastic range to choose from right across the UK".

UTMB's rapid growth

The UTMB World Series has grown apace with trail running's rising popularity. With the prestigious Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc as its centerpiece, the French UTMB Group has been steadily acquiring some of the most legendary trail race events across the globe to form a part of its roster.

Runners who complete the events in the World Series gain Running Stones, which enable them to apply for the main UTMB races in Chamonix. The more Running Stones an applicant has, the more chance they have of gaining a place.

However, the main event in Chamonix is just the tip of the iceberg, as there are many superb events across the world. These include Ultra Trail Whistler in Canada, the iconic Californian duo Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run and The Canyons Endurance Runs, Eiger Ultra Trail in Switzerland, South Africa's Mountain Ultra Trail and New Zealand's spectacular Tarawera Ultra Trail, just to name a few.

What events could UTMB attempt to acquire?

Typically, the UTMB Group doesn't invent whole new events. Instead, it acquires previously existing events that have the status and solid foundations to join the UTMB family. Both the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia and Arc of Attrition started out as independent events, before joining the UTMB World Series in 2022 and 2025 respectively. While some runners are critical of a larger organization swallowing up local races, others point to the fact that the UTMB brings the expertise required to help the events to grow in a sustainable way that wouldn't have otherwise been possible.

So, what other UK running events could the UTMB Group be eyeing up for adoption? While no one at UTMB has named specific events they are considering, here are a few of the possibilities.

Note that the following is conjecture only.

England's Lake District National Park hosts a range of trail and fell running events, too many to name in one go here. Among the most iconic are Montane's Lakeland 50 and 100 ultra trail races that take place in July. With UTMB hosting the Arc of Attrition in January and Ultra-Trail Snowdonia in May, this would spread the calendar out nicely. The Lake District also hosts the Altra 13 Valleys Ultra in late September, an event that celebrates the national park's 13 unique dales and vales.

The Peak District also hosts many ultra and trail events, such as the Maverick Peak Merlin, which explores the region's famous gritstone edges, and the many races of Peak District Challenge event in September.

Perhaps the most obvious candidate in Scotland would be the Skyline Scotland event, organized by Ourea Events, who also run the legendary Dragon's Back. This event embodies the skyrunning ethos, previously hosting renowned events like the Ring of Steall Skyrace and the Glen Coe Skyline, races that count the likes of Kilian Jornet, Jasmin Paris and Emelie Forsberg as previous winners. The potential stumbling block here is that the Ben Nevis Skyline race is currently part of the Salomon Golden Trail Series, very much a competitor of UTMB, albeit with more of a focus on shorter distances.

As for Ireland and Northern Ireland, there are many potentially suitable events that take place across its many mountain ranges. The Mourne Way Marathon in Northern Ireland boasts several trail and ultra races that explore the range that inspired C. S. Lewis' Narnia. In Ireland, Limerick's Ballyhoura Mountains are home to the Ballyhoura Trail Ultra Marathon, with three race distances. Then, there's the Kerry Way Ultra, which explores Ireland's most mountainous peninsula.

A Canadian trail runner has achieved an incredible feat by winning Britain's biggest ultramarathon, despite stopping to breastfeed her baby along the way.

Stephanie Case, who started the Ultra Trail Snowdonia 100km in the UK 30 minutes behind elite competitors, didn't expect to take the top spot, having lost her trail-running ranking during a tough fertility journey.

The race, which includes 20,700ft (6,300m) of climbing, kicked off at 4.30am GMT for the runners with elite bibs. However, Case, who stopped to meet partner John Roberts at aid and refueling stations along the route to breastfeed six-month-old daughter Pepper, manage to catch the elite women. Incredibly, she completed the 103k distance in a time of 16:53:22, beating the UK’s Lauren Graham and Hoka athlete Kimino Miyazaki of Japan.

"My goals were to enjoy myself and make sure Pepper was fed at aid stations. As I no longer have a UTMB index, I started in the last wave, 30 min after the leaders. Sure, I had hundreds of runners in front of me, but I could go at my own pace in blissful ignorance of my placing," Case revealed afterwards in an Instagram post.

"It truly was like riding a bike - every kilometre that passed reminded me that I hadn’t lost a thing over these past three years. In fact, I have gained way more joy and strength from this sport as a mom than I ever did before. While it broke my heart to leave little Pepper at the aid stations, I wanted to show her - both of us - how amazing mom runners can be."

Case, who had lost her elite status due to a tough, three-year fertility journey, was intending to use the race as a warmup for the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run in Colorado, which takes place July 11, 2025.

She had endured recurrent miscarriages and multiple IVF failures, questioning at times whether it was her stressful career in the humanitarian aid sector that was interfering with her dream to have a child. She asked in an emotive social media post: "I’ve given up running and racing in trying have a family with my partner. Do I have to give up my job too?"

Case is now very much looking to the future and it seems that she's in great physical and mental shape.

"Whether you are thinking of being a mom, are pregnant, or are a new mom yourself, don’t be afraid to keep setting big goals for yourself. Everyone has an opinion about what new moms should or shouldn’t be doing, and that doesn’t open up a lot of space for 'out there' ideas like running an ultra," she said.

"Should I spend this much time away from my baby? Is it harmful for my body? What about my milk supply? My coach @drmeganroche helped me navigate these questions and the social pressures that come with being a new mom runner, but we need to work together to remove the pressure in the first place and provide more support."

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Imagine being told you cannot run. Picture this scenario playing out not because you are injured, or you haven’t entered an event by the cut-off date, or you don’t have the right kit or anything like that – but simply because of who you are. Can you envisage feeling like you dare not leave your own house and do something as normal, natural and innocuous as going for a run around your neighborhood?

Try as I might, I can’t. Running is something I’ve taken completely for granted my whole life. I always think of it as the most accessible of all the adventure sports. But that’s my unconscious privilege speaking. Talking to Fatima and Sada, while running around the streets of East London, I finally fully realise just how lucky I am to be able put on a pair of road or trail shoes and go out for a jog whenever and wherever the hell I want to. I never even have to pay it a second thought.

There have been a smattering of scenarios during the decades when, while running trails deep in a dark wood or finding myself vaguely lost in a dodgy looking side street of an unfamiliar big city, my danger-detecting radar has twitched, and I’ve felt a bit out of my comfort zone. But that’s it. For so many people around the world, especially women, this kind of footloose freedom is completely inconceivable.

The fight for the right to run

Fatima and Sada are ambassadors for Free to Run, a charity founded by ultrarunner and human rights lawyer Stephanie Case in 2014, which aims to empower girls and women through involvement in outdoor sports (most often running, but also hiking and camping escapades). They organise programs in several countries – particularly places scarred by conflict and riddled with gender inequality.

Free to Run is active in Iraq and Palestine, and had been working in Afghanistan until developments in 2021 forced them to dramatically change tack. Now, with participation in outdoor pursuits impossible for women in the Taliban-controlled country, clandestine indoor fitness programs and virtual initiatives are supported.

The not-for-profit programs include one run by Sahira Hassan in Duhok, Iraq, who trains and mentors groups of young Yazidi women from an ethno-religious minority community that has faced years of persecution. Through group running, these women find support, strength, inspiration and a sense of fulfillment and achievement.

Sahira has coached several as they prepared for and competed in the Erbil International Marathon. In 2024, one of her team, Dima, placed in the top five overall in the half marathon distance – a genuinely groundbreaking achievement.

I came across Sahira’s story while editing a new edition of Lonely Planet’s Epic Runs of the World book. I felt chastened – not just by the contrast between my own obliviously carefree approach to sport (and the opportunities my daughter happily has as she begins her own running journey) and the breathtakingly steep challenges the girls and women being led by Sahira face before they’ve even lace-up a shoe – but also by how little I’d thought about this before.

Digging a bit deeper, I discover that Free to Run is supported by runners all around the world, who take part in races and challenges to raise awareness and funds for the organization, and I’m keen to get involved.

On a sunny spring morning, I meet with several of these supporters, along with Ericka from Free to Run, James from Untamed Borders (who helped Free to Run organise the sadly now-cancelled Marathon of Afghanistan, the country’s only mixed-gender sporting event), plus Fatima and Sada. We rendezvous in the On running store on Brushfield Street, before heading out for a pre-breakfast shakedown run ahead of the London Landmarks half marathon, in which most people present are competing the following day.

Spitalfields is a vibrant multicultural suburb, and the concrete walls, bridges and underpasses are colorfully adorned with street art referencing many of the conflicts and struggles that form the backdrop of Free to Run’s initiatives. The roads around the market, which will be full of hustle and bustle within the hour, are gloriously peaceful at 7.30am, providing the perfect environment for a gentle urban jog and jabber – an experience that turns out be the most educational and thought-provoking run of my life.

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From fleeing in fear to running for fun

Brimming with excitement about the upcoming challenge, Sada would never have dreamt when she was growing up in Iraq that one day she would be running for fun, let alone to find peace of mind. Her home, back then, was on the outskirts of the much-storied and myth-enveloped city of Babylon, famous for the Hanging Gardens that ranked among the seven wonders of the Ancient World, and the mythical Tower of Babel. Just over 50 miles (80km) from Baghdad, it’s a place steeped deep in history and culture, but for much of the 1980s, ’90s and early 2000s, the entire region was war-torn and dangerous.

“The only running I did as a child was running for my life, away from the noise of explosions,” Sada says. “It wasn’t until years later, after I came to London, that I saw people going running because it was something they actually wanted to do. For leisure!

“For a while I just watched them. And then eventually I decided to try it. I bought some gear, and now I actually describe myself as ‘a runner’. Whenever life gets a bit much, and my head is full of worries, I go for a run and it really clears my mind. I’ve done several marathons, and I got involved with Free to Run because I want girls living where I grew up to see that women can run. It’s so much harder to deny the rights of women when they are more visible.”

Trail blazer

For Fatima, the path that led her into running was the arduous route she had to take to school each morning. As a little girl living in a mountain village in the Jaghori District of Central Afghanistan, 4,000 meters above sea level, she had to walk for an hour along mountain roads to get to school each morning.

“Once I arrived late, and as a punishment I was beaten on the hand with a stick,” she tells me. “My hand was freezing cold and it was agony. I swore it would never happen to me again, and from that day on I always ran to school to make sure I got there in good time.”

This proved to be an excellent training regime for a pursuit that has helped shape the rest of her life. Fatima, who is from the Hazara community in Afghanistan (a Shia Muslim ethnic minority that suffered severe persecution over several decades), came to Britain with her family in 2008, when she was 14. Very quickly a teacher recognised her extraordinary strength in cross-country running, and she went on to compete twice at county level in the English Schools’ Athletic Association Cross Country Championships.

Now, besides working as a nurse and fitness trainer, Fatima is a highly accomplished ultra runner. She has just returned from the 150km Trans Sahara marathon in Morocco, and last August completed the CCC, a brutally tough 100km race through the Alps from Courmayeur via Champex-Lac to Chamonix (part of the UTMB), one of the only Afghan women to ever compete in such an event.

A deep passion for the sport is evident in her eyes and the large smile that lights up Fatima’s face as we chat about the running challenges she has taken on and the races she has in her sights for the future, but she remains acutely aware that, for girls and women back in Afghanistan, even the idea of going for a short jog is utterly unthinkable. Since the Taliban regained control of the country in 2021, girls have been prevented from attending school at all, and the opportunity to take part in sporting activities has evaporated. Women in Afghanistan can no longer work, study or simply go running – things we consider as the basics in life.

And so she re-issues the challenge that so stumped me when we first spoke: “Imagine being told that you can’t run, just because of who you are.” Women are no longer allowed to train for professions, let alone work out for fun or fitness. “My cousin was in her fourth year of a medicine degree, and she was forced to stop studying,” Fatima explains. “The resilience and courage of the women of Afghanistan to keep going through life inspires me to continue my running journey in hope of raising awareness, and for their voices to be heard.”

To this end, Fatima is currently running races, events and challenges in 26 cities around the world – one for every letter in the alphabet, to raise awareness about Free to Run and the great work it does. You can follow and support her progress on Instagram and contribute to her goal via this JustGiving page.

As we say goodbye and disperse, punters start strolling in off the pavement to peruse the Swiss-designed running gear on display in the On store, and I have to resist the urge to start shouting about how lucky we are to be able to simply pick a pair of shoes off the shelf and head out for a run. I’ll never take it for granted again.

It's been 10 days since the gruelling Barkley Marathons crushed every one of its victims, and the runners are finally recovered enough to share their thoughts on this year's race. Some, like Australia's Isobel Tait, explain that sickness that kept them down, while Colorado-based Chris Fisher noted the heat and pace, but UK-based American runner John Kelly has a rather more philosophical take on things.

The ultra runner was the only one of 40 starters to complete three laps of the course at Frozen Head State Park, which founder Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell made more difficult after last year saw a record number of finishers (five) including the first-ever woman (Jasmin Paris). So there wasn't a winner exactly, but Kelly – who has completed three Barkleys – definitely came the closest and those punishing 60 miles in 39 hours, 50 minutes earned him the most dubious "Fun Run" in trail running

But despite yet more photos showing Kelly's shredded legs posted to Facebook, Kelly has come out in defense of the race.

"Barkley isn't sadistic. If anything, it's existentialist," says Kelly in response to what he calls the "armchair experts" who have been calling it intentionally impossible.

"Barkley is a satire. All races are absurd, as are other sports, and art, and music, and most things that give us joy or meaning," he continues, saying that for him, Barkley is no less absurd than five people try to put a ball through a basket on a court with random lines drawn on it

"All of these things are absurd. None advance society, provide fundamental needs, or ensure the survival of our species. Most things that make life worthwhile are inherently not worth anything. Their value and meaning come only from what we give them, or from contributing to things that do matter."

As for his performance? Kelly, who in January ranked fifth in the brutal Montane Winter Spine Race, says he's not upset about not finishing, even if he was hoping to tie Jared Campbell for the most finishes ever.

"It's an opportunity I hadn't had there in a while - to push myself until there was nothing left, to now be searching for what I could do better and how I could go farther. That, to me, has meaning."

That said, it wasn't all mellow rumination for the runner. A few days before this post, he revealed how the course beat him up, snatching a glove and both flasks from his Ultimate Direction hydration pack, which then got caught on a tree and broke. He lost a BOA fastening off his La Sportivas, which look a lot like the Jackal IIs and his headlamp went into low battery mode. Still, we can't say for sure, but it sounds like Kelly might be back next year for another lesson in humility.

Meanwhile, a new documentary, which you can watch below, gets into the details of the chaotic race as it chronicles Jasmin Paris' historic 2024 finish, which she pulled off with less than two minutes to spare and in a pair of very old Inov-8 Mudclaw G 260s. She describes how she chanted the names of family members to get her to the finish and how it felt realizing she only had eight minutes left to complete the course and it's well worth a watch.

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Jim Walmsley has won the UTMB Chianti 120k race in a ferocious time just shy of 10 hours after carving out a major lead over Kilian Jornet and Vincent Bouillard at the 50k mark, putting his disappointing DNF in last year's UTMB finals well and truly behind him.

"It was really, really hard. Super muddy all day," says Walmsley, still looking fresh as a daisy at the finish line despite an average 12k per hour (7.4 miles per hour) pace. He's been scouting out the course in rainy conditions for the past week and says it was useful for today's wet conditions.

"It wasn't easy for me but very, very rewarding," says Walmsley.

The runners took off from Radda at 4am local time and the three leaders – the last three winners of the UTMB finals – ran as a pack for several hours. At the 3:42:00 mark, however, Walmsley took advantage of a long, runnable descent and cleanly dropped Jornet and Bouillard, putting to bed any fears that his performance at the Mesquite Canyons 50k was a fluke.

After running neck-in-neck with Bouillard for the entire race, the goat himself Jornet surged ahead to take second place some 28 minutes behind Walmsley, with Bouillard arriving just seconds behind him.

"I was a bit stronger on the uphills, he was passing on the downhills," says Jornet of the battle, who says the race was more technical than he expected.

"It was great to win with Jim doing a master class on trail running."

Jornet was plagued by TFL pain for more than half the race, while Bouillard battled GI issues.

"For sure there was more pressure," says Bouillard of racing against ultras biggest stars, and of his new status as a Hoka-sponsored runner.

"The sport can be so incredible and the competition is great when you're around such amazing humans."

Ultimately, the pair have bagged their golden tickets for Western States, something Bouillard says will be outside his comfort zone, and the three will race together again in June.

Bouillard and Walmsley were both running in the same Hoka Tecton X prototype with super soft soles and big bounce while Jornet was racing is in his Nnormal Kjerag 2s which have better lugs than the first edition for gripping on the muddy terrain on the course today.

In the women's race, Britain's Fiona Pascall played the long game and crossed the finish line first in 12:34:59 after holding the lead for several hours. She's now punched her ticket to Western States, the very race which her sister Beth won in 2021.

Finland's Johanna Antila took second place and Spain's Azara Garcia de los Salmones took third.

Abby Hall got off to a strong start but was slowed down after a toilet break and has been in fourth for the second half of the race. Fabiola Conti who started out strong dropped out.

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The 2025 Barkley Marathons has ended without a single finisher as the new course picked off every last runner over a 40-hour period.

After Jasmin Paris made history in 2024 by becoming the first woman to complete the 100-mile course – something founder Laz said would never happen – the course was made harder than ever.

It worked.

The 40 runners who start at Frozen Head State Park in Tennessee have just 12 hours to complete each 25-mile lap, and this year only nine made it to the second lap in time. Keith Dunn, who provides the only commentary of the obscure race via X, announced no runners had completed the second lap within 24 hours.

However, three exceptionally tough runners continued to fight on for the Fun Run (and that's Type 2 fun, if you're wondering), which is achieved if you manage three laps within 40 hours. John Kelly, who was going for his fourth finish, made it in time in 39:50:27, while Sébastien Raichon tapped himself out without finishing the third loop and at last report, Tokyo's Tomokazu Ihara was still out on the course somewhere.

Dunn had earlier reported that navigation was more of an issue than usual on the overgrown and poorly marked trail, probably owing to the fact that they're not allowed to use their GPS watches, or any GPS navigation at all for that matter.

"Seems a few people this year had ‘follow a veteran’ as their navigation plan. It didn’t work out for them. laz was unimpressed and described that mindset in strong words," says Dunn, later reporting that "a runner may be running down Hwy 62."

No finishers is nothing new for the race, which has seen zero finishers over a dozen times since the first race in 1986, however recent years have seen an uptick of finishers with an unprecedented five in 2024.

In the end, the only winner of this year's Barkley Marathons was the Barkley Marathons itself.

• The best trail shoes for ultra runners: these robust and comfy rides are built for serious outdoor adventures
• The best running poles: for ultra distance training, epic races, and fastpacking adventures

The UTMB World Series has unveiled its live broadcasting schedule for 2025 and the action kicks off this weekend with a major trail running showdown. Over the next nine months, UTMB Live will broadcast 12 ultra trail events from all over the globe and it all starts in picturesque Chianti in Italy, where runners will compete in five races ranging in distance from 10k to 120k.

Think watching people run slowly for five, 10 or even 12 hours sounds a little dull? Think again, says Antoine Aubour, UTMB’s Marketing, Communication & Media Director.

“It’s going to be the most important season ever of the UTMB story,” he says when we catch up with him to get all the inside scoop on what’s new from the UTMB streaming service, which has been updated with a more user-friendly interface.

Read on for five great reasons to tune in this weekend, plus the full broadcast schedule for 2025 and how to watch these amazing race races.

1. Three greats go head-to-head

As we reported last week, in a UTMB first, the last three champions from the UTMB finals – that’s Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley and Vincent Bouillard – are going head-to-head in the 120k Chianti Castles race. Jornet and Bouillard are hoping to score one of the two golden tickets available for this year’s Western States (there are two more up for grabs for the female runners), while Walmsley is automatically qualified.

“It’s going to be crazy,” says Aubour. “It’s gonna be a super super super fast race because it’s not like the French Alps with super hard climbing, it’s going to be runnable.”

The 74.5-mile race starts and ends in the Tuscan commune of Radda in Chianti and takes the runners across rolling mountainous terrain gaining over 5,200 meters in elevation. If you think in imperial terms, that's just over 17,000ft, which is only about half of what they face in Chamonix, so we're expecting to see them moving at a good pace if they’re feeling strong.

2. Fantastic footage

When the UTMB began live broadcasting the finals in Chamonix 10 years ago, it all started with one camera filming one person running, so it was innovative, but not the most captivating experience for non-diehard fans.

These days, however, the brand is working with drones as well as the best camera operators in this niche business to give us all the best angles of the frontrunners.

“If you want to run with a champion, you have to be a champion,” says Aubour, who says that those on the ground are accomplished runners and mountain bikers – including one former French Olympic mountain biking champion – who have been recruited to keep up on those dizzying descents.

This week’s race will have a camera on the top three to five runners in both the men’s and women’s division and you can expect that for each race going forward.

3. Engaging commentary and experts

What this weekend and other races won’t do is simply train a camera on a runner for hours on end. For weeks and months before each race, the UTMB is organizing a team of experts and special guests – this year to include South African trail running legend Toni McCann – to provide insights into the race and every facet of trail running.

“It’s important for us to bring our sport to life by showcasing the personalities of trail running,” says Aubour, something we don’t always get to see.

There will be trail runners, nutritionists and representatives from brands like Hoka and Salomon talking about live data and statistics as well as aspects such as team strategy and maintaining family balance.

“It’s a way for us to explain that the sport is accessible and not only for superheroes that live in the mountains.”

4. Because it’s Italy

Drawing on his experience with the Tour de France, Aubour and his team recognize that live broadcasts provide an important opportunity to showcase not only the sport of trail running but also the magnificent environments where the biggest races take place. When you participate in a destination sporting event, you want to experience that region as well as do your best from a performance standpoint, and that’s something Aubour says the UTMB wants for viewers too.

“Running in the US is not the same as running in the French Alps or running Thailand.”

This weekend, that means we’ll also get to enjoy charming shots of the rolling hills of Italy’s most famous winemaking region, no doubt dotted with picturesque wineries and quaint villages. Bliss.

Each broadcast in the live schedule comes from dramatically different regions – from northern Thailand to Verbier – and is a chance to discover a different destination through the unique lens of endurance sport.

5. An interactive experience

If your friends and family aren’t on board with watching 12 hours of trail running, you won’t be alone. Via the live broadcast, you can chat directly with the commentators, guest speakers and other viewers in the community.

“Making trail running accessible is our goal so we need to bridge the gap between trail running experts and trail running fans so interaction is key,” says Aubour.

Ask questions, share your predictions, and take part in fun polls and games for a more interactive experience.

How can I watch the UTMB Chianti?

The televised action in Chianti all kicks off with the 120k race at 4am local time on Saturday, March 22. That is 3am for UK viewers and means the race starts on Friday night at 10pm EST in the US and 7pm PST. You can watch the race at live.utmb.world/chianti.

Full 2025 UTMB broadcast schedule

This year, 12 events will be streamed live on live.utmb.world in seven languages – French, English, Spanish, Chinese, German, Italian and Thai – with equal coverage of men's and women's race leaders. Here’s the full streaming schedule:

• March 22: Chianti Ultra Trail
• March 29: Tenerife Bluetrail
• May 17: Ultra-Trail Australia
• July 3 - 5: Val d’Aran
• July 12: Trail Verbier St-Bernard
• July 18 - 19: Monte Rosa Walserwaeg
• July 19: Eiger Ultra Trail
• August 28 - 31: UTMB Mont-Blanc
• September 20 - 21: Wildstrubel
• September 26 - 27: Nice Cote d’Azur
• October 10 - 11: Kodiak Ultra Marathons
• December 5 - 6: Chiang Mai Thailand

• The best trail shoes for ultra runners: these robust and comfy rides are built for serious outdoor adventures
• The best hydration packs: on-the-go refuelling for your runs

The 2025 season of the UTMB circuit officially kicks off next week, and the last three winners of the men's finals at Mont Blanc are set to duke it out in what's sure to be a thrilling face-off. Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley and Vincent Bouillard are all starting at the UTMB Ultra Trail Chianti Castles 120k race in Italy on March 22, the first time that the three runners have started together.

The 74.5-mile race starts and ends in the Tuscan commune of Radda in Chianti and takes the runners across characteristically mountainous terrain gaining over 5,200 meters in elevation. If you think in imperial terms, that's just over 17,000ft, which is about half of what they face in Chamonix, so we're expecting to see them moving at a good pace.

Spanish runner Jornet last competed in the UTMB finals in 2022, where he threw down a new record and became the first runner to finish the lap around Mont Blanc in under 20 hours. Since then, he's been busy crushing new records in his Nnormal Kjerag Brut shoes such as climbing all 82 4,000m Alpine peaks in just 19 days, which is why he's listed as the favorite to win in Chianti.

His record at the UTMB only held for a year before Arizona's Walmsley came along and shaved another 12 minutes off it in his Hoka Tecon X 3s, which were but a prototype back then. Last year saw Walmsley DNF at the race, but he had already set an impressive new course record at Western States in June, so we can forgive him for being a bit low in the tank. Footage has only just emerged showing him crushing the Mesquite Canyons 50k last weekend at a blistering pace so we know he's in great shape and hopefully he's been resting up since then.

Last year, out of nowhere emerged unsponsored Vincent Bouillard, an engineer for Hoka who few of us had ever heard of until he sprinted to the finish line in Chamonix under the 20-hour mark. He doesn't have as many long races under his belt as the other two, but last week he shared on Instagram that he's been training at home and recently donned his running spikes for a cross-country race. Home for him is the French Alps and he is younger than the other two, so he remains an intriguing wild card.

There is a caveat to all of this, and that's the fact that Jornet's partner is expecting a baby any minute now, which he recently wrote on Instagram might hamper his efforts.

"Training is going really well this winter, but life has its own plans sometimes! Our little one is due right around Chianti Ultra Trail - where I would like to race for the chance of a golden ticket to Western States," says Jornet, who's keeping his fingers crossed.

As are we, because watching these three unparalleled runners compete won't only be thrilling, but entirely possible – the race is being streamed live at live.utmb.world/chianti.

If you haven't watched a televised ultra marathon before, it's more riveting than you might think. Antoine Aubour, Director of Communications, Marketing and Media at the UTMB Group describes it as "a window into the magic of trail running."

"Each broadcast allows supporters, families, and friends to feel the intensity of the competition, share in the runners' emotions, go behind the scenes of the sport."

The UTMB Ultra Trail Chianti Castles kicks off at 4am local time on Saturday, March 22, which is 3am for UK viewers and means the race starts on Friday night at 10pm EST in the US and 7pm PST. We'll be reporting on all the exciting action, so check back soon for updates on other televised UTMB events.

• The best trail shoes for ultra runners: these robust and comfy rides are built for serious outdoor adventures
• The best running poles: for ultra distance training, epic races, and fastpacking adventures

Federer, Nadal. Messi, Ronaldo. Gretzky, Lemieux. Schide, Dauwalter?

We all love it when elite sport throws up fascinating individual rivalries between athletes at the very, very top of their game. There’s something thrilling about when the very best on the planet go head-to-head in contests that are too close to call. Bars are raised, barriers broken, records smashed. Legends are made. In the world of female ultra running, we’re witnessing greatness in the form of Courtenay Dauwalter, widely regarded as ultra’s queen, and Katie Schide, the young pretender to the throne. So, who is Katie Schide?

2024 was a stellar year for the American runner, as she emulated Dauwalter by winning Western States and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) in a single season. Not only this, she smashed the UTMB female course record in the process. Add her earlier 100k victory at The Canyons Endurance Runs in April and it’s no wonder that Freetrail named her as Trail Runner of the Year, even ahead of Jasmin Paris, who’d stunned the world when she became the first woman ever to complete the Barkley Marathons.

She’d shot to renown by winning the 2022 edition of the UTMB and has won or been on the podium at some of the world’s most legendary trail races, mostly in Europe where she lives with her partner and fellow professional runner Germain Grangier.

Below we delve into her life and career thus far, detailing how she went from running between mountain huts in Maine to dominating the world’s most iconic ultra.

Early life

Katie Schide was born January 24, 1992 in Gardiner, Maine. As a youngster, she’d spend many summer vacations exploring New Hampshire’s White Mountains, hiking Vermont’s Long Trail, growing an appreciation for the high places and the trails. Crucially, as a young adult, she became part of the croo, working at the Appalachian Mountain Club’s huts for four summer seasons. During this time, she’d become accustomed to moving fast across mountainous terrain, delivering bits and bobs to the huts or running from one to another to see friends.

After a short while studying geology at the University of Utah, Schide moved to Europe. She’d been accepted at ETH Zurich and was working towards her PhD. She started to check out the skyrunning scene in the Alps, along with friend Hillary Gerardi, herself a Black Diamond Athlete who’s set FKTs for running up and down Mont Blanc. At a race in Limone, Italy, Schide met Germain Grangier, an accomplished French ultra runner with whom she’d go on to form a loving partnership.

Meet the expert

American and European golds

Schide’s first competitive trail race was in June 2015, when she was still based in Utah. It was the Logan Peak Trail Run, a 28-mile trail race that played right to her strengths – plenty of vert and technical trails. She won the women’s race, coming in just shy of five hours. She backed this up with a 7th place at Speedgoat 50k in July of the same year and then another win at the Antelope Island Fall Classic 50k in the November.

2016 saw her finish in second place at Moab’s Ret Hot 55k, though from here onwards, her move to Europe and her burgeoning partnership with Germain Graingier would mean most of her races would be on the eastern side of the Pond. She now had a likeminded adventure buddy and the European trail running scene was her oyster. Her consistent and methodical approach to training and nutrition would see her on podium after podium.

Over the coming years, she’d race iconic races like Zegama in Spain and Glen Coe Skyline in the Scottish Highlands. 2018 would see her first flirtation with the UTMB, finishing second on the highly competitive, 100k CCC (Courmayuer–Champex–Chamonix). She’d been prolific earlier in the year, winning all four of the Trail Des Balcons d’Azur, Madeira Island Ultra-Trail, Salomon Gore-Tex MaXi-Race and 2 Alpes Outdoor Festival Summit Trail – and all in the space of two-and-a-half months.

She continued in the same vein in 2019, winning the Ultra Trail Cote d’Azur Mercantour and the Marathon du Mont-Blanc, while she finished sixth on her maiden UTMB. She squeezed in another win at the Ultra Trail Cote d’Azur Mercantour in 2020 before Covid lockdowns put pay to the race schedules. She was back at UTMB in 2021, finishing eighth and frustrated that she’d not managed to better her 2019 time.

She warmed up for the 2022 UTMB by winning both the Greenweez MaXi-Race in France and the Val d’Aran race in Spain. Schide was steadily gaining momentum. It was time to take things up a gear.

Winning the UTMB in 2022

Schide’s first two UTMB appearances in 2019 and 2021 saw top 10 finishes and a certain Courtney Dauwalter dominate the women's race. In the lead up to the 2022 race, Schide admitted that she felt that her times were “not that great”, especially given the commitment she’d put into training and preparation.

2022 was a different story altogether. Against a highly competitive field, albeit one without Daulwalter, Schide led the race from around the 7-kilometer mark. She’d opened up a commanding, 20-minute lead by Courmayeur, at around the halfway stage, but then Canadian runner Marianne Hogan started to reel her in, with Schide suffering from stomach issues. By Champex-Lac at 125 kilometers, her lead had evaporated and Hogan was now enjoying a 10-minute cushion herself. It’s testament to Schide's mental strength that she was able to recover from such a setback and go again, rebounding dramatically over the remaining kilometers. With Hogan suffering an injured left leg, she couldn’t live with Schide’s pace. The American crossed the finish line in 23 hours, 15 minutes and 12 seconds, 75 minutes faster than Hogan, who eventually crossed in second place.

Schide had improved her 2021 time by over four hours.

Closing the gap in 2023

2023 hinted at the triumphs to come, though Schide had to settle for second place in some of her major races. At Western States, she broke the previous course record, finishing the women’s race in a blistering 16 hours, 47 minutes and 45 seconds. There was just one problem: she wasn’t the only one. Having been challenged closely by Schide in the early parts of the race, Courtney Dauwalter put in an astonishing second half, winning the race and setting a new course record of 15 hours, 29 minutes and 33 seconds – with some stating that it would be a time that could stand for decades. Schide took second, despite fading a little towards the end. Nonetheless, there’s no doubt she was getting closer to female ultra running’s GOAT.

She was back at the UTMB festival in 2023 but not to run the main event. Instead, she took on the 53-kilometer OCC (Orsieres-Champex-Chamonix), finishing second, eight minutes behind winner Toni McCann from South Africa. The season ended with a flourish, with Schide winning the hugely challenging Diagonale des Fous, a 102-mile race on Réunion Island.

A stellar 2024

After her impressive performance in Califronia in 2023, Schide’s main focus for 2024 was winning the Western States. Schide not only won the iconic race in emphatic fashion, she was also on course to beat Dauwalter’s seemingly untouchable record time until late in the race. With no Dauwalter at the start line, Schide was the clear favorite and she ran her own race, smiling her way to victory. She’d spent the best part of three months dedicating her training to Western States, hitting the trails in Flagstaff, Arizona. Earlier in the year, she’d won the Canyons 100k, itself an iconic ultra that’s part of the UTMB World Series.

At Foresthill, mile 62, Schide was 19 minutes up on Dauwalter’s time from the previous year but she couldn’t quite maintain the effort all the way to the finish line. However, her time of 15 hours, 46 minutes and 57 seconds was easily the second fastest by a woman on the famous course and little did she know that the best was yet to come.

The cherry on the 2024 cake was Schide’s record-breaking win at UTMB. She’d only officially entered three weeks before the race, as she had been seeing how her recovery went following her stellar efforts at Western States.

Once she was at the start line, there was no stopping her. Unlike the battle with Marianne Hogan in 2022, this was a more dominant display, with Schide turning heads with her blistering speed at the start of the race, sticking to the male front runners and passing through the second checkpoint just a minute or two behind Jim Walmsley, who was also absolutely motoring. By Courmayeur, at around the halfway stage, she was 50 minutes ahead of the course record pace. The watching crowd knew they were witnessing history and Schide didn't let them down. She eventually crossed the line in 22 hours, 9 minutes and 31 seconds to rapturous adoration from the Chamonix crowd. She’d taken over 20 minutes off Dauwalter’s 2021 record to become the fastest ever female runner to complete the famous round.

Personal life and skimo

Schide lives in the tiny village of Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage in the Maritime Alps with her partner Germain Grangier. The surroundings provide the perfect training ground for her skyrunning exploits, while she admits that the rural setting means there’s little to distract her from her training and rest schedule.

The pair also compete in skimo races during the winter. She enjoys the complex challenges and novelty of skimo, revelling in the fact it's a pursuit she knows less about than running.

She says that her bond with Grangier and the journey they have taken together have played a large part in her success. As well as providing inspiration for one and other, Grangier has helped Schide to focus on the little details that make all the difference when running ultras. Now one of the veterans, Schide’s increasing consistency is down to her experience. She no longer goes into races hampered by anxiety. She know what to expect and she knows how to run her own race.

We can’t wait to see how 2025 pans out and whether or not we'll be seeing many more Dauwalter vs Schide battles in the future.

Ultra runner Jim Walmsley delivered another resounding victory at the Mesquite Canyon 50k, shaving more than 20 minutes off the previous record in gruelling desert terrain.

Walmsley, who's expected to run in the Western States in a few month's time, crossed the finish line at the Arizona race in just three hours, 40 minutes and 18 seconds on Saturday. That's an average pace of more than 14 kilometers, or roughly 8.7 miles, per hour.

Compared to the best marathon runners, that might not exactly seem like something to write home about – Harry Styles ran the Japan marathon in less than that last week and he's not even an elite athlete. But a video that was shared to social media, which you can view below, shows how impressive Walmsley's time truy is,

In the clip, which was shared by race organizers Aravaipa Running, a cameraman meets Walmsley in the Ford Canyon section of the race and attempts to keep up with him through extremely technical terrain, and it seems like those Hoka Tecton X 3s are still giving Walmsley magical powers. Looking as fresh as ever, Walmsley tears through desert wash and leaps over boulders at neckbreaking speed, almost like he's running a road race.

As the video goes on, the cameraman falls further and further behind and soon the sound of him trying to catch his breath drowns out those of Walmsley's shoes hitting the dirt. After less than three minutes, he gives up and lets the 35-year-old athlete charge on to the finish line, where he was met 20 minutes later by econd-placed Eric Lipuma of Vermont.

Growing up in Phoenix, Walmsley seems exceptionally comfortable in desert terrain, and we'll find out in June whether this training run keeps him in good stead to set another record at WSER – he still holds the title after finishing in 14:09:28, set in 2019.

In the women's race, Canada's Ailsa Macdonald also threw down, coming in at the front in 4:46:20, just 11 seconds behind the third-placed man Jesse Carr. She shares on Instagram that the race was meant to be a "little tune up race" ahead of the Canyons 100k next month as she recovers from injury, but even that wasn't enough to keep her from the podium.

"Running 20 min slower than last year was kinda humbling but I’m not gonna let that play on my confidence too much. There are too many variables to compare one race to another," says Macdonald.

You can view the full race results at Aravaipa Running.

• The best trail shoes for ultra runners: these robust and comfy rides are built for serious outdoor adventures
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Courtney Dauwalter didn't start at the Transgrancanaria this year, but that doesn't mean there wasn't plenty to talk about during the legendary Spanish ultra as another US runner set a fiery new record and a husband and wife duo stacked the podium.

A thousand runners took off on the 126k course from the beach in Las Palmas in the northeastern part of Gran Canaria at 11:59 p.m. on Friday. From the very start, American Caleb Olson held onto his place at the front of the pack and managed to maintain what race organizers describe as "an impossible pace" from the 80k mark until he crossed the finish line in Maspalomas in a stunning 12 hours, 17 minutes and 25 seconds. That's more than 25 minutes faster than the 2019 record set by Pau Capell, who came back for another stab at victory this year, but DNFd.

Just seven minutes after Olson, the UK's Jonathan Albon crossed the finish line in 12:25:06, followed by Josh Wade in 12:40:17 which means that all three men on the podium beat Capell's record. That in itself might be a record.

Olson might not yet be a household name in the world of ultra, but he's steadily been stacking up a reputation as a runner to watch. That was solidified last year when he dished up the fastest-ever debut with a fifth-place finish at the Western States. All eyes will be on him at the California race this June.

Over in the women's race, Spain's Claudia Tremps was angling for a win after taking second place in 2024 and third in 2023, but victory was snatched from her by Henriette Albon (yes, that's Jonathan's wife). The Norwegian stormed into the lead in the second half of the race to finish her first-ever 100k+ race in 15 hours, two minutes and 50 seconds, nearly an hour ahead of Tremps. Slovenia's Martina Klančnik Potrč rounded out the women's podium.

The Transgrancanaria classic has been held since 2003, taking runners on a southbound traverse of the Canarian island with more than 22,300 feet of elevation gain and crossing the iconic volcanic landscape of the Roque Nublo.

• The best trail shoes for ultra runners: these robust and comfy rides are built for serious outdoor adventures
• The best running poles: for ultra distance training, epic races, and fastpacking adventures

On a late January day, UTMB race organizers watched the forecast for southwest England apprehensively. Storm Isha had pummelled the area only days before and according to meteorologists, another big storm was brewing. A decision needed to be made: would the Arc of Attrition race, scheduled to take ultra runners on a race across Cornwall’s rugged Southwest Coast Path, be able to go ahead?

In the end, there was a 36-hour window between the two chaotic weather systems and race organizers decided to pounce. Tom Evans shattered the 50-mile men’s record, finishing in 6 hours, 54 minutes and 40 seconds, making him the first runner to break the seven-hour barrier in the race. On the women’s side, Elsey Davis shaved an impressive 25 minutes off the previous course record. And with that bang, the fifth UTMB World Series began.

“It’s iconic, it’s cold, it’s rainy and it’s brutal in terms of landscape. That’s what we like,” says Florian Lamblin, Executive Director of UTMB International who himself took four hours and 37 minutes out from managing global operations to run in the 50k race.

The Arc of Attrition is now in its 10th year, but this is the first time it’s been part of the UTMB circuit, which launched in 2021 and has grown from a single race to 50 events spanning five continents. The circuit is easily the most dominant force in competitive trail running – but why has it gotten so big? And what’s next? I recently sat down with Florian Lamblin, Executive Director of UTMB International to find out.

What is the UTMB circuit?

The story of the UTMB World Series begins with a race cooked up by a group of friends, that would begin and end in Chamonix and take runners on a 100-mile circuit around Mont Blanc. In its first year in 2003, 722 runners started and just 67 made it to the finish line.

Fast forward to 2024 and tens of thousands of spectators squeeze into Chamonix each year to watch the 10,000 runners who take off from the starting line with hopes of finishing.

“It’s a big celebration. It’s a big moment of community, people are here with their families and it’s a moment where the whole trail running community is united,” says Lamblin, who joined the UTMB three years ago from a cycling background, working with large-scale events like the Tour de France

To get to Chamonix, runners must first compete in another race on the circuit – from Cornwall to California to Chiang Mai. If they finish, the receive a finishers stone which allows them to enter a lottery.

Some of the races on the circuit were pre-existing events that were absorbed into the World Series, like the Arc of Attrition, while others were created by the UTMB. Some have been added to respond to the demands of the local community while others have created to try to raise interest in the sport – sometimes with stunning results.

In Thailand, the UTMB races were part of a government initiative to get citizens to be more active. Within 10 years, trail running has skyrocketed from virtually non-existent to the second-most popular sport after boxing following the addition of two UTMB races. Thai runners now make up the fifth-largest group of runners in the OCC, the 57k race that’s part of the finals.

“We have achieved something quite amazing there,” says Lamblin.

A greener future

Trail running seems like it should be a fairly environmentally friendly activity, except perhaps for all that EVA foam in trail running shoes. But turn it into a global event and you’ve suddenly got a lot more people catching a lot more planes to compete and support athletes.

In the past three years, the number of events on the circuit has doubled and in 2024, more than 134,000 participants took part. The exponential growth combined with a partnership with car manufacturer Dacia had some athletes such as Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller calling into question the sustainability of the series in recent years.

“Every decision we make is scrutinized and debated, so we know that we have a lot of responsibility and we need to be careful,” says Lamblin, who identifies sustainability as one of two key objectives for 2025.

Running shoe giant Hoka took over as the title sponsor last year (Dacia is still a sponsor), something Lamblin describes as “a good fit since day one” and now the series is making moves to reduce its carbon footprint.

There are small (but important) initiatives being implemented, such as reducing plastics and waste at aid stations globally, but what about all those new races? More races means more people and more people would seem to equal a bigger carbon footprint – but the strategy of increasing the number of events is to actually cut down on the number of plane tickets being purchased.

Right now, an ultra runner in Poland may have to fly to Sweden to compete for a stone, but add a race in Poland or even neighboring Germany and they won’t have to travel as far or by air.

This year will see a further nine events added to the circuit including in Turkey, Japan and Chile. Each race that’s added will have uniform standards, but each will be an opportunity for runners to experience something unique.

“We want people in the finals to experience the mountains and we want people in the Arc of Attrition to experience Cornwall,” says Lamblin.

A more inclusive sport

The other big goal for 2025 is increasing the number of female participants – and improving their experience on the courses. Some big ground has already been covered on this front; back in 2003 only seven women crossed the finish line but in 2024, the number of female participants was 29 percent, up four percent from the previous year and equalling nearly three thousand runners. Recent female winners like Courtney Dauwalter and Katie Schide and Courtney Daualwater have grabbed a lot of headlines. But as Lamblin says, there's always work to be done.

For starters, in 2025 all aid stations on the UTMB circuit are to be equipped with menstrual products as well as separate toilets for female runners. Beyond this year, the circuit also hopes to extend its plans to make its events more inclusive to transgender runners and continue improving its Adaptive Athlete Policy, which encourages participation for athletes with disabilities.

“Trail has the potential to be one of the most inclusive sports but still there are obstacles today and maybe our role is to help lift some of these obstacles."

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Can David Roche break Jim Walmsley’s record of 14:09:28 at the Western States 100 this year? He thinks he’s in with a chance.

It’s fair to say that a lot of us hadn’t heard of Roche before last summer, but when he smashed the long-running Leadville 100 record last summer, then won the Javelina Jundred in 100-degree temperatures just two months later we sat up and took notice.

While some ultra runners keep their goals close to their chest, Roche has been extremely open about his plans, including giving his followers some major insights into his training methods. Once he punched his ticket for the Western States in Arizona, he decided to bring folks along with a new YouTube series, Road to Western States 100, where he shares precisely what he’s doing to get in winning shape.

In episode 1, titled “Let’s shock the world,” Roche says he knows that announcing he’s “in it to win it” might ruffle feathers – but after his unlikely success at Leadville only months after being hit and seriously injured by a car, he thinks it might just be possible.

So what’s his strategy?

“I’m going to get fast. Really fast. Not throwing away my shot will require that I have the best running economy I’ve ever had,” says Roche, as he walks (or runs) the viewer through his interval workout and what he calls some “GI training” – effectively downing two liters of sports drink before hitting the trail again. Then it’s home for some mind training, also known as parenting.

“I won’t make history by playing the game of ultra athletes who are objectively better than me. I have to try to change the game.”

The runner has already proven he's no stranger to going to extreme measures to win. He previously revealed he won the Javelina with heat training and on the Leadville course, he consumed nearly three running gels per hour, totaling over 40 gels for the entire race, a nutrition tactic we get a deeper insight into in the second episode, “Trial by miles.”

“Before these I feel scared, worried, anxious. After these I feel very much like I can take on the world,” he says, holding up his Precision 100 gels.

“Maybe it will work. Maybe I’ll crash and burn. Either way, I’ll have a story to tell.”

So far there are two episodes between 20 and 40 minutes long, giving full access to Roche’s training and a bit of home life, and they’re a must-watch for any runner who geeks out on the numbers.

The Western States is the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. It takes place this year on June 28 and 29 and if all goes well, Roche will be at the starting line, possibly back in his beloved Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra shoes and definitely giving it his all to do something that’s never been done before.

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Ultra runner Elsey Davis has revealed she lost her GPS watch early on in the 50-mile Arc of Attrition race last week – but it didn't stop her from setting a stunning new record on the course.

The British runner completed the Arc50 race, which follows the Cornish section of the South West Coast Path in England, in an astonishing seven hours, 55 minutes and 48 seconds, shaving more than 25 minutes off the previous record, but she shared on Instagram that her victory was not without a few obstacles.

At mile 10, Davis says her sleeve got stuck on a gate latch and it must have been then that she accidentally shed her watch.

"I only realised a mile later that my watch had got caught too and had fallen off.. so I ran 40 miles without a watch," says the new mum, who reveals that during a race she uses her watch primarily for nutrition alerts and navigation.

Things could have gone horribly wrong, but Davis' wealth of experience came into play – she explains she knows the route well and had plenty of running gels at her disposal.

"Thankfully the course is very familiar to me and I guessed when I needed to take a gel which worked out well - I ate 17 40g carb gels in the 8 hours! But sadly no Strava data."

Other than the lack of Strava kudos, a "small puke" at the finish line and some gnarly toenails, Davis managed to clear the tech hurdle like the pro that she is in her North Face Vectiv Infinite IIs.

She didn't reveal which watch she was running with, but she has been using a Coros watch for several years – perhaps she's upgraded to the Pace Pro? Whichever model it is, she's happily reunited with it thanks to a good Samaritan who turned it in after the race.

Davis is a medical doctor who has competed for Team GB multiple times as a cross-country runner. She has previously set records in the Bob Graham Round at the UTMB Nice Cote d'Azur 100k.

Over in the men's race, Davis' coach Tom Evans also set a new record, becoming the first runner to finish in under seven hours.

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Jim Walmsley needs no introduction. But for the uninitiated, let’s do one anyway. The American ultra runner has won some of the world’s most legendary trail races, including Western States on four occasions and the UTMB in 2023. He holds men’s course records for both and held the fastest time for a 50-mile run in history between 2019 and 2023, plus more besides.

As well as these stratospheric highs, he’s also experienced some crushing lows. In 2016, he was all set to win his first 100-miler at Western States, breaking the course record into the bargain, only to take a wrong turn. The next year, he DNFed in the blistering heat. However, these experiences have only made him stronger in the long run (no pun intended). His motivation and drive are such that he relocated to the Alps with his wife, Jessica Brazeau, just to prime himself to achieve his obsession of winning the UTMB. He thrives on “isolating other runners”, getting to be one-on-one with competitors and then finding that extra edge that takes him to victory.

In this feature, one of our trail running experts looks at Walmsley’s incredible career and the moments that have shaped him into the all-conquering champion he is today.

Early life

Walmsley was born in Phoenix, Arizona on January 17, 1990. His talent for running was obvious during his teens. At the age of 17, he won every race on his way to becoming Arizona’s cross country state champion. He attended the Air Force Academy between 2008 and 2012, graduated, but was then discharged and relocated to Flagstaff.

At that stage in his life, running was critical to both his mental health – he had struggles with depression – but also his financial health. Walmsley would use his race winnings to help pay the rent and, as he continued to dominate events, he took ultra running more and more seriously.

Meet the expert

Podiums and speed records

Walmsley started winning ultras in the years that followed his graduation from the Air Force Academy, notably winning the JFK 50 Mile Memorial ultra three years on the bounce, in 2014, 2015 and 2016. It wouldn’t be until 2018 that he won his first 100-miler, with Walmsley’s aggressive, split-chasing approach at the time meaning he was perhaps better suited to the 50-mile and 100k distances.

In October 2016, he set an unprecedented fastest known time on the Grand Canyon’s Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim (R2R2R), a brutal 42-mile route entailing over 10,000 feet of elevation gain. He’d smashed the previous record, set by neighbor Rob Krar by over 25 minutes, becoming the first person to run the route in less than 6 hours with his time of 5 hours, 55 minutes and 20 seconds. Of the hikers that could have potentially blocked his progress, he said that: “I think the people who saw me thought: this guy looks like he’s gonna die – let’s get out of his way.” Being from Arizona, it was a special achievement on a very personal level.

Between his famous Western States attempts (more on these in a mo) in 2016 and 2017, Walmsley secured sponsorship with running shoe giant Hoka. In 2019, at the Hoka One One Project Carbon X 100k race, he stunned the running world by breaking the 50-mile speed record, which had previously stood for 36 years. He managed the feat in 4 hours, 50 minutes and 8 seconds, though it’s since been bested by fellow American Charlie Lawrence who managed 4 hours, 48 minutes and 21 seconds at the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile in Vienna, Illinois.

Walmsley at Western States

Along with Colorado’s Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, the Western States Endurance Run is one of the world’s greatest 100-mile races, as well as it’s oldest. Walmsley has written his name into its folklore by winning four of the last six men’s races, joining the likes of Ann Trason, Tim Twietmeyer and Scott Jurek in its hall of fame.

In 2016, two years before his first Western States triumph, Walmsley came agonizingly close to winning the race. That year, he arrived in California in bullish mood, announcing that he was aiming to break the course record at the first time of asking. At mile 93, he was 17 minutes within the record pace and way out in front.

Then, the unthinkable happened.

He took a devastating wrong turn, relinquishing his lead and losing all hope of breaking the record, eventually finishing in 20th place. He was back in 2017 but pushed far too hard in the 100-degree heat, pulling out with digestion issues. His all-guns-blazing approach would have to be tempered. Walmsley figured out that, to win 100-mile races, his tactic of chasing down record splits would have to be ditched.

He took his ’revenge’ on the Western States by winning and setting new course records in both 2018 and 2019. He went on to win the historic race again in 2021 and 2024, though he neglected to take part in the 2022 and 2023 editions to focus on the UTMB. Watch this space, we’re betting he’s not done yet either.

First American man to win UTMB

On Saturday September 2, 2023, history was made on the hallowed streets of Chamonix in the French Alps. Beating a stacked field of ultra running’s elite, Walmsley became the first American man to win the famous Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc. He beat fellow American Zach Miller into second, setting a new course record of 19:37:43 in the process. Later that same day, fellow American Courtney Dauwalter won the women’s race to claim an unprecedented Triple Crown of Hardrock, Western States and UTMB victories in one year.

The UTMB is widely regarded as the holy grail of mountain ultra running. It takes on a 171-kilometer loop of the Mont Blanc massif, the highest mountain range in the Alps, and entails around 10,000 meters of elevation gain to boot. The 2023 edition was Walmsley’s fifth attempt at the race, having “completely destroyed” himself during his first attempt in 2017 when he’d led for around 110 kilometers only to drop off and finish in fifth place. He DNFed in 2018 and 2021, while the Covid pandemic put paid to the 2020 edition. Solving the UTMB problem was becoming an obsession and, to achieve the goal of finally winning the UTMB, Walmsley moved to nearby Arêches in May 2022 in order to mould himself into an alpine skyrunner – it was a move that paid off handsomely.

On that fateful day in 2023, Walmsley had been in the leading pack from around Les Contamines, at the 32-kilometer mark. Despite dropping to second place for much of the race, he managing hold on to the coattails of race leader Zach Miller through the night, eventually overtaking him by Trient after about 145 kilometers. He held off the challenge of his compatriot all the way to the finish line in Chamonix.

His determination to stay at the top was summed up the day after the race when he said: “If you’re not going to put in the work and train hard, then there’s a lot of guys doing that that are going to take those spots ahead of you.” Walmsley was back on the UTMB start line in 2024 but pulled out in Courmayeur, at around the halfway stage, having struggled to recover after his Western States win earlier in the year.

We await the 2025 season with bated breath...

When last year saw you win four 100-mile races and a 100k, where do you go next? If you're Courtney Dauwalter, you double the distance (and then some) of course.

Ultra running's reigning queen, who took the top podium spot at the Hardrock 100, Transgrancanaria, Mt Fuji 100 and Nice Cote d'Azur by UTMB in 2024, announced on Instagram this weeked that she's planning to put her beloved Salomon S/Lab Genesis shoes through extra paces this year, with her first 250-mile race.

Craving a BIG adventure and missing my hallucinated friends lately," writes the Colorado-based runner, who says she's signed up for the Cocodona 250 from Black Canyon City north of Phoenix to Flagstaff, Arizona in May.

Though Dauwalter says she doesn't have much experience at this level, the background she does have bodes well. She set a course record and took first overall at the Moab 240 in 2017 and took first place and second overall the following year in the Tahoe 200. In 2020, she won Big's Backyard Ultra, but since then she's stuck largely to 100-mile races and cemented her place in history as one of the fastest trail runners at this distance.

Now, it seems, the 39-year-old is curious to see what else she's capable of.

"Something about those multi day events keeps me really intrigued. What’s possible?! Standing on a start line knowing you have multiple sleepless nights, thousands of footsteps, and inevitable problem-solving ahead of you feels so cool."

Those of us who watched Katie Schide steal Dauwalter's record at the UTMB in 2024 wondered if the pair might be heading for another matchup in 2025 as Dauwalter returns to try to reclaim her title, and it's still not beyond the realm of possibility. Dauwaulter will have more than three months to recover from the Cocodona, which links together some of the most iconic trails and towns in Arizona, before circling Mont Blanc if she decides to.

Dauwaulter already qualified for the UTMB when she won the new Nice Cote d'Azur race in October, so she can make her mind up closer to the time – the perks of being the undisputed champ of ultra. One thing we can say with near-certainty is she'll be rocking her S/Lab Genesis shoes, Suunto 9 Peak Pro and trademark Shortneys – oh, and probably having more fun than everyone else combined.

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On Thursday, British ultra runner Tom Evans announced he'd inked a new deal with running shoe brand Asics and it seems to be a good fit – only two days later, he shattered the 50-mile record at the Arc of Attrition race.

Writing on Instagram, the runner says it was "such a fun day out" as he shared a video of himself crossing the finish line at the Arc50 race, which follows the Cornish section of the South West Coast Path in England. Evans finished in 6 hours, 54 minutes and 40 seconds, seven minutes ahead of second-placed Hugh Chatfield, making him the first runner to break the seven-hour barrier at the race.

The former British Army captain used to run in a pair of Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultras but on Saturday, he saluted the crowd as he crossed the finish line then pulled off one of his shoes – which looks a lot like the Trabuco Max 2 to us – and held it up in a gesture of appreciation for the brand.

"Their caring brand ethos shines through everything they do, which deeply resonates with me. Because as much I like to push myself and set ambitious goals, trail running is about so much more than chasing new PBs," says Evans.

"It’s about being truly present in the moment, the exhilarating freedom of running in nature, and the community around it."

The last couple of years haven't been easy for the runner, who exploded onto the ultra scene in 2017 when he entered a 251 km desert ultramarathon in the Moroccan Sahara on a bet and took third place.

In 2023, he became the first British man to win the Western States 100, but since then he's had two disappointing DNFs at the UTMB 100 miler and was mugged at knifepoint and beaten up during a training run for the Ultra Trail Cape Town Race in 2023. Now, he seems to be back on form, with a new sponsor and another podium spot.

Over in the women's race, fellow Brit and new mum Eleanor "Elsey" Davis also set a new record with an impressive time of 07:55:48, shaving more than 25 minutes off the record.

The Arc of Attrition race was launched in 2015 and is now part of the UTMB circuit with 100-mile, 50-mile and 25-mile distances.

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A runner stopped mid-way through a 160-mile race to rescue a lost dog – and still finished on the podium.

At first, Clëo Bishop-Bolt thought she was hallucinating due to lack of sleep during the challenging winter race on the UK’s Pennine Way.

But then she realised that the dog’s whimpering and crying on the 2673ft (815m) tall mountain, The Cheviot, was real.

Despite being at the front of the women’s field in the winter edition. of the Montane Spine MRT Challenge North race, Clëo went to the aid of the dog.

She and another Spine Race competitor, Paula Dimond, made a makeshift lead from Clëo's jumper and then called race HQ.

Once the dog was passed on to race officials, Clëo, a member of Northumberland National Park Mountain Rescue Team, continued her race from North Yorkshire to Scotland, finally finishing after 88 hours – and third female overall.

Following the race, Clëo revealed to her MRT team that she was very surprised when the dog suddenly appeared in front of her in the dark close to Auchope Cairn on Auchope Rigg, on the border of England and Scotland.

She said: “I couldn’t believe that I was seeing a dog up there on the mountain, but then I realised that it was real. The poor thing was whimpering and crying; it was so cold up there, it must have been freezing.”

The dog was reportedly reunited with its owner after being collected by a local estates team.

Jamie Pattison, team leader for Northumberland National Park MRT, commented on Clëo ’s achievement: “We’re all incredibly proud of Clëo. Not only has she completed a brutal mountain race raising funds for our team, but she did it while upholding the finest traditions of mountain rescue.

"Putting others before herself is what we stand for.”

There are a number of different races in the Montane Winter Spine series, including the full 268-mile race, won this year by Kim Collison, which is widely regarded as Britain's most brutal endurance rac, as well as the Challenger North, Challenger South, MRT Challenger North, MRT Challenger South and Spine Sprint.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain
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The UTMB World Series has announced an exclusive three-year partnership deal with up-and-coming trail running brand Aonijie. The Chinese brand will be the official hydration pack supplier for all UTMB World Series events.

Launched in 2011, Aonijie has made a name for itself in the Asian market with trail running equipment such as running backpacks, waist packs and headlamps. It will launch a dedicated line of UTMB hydration packs as part of the deal, which it says will be designed to withstand the extreme conditions found in the Series' 218 races across the globe.

"Aonijie is a brand on the rise with a deep-rooted passion for trail running," says Céline Prévost, Commercial Director of UTMB Group

"Their technical expertise, commitment to pushing the boundaries of innovation, and dedication to making their products accessible align perfectly with the vision of UTMB Group."

We haven't tested Aonijie hydration packs in the field yet, so we can't recommend them, but the brand is known for much more affordable prices than its competitors with good quality construction.

The Aonijie 12L hydration pack retails for $70, less than half what you'll pay for the Salomon ADV Skin 8 or the Camelbak Apex Pro, while its smaller 5L pack is just $53. Trail runners in an ultra running thread on Reddit say the packs stand out for their durability and comfort, even if they miss the mark on some details, such as fewer pockets and difficulty removing water bottles.

"The Salomon vest properly has slightly higher build quality and materials. However given a 100 dollar price difference, I'm not sure it's worth it," says one runner.

The move comes less than a month after UTMB announced a partnership with RunMotion Coach, giving runners access to personalized online coaching in 2025. Aonijie joins other partners including title sponsor Hoka, which has supplied the shoes worn by the men's winner for the past two years (that's the Tecton X 3), Suunto watches, Vibram, Buff and Shokz.

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Katie Schide has been named Trail Runner of the Year for 2024 following her performance in last year's UTMB.

Since January 1, Freetrail has been rolling out its top 10 performers in trail running for last year and yesterday announced Schide as the overall female winner of the year. The North Face-sponsored runner from Maine, who resides in the French Alps with her partner (ultra runner Germain Grangier), set a new course record at the 100-mile race around Mont Blanc last August.

She shaved around 20 minutes off Courtney Dauwalter's course record, set in 2021, but Dauwalter was characteristically gracious, sending her congratulations on Schide on Instagram.

"Just trying to keep up!" responded Schide.

While 2024 did indeed prove a big year for Schide and her North Face Summit Vectiv Pro shoes, which took her to the finish line first at the Western States 100 in June and the Canyons Endurance Run 100k, it was pretty good for Dauwalter too, who scooped up the number two position from Freetrail.

Last year saw Colorado-based Dauwalter sit out the UTMB, but take first at mind-boggling four 100-mile races: the Transgrancanaria, Mt Fuji 100, Hardrock 100 and the new Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB. We're betting her Salomon S/Lab Genesis shoes are still smoking after all that. She also gets bonus points for being in the crowd cheering on fellow runners like Schide during the UTMB, and David Roche in the Leadville 100.

It's impossible to review women in trail running in 2024 without mentioning the UK's Jasmin Paris, and Freetrail recognized her as delivering the most notable trail performance of the year, when she famously became the first woman to complete the punishing Barkley Marathons in a well-worn pair of Inov-8 Mudclaw G 260s.

Over in the men's division, Freetrail went clear in the opposite direction when they announced Moroccan Elhousine Elazzaoui as the trail runner of the year. Elazzaoui dominated shorter distances, comparatively speaking, and took gold at the Golden Trail World Series (as well as three other wins on the series) and set a new course record at the Marathon du Mont-Blanc. He's sponsored by Kilian Jornet's Nnormal brand and races in the Nnormal Kjerag.

Second place went to US runner Hayden Hawks who took first place in the 100k CCC by UTMB, set a new course record at the Black Canyon 100k and took third at the Western States 100 with the fourth fastest time ever. The Hoka-sponsored athlete has said he used to race in the Speedgoat 5 but, like many other top runners including Jim Walmsley, has since switched over to the high-performing Hoka Tecton X.

Finally, the top male performance of the year went to Boulder's David Roche, who stunned everyone when he finally broke the 15-year record at the Leadville 100 just months after being seriously injured by car while riding his bike. Roche has shared how running gels, heat training and his beloved Adidas Agravic Speed Ultras got him to the finish line in Leadville and again at the scorching Javelina Jundred, and it's no surprise he also scooped up fourth place in Freetrail's list.

"This is one of the greatest honors of my life," comments Roche on the award.

View the full list of the top 10 trail runners of the year at Freetrail's Instagram account.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

On the afternoon of Saturday, September 2, 2023, history was made on the streets of Chamonix, the French town beneath Mont Blanc, Western Europe’s highest mountain. A partisan crowd had reached fever pitch at the finish line of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB), the world’s most famous ultra marathon.

Spirits were already soaring after Jim Walmsley had just become the first American man to win the famous race. Yet this incredible achievement was just a precursor to the arrival of the triumphant Courtney Dauwalter. She won the women’s race, crossing the line in 23 hours, 29 minutes and 14 seconds and in doing so became the first person in history to hold ultra running’s coveted Triple Crown. In a single, remarkable 70-day period, she’d won Western States, Hardrock and the UTMB – an unprecedented feat.

It’s an exciting time to be a fan of ultra running. In Courtney Dauwalter, we are witnessing greatness play out on the world stage. She continues to dominate, taking her sense of joy and love of running to smash through barriers, topple records and continue winning.

Here, one of our trail running experts looks into the life and personality of one of running’s all-time greats.

Early and personal life

Dauwalter was born in 1985 in Hopkins, Minnesota. Her talent for endurance sports was evident at high school, where she competed in running and skiing events. In seventh grade, she was already competing for her school’s cross-country team. During this time, she’d often rise early during the winter months to Nordic ski.

Her training paid off – Dauwalter went on to win the state championship in cross-country skiing on four occasions, securing a scholarship to the University of Denver in Colorado. She credits her skiing coach for first introducing her to the 'pain cave' and how to cope with it. More on this later...

Dauwalter followed in her mother’s footsteps by becoming a teacher, teaching science to middle and high schoolers. Although she was already turning heads in the ultra running world before this, 2017 was the year Dauwalter quit teaching to focus on her passion for running, a decision that she’s described as ‘kinda crazy’ but one that she had to make to avoid living life thinking what if?

Daulwalter is married to Kevin Schmidt, who has supported her racing as her main crew member for many years. He’s known for a meticulous approach to planning, creating spreadsheets in order to aid her as well as possible during races. He’s also known for telling, occasionally terrible, jokes to lift her spirits at checkpoints.

Meet the expert

Introduction to ultras

In the early 2010s, Dauwalter was living in Mississippi and turned her attention away from skiing and onto running. Her first ultra, the Prickly Peak 50k trail race in Texas, was in 2011 and it was soon followed by the Run Rabbit Run 50 Mile race in Colorado. This second ultra was what got her hooked, as she marvelled at the sense of community the race engendered, despite the challenging conditions that the weather gods had dealt its competitors that year.

She was back at Run Rabbit Run in 2012 to attempt her first 100-miler but ended up with the dreaded DNF. This was an important milestone in her running career, forcing her to reevaluate her approach and mindset. Watching other runners passing through the aid station, she realised that she wanted to be the kind of person who can run 100 miles. She signed up for her next 100-mile later than day. At the 2013 FANS 24-Hour Race in 2013, she completed the hallowed distance for the first time.

An ultra running sensation

From 2014 onwards, Dauwalter’s momentum became unstoppable, winning most of the races she entered. Experience and additional training were beginning to pay off. Of the nine ultras she entered in 2016, she either won or finished second.

2017 saw her take on some absolutely brutal challenges, such as the Moab 240, a 238-mile race through the dessert in Utah. She won the race outright, beating the fastest man by around 10 hours, despite having to deal with contact lens issues that led to temporary blindness! Her races weren’t all woodland trails, desert and mountain ridges – Dauwalter also set a then American women’s record of 155.391 miles in a 24-hour track race. By this point, she was living in Colorado, teaching biology full time. But all of that was about to change.

To focus on her running, she quit teaching and from here she went truly stratospheric. Her 2017 Run Rabbit Run 100-miler win is the stuff of legend, as she battled the temporary blindness of a corneal edema during the last 12 miles to cross the line bleeding and bruised in 20 hours, 38 minutes and 9 seconds. The resilience she showed to get across the finish line superbly illustrates her never-say-die attitude.

In 2018, she won the hugely competitive Western States 100 at the first time of asking, as well as the Ultra-Trail Mt Fuji. 2019 saw her first acquaintance with the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc, where she won the woman’s race by around an hour. The 2020 edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Dauwalter was back in 2021 to set a then women’s course record of 22 hours, 30 minutes and 54 seconds.

A DNF at the Hardrock 100, a savage loop through the San Juan Mountains, would serve as fuel to her fire. She was back at Hardrock in 2022 to set a women’s course record. A feat she achieved again in 2023… And again in 2024, chipping her time down to 26 hours, 11 minutes and 49 seconds.

All of this is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her victories and records, which are too numerous to list here. So, what are some of the traits that set Dauwalter so far ahead of her competition?

Shortneys, candy and the pain cave

Dauwalter deserves legend status based on her results alone but, as is often the case with sporting greatness, her remarkable character and personality make her even more of an inspiration to many. While undoubtedly fiercely motivated, Dauwalter doesn’t deprive herself of indulgences that make her happy, such as drinking beer after a race or enjoying pizza and candy. Speaking to the Guardian in 2024, she said: “My fuel tank is based on joy. If I’m happy, the engine works way better.” She also trains based on feel, rather than heading out with a set goal or time in mind or working to a strict schedule. Typically, she runs around 100 miles a week, though she's not overly militant about it.

When it comes to kit, Dauwalter states that “comfort is key” and has become famous for the baggy, nineties-style shorts she runs in, now available as the Salomon Shortneys, along with her bright yellow Salomon Courtney Tee, Salomon S/Lab Genesis trail shoes and psychedelic Courtney Crew Ininji Toe Socks.

On race day, she uses the S/Lab Ultra 10 hydration vest and Suunto Race S watch on her wrist.

She’s also spoken at length about her ability to dig in when the going gets almost unbearably tough, when she uses her “pain cave” mental exercise. She visualizes a space, a cave, in her head and systematically chips away at it, making it bigger, helping her to push on through adversity. Dauwalter has previously said that things can be painful and fun at the same time, indicating her take on the pain cave as a sort of type 2 fun.

Her approach to life, to challenges, to pain, to the mountains, is one of curiosity. It’s this insatiable curiosity that continues to drive her forward, propelling her to greatness. She also habitually sees things through, a behaviour deeply ingrained in her from a competitive childhood where, along with her brothers, she'd always see things through to the end.

The Triple Crown

2023 was a landmark year for Dauwalter, as she became the first person in history, male or female, to win the world’s three most iconic 100-mile races – Western States, Hardrock and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc – in a single season. The only other person to have won all three in their entire career – let alone in a single year – is the legendary Kilian Jornet.

Dauwalter did it in style and within a single 70-day period. She set women’s records on both the Western States, by over an hour, and Hardrock races and she still holds these to this day – although she beat her own Hardrock record in 2024. Unsurprisingly, by the time she arrived on the start line of the UTMB, she was feeling the strain of her monumental efforts, so besting her 2021 record was always going to be unlikely. Nonetheless, she led the race from the very start and finished, cheered on by an immense crowd in Chamonix, over an hour ahead of the next woman.

At the time, she held the female records for all three races, though fellow American Katie Schide broke her UTMB record in 2024 by just over 20 minutes. Between them, the pair have won the last five UTMBs.

With the world seemingly at her feet and plenty of fuel left in the tank, watch this space to see just how high Dauwalter’s star will continue to rise. It’s going to be a joyous ride.

• The best trail shoes for ultra runners: these robust and comfy rides are built for serious outdoor adventures

Long before she’d achieved what some said was impossible by becoming the first woman to complete the Barkley Marathons in 2024, Jasmin Paris was a legendary figure in British mountain running. Her career as an endurance runner is nothing short of astonishing – she has repeatedly raised the bar, smashing course records time and time again and winning a glut of races along the way.

We asked one of our mountain loving, trail running experts to try to put Paris’ achievements into some sort of context, from her hat trick of records on the UK’s Big Rounds and her remarkable 2019 Winter Spine Race win to her legendary feat at the 2024 Barkley Marathons.

Early and personal life

Paris was born in Manchester, 1983, and had the Peak District National Park as her childhood outdoor playground. The daughter of two mathematicians, she'd follow in their footsteps in terms of academic success. She holds a PhD, works as a vet and is senior lecturer at the Royal School of Veterinary Studies at the University of Edinburgh.

She’s married to fellow endurance runner Konrad Rawlik, with whom she has two children. In October 2024, she was awarded an MBE by the British Royal Family for services to fell and long-distance running.

A rapid rise in the world of fell running

Paris started taking running seriously in 2010, having moved to Edinburgh after a year-long sabbatical in Minnesota. She started competing in fell races in the UK's hills and mountains. Fell races differ from trail races in that they involve running between checkpoints – often summits – and sometimes tricky route finding, as opposed to following a pre-defined route along trails.

She quickly saw success, winning various iconic fell races, underlining her talent on steep and rough terrain. Her haul included wins in the Scottish Hill Running Championships in 2011, 2012, 2014 and 2015, as well as the overall British Fell Running Championship in 2015 and 2018.

In the latter half of the decade, she started to turn her attentions to longer runs and races. 2015 saw her take on the third edition of the intimidating Dragon’s Back Race, a then 186-mile, multi-day race across the length of Wales via its hilly spine, entailing elevation gain twice that of Everest from sea level. Paris won the women’s race, finishing second overall just over an hour and a half behind Jim Mann. Incidentally, Mann was later one of the runners in the famous 2024 Barkley Marathons, completing one lap of the course.

In 2016, Paris set her eyes on Britain’s three Big Rounds: the Bob Graham in the English Lake District, the Paddy Buckley in Wales’ Eryri (Snowdonia) and the Charlie Ramsay in the Scottish Highlands. These relatively comparable challenges all involve running to multiple summits on routes that entail about 60 miles and with more than 8,000 metres of elevation gain – just a little less than ascending Everest from sea level.

In April, on the Bob Graham, she set a new women’s record of 15 hours and 24 minutes, more than two-and-a-half hours quicker than the previous record. In June, she broke the overall record for the Charlie Ramsey, completing the round in just 16 hours and 13 minutes. She completed an unprecedented hat trick in October, setting a new woman’s record on the Paddy Buckley of 18 hours and 33 minutes, holding all three record simultaneously. She still holds the women's record for the Charlie Ramsey to this day.

Smashing records on the Spine

The world of British fell running and the Big Rounds are hardly mainstream, so despite her remarkable feats, Paris received very little attention from the wider public. This changed in 2019, when Paris outright won the Winter Spine Race, a 268-mile non-stop, ultra marathon that follows the course of Britain’s oldest national trail, the Pennine Way. If 268 miles non-stop sounds like a big ask, consider also that it’s a race that traverses northern England’s most remote and rugged moorland, with adverse weather and navigational challenges to overcome, as well as about 13,300 metres of ascent thrown in for good measure.

What made Paris’ victory all the more astounding was that she absolutely destroyed the previous overall record by about 12 hours, all while regularly expressing breast milk for her daughter Rowan. It took until 2024 for her course record to be broken by British runner Jack Scott, who set an incredible time of 72 hours 55 minutes and 5 seconds. Paris still holds the women’s record.

After the Spine

2021 was another fruitful year, as Paris set the women's 24-hour Munro record in the Scottish Cairngorms in July. The Munros are the prominent Scottish peaks over 3,000 feet and the 24-hour record involves getting to the summit of as many as you can and returning to the start point within the time period. Paris managed 29 peaks during her incredible round.

Later that year, she went on to win the 100-mile Ultra Tour Monte Rosa, a race created by follow British mountain running legend Lizzy Hawker, five times winner of the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.

Making history at the Barkley Marathons

Between 2022 and 2024, Paris famously locked horns with the notorious Barkley Marathons, a 100-mile race in Tennessee’s Frozen Head State Park. This is no ordinary ultra and is widely considered to be the toughest in the world. In the race’s 40-year history, only 22 runners have ever completed the incredibly gruelling course, which involves completing five 20-mile off-trail loops within the 60-hour time limit.

In 2015, race founder Gary Cantrell, known as Laz Lake, was quoted as saying: "The race is too hard for women. They are simply not tough enough to do it. And I get to say that for as long as it goes that no woman proves me wrong." The gauntlet had been laid; the challenge set.

However, Lake saw Paris’ potential as a Barkley Marathons finisher long before she first attempted the run. Her achievement on the 2019 Winter Spine Race caught his attention. He told the Bad Boy Running Podcast that he was "excited about this woman who won the Spine" and that "it seems like she would have a lot of the different things you need".

Paris’ first acquaintance with the race was in 2022 on the Fun Run, an experience which she modestly described as ‘Type 2 Fun!’. The Fun Run involves three laps of the course, with a time limit of 40 hours, which Paris made with just over 10 minutes to spare. However, on that occasion she was outside the 36-hour cut-off for an attempt at a fourth lap. Of the navigational challenges she faced on the run, she commented: "I needed 10 hands, not two." Nevertheless, she had been the first female runner to successfully complete the Fun Run in nine years, after Bev Abbs’ effort in 2013.

Not satisfied with her success in 2022, Paris was back in 2023 and managed to attempt four laps, becoming only the second woman to make it that far, after Sue Johnston in 2001.

Then, in March 2024, Paris achieved perhaps the greatest feat of her running career by becoming the first female to complete all five laps within the 60-hour time frame. She crossed the line after 59 hours, 58 minutes and 21 seconds before slumping to the ground exhausted, by the iconic gate that marks the start and finish. She’d proven Laz wrong and afterwards said that she’d done it for women worldwide. She revealed she felt a sense of "overwhelming relief" that her battle with the Barkley Marathons was finally over.

The Green Runners

In 2022, Paris co-founded the Green Runners, a community of runners supporting each other and campaigning to make positive change in the fight against the climate crisis. Community members pay a small yearly membership fee and make a pledge based around four pillars: how we travel, how we fuel, how we kit up and how we speak out. Notably, the Green Runners have petitioned and campaigned against car giants, such as Ford and Dacia, sponsoring high profile running events like the Tor des Geants and the UTMB.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain
• The best hydration packs: on-the-go refuelling for your runs
• The best trail running shoes for ultra runners: these robust and comfy rides are built for serious outdoor adventures

Searches for the best women's trail running shoes are bound to be on the rise after newly released figures show that female participation in UTMB trail races jumped from one quarter to nearly a third in 2024.

With 13,493 runners competing in 218 races across 25 countries, the UTMB World Series is in a good position to offer cross-sectional data about the state of trail running around the globe, and last year's numbers show without doubt that more and more females are taking to the trails.

Compared to 25 percent participation the previous year, 2024 saw a rise to 29 percent as the series came to a close with the Hoka Chiang Mai Thailand in December.

"UTMB Group is committed to the development of women's participation and is planning new measures to encourage more women to take up trail running and to run longer distances," says the UTMB in a press release.

Highlights from the year in women's trail running include Katie Schide setting a new course record at the flagship race around Mont Blanc in August, shaving 21 minutes off Courtney Dauwalter's course record. Dauwalter sat out the race this year, but she was busy winning other 100-mile races on the UTMB circuit like the Transgrancanaria, Mt Fuji 100 and Hardrock 100, setting new course records at the latter two.

Outside of the UTMB circuit, one of the biggest success stories of women in trail running in 2024 was of course Jasmin Paris, who became the first female runner to complete the grueling Barkley Marathons in May. Meanwhile Tara Dower set a new supported Fastest Known Time on the Appalachian Trail in September, running over 2,000 miles in just 40 days, 18 hours and 5 minutes.

Four years ago, we wrote an article on why fewer women take part in races than men, and it seems that tide is turning. If you're interested in trying trail running, check out our articles on how to start trail running, and read up on all the essential trail running kit you need for a safe and comfortable experience.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain
• The best hydration packs: on-the-go refuelling for your runs

If you're looking to move beyond marathons then it's worth investing in a pair of the best shoes for ultra running. Ultras encompass running challenges longer than a marathon distance of 26.2 miles (42.2km) and will test your mental and physical mettle to their limits. Often they’ll take you over mixed terrain, anything from water-logged fells to rocky mountain paths.

Running for miles off the beaten track calls for a shoe that gives good traction, with sticky outsoles or good lugs to grip on soft, loose or slippery ground. Much like the best trail running shoes, you'll want great support to lessen your chance of injury, and protection from sharp rocks, roots and other trail hazards. You don’t want them to be too heavy or rigid, especially if you’re going to encounter stretches of road, but they need to deliver on comfort. You want cushioning and padding for impact protection, but without responsiveness being compromised. And ultimately, you need a shoe that’s built to last.

Trail shoes for ultra runners aren’t the most budget friendly, but they are in the midst of a seismic shift, helping pros smash records and the beginner get through their first more comfortably.

Our running experts have tested the best shoes for ultra runners on rough and rocky paths and smooth rolling trails in a range of conditions to find out how they fared on long-mileage runs for comfort, grip and protection.

The quick list

Scan our quick list, a brief overview of the best shoes for ultra runners, then jump to our more detailed reviews further down the page to delve deeper into the specifics of each pair.

The best trail shoes for ultra runners

The most versatile shoes for ultra runners

From the off these lightweight shoes feel good to wear: the internal bootie, which pulls on like a sock, gives you an instant locked-in feel and the cuff fits snugly without being too tight.

The breathable mesh uppers keep things light and airy, allowing your feet to breathe in warm weather, and drying out quickly after getting a soaking. The low 4mm drop gives stability while the 5mm lugs hold up even in slick conditions.

Our tester Julia Clarke loved the balance between cushioning and trail feel that the shoes manage to strike, making them perfect for taking on technical terrain and changeable conditions with confidence. Gaiter attachments are a handy feature if you're expecting a deluge.

The roomy toe box allows feet to swell on long runs – although it may offer a little too much room for narrow feet – and the TPU lining on the uppers point towards a durable construction that will perform and last.

Read our full Merrell MTL Long Sky 2 review

The best responsive shoes for ultra runners

Although one of the heavier models on test, our ultra runner wasn't put off by the weight of the Terrex Agravic Ultras, feeling confident that the durable finish would help her go the distance. And once on, she didn't notice the extra weight, citing that the robust build helped to propel her along the trails, rather than hinder her.

The cushioned midsole gives a nice amount of bounce underfoot, while the protection plate is firm with good rebound. The 4mm chevron grip will help keep you sturdy on your feet in all but the boggiest conditions.

With a comfortable fit and reinforced lacing area, our tester Julia Clarke rated these shoes as workhorses that can take a proper pounding while maintaining that vital cushioning, grip and support.

The only gripe for our expert tester Claire Maxted was that the insoles rose up as she ran and she had to replace them to get the ultimate dialed-in fit.

Read our full Adidas Terrex Agravic Ultra review

The best shoes for ultra runners for relaxed trails

Here's a shoe that's a bit different from the rest. With a wide fit, zero drop and BOA lacing system, the Mont Blanc BOA from Ultra are unique, and while might not be for everyone, will perform brilliantly for some.

Altra has worked with BOA to come up with the two-dial lacing system that locks the foot firmly in place with one securing the forefoot and the other just under the ankle - great for adjusting on the go to relieve pressure. Our tester Claire Maxted is a veteran of many ultras and loved that she could do this easily on cold days and while wearing running gloves.

The Vibram sole has 3mm lugs that are widely spaced, and combined with the moderate midsole padding you'll still be able to feel the trail underfoot.

The drop of the shoe might take some getting used to, and the high price will put off others. But the roomy fit that observes the real shape of the human foot will be much-loved by others.

Read our full Altra Mont Blanc BOA review

The most durable shoes for ultra runners

With the launch of the Inov8 TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max came the world's first graphene-enhanced midsole compound. The strong-but-thin foam is said to give 25% more energy return and much better durability compared to other midsoles.

The robust shoes offer long-mileage comfort, great durability and traction, and energy propulsion to put spring in your stride.

Carbon fiber propulsion plates in the midsoles are resilient, but still soft and flexible. Designed specifically for ultras, our expert tester Pat Kinsella thinks you'll really reap the benefit of the support the farther you run.

The chunky, maximalist outsole with rocker shape stifles trail feel, but pays dividends on rough and rocky terrain. And the durability means once you've laid out initially for the shoes – they're one of the pricier shoes for ultra runners – you won't have to think about budgeting for shoes again for a long while.

Read our full Inov8 TrailFly Ultra G 300 Max review

Best shoes for ultra runners comparison table

Meet the testers

How to choose shoes for ultra runners

Whether you’re training for a 50k ultra marathon or a multi-day epic, choosing the right shoe is vital, not just for race day, but for helping you put in the hours in your training.

The best shoes for ultra runners tend to have all the qualities of a great trail running shoe, with a greater focus on durability. As always, the ultimate fit will be decided by the shape of your foot, but good cushioning, support and protection is vital.

The type of race you’re training for and the terrain and conditions you’re running in will also play a part – there’s more below on things to consider before choosing the best ultra running shoe for you.

Getting the best fit

For long days in your shoes you’ll need to try before you buy. Make sure the collar and tongue aren’t going to rub, and that your feet aren’t squeezed so they have room to swell. The lacing system needs to be able to cinch in your foot tightly, but not uncomfortably, to work with the heel cup to keep it in place.

Cushioning and drop

Shoes for ultra runners won’t have as much cushioning as road running shoes, but it’s one of the most important factors for impact protection. A foam midsole that soaks up shock but still is responsive and allows you to feel the trail is the balance you’re looking for.

Some shoes take a minimalist approach, with no or very little drop, this style of shoe will take some getting used to if you’re used to a bigger drop.

Other maximalist shoes have a ‘rocker’ shape with a sole that curves, supposedly helping to propel you forward from footstrike to lift off. Your feelings about shape is subjective, so try as many as you can before you buy and if your race is coming up soon, go with what you’re most used to.

Whether you love or hate these options is very subjective, and often comes down to your running style (whether you’re a heel, midfoot of forefoot striker). Try them on the trails and see what suits you best.

Working out grip

Are you going to be pounding along smooth paths over rolling terrain, or are you setting out to conquer a craggy mountain ultra? A great shoe for ultra running will give you a strong foothold on the terrain to keep you traveling forwards without slipping or sliding.

Take a look at the lugs on the bottom of your shoe. The bigger they are the more aggressive and the better the ‘bite’ on the ground, great for rough conditions, but they’ll slow you down on smoother ground.

The materials the outsole is made up of too are important: softer rubbers give better natural grip but they’re not as hardwearing and will need replacing more frequently.

A lot of long-distance trail shoe designers take into account that you will encounter stretches of hard surfaces and will be able to handle them well, but they probably won’t be as lightweight or responsive as road running shoes.

Protection and breathability

Smooth, rolling paths may be clearer from debris and obstacles, therefore a lighter, more flexible upper will be a great choice. However, if you’re likely to encounter wooded areas, water courses with hidden obstacles or mountainous terrain, think about the type of protection a running shoe can offer.

For rocky, techy terrain a substantial outsole and rockplate in the midsole will prevent punctures from sharp surfaces. Some shoes might offer reinforced toes and heels.

Whether you’re running a wet and wild multi-stager in the UK’s Lake District or attempting the sand-fest that is the Marathon des Sables, you’ll want a shoe that’s breathable.

Waterproofing layers can weigh down a shoe and make it run hot, plus it doesn’t take much for water to get in over the cuff, so runners prefer something that uses a lightweight mesh or materials that will dry quicker while still allowing your foot to breathe.

Durability and value

You don’t need lots of expensive gear for ultra running (in fact, here are more ways to save money on ultra running) but a good pair of running shoes are a crucial investment. They won’t last you as long as hiking shoes as they’re lighter and put through more intense stress, but they should have a good degree of robustness. When buying, look out for hardwearing materials, such as Vibram and graphene-enhanced soles.

Consider closely stitching and seam sealing, and look carefully at lacing systems for areas that could be prone to failure.

It takes a lot to run an ultra marathon and only elite athletes like Katie Schide and Jim Walmsley have access to coaches. For the thousands of others who take part in the UTMB World Series races, a new partnership with a French training app will provide access to personalized training in 2025.

The organizers of the global trail running series announced the partnership with RunMotion Coach yesterday in the latest bid to ensure that sponsorships directly benefit runners.

"Every UTMB runner has a unique profile and an individual goal, and we are excited to partner with RunMotion Coach to support them in their journey. Whether it's the distance, elevation, or their specific objectives, we wanted to offer runners personalized solutions," says Céline Prévost, UTMB Group Commercial Director.

Next year, runners in 32 events (listed below) on the global circuit, including the iconic Hoka UTMB Mont-Blanc, will be able to access digital training plans to help maximize their chances of success.

Based in the French Alps since 2018, RunMotion Coach has established itself as one of the world's leading coaching applications for trail running. The platform offers plans tailored to your level of fitness in French, English, Spanish, German and Dutch, backed up by personalized monitoring to help you stay on track.

"We are delighted to contribute to the experience of trail runners participating in the UTMB World Series, supporting individuals of all levels in achieving their goals, whether they live in the mountains or in urban areas," says Romain Adam, President at RunMotion Coach.

If you register for a UTMB race included in this partnership in 2025, you'll receive the option of access to daily plans designed to take into account your objectives, schedule, and level of fitness.

Earlier this year, UTMB announced that trail running brand Hoka had taken over as title sponsor following pushback over the series' partnership with car company Dacia on environmental grounds.

UTMB World Series Events in 2025 supported by RunMotion Coach

• Arc of Attrition by UTMB (United Kingdom, 24th-26th January)
• Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB (New Zealand, 15th-16th February)
• Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB (Italy, 21st-23rd March)
• Istria 100 by UTMB (Croatia, 10th-13th April)
• Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB (USA, 11th-13th April)
• Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB (France, 25th-27th April)
• The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB (USA, 25th-26th April)
• Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB (United Kingdom, 16th-18th May)
• HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB - MAJOR OCEANIA (Australia, 15th-18th May)
• Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB (France, 15-18th May)
• The Mountain Ultra Trail by UTMB (South Africa, 22nd-25th May)
• mozart 100 by UTMB (Austria, 7th June)
• Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB (France, 13th-16th June)
• Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB (Andorra, 13th-15th June)
• La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB (Italy, 25th-29th June)
• HOKA Val d'Aran by UTMB^® - MAJOR EUROPE (Spain, 2nd-6th July)
• Trail Verbier Saint Bernard by UTMB (Switzerland, 11th-13th July)
• Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB (Switzerland, 16th-20th July)
• Monte Rosa Walser Waeg by UTMB (Italy, 18-20th July)
• Speedgoat Mountain Races by UTMB (USA, 25th-26th July)
• KAT100 by UTMB (Austria, 7-9th August)
• HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc - FINALS (France, 25-31st August)
• Wildstrubel by UTMB (Switzerland, 12-15th September)
• Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB (USA, 20-22nd September)
• Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB (Canada, 28-29th September)
• Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB (France, 3-6th October)
• HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB - MAJOR AMERICA (USA, 11-12th October)
• Mallorca by UTMB (Spain, 1-3rd November)
• Kullamannen by UTMB (Sweden, 1-2nd November)
• Malaysia Ultra-Trail by UTMB (Malaysia, 15-17th November)
• TransLantau by UTMB (Hong-Kong, 8-10th November)
• Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB (Australia, 28-30th November)

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

Australia's premier trail running event, and the second largest in the world, has been named the newest race in the UTMB World Series Major.

It joins the global stage alongside existing Major ultra races in Europe, Asia, and North America that belong to the world circuit of trail running races.

HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB will be held from 15-18 May 2025 in the heart of the stunning Blue Mountains in New South Wales, Australia, just under an hour west of Sydney. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its soaring sandstone ridges, native bushland, and breathtaking views, offering runners beautiful vistas along their routes.

The inaugural Oceania Major, brings the UTMB World Series Major events up to four in total. Existing UTMB Majors include the HOKA Kodiak Ultramarathons in North America, HOKA Val d'Aran in the Pyrenees, and HOKA Chiang Mai in Thailand.

With these races, participants can earn double Running Stones, entry points needed to enter the lottery for the UTMB World Series Finals, and the famous Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, in the heart of the Alps. There will also be increased automatic qualification slots for the Finals, with 210 runners to secure their place on the start line in Mont Blanc the following May.

The trails on offer are as beautiful as you'd imagine them to be. The Blue Mountains are famous for the Giant Stairway, a popular walking track that descends 998 stairs over rugged terrain with viewpoints of the Three Sisters rock formations. There's a strong focus on national heritage, too, with routes following the footsteps of Australian Gundungurra ancestors and offering glimpses of famous Aboriginal sites.

The Australian ultra running event, known as the UTA, has a rich 16-year history. Acquired by IRONMAN in 2018, it's hosted four races every year: UTA11, UTA22, UTA50 and UTA100 – all of which are now sold-out. Due to acquiring its new UTMB Major status, however, HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB has introduced a 100-mile (160km) race in 2025, with entries now open. Elite runners will also be competing for winnings within the $120,000 AUD ($78,225 USD) HOKA Prize Pool across all ultra races.

Tanya Carroll, Regional Director of HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB, announced in a press release that this new 100-mile event will provide an incredible test for runners. "It takes them on a journey along some of the best trails on offer in the region, with the new distance set to attract existing runners looking for their next challenge along with some of the top trail runners from around the world," she said.

• The best trail running shoes:get a grip on the trickiest terrain
• The best trail running sunglasses: for clarity and protection

Ultra runner Courtney Olsen set a new 50-mile women's world record in Illinois last weekend – then immediately drove over 400 miles for mandatory drug testing.

USA Track & Field shared the news of Olsen's victory at the Tunnel Hill 50 Mile race, which saw the Bellingham, Washington-based athlete run the flat course through wetlands and limestone rock formations in just five hours, 31 minutes and 56 seconds.

If her time is ratified by the International Association of Ultrarunners, it shaves more than eight minutes off the previous record, set by Ann Trason in Houston more than 30 years ago in 1991.

According to the Bellingham Herald, Olsen announced her intention to break the record several months ago and was aware that another runner had the same goal for the race.

"I knew she was wanting it and trying to go for it too. So there was a lot of pressure, because we were going to have to battle each other for it. But also in that competition we can bring out the best in each other.”

Though the article doesn't name the runner in question, writing on Instagram, Olsen reveals it was her 50k World Championship teammate Andrea Pomaranski, and for the first half of the race, it looked like the Indianapolis-based runner might beat her to the punchline.

"I ran with Andrea for 2 miles before she dusted me like a slap. Then, with the men’s 100 mile leaders," says Olsen.

"It was 18 joyful male company miles before I’d go on for 32 alone."

After those 32 miles, Olsen took the lead and tells the BH it was "all about hitting the right paces" to get the win in her Hoka Rocket X 2 racing shoes, while Pomaranski ultimately took a very respectable third place after Melissa Tanner.

For most us, 50 miles of running at 10 miles per hour would be more than enough adventure for the day, but immediately following the race, Olsen had to get drug tested by a U.S. Anti-Doping Agency Doping Control Officer for her record to count. Unfortunately, the closest testing center was around 170 miles miles away near Nashville, according to a report in Run magazine.

That article goes on to explain that following her drug test – which Olsen says she fully expects to pass – the runner then had to drive back to St Louis to catch a flight home, adding another 300 miles to an already-long day. According to Ultra Signup, the prize for establishing a new course record at the race is $4,000, but Olsen says her drug test will cost her roughly that same amount, so she'll walk away with a record, but no richer.

Olsen joins Camille Herron (100 mile in 2017) and Charlie Lawrence (50 mile in 2023), as a holder of World Records at Tunnel Hill. She intends to compete again in December at the IAU 100K World Championship.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain
• The best running headlamps: tested on roads and trails

Galen Reynolds has run some of the most iconic ultras in the world, including the UTMB and Tor des Géants. He broke Marcus Scotney’s Dragon’s Back course record in 2019 and won the Montane Cheviot Goat.

Originally from Canada, with a background in ice hockey, he puts his success down to a mixture of dedication and an upbeat attitude – combined with a sensible and strategic approach to fueling for long mountain ultras. Advnture caught up with him amid a hectic schedule to get the low-down on just what fuels his epic runs.

What does your nutrition strategy look like in the week leading up to an ultra?
With the race on Saturday, I will usually cut out vegetables on Tuesday and gradually make the meals basic and plain – keeping the protein and carbs coming in. I’m not increasing either early in the week as I will also be tapering, pushing the caloric output down.

I’ll be quite careful with what I eat, and I’ll only eat things that agree with my stomach – no gluten or dairy during race week.

How has that routine changed over the years?

My strategy has changed significantly since I first started. [Then] it included fasting for 36 hours to try to lose weight and eating a lot of carbs for dinner and breakfast before the race. My pre-dinner and breakfast aren’t large, but the week is steady, with sports drinks coming in later in the week to stockpile carbs.

What’s your go-to meal the night before a race and your breakfast on race day? Are there any foods you avoid in order to prevent issues during the race?

Hmmm. My ‘go-to’ pre-race meals start the day before a race with breakfast and they’re all similar in their boringness! One great aspect having this routine is I don’t have to think about it during race week, when there’s usually lots of other logistics to worry about.

The day before the race it’s:

· Breakfast: oats, blueberries and maple syrup.

· Lunch: two egg wraps with salsa and plain tortilla chips.

· Dinner: white rice and chicken breast

I’ll be sipping on sugary sports drink throughout the day and will snack on plain tortilla chips but they’re so plain I don’t snack much!

On race day it’s:

· Breakfast of oats and maple syrup

· Sipping on sugary sports drink throughout the morning

I avoid anything with very high amounts of fiber and all vegetables as this can lead to bloating and needing to use the bathroom during the race.

What kind of snacks do you prefer to carry with you during an ultra marathon? Do you favor whole foods, energy gels, or a mix of both?

After 10 years in the sport, I’ve tried hundreds of bars and haven’t come up with one that works. I put this down to always being at some level of dehydration and then eating solid food, which feels like trying to eat a cup full of cinnamon.

During shorter events – up to 14 hours – I rely solely on sugary sports drinks and gels. I’ve been using the product range at Precision Fuel & Hydration – they make a great carb drink where each scoop is 15g of carbs.

I’m making one of my 500ml flasks a 90g carb drink, good for one hour of hard racing. The 90g big gel that Precision makes works really well, and through training, I’m able to eat the whole thing in one go and not have to worry about nutrition for the next hour.

The longer events, up to several days, are a work in progress. I come in with a nutrition plan for every race, and the only thing I know is that the plan will not survive without several reworks.

I incorporate as much hard food as possible. Hard food is only hard in comparison to gels. The hard food needs to be soft and mushy – like feeding a baby. A cup of noodles, rice with soup poured over it and polenta with anything ‘liquidy’ as polenta can be deceivingly hard to eat on its own.

How do you balance hydration and electrolyte intake during long races? Do you have a favorite sports drink or electrolyte supplement?

I upgraded my hydration game when I went for a sweat test to determine my sodium loss per liter of sweat. Now I’m able to fine-tune my electrolytes instead of guessing how much I should take.

I like to take salt pills; I use Salt Stick because I want to know exactly how much sodium I’m taking instead of trying to estimate in a drink in case I don’t finish the drink, mix it wrong, or spill some.

During long events, particularly the 200-milers, I go more by feel – the feel of cramps. If I notice them coming on, I’ll take a huge amount of electrolytes – up to 1,500mg of sodium – think happy thoughts, and see what happens.*

Post-race or big training days, I enjoy the Precision Fuel and Hydration tabs. It helps recovery and is so much sodium that it sorts me for the rest of the day. It helps avoid lightheadedness and general feelings of awfulness.

What are your immediate post-race recovery meals like? After a gruelling run, how do you ensure you get enough protein, carbs, and other nutrients?

After finishing races, I will usually eat as much as I can, mostly clean good food, lots of carbs and protein-focused for a day or two before getting my life together and back to normal diet.

After long training runs, I focus a lot on eating quickly after the run and will supplement with protein bars if I’m not close to eating. I make sure to have lots of water and food in the car after a long run in the mountains when I’ll have an hour’s drive home.

I’m looking at getting in 40-60g of protein after those massive eight-hour training days in the mountains. I’ve also been experimenting with ketones after long training runs for the recovery benefits, I’m not completely sold on this yet though.

How does your nutrition change in the days following a race to promote muscle recovery and reduce soreness? Are there any superfoods or supplements you rely on?

In the days following a race, I’m focused on staying very hydrated and eating a lot of carbs and protein. In addition to the typical magnesium and omega supplements, I’ll be taking turmeric, ginger, black pepper and ashwagandha. And to really add jet fuel to the recovery process, I try my best for additional sleep.

Do you follow any specific diet, such as plant-based, keto or paleo, for training and racing? How has it impacted your performance and recovery?

Before having kids, I was all over the diet fads. I tried keto, primal, paleo and plant-based. A strong devotee of each for a year or so. But by the time we had kid number two, I didn’t have the time and energy to have a separate diet!

We eat a large variety of foods now but don’t stick to any specific diet apart from generally healthy food. Lots of vegetables, protein and some carbs for dinner. If there was a diet I followed, now it’s a human ‘garberator’ (garbage disposal), as I’m usually in charge of eating what my kids don’t like!

What’s the most important piece of nutrition advice you would give to someone preparing for their first ultra?

Be a “triatarian”. Try, record, adjust. In the beginning, we have to start somewhere; listening to a professional trail runner’s nutrition can be a starting point but most likely won’t work for others. I believe nutrition is even more individualistic than training. I’ve tried a silly amount of nutrition strategies, even trying to stick with only full meals during multiday efforts, as I observed some of my mountain-hardened competitors do.

I write down what works in each situation and what doesn’t, rework the plan and try again. Try lots of different products and home-cooked experiments, and maybe you’ll be the lucky one with a stomach of steel who can eat a full roast while out running.

Galen Reynolds is a Montane athlete.

*The American Heart Association recommends a safe upper limit of 2,300mg of sodium per day, with the ideal upper limit being 1,500mg, so bear that mind if you’re not sweating much, and also in day-to-day life.

Last weekend, ultra runner David Roche snatched victory at the scorching Javelina Jundred race. The Boulder-based runner came in just two minutes behind the course record time, despite daytime highs of 100 degrees. How did he pull off his unlikely victory? Yesterday, Roche explained exactly how he harnessed the science of heat training to pull off his unlikely victory at the 100-mile race.

Writing on Instagram, Roche explains that running in hot weather doesn't come naturally to him.

"I always thought that I sucked in hot weather. We were going to have to science the crap out of this problem."

The Arizona course delivers no shade or creeks to cool off in, so to start, Roche hit the hot tub at 104 degrees 2 - 3 times per week to increase hemoglobin, staying in until his heart rate reached 100 on rest days, and 110 if he was soaking immediately.

One month before the race, he started donning extra layers for uphill treadmill runs several times a week. His "heat suit" entailed a base layer of normal running clothes, a sweatshirt under a down jacket, polyester sweatpants under rain pants and a fuzzy hat.

Finally, he incorporated two "massive" treadmill workouts in a room that was around 80 degrees in the three weeks before race day.

"My main goal was to gaslight myself into thinking I enjoyed the heat," he concludes.

"In reality, I still don’t love the heat. But I love science. And I think we scienced this problem so hard that I had one of the better heat performances ever."

Roche has burst onto the US trail running scene this year and hasn't been shy about sharing how he utilizes science to make the podium. In August, he shared how he used nutrition science to break the longstanding record at the Leadville 100 a feat which entailed slurping over 40 running gels in a 15-hour period.

What is heat training?

Heat training is a protocol that helps your body make more blood plasma, which allows you to cool down more efficiently. Through heat training, your body lowers the temperature at which you start to sweat and you lose less sodium through your sweat.

What this allows you to do is to adapt for a hot race or warm weather training, and if done for a long enough period – about five weeks – your body reacts to that addition in plasma by building more hemoglobin.

“More hemoglobin means that you're getting more oxygen to your muscles which is the same effect that altitude training has,” explains Brian Maiorano, an endurance coach from CORE Sensor which makes a wearable device you can wear while running or exercising to determine your heat training zone. You can learn more in our in-depth article on heat training.

• The best hydration packs: on-the-go refuelling for your runs
• The best trail running shoes : get a grip on the trickiest terrain

Ultra runner David Roche got back on the course this weekend to prove that his Leadville 100 win was no fluke. The runner snatched victory at The Javelina Jundred yesterday, just two months after smashing the long-running Leadville 100 race by more than 15 minutes in August.

The Boulder-based runner took gold in the 100-mile trail race in Arizona's McDowell Mountain Regional Park despite record temperatures – the forecast saw highs of 99°F on Saturday – finishing in just 12:45:04.

"This dude is an absolute machine. His cadence never wavered the entire last 20 miles," writes crew member Joe Shea on Instagram, who is part of the Aravaipa Rides race team.

The Javelina Jundred attracts some 850 runners each year and the 100-mile race sees participants complete five desert loops. Roche came in nine minutes ahead of second-placed Jeff Mogavero, and just two minutes shy of the course record set by Jonathan Rea last year. Over in the women's race, veteran competitor and non-binary runner Riley Brady took the win in 14:09:01.

Roche's wife, ultra runner Megan Roche, revealed on Instagram yesterday that her husband had previously had "no interest in running 100-mile races." That tide has clearly definitively turned for Roche, who came back from a serious accident this spring when he was hit by a car while riding his bike to break a 19-year record at the Leadville 100.

At the time, he attributed his success largely to fueling, revealing he had consumed more than 40 running gels during the race. He also praised his Adidas Terrex Agravic Speed Ultra trail running shoes, which he handed in to Adidas Boulder for display after the race, but video from this weekend reveals he's got himself a new pair and clearly they're still working for him.

Roche's win at the Javelina means we can expect to see him compete in next year's Western States 100, if he wants to.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

The thought of coming last in a race fills some people with dread. However, when you run an ultra marathon, the attitude is very different. In fact, the opposite can be true.

At these events, just completing the course within the allotted timeframe is considered an epic achievement because not only are you competing against the colossal distance, but also the weather, terrain, nutrition strategy and how and when you use your kit.

I once asked legendary mountain runner Kilian Jornet which runner inspires him most. I was expecting him to sing the praises of some other icon of the trails, but instead he said: “The last place runners and those at the back. They are on the course for twice as long as the winners if not more, so they are putting in so much effort and time into the race. This really inspires me.”

We spoke to five such inspirational ultra runners. Each one has come last at a famous UK ultra marathon: the Lakeland 100 (100 miles); the Spine Race (268 miles); Arc of Attrition 50 (50 miles); Ring of Fire (135 miles); and the Lakes Traverse 100k (62 miles). Congratulations to each one of them!

Katie Alexander, Lakeland 100, July 2024

100 miles with 20,669ft / 6,300m ascent through the Lake District, Cumbria

Running coach, sports massage therapist and mum of two Katie Alexander suffers from epilepsy, but doesn’t let it hold her back. With medication keeping her condition under control, she started running after buying her first house and getting a dog. She hoped to do her first marathon and get a good time before turning 30, but getting faster was getting harder so instead she turned to ultra running in 2015. This led to the Lakeland 50 in 2021 and three years later, the Lakeland 100.

“I always said I’d never do a 100 because I thought it was a step too far,” explains Katie. “But I watched the start of the 100 before I did the 50 and thought, ‘I want some of that!’ So I put my name in the ballot.

“I had to try really hard to fit in the mileage, strength, cross training and recovery. I live in the Peak District but they’re baby hills compared to the Lakes so I managed to recce parts of the course a couple of times. I was lucky I had a lot of support around me to get the training done.”

“As we came down into the finish at Coniston the marshals came up saying, ‘You’re the last official finishers and we’ve started the awards.’ The finishing marquee was full of everyone there and the volunteers formed a guard of honor for us to walk through, there was all this noise and colors and it was all a bit overwhelming after being out in the remote mountains for such a long time!

“With it being such an epic race, I am quite proud actually. You’re not the last finisher, you’re the last person who carried on. I just didn’t give up even though there were times when I really wanted to. I’m proud of the mental strength that it took to get round.”

Lizzie Hughes, Arc of Attrition 50, January 2023

50 miles with 7,545ft / 2,300m ascent, South West Coast Path, Cornwall

Lizzie Hughes is a lifelong runner, school teacher and mum to two small children. The Arc of Attrition route is right on her doorstep in Cornwall, but her busy job and family commitments didn’t give her a great deal of time to train.

“I didn’t have a weekly mileage or ascent to hit,” Lizzie explains. “I just recced challenging parts of the coast path in the north of Cornwall. I worked out the minimum pace that I could travel at to get round ahead of the cut offs and went faster on the other sections when I could.

“I knew I hadn’t done enough training, and my male friends also kept telling me that, but they are dads who had a totally different role in their household – so I thought, ‘I’m going to show you!’ That was part of my driving force the entire time. I realized I was last when I saw the sweepers behind me, about a mile from the finish. I didn’t know which way to turn at a road junction – and they weren’t allowed to help me!

“I met my husband with half a mile to go and said, ‘I can’t do this! I want to go home!’ and he said, ‘Well we can but your nieces are there with a huge sign saying Go On Auntie Lizzie!’ So I had to carry on! Seeing them was incredible, and I suddenly I heard over the tannoy, ‘We’re expecting our last finisher now, Lizzie Hughes, she’s got X number of minutes to get here.’

“I crossed the line with 90 seconds to spare. I hugged the organizer and said, ‘I’m so embarrassed!’ And she was so supportive and said I’d done an amazing job and they were so proud of me, which made me feel really positive. And then you look back on the race and you think, ‘First, last, whatever – what a flipping race!’ And you realize that actually that is amazing and what you have achieved is fantastic.”

Graeme Brouder, Spine Race, January 2024

268 miles with more than 32,808ft / 10,000m ascent along the Pennine Way, England

Graeme Brouder started running in 2010 when he was a heavy smoker and drinker. After his first child was born he decided to get fit, walk-running a 10k but not being able to imagine running the whole thing without stopping. Two children later it’s safe to say he’s turned that around slightly, losing five stone and getting his marathon time down to 3:40 by 2012. Then he started on ultras…

Graeme says, “My first ultra over the 30-mile mark was the 76-mile ONER which was horrendous and I hated every minute of it, I think I cried for the last mile. My first 100 miler attempt was UTSW (Ultra Trail South West) in 2012. I DNFed at about 90 miles then tried the Cotswold Way Century about six times, finally completing it in 2022 – in last place as well! Then I decided to do the Spine and I massively underestimated it.

“I stupidly looked at my 100-mile time and thought I’d be doing 3mph, finishing within 140 hours with a day free at the end! The reality of it was that it’s borderline PTSD territory. I managed about eight hours sleep in almost seven days, three hours within the cut-off. Sleep deprivation was the hardest bit, but I wasn’t going to stop.

“I’m really proud of completing the Spine Race because it’s a fair old challenge and I didn’t have much time to train for it around work and family. It doesn’t bother me at all to come last. I couldn’t care less if I was 20th or 80th. Not one person has said to me, ‘Where did you come?’ No one’s interested in that. When you get to this type of distance it’s only about finishing.”

Terry McCormick, Ring of Fire, Aug/Sept 2023

135 miles in three days with 13,123ft / 4,000m total ascent around Anglesey, North Wales

Terry McCormick, a dad of two from Liverpool, was a semi-pro footballer for 15 years, but after retirement to a ‘normal’ job he put weight on. He found a running club that met next to his children’s dance school, then chatting to fellow runners he found out about ultra running and got hooked!

Terry says, “Once you surround yourself with other runners and normalize the distances, people are running 50, 60, 100 miles, 200 miles and that really helped me move into the ultra distances. When I turned 40 in 2023 I wanted to do an event every month fundraising for Alder Hey Children’s Hospital in Liverpool. A friend told me about the Ring of Fire, I watched the video and thought, a bit naively, I’ll give that a whirl. I did go into the race relatively confident about my training and I wasn’t worried about the cut offs, but the race didn’t quite pan out that way!

“Because it’s a cumulative time over three days I wasn’t physically last on any day, but it was stressful getting to the cut offs. The first day was super-hot and after 4-5 miles my stomach took a bit of a dive. I finished the day with about 10 minutes to spare, but after a good night’s sleep and porridge I felt ready to tackle day two. But then I had another issue – after 25 miles my little toe was really suffering, swollen and red raw. I swapped my socks and trainers but I was five minutes off the cut off, so I had some painkillers and put it out of my mind. Running alongside others helped but I didn’t know about day three. In the morning I lanced it and taped it and that made all the difference.

“It was enough to get me through the final day and my daughter dragged me over the finish line. The race was beautiful and the competitors amazing.”

Caroline Johnson, Lakes Traverse, April 2024

62 miles / 100km with 11,482ft / 3,500m ascent across the Lake District, Cumbria

Former hockey player Caroline Johnson couldn’t understand why anyone would want to do more than a half marathon. Then after a glass of wine – or two – one evening, she found herself signed up to the Lakeland Trails 55k. That was her first ultra, aged 40. She still doesn’t call herself a runner (adding weight to the theory that ultra running needs a rebrand to ultra run-hiking), but this year she completed the Lakes Traverse 100k ultra where she was the last female finisher.

Caroline says, “Once I’d signed up to the 55k event I became slightly obsessed with watching and reading everything I could about ultra running. I found the training hard but I was so terrified about what the race involved that I followed my training plan religiously. And I had a great time!

“I’m not a big runner – I walk a lot, and I only have one pace whether I’m doing a 5k or an ultra. On the Lakes Traverse, the most difficult thing was running to the first checkpoint to give myself time in the bank. Once you’re through that, the cut offs are generous.

“I didn’t worry about coming last to be honest; I was just focused on what I was doing and not getting lost in the night section. I felt a bit emotional crossing the finish line, with my partner and the dog there to greet me, I think because it was the longest race I’d done and the longest time I’d been out.”

Ultra runner Mathieu Blanchard recovered nicely from a disappointing performance at this year's UTMB with a resounding victory at the punishing La Diagonale des Fous 100-mile race over the weekend.

The French-Canadian ultra runner DNF'd at the Mont Blanc race in August, after making the podium twice since 2021 and coming fourth last year, but this weekend he sought and found redemption on Reunion Island and took the top spot in 23:25:02. French runner Manon Bohard led the women's race in 31:49:55.

Translating as "the diagonal of fools," the race crosses Reunion Island, a French province that lies about 100 miles south of Mauritius in the Indian Ocean. With 33,000 feet of elevation gain, the brutal course is considered one of the hardest footraces in the world, taking runners up the Piton de La Fournaise massif, an active volcano.

"I came here with no pretense, no ambition to perform, just with the desire to have an extraordinary adventure... And what an adventure!" writes Blanchard on Instagram following his victory.

"Trails tested me: dizzy descents, endless climbs, and that mud... It was stiff, technical, difficult... everything that I love. "

No word yet on what trail running shoes the Salomon runner wore to slay the course, but from the photos, it looks likely that he once again relied on his Salomon S/Lab Genesis (the same ones Courtney Dauwalter has worn to dominate four 100-milers this year).

Le Diagonale des Fous is the longest of several races that take place on the island simultaneously, collectively known as Le Grand Raid de la Réunion and it's highly revered by the world's best ultra runners.

Runners have 66 hours to complete the race, which begins at 9 p.m. so while overnight lows are in the 60s, the competitors take off with their headlamps on and climb Notre Dame de la Paix in the dark.

Last year, Katie Schide won the women's race, calling it "an experience you have to live/survive/endure to truly understand " and in 2022, Courtney Dauwaulter took gold in a stunning 21:37:36. Kilian Jornet has won the race twice, in 2010 and 2012 and Francoise D'Haene won it four times in five years.

• The best hydration packs: on-the-go refuelling for your runs

A few weeks back, news of a program that would take one new athlete on a fully supported journey from the couch to an ultra marathon in just 12 months came across my desk. I was intrigued. Skeptical, but intrigued. 

Can you really go from couch to ultra in 12 months? I love an adventure in my trail running shoes of the 10 - 15 km variety and understand that theoretically, I could increase my mileage by 10 percent a week and reach 50 km – considered an ultra – in four months. But in reality, where would I find the time? And what about someone who’s a literal couch potato?

It didn’t take me long to find someone who had followed this exact trajectory. Back in 2016, musician Will Roberts was a self-described real-ale fuelled, kebab enthusiast. In other words, not a runner.

“I could barely finish a parkrun and wasn’t interested in trying to go any further,” he says.

Then, he started training with ultra runner and coach Kris King, founder of Beyond the Ultimate, and 10 months later he finished a 150-mile, five-day race in the Arctic and loved every step of it. Not only that, he’d placed sixth overall.

“That Kris managed to tailor my training well enough to turn that wobbly-punk-guitarist so rapidly into something resembling an actual athlete was impressive,” recalls Roberts.

King says his own journey into ultra running began with running a 5 km after being generally sporty his whole life but never quite good enough to go pro. He was pretty sore afterwards and wanted to get fitter. Soon, he was running deeper and deeper into the UK’s Peak District near his house and bringing a lightweight tent to turn his run into a multi-day journey. Today he designs some of the most complex multi-day ultras in the world with his company Beyond the Ultimate, taking runners across frozen, desert, mountain and even jungle terrain, and he’s certain that a year is plenty of time to get in shape for an ultra.

“It can absolutely be done. It just depends on the kind of dedication and the time that you've got to commit to it.”

I’m doubtful, but King assures me that whatever distance you can currently run, you can probably run double that on race day if you want to.

“If you've got a 10 km in your training run, on the day you could probably do 20 km, and it actually does scale up with a bit of knowledge and coaching. If you can run 20 km in your training, you could probably do a marathon on the day.” 

What it comes down to is learning strategy and technique such as knowing how to pace yourself, how to fuel and hydrate. With that knowledge, King says, you can make a hard job easier.

5 expert tips for training for your first ultra

1. Think time not distance

According to King’s logic, if you want to be able to run a 50 km race, you’ll need to work your way up to at least 25 km in training, and that in itself might sound extremely daunting, but instead of focusing on the mileage you put, just count your minutes.

For example, you could start running just one hour a week, spread out over lots of short runs, and then increase your total training time by 10 or 15 percent each week. In seven weeks, you’ll have doubled your time, in 12 weeks you’ll have tripled it and in 15 weeks you’ll be running four hours a week.

“You only need to really be running four to six hours a week to be able to finish a 50 km,” says King.

Most of us can find four hours spread out over the week – in fact, you might already spend that much time going to the gym when you include travel – and the beauty of running is that you can do it virtually anywhere at any time, with no commute involved.

2. Training is more than just hours in your running shoes

Knowing that you may only need to be running four hours a week – and not 50 km – might make this all sound a bit more manageable, but of course, the gains you make all depend on what you do with the other 164 hours a week.

“If you're trying to run 20, 30 miles but you're sleeping poorly, and you're drinking every night with work then probably look at that. Spend more time in addressing that than how to run.”

King says one of the most important factors he impresses upon his clients is what he calls “getting their habits right.” That means drinking enough water, sleeping well, making sure you've got a good support network, getting in the kitchen and eating plenty of fruit and vegetables.

“All those kinds of basic things. If you can get them right, it becomes so much easier because your body composition is going to improve.”

When clients change their lifestyle in addition to increasing their training hours, they often find that their body composition becomes more conducive to running longer distances and subsequently, the mileage gets easier.

3. Discipline begets motivation

No matter whether you’re a person who lives to run or one needs a full self-pep talk to get out the door, King says an important lesson he learned from famed marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge is that you’re better off cultivating discipline than waiting for motivation to strike.

“Start slow and build the habits and build a strong foundation first. If you have the discipline to run, the motivation follows,” says King, who adds that wouldn’t describe himself as a “natural runner,” just a disciplined one.

Cultivating discipline, according to Kipchoge, can start with getting up at the same time every day and making your bed, which will spawn better motivation in the long run whether or not you feel like running in the moment.  

“Sometimes it takes that discipline to go, okay, running is just the vessel I use to explore. I'm an adventurer, and I'm an explorer, not a runner,” explains King.

4. Find your tribe

Whether it’s the distance or the discipline you’re grappling with in your ultra journey, one thing is sure: reaching out to others is going to make things a whole lot easier than going it along.

A 2022 study published in Frontiers In Sports and Active Living found that social networks play an important role in maintaining a consistent training habit and in reaching set goals among runners, and other studies have noted increased benefits from social exercise.

“There's a lot of power in community with this kind of thing," says King who suggests consulting people who have run an ultra and asking for their advice and guidance as well as finding social run clubs which are popping up everywhere right now and can help provide safety in numbers as well as support in the form of accountability.

“Finding your tribe is quite important when it comes to getting good at this kind of stuff.”

5. Gear up

Running is, comparatively speaking, a low-maintenance sport in terms of kit, but once you start going longer distances, the need for more gear grows. Though I expected him to tell me that everyone needs a GPS watch, King says this is just a useful tool that you might eventually outgrow as you become more experienced. In addition to the obvious things like food and water, there are several pieces of gear King says are essential for going longer distances into wilder spaces.

First, after getting soaked and freezing on a run, King realized he needed a solid three-layer waterproof running jacket such as The North Face Summit Superior FutureLight, which is important in rainy climates as well as high altitude environments where conditions can be harsh and change quickly.

Second, a slip and fall followed by a sore limp home prompted him to invest in an emergency shelter. Consider getting a lightweight bivy sack in case something goes wrong so you can climb inside it and stay protected from the elements. The Lifesystems Heatshield Thermal Bivi Bag is cheap, reusable and at less than four ounces, light enough to pack away in your hydration vest.

Finally, it took a day where he told someone he was going out for a two-hour run only to stay out for five hours with no way of contacting them due to lack of service for him to finally invest in a Garmin InReach. Always bring a means of communication, whether that’s your phone (on airplane mode to save battery) or a satellite communicator for backcountry adventures where phone service isn’t guaranteed.

That might sound like an expensive start to running, but King assures me you can gradually build this kit up as you increase your distances, hopefully without repeating his mistakes.

“Even though I've been in this game for 20 years, you know, you still make mistakes. So you just get it by experience. And when you get that experience, you respect the environment you're in.”

• Want to run faster? These are the shoes elite ultra runners have used to dominate this year’s biggest trail races

A new ultra running campaign aims to get more women pounding trails after research found they were being put off entering events.

The Ultra 50:50 initiative, created by Threshold Trail Series, wants to inspire a greater number of females to enter ultra running races in the UK. 

It follows research by Threshold, in partnership with SheRACES, a network founded by ultra runner Sophie Power Sophie is well known for her ultra running feats including running the length of Ireland this summer.

Research: ultra running obstacles for females

The Ultra 50:50 is the result of expert research published this month that examined gender differences in ultrarunning race participation.

It’s no secret that fewer women reach the start line of ultra marathon races compared to men. Yet, between 2021 and 2023, the Ultra 50:50 research discovered female participation in running races dropped by 10%, with an even greater decline in longer-distance races.

In 2023, just a third of ultra runners were female, with the number dropping to 18% for ultras of more than 80 miles / 130km in distance.

The research, which you can read here highlights a number of reasons why more women do not enter ultra races, including under-representation of women at ultrarunning events and perceptions that women are not as “good” or “strong” as men. Other obstacles include concerns around training and preparation, race-day access and support, safety and harassment and menstrual health, pregnancy and the menopause.

But the interesting fact is that women can do very well in longer, endurance-style events. This has been proven over the last decade or so, with females who have won ultramarathons outright.

Jasmin Paris, of the Barkley Marathons fame,  won – and set a new record time – in the 429km (268 mile) Montane Spine Race in 2019. Meanwhile in 2012, Debbie Martin-Consani was the outright winner of the 145-mile Grand Union Canal Race. US ultrarunner Courtney Duawalter is also a multiple winner of many ultramarathons. 

Bid to inspire more women to run longer

Now the Ultra 50:50 campaign by Threshold Trail Series hopes to change running events to inspire more women to enter. In real terms, the target is a 50% participation of women in races.

Of course, Threshold Trail Series is promoting its own events, including the Race to the Stones and the Race to the King ultramarathons, which offer both 31 mile / 50km and 62 mile / 100km options.

But the project hopes the knock-on effect will be encourage more women to join the growing ultra running community and to enter other ultra marathon events. 

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain
• The best winter running shoes: stay on track on the muddiest trails

Ultra runner Courtney Dauwalter won the women's race at the Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB over the weekend amid a serious bid to come first overall.

The Colorado-based runner headed to France last week to participate in the 100-mile race, saying she wanted to "see what’s left in the tank for the 2024 race season." This year has already seen her set the women's course record in the Hardrock 100 and Mt. Fuji 100 Mile and take first in the Transgrancanaria. As it turns out, the runner had quite a bit of mileage left in those legs.

Dressed in her customary attire of baggy running shorts, a bright orange T-shirt and her Salomon S Lab Genesis trail running shoes, Dauwalter took up the women's lead from the start of the race on Friday at 12pm, maintaining a comfortable third place for the first couple of hours with Italy's Enrica Dematteis hot on her heels. After a couple of hours, Dauwalter dropped back a few spaces, but by 10pm, she was in second place overall.

Dauwalter spent the night chasing frontman Cristofer Clemente Mora of Spain and in the end finished less than 15 minutes behind him in 21:35:57, coming an astonishing second overall.

“I feel extremely fortunate to have experienced this race in such a stunning setting," says Dauwalter.

"During the final climb, seeing Nice and the sea, I felt an intense thrill and was happy to be here. I knew the course would be demanding, technical and very tough, especially with the rain overnight, but I loved every moment.”

Third-placed Nicolas Cerisier from France arrived at the finish line nearly an hour behind Dauwalter while in the end, Dematteis took second place in the women's race a full five hours behind Dauwalter.

It's been a flawless year for the queen of ultra running, whose performance over the weekend trumps even her third-place overall victory at Mt Fuji. Though she sat out the Mont Blanc 100-miler and lost her crown to Katie Schide, she's now taken first in four 100-mile races in 2024 as well as in the 70 km Swiss Peaks Trail one month ago.

She's now automatically qualified to run in the UTMB Mont Blanc 2025 and the trail running community is waiting with bated breath to see if ultra's most iconic race will deliver a showdown between Dauwaulter and Schide.

What is the Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB?

This 100-mile race from the Mercantour to the French Riviera kicks off on Friday at 12 p.m. local time. Runners start from Auron and quickly reach the highest point of the course at more than 8,694 feet above sea level.

After crossing the Mercantour massif, the route heads south and takes in four mountains: Mont Leuze, Mont Vinaigrier, Mont Alban and Mont Boron. A steep staircase takes the runners back to the sea for a final stretch along the coast. In total, the course takes in nearly 27,000 feet of elevation gain.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

Courtney Dauwalter announced yesterday that she's heading to France to compete for the first time in the Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB. We're used to seeing the Colorado-based ultra runner trot off around the globe to take part in trail's biggest races, but this event could carry extra weight for both Dauwalter and her fans.

Writing on Instagram, the ultra running superstar said she was heading to the 100-mile course in the south of France that leads runners from the mountains to the sea to "see what’s left in the tank for the 2024 race season." This year has already seen her set the women's course record in the Hardrock 100 and Mt. Fuji 100 Mile and take first in the Transgrancanaria.

“We are so excited to explore a new area and embark on a big 100-mile adventure. The photos look beautiful, and we’re hoping for a great day for all the runners – and plenty of post-race pastries," Dauwalter tells us.

The decision could also signal her intention to try to reclaim her UTMB crown in 2025, and if so, might even mean we get to see her face-off against Katie Schide once again in the iconic race next year.

If Dauwalter completes the Nice race, which kicks off on Friday – and let's be honest, she hasn't DNF'd since 2021 – she will automatically qualify for next's Mont Blanc race. Dauwalter has won that race three times, and set the women's course record in 2021. 

This year, however, she participated only as a bystander and lost her record to Schide, who came in in just 22:09:31 for her second win. The pair hasn't competed in the race together since 2021, but last year they went head-to-head in the Western States 100 with Dauwalter coming first, Schide taking second, and the duo racking up the fastest and second-fastest women’s times in the race’s history. Needless to say, the trail running world is hoping to see them in a showdown again soon.

It could be that Dauwaulter is just excited to see how much more mileage she can squeeze out of those Salomon S-Lab Genesis shoes in a beautiful setting of course, but there are plenty of running fans out there hoping that this weekend's race is an indication Dauwalter is throwing her hat in the ring for the biggest ultra battle of 2025.

What is the Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB?

This 100-mile race from the Mercantour to the French Riviera kicks off on Friday at 12 p.m. local time. Runners start from Auron and quickly reach the highest point of the course at more than 8,694 feet above sea level.

After crossing the Mercantour massif, the route heads south and takes in four mountains: Mont Leuze, Mont Vinaigrier, Mont Alban and Mont Boron. A steep staircase takes the runners back to the sea for a final stretch along the coast. In total, the course takes in nearly 27,000 feet of elevation gain.

• The best trail running shoes 2024: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

American ultra runner Camille Herron has been dropped by her sponsors after becoming embroiled in a scandal involving edits made to her Wikipedia page, as well as to pages of other runners.

According to reporting by Canadian Running magazine, the apparel brand Lululemon announced it had ended its partnership with Herron on Thursday, citing a difference in values.

The decision came after a September 23 article by the magazine which details edits made to the Wikipedia pages of Kilian Jornet and Courtney Dauwaulter that appear to downplay those runners' achievements, in addition to edits made to Herron's own page which seem to inflate her accomplishments.

According to that article, the edits were made by the username “Rundbowie”, which was created in February 2024 after the account with the username "Temporun73" was blocked from editing Herron's page by Wikipedia for one week for violating the site's conflict of interest policies. Between the two accounts, hundreds of contributions have been made to Wikipedia pages since 2017.

Canadian Runner reports that the accounts removed the phrase “widely regarded as one of the best trail runners ever” from both Jornet and Dauwalter’s pages, using the justification of “removing puffery”, while adding the statement “widely regarded as one of the greatest ultramarathon runners of all time" to Herron's biography. The magazine claims these edits have been traced to Herron’s email address and her husband's IP address.

In March of this year, an update to Wikipedia's Administrators' noticeboard reported the following:

"Rundbowie has several times removed well sourced content at Courtney Dauwalter and Kílian Jornet Burgada--content in question isn't puffery if it's been well established. There's also an interest in adding to Camille Herron, which corresponds with the edit warring by Temporun73.

"Additionally, the newer account was created on February 8, hours after the first account was blocked. Altogether, this looks like one or several related users with an agenda re: ultramarathon competitors."

The blog LetsRun.com has published an email reportedly from Herron's husband Conor Holt taking responsibility for editing his wife's Wikipedia page. The email states that Holt created and manages Temporun73 on Wikipedia and the edits to his wife's page were in response to "cyberbullying" Herron has allegedly received where users edited out "significant" parts of Herron's biography, something he claims has affected his wife's mental health.

"I kept adding back in the details, and then they blocked my account in early February of this year. Nothing was out of line with what other athletes have on their pages. Wikipedia allows the creation of another account, so I created a new account Rundbowie," writes Holt. 

"Camille had nothing to do with this. I am 100% responsible and apologize for any athletes affected by this and the wrong I did."

His email did not appear to address the edits made by the same account to Jornet and Dauwalter's Wikipedia pages.

Advnture has reached out to Holt and Lululemon for comment.

In response to an inquiry Advnture sent to the Global Organization of Multi-day Marathoners, Vice President Viktoria Brown told us: 

"I believe there is still a way back into the ultrarunning community for Camille, but there would first need to be a public acknowledgment of wrongdoing, ideally a sincere apology and most importantly a promise to stop the harmful behaviour going forward."

Brown, a Canadian-Hungarian ultra runner, directed us to her Facebook page, where she has been vocal about Herron's alleged actions, including a screenshot she shared on Friday of a Facebook post from Herron, which you can view below, which appears to acknowledge the situation. Herron's Facebook page and website have since been taken down, while her Instagram page continues with commenting and messaging disabled.

Who is Camille Herron?

Camille Herron is an American runner from Oklahoma. She holds 12 world records in ultramarathon distances and is currently the only athlete to win all of the IAU Ultra Road World Championships (50 km, 100 km, and 24 hours). 

In 2023, Herron became the first woman to break 24 hours at the 153-mile Spartathlon, a historic race that takes place every September in Greece. She is currently competing in the 2024 race. 

Earlier this year, Herron participated in a 6-day, 10-woman ultra marathon with Lululemon in California, where she ran ran 560.33 miles over the course of six days.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

It's been a big year for smashing course records at the world's most iconic ultra marathons. First, David Roche felled the longstanding record at the Leadville 100, then Katie Schide dethroned Courtney Dauwalter at the UTMB. Now another record has fallen over the weekend at Colorado's iconic Run Rabbit Run race, which saw Emilie Mann demolish the women's course record.

The Canadian Trail runner, sponsored by Merrell, won the Steamboat Springs race in 19:48:05 – nearly half an hour faster than Michele Yates' 2013 time. The tough course takes place on trails and rough Jeep roads through Routt National Forest, covering roughly 101.5 miles, with 20,391 feet of climbing and desceng. It's one of the courses that Dauwaulter cut her teeth on, winning in 2016 about 90 minutes slower than Mann's time. 

In a video posted to Instagram, which you can watch below, Mann says that this was the first time she's completed a 100-mile race.

"So that's what a hundred miles feels like. Holy smokes!"

She also reveals that her coach is last year's winner Dave Stevens, who talked her into running the race and wrote out all of the aid stations on the course with timings for her to meet – all of which she came in well ahead of to grab the crown and $15,000 prize money.

What shoes did she use?

Throughout the year, we've been following the biggest ultra successes and the trail running shoes that were worn to reach the podium, and we've seen a fair few chunky soles out there such as the Hoka Tecton X 3 and the North Face Summit Vectiv Pros worn by Vincent Bouillard and Katie Schide respectively at this year's UTMB. 

It's no surprise that anyone running 100 miles would want some reason foam underfoot, but it looks like Mann decided to go against the grain in that department, opting instead for the super light Merrell Long Sky 2 Matryx which have a relatively modest stack of just 23.5 mm in the heel. 

We've been testing these shoes on the trails of Chamonix, Gran Canaria and Scotland this year and gave them five stars for their breathability, grip and trail feel, plus that wide toe box. Jake Catterall also gave these shoes the thumbs up after wearing them for his 2,000 km run across the Alps.

Clearly, the shoes worked for Mann, and we look forward to seeing what she does next in the world of ultra running.

• The best hydration packs: on-the-go refuelling for your runs

The year's UTMB champion Vincent Bouillard caught us all off guard at the end of August when he broke ahead of the pack overnight and came into Chamonix in 19:54:23, making him one of just four men to finish the epic race around Mont Blanc in under 20 hours.

Overnight, Bouillard went from under-the-radar runner to the top of the trail running game, and naturally, we all wanted to know how he did it, and what gear used. Turns out he's a shoe engineer at Hoka, so it didn't take us long to figure out which trail running shoes were on his feet (the Hoka Tecton X 2.5). Next up, we wanted to know what GPS watch he used. 

Would it be the Garmin Fenix 7 that's been favored by ultra runner Tom Evans in the past with its excellent training tools? Or what about the top-of-the-line Garmin Enduro 2, which was coveted by Jake Catterall on his recent record-setting run across the Alps? Could he have gone with the undeniably expensive Garmin Forerunner 955 with its super-accurate GPS?

Turns out, the ultra runner didn't go with a Garmin at all. For his runaway success, Bouillard has revealed that he trained and ran with the Coros Apex 2 Pro in addition to the Coros Heart Rate Monitor. This watch has previously been on the wrists of other UTMB champs, such as Kilian Jornet in 2022, when he became the first runner to finish the race in under 20 hours and Mathieu Blanchard who came in five minutes later in second place.

We took this watch out on the trails ourselves last year and found it to be a tough watch packed with features, with landscape and topographical maps already loaded. The battery life and storage is the best the brand has offered and all for a lower price tag than other major brands.

Coros recently shared how Bouillard used the watch to prepare for his win, and stay the course once he hit the trail. Read on for the four main tools Bouillard used, plus his overall stats from his victory.

1. Consistent but flexible training plan

Bouillard might have said that winning was beyond his wildest dreams, but that doesn't mean he didn't set himself up for success by training for most of 2024. Bouillard says he used the Apex Pro's training plan tool to create a plan that could be consistent, but flexible – he does have a full-time job after all.

"It doesn’t matter what day I do my intensity or cross training as its blurred into the bigger picture, but I can adjust as needed. I can shift this around as needed to accommodate my schedule and how I feel," says Bouillard.

According to Coros, this entailed cross-training on his bike, one or two sessions of interval training (8 - 20 minutes total) and one strength/stretch training a week. Other than that, it looks like a lot of zone 2 training with an aim to increase his training load by 10 percent each week.

"I use the Training Load Metric to make sure that I'm actually increasing my fitness each week. I will work backwards from my key event, and map out a target training load for each week that I aim to hit."

2. Sleep and recovery monitoring

The Apex Pro gives estimated recovery times and sleep tracking and Coros reveals that Bouillard checked these stats regularly to help him avoid overtraining and injuries in the run-up to the main event.

As we've previously written, the recovery times on your watch may need to be taken with a pinch of salt, but Bouillard says he used these as a guide, not a hard-and-fast rule.

"I don’t take it as 100% I should do what my watch tells me, but I use it as an indicator. I treat it like a friend telling me, you look tired. It’s been far more precise as my training has been very consistent."

3. Detailed route planning

Unlike some UTMB events, the Mont Blanc circuit is a well-marked course, but that didn't stop Bouillard from using the Coros Route Planner and he was quite crafty in his approach. 

The ultra runner entered the entire course into the route planner, and then marked all of the waypoints with the aid stations along the way plus his time goals for reaching each one. He even made codes for his fueling plan based on previous runs where he had been really strong so he could stay on top of nutrition.

4. Power over pace

Once he hit the 106-mile course among 2,700 other hopefuls, Bouillard says he didn't want to know what pace he was running at, preferring to look at his wattage instead.

"Having pace on my watch isn't something I wanted during this race. I have such a long history in the sport that If I look down and see a number, it can play games with my mind.

"Power however feels more relaxed to me, and gives me a better indicator on the consistency of my effort. So even though my heart rate was high early due to the excitement, I knew that it was okay because my power was in the range I wanted."

Even when he began to tire during the last couple of climbs in the race, he could see his power was remaining consistent, which he says motivated him to keep moving. Learn more in our article on running power and how to harness it to get better on the trail.

Vincent Bouillard's overall UTMB Stats:

• Total time: 19:54:23
• Average heart rate: 134 bpm
• Maximum heart rate: 174 bpm
• Average power: 207 watts

You can see more details of Bouillard's training approach, plus graphs provided by Coros at Coros.com. 

• The best running watches 2024: tech to help you outpace your PB

Ultra runner Damian Hall didn't quite make the podium at the Tor des Geants in Italy this week, but his performance at the finish line managed to get tongues wagging anyway. The Brit ran the 330 km course in under 77 hours, but when he came in in fourth place, he still managed to muster the energy to protest Ford Motor Company, one of the race's sponsors.

In a video posted to X by The Green Runners, which you can view below, Hall is seen crossing the finish line wearing a blue T-shirt with Ford's logo emblazoned on the front. When he removes his hydration pack, it's clear that he's added the words "F*** off" above the logo. Next, someone off-camera appears to hand him a green banner, which he unrolls and holds up. It reads: "Stop oily money in sport."

Hall, who co-founded The Green Runners along with Barkley Marathons finisher Jasmin Paris, had expressed his concerns about the event in an Instagram post last week, writing: "I seriously considered not running this year's @tordesgeants. I've pledged not to do races with high-carbon sponsors and when I signed up the Tor didn't have one."

He goes on to explain that Ford only recently appeared on the race's website as a second-tier partner, something that The Green Runners say they make accommodations for, since events like these do need extra vehicles.

However, despite queries to the Tor des Geants organizers, he says he was unable to gain full clarity as to the details of the sponsorship, so he committed to running. When he arrived in Courmayeur for the race, he says he was "gutted" to discover that Ford was a "key sponsor."

Advnture has approached Ford Motor Company in Europe for a comment.

In response to Hall's post, one of his followers and fellow ultra runner who goes by the handle @brazier.ian says he works for Ford in Product Development and offers a different perspective.

"I’ve seen the 80’s where Ford owned most of the south of England with large factories to today where they have consolidated sites to as few as possible and most now being carbon neutral with their own wind or solar sources."

"We obviously aren’t the greenest but the company does believe in doing what it can mate."

Hall, who is the author of the book We Can't Run Away From This: Racing to improve running’s footprint in our climate emergency has been highly vocal about the need to cut down on waste in the trail running industry. 

On his blog, he claims to have made as many life changes as he can to cut down on his own footprint, such as switching to a renewable energy supplier, leaving Barclays bank (a top funder of the fossil fuel industry), eating a vegan diet, significantly reducing flying and trying to use electric vehicles when he drives.

Hall isn't the first ultra runner to criticise the use of car manufacturers as sponsors for trail running events. Last year, Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller wrote a letter to elite athletes detailing their concerns about Dacia sponsoring the UTMB, which many took as a call to boycott the event. The two later clarified that their intention was to raise awareness, and it seems to have worked – Hoka took over as title sponsor this year. 

• 9 eco-friendly running brands

Just over a week ago, I drove up to Lake Combal in Italy at 5 a.m. with a small group of journalists. When we parked and climbed out of the van, pulling our fleece jackets on against the morning chill, we saw a long line of headlamps snaking up and down the surrounding mountains in the pitch dark for miles in either direction. These were some of the thousands of runners in this year’s UTMB, the iconic 106-mile race around Mont Blanc that is trail running’s most treasured event.

We had cheered these very runners nearly 12 hours earlier when they set off from the starting line in Chamonix, packed in with thousands of other spectators. The UTMB is a big, brazen trail running event, especially if the only part of it you experience is in Chamonix. But up here at dawn, some 70 km into the course, watching some of the most dogged runners on the planet trotting along in the peace and quiet of the Alps, powered without any applause, it’s impossible not to remember how special this race is. 

This was my second year covering the race and it was more spectacular and surprising than ever. Now that I’m home and the dust has finally settled, here are seven things I learned from chasing the front runners over 22 hours at this year’s UTMB.

1. Anything can happen

I thought I had learned this lesson last year, when Jim Walmsley suddenly surged ahead well past the halfway mark and set a new record in 19:37:43, but little did I know how unpredictable this race can be, particularly on the men’s side of things.

Of course, in a race as long and difficult as the UTMB, it’s impossible to predict a winner. A hundred miles is a long time to run on a knee that has the tiniest niggle while the timing of the event can mean runners are battling extreme heat and humidity or cold and snow. But there are indicators of who’s aiming for a top 10 spot based on recent performances in similar races like the Hardrock 100 and Western States. 

In this case, all eyes were on last year’s winner Walmsley, Germain Grangier who came third last year, Mathieu Blanchard who came second in 2022, Ludovic Pommeret who won the Hardrock 100 this year, Hannes Namberger who nabbed first place in the 120k Lavaredo race this year and Tom Evans who was just behind him and seeking redemption for a dispiriting DNF last year.

When I awoke at 4 a.m. after four hour's sleep to get back on the road and follow the runners through the second half of the race, however, Walmsley and Evans had already dropped out. Over the next few hours, Grangier and Blanchard followed suit. While Pommeret and Namberger did ultimately secure top 10 finishes, the podium consisted of three runners no one was betting on. 

A runner few of us had even heard of, Vincent Bouillard, took the win on his first attempt at the race, becoming one of only four runners to ever complete the course in under 20 hours and leaving the rest of us frantically searching for information on him.

2. Sponsorship doesn’t guarantee a win

There’s no doubt that having a team who can crew for you and a sponsor that allows you to the financial freedom to train full-time is a huge advantage, but as this year’s race proved, it doesn’t guarantee you a win.

When Bouillard came into the Triente aid station on Saturday morning, we were still trying to figure out who he was. When we then waited 34 full minutes for the next runner to come through, we realized we were going to know a lot more about him pretty quickly, but we were still surprised by what we learned at the finish line.

Yes, Bouillard has some advantages – he lives relatively nearby and was able to train in alpine terrain and conditions. And yes, he’s a shoe engineer for Hoka, which means he not only gets access to some of the best trail running shoes on the planet, he plays a role in designing them. But he doesn't have a sponsor, he was being crewed by his partner and he works at a full-time job, which even with the best boss in the world means he can’t have put in as many training hours as some of his fellow competitors.

We’re guessing he’ll soon be sponsored if wants to be, but his victory was a refreshing reminder that in the lucrative world of ultra running, money isn’t everything.

3. Katie Schide is a machine

It’s no longer news that Katie Schide stole the show with her performance, setting a new course record by shaving 20 minutes off Courtney Dauwalter’s 2021 time, and while she was projected to make the podium, the manner in which she did so is still noteworthy.

Schide went out of the gate keeping pace with the elite men and pretty much stayed there till the end. When she passed us at the second checkpoint in Saint Gervais, she was right up front and a look at her splits on Strava compared to those of Bouillard reveal our eyes did not deceive us.

We had our doubts that she could keep it up – anyone who tells you they didn’t is lying – but except for a difficult final two hours where she was limping and struggling with stomach cramps, she kept at it, finishing 13th overall and a full 40 minutes ahead of the next female runner. That’s the fastest time ever for a woman on the course and shows that Schide is a force to be reckoned with – best of all, her victory was no accident.

"I meant to do it," she announced at the finish line.

4. It’s feast or famine for the men’s elite 

Why did so many elite men drop out this year? After all the course hadn’t changed substantially and the weather wasn’t warmer or more humid than last year. Walmsley’s camp reported knee pain while Evans said he had suffered from stomach issues once again and Grangier cited fractured ribs. Meanwhile, in the women’s race only one of the projected frontrunners, Fuzhao Xiang, DNFd.

So is all this just down to coincidence and bad luck for the men? It’s certainly possible, especially in such a difficult-to-predict event, but there are other theories from the finish line. One is that the men’s elite are less likely to push through an injury if they feel like they won’t make the top 10, and there’s some wisdom in that – one hundred miles is a long way to go on an inflamed ligament or stress fracture and these are runners who want to keep competing.

You’ve also got the fact that with four sub-20-hour finishes on the books, the pressure is on the elite men to go faster than ever, and the pace required to be in the top 10 men’s runners may not be as sustainable as that required of the women. 

Whatever the case, I’d love to see less of that “feast or famine” mentality next year and more male runners sticking with the race if they can – finishing the UTMB is an accomplishment no matter who you are and where you came in the pecking order.

5. Women are getting faster

In the women’s race, it wasn’t just Katie Schide who was faster. For the first time, all three women on the podium – that’s Schide, Ruth Croft and Marianne Hogan – finished in the top 20 overall. In comparison, 2022 saw two female runners in the top 20 and usually, that number is zero.

And forget about comparing them to male runners for a moment. This year’s second-placed Croft came in 80 minutes faster than last year’s Katharina Hartmuth in the same position, while third-placed Hogan’s 23:11:15 was about 70 minutes quicker than Blandine L’Hirondel in 2023. In total, this year’s women’s podium was a combined 170 minutes faster than last year’s while the men’s podium was nearly an hour slower than in 2023.

Maybe it’s chance, maybe it’s the fact that there’s more money going into women’s athletics and gear, but whatever it is, you can’t deny women are picking up the pace.

6. The winners aren’t the whole story

It’s hard not to focus on the runners who make the top 10, but the UTMB is a great big race. Some 2,700 hopefuls leave Chamonix on Friday evening and two-thirds of those make it back within the 46.5-hour cutoff time. That’s a lot of stories and it’s impossible to tell them all, but I got to spend about an hour with the middle-of-the-pack runners in Courmayeur and it was a reminder that there’s more to this event than the winners. 

It was about 12 hours into the race and the sun was coming up and casting a perfect reflection of the surrounding peaks in Lake Combal. The runners started to switch off their headlamps and many stopped to take in the views and even snap photographs. A few commented to me how good it felt to be back on the flat and able to run again after a series of long climbs and punishing descents. 

What struck me about these runners was their unwavering attitude, despite the fact that many of them were likely to run through a second night at this pace. Ahead of them, the elite runners were a mere eight hours away from running into a sunlit Chamonix to thundering applause. For these runners, the journey could be twice as long and they’d likely finish in the dark to few or no crowds. But they kept going despite the lack of glory because the reward is in the race itself and to finish at all is a huge achievement. And honestly, that might be harder than winning.

7. Courtney is still a queen

Do we all stop talking about Courtney Dauwalter now that she’s no longer the record-holder of the UTMB? Not a chance. 

In addition to her many achievements, including becoming the first runner to win the UTMB, Hardrock and Western States in a single year, Dauwalter showed what a true team player she is this year. There was palpable disappointment that she wasn’t competing, and I won’t lie and pretend I wasn’t a little despondent about that fact myself. Until I was standing at the Notre Dame de la Gorge aid station in the dark at about 9 p.m. on Friday night waiting for the runners to come through. I heard an American accent, turned and saw Dauwalter with her friends walk right past me, heading up to cheer on the runners. 

It was a pretty discreet move, but I later learned that she had been on the course in daylight hours earlier dressed in a very conspicuous duck costume. Anyway, that moment just highlights why the Colorado-based runner is so well-loved, beyond her achievements on the trail.

And while we’re on the topic, I’ll conclude by saying that I’ve seen some praise for Schide's reserved demeanor in the running media this past, often mentioning how different she is from Dauwalter’s slightly outlandish goofiness. So what? Neither runner owes us anything. Be as demure or as outgoing as you like, just keep  showing up, reaching the limits of what’s possible and supporting each other.

• It's official – this Hoka trail running shoe was the winner of the 2024 UTMB (oh, and Western States and Hardrock 100)

Like many runners I was attracted to the idea of stepping up my distances from half marathon, through marathon, to ultra marathon. The distance of an ultra-marathon is widely held as any event longer than 30 miles, or 50km, although some people class an ultra race as any distance longer than a marathon. My first ultra marathon was a hilly one, the Ochils Ultra, which took place in the range of hills between Stirlingshire and Perthshire in Scotland.

Here are nine things I wish I'd known before running my first ultra marathon.

1 It’s important to run your own race – and not the race of others

Being a competitive person and feeling good at the start of the ultra marathon, I got caught up early on running the race of other people. I enjoyed the first 10 miles or so running alongside a couple of younger female runners. 

I knew the pace was a little fast but I was pulled along by their chat and my race-day enthusiasm and I figured that I could drop the pace at any point that I wanted to.

Sadly, that first section of running outwith my comfort zone turned out to be a heavy price to pay towards the end.

I did need to slow down and those ladies ran on to finish in first and second place. Meantime, I struggled to maintain even my usual comfort zone running speed and suffered with very heavy legs and tired and cramping muscles for the final stages of my race.

I know now that if I had settled into my own race pace right from the start, I would have had a much more enjoyable experience and I m sure I would have achieved a faster overall time. 

2 Walking is absolutely fine - in fact it's sensible

In any running race, I like to do my best and this normally means I keep running. But, in a longer distance race, pace and the conservation of energy are key to finishing. In many cases, walking up the hills, rather than trying to run, makes perfect sense. This is why some people will tell you that ultra running is actually hiking.

Looking back on my first ultra marathon, I think it would have paid dividends if I'd walked briskly uphill rather than trying to run the hills. Through more experience, I now run the flats and downhills but march up the uphills.

3 Regular eating is vital - even when your stomach says no thanks

Regular fuelling is key to a successful ultra marathon. I didn’t eat enough of my snacks early enough in the race and this meant my digestive system was not ready for food when I did decide to eat. I felt quite nauseous for most of the second half of the race.

I have learned that eating regularly – every half hour at least – and right from the start of a race pays dividends. 

I usually take a mix of savoury and sweet foods on a long-distance run and I avoid shop bought energy gels unless it is towards the end of the run, or race. I find that “ordinary” food works better with my stomach. 

I like foods such as oatcakes and cheese (with plenty of butter so they are not too dry), meat sticks such as Pepperami, Babybel cheeses, salted nuts, home-made flapjack and jelly sweets. You need to try all these foods in training, too, to make sure your stomach can cope with them.

4 Comfortable clothing is more important that looks

I am not someone who worries too much about what I look like during a race but I did see some “interesting” outfits worn by other competitors. Tiny shorts, for example, look good on some people but the effect of many miles of sweaty running can cause a lot of thigh chafing. I winced at the legs of some runners with the potential for sore inner thighs.

Similarly, crop tops might look good and feel airy on a warm day, but there is a big potential for sores developing on bare skin when you wear a running pack. 

I sensibly wore a running skort, so I had protection from chafing as well as comfort. My mistake was my sports bra, which caused a lot of underarm chafing. I was sure I'd worn this bra in training and it felt comfortable, but on the day it rubbed. 

I think it was due to the amount I sweated on the day of the race. The combination of damp skin with salt led to rubbed skin that took weeks to heal.

5 Talking of sweat… I took salt tablets but failed to consume them

Salt tablets are an essential on many people’s ultra marathon tips and kit list. I took them with me for my first ultra marathon, but then I failed to consume them. I had not used salt tablets in training and so I was unsure how my body would deal with them.

In the end, I wished I'd given them a try because I suffered bad cramps in my hamstrings and some experts believe that salt tablets help to ward off muscle cramps. 

6 The body – and mind –  is incredibly resilient

Despite the physical suffering in the final part of the ultra marathon, I was amazed by how resilient I was. My mind kept pushing me on to take one more step, and another step, and eventually I made it to the finish line.

I had been convinced from about two-thirds into the race I couldn’t possibly complete it, but I did.

What you learn is that whatever the distance of a running event, there will be a point when you believe it’s impossible to finish but somehow you do. There is a great deal of mind over matter in ultra marathon running. 

7 Beware the inevitable tarmac

I chose an ultra marathon that was mostly off road. I much prefer trail running to road running. But, as I have come to learn, many long distance running races will include sections of tarmac.

Running on the hard and unforgiving surface of tarmac when your legs and body are tired is very tough indeed. It's worth keeping this in mind so you are not too shocked when it happens. 

8 Age isn’t so important in ultra marathons

The ultra marathon competitors ranged from 20s to 60s - and maybe some 70-year-olds. 

While I might have expected the younger runners to be more successful, it turned out that there was a wide mix of age groups in the first finishers. 

Age – and gender – perform on a much more level playing field in longer distance running events, from what I witnessed. 

Indeed, I was 50 when I did my first ultra marathon. I ended up in third place in the female race, behind those two younger women who I had tried to keep up with in the early stages of the race. I was about double the age of one of them. 

 9 Getting into the car to drive straight home is a poor recovery choice 

My husband met me at the finish and after a bit of low-level stretching and sipping from a water bottle, I got into the car with him to drive home. This was a bad idea because my muscles almost completely seized up as I sat in the passenger seat for a couple of hours. 

Looking back I would have been much better if I had completed a good range of stretches and then gone for a walk for a while to ease off my muscles. 

I should have drunk more water and also consumed a protein shake for a more effective post-race recovery.

• The best trail running shoes: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

Courtney Dauwalter has held the record for the UTMB women's race for three years, but she's not going to have it for a fourth thanks to a stunning display from fellow US runner Katie Schide this weekend.

Unlike the men's race, which seemed to consist of one plot twist after another, Schide made a definitive statement last night when she joined the frontrunners from the starting line and doggedly refused to cede her place near the front throughout the night. 

Of course, Schide is no stranger to the 106-mile course around Mont Blanc – though she's originally from Maine, she's lived and trained in the Alps since 2016 and competed in the race three times previously, winning it back in 2022.

This year, she seemed to go out of the gate faster than ever, keeping pace with the elite men, but according to her, her pacing approach was no different than 2022 and any different might be down to the men's performance.

"I don't normally write down splits but actually I just wrote down my first couple so I could keep myself in check because sometimes I tend to go out fast, as people notice, and I was exactly on my split from 2022 so I think the guys either went out fast in 2022 or more controlled this year."

We followed the elite runners throughout the entire race and it was impossible not to notice how confident and fresh Schide appeared and for most of the race, it seemed likely she'd shave at least an hour off of Dauwalter's course record of 23:29:14. However, after the last climb she developed a noticeable limp which slowed her down.

"The last two hours was very difficult," she confirms.

In the end, she arrived back in Chamonix in 22:09:31 and while that didn't quite make her goal of under 22 hours, it meant she comfortably set a new course record and ended the race 13th overall, just two months after winning the Western States in June.

"I think this race I just went in more confident with myself and I wasn't surprised that I was fast whereas in 2022 I was kind of freaking out," she says, attributing her success to simply two more years of training since her last win.

"This time I meant to do it and I was just focused on trying not to die too hard at the end."

Of course, every elite athlete has some secret sauce and it turns out Schide's comes in the form of sliced bread. Cheap sliced bread.

"Last time I kinda hit a disaster and our disaster management was Wunder Bread with butter, that's what saved me in the end, so this time we just had some of that ready to go."

Something has to give you a break from all those running gels.

Around 40 minutes after Schide's historic win, New Zealand's Ruth Croft took second place, with Marianne Hogan coming over the line nearly 25 minutes after that to round out the podium on another inspiring women's race.

Over in the men's race, lots of DNFs drastically shook things up overnight and a relatively unknown French runner ended up landing a huge win which you can read about in our coverage of Vincent Bouillard.

• The best trail running shoes 2024: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

Most of us hadn't even heard of ultra runner Vincent Bouillard when we woke up this morning, but when he crossed the finish line an hour ago at the 2024 UTMB, he made sure we wouldn't forget him in a hurry.

No one would have predicted this win from the little-known French runner at sunrise this morning never mind before the race started. After all, the list of podium hopefuls included marquee names from the trail running world, like Jim Walmsley, Tom Evans and Germaine Grangier. All three of those runners held fast at the front of the race going into the night, but this morning all had dropped out, leaving the perfect opportunity for Bouillard to make a name for himself at trail running's most iconic race.

Bouillard grabbed the lead mid-morning and when he passed us in Triente, he was 34 minutes ahead of the next runner and showing no signs of slowing down. He finished the race in 19:54:23, about 17 minutes behind Walmsley's record in 2023, but the result means he's one of only four men to finish the 106-mile race around Mont Blanc in under 20 hours.

"It was not even my wildest dream to think I could win," says Bouillard, who revealed at the finish line that he's been volunteering and crewing at the UTMB since near the very start of the event in 2003, but this was his first attempt at running the race.

So who is Vincent Bouillard? Honestly, we don't know much yet other than that he grew up near Chamonix, which no doubt explains his mountain goat attack on the course, he's 31 years old and he works full-time as an engineer at running shoe brand Hoka, so he was clearly confident in his shoes.

He is not, however, sponsored by Hoka. In fact, he doesn't have a sponsor at all, and while we're sure he's about to be inundated with offers, he says he's not sure that's on the cards.

"I would always be open to the discussion but I always enjoy the freedom of not having any contract and not having any pressure."

As for his heroes in trail running? He names Tim Thompson and Jim Walmsley who he says are both his friends and his inspiration: "It's been truly an inspiration to see them perform at their very best."

Bouillard is now the fifth French runner to win the UTMB in 21 years, and adding to the furor here, Baptiste Chassagne, also of France came in second place at 20:22:45, while Ecuadorean runner Joaquin Lopez took third place two minutes later.

Over in the women's race, Katie Schide is expected in Chamonix in about 30 mins and if she makes it, she'll destroy Courtney Dauwalter's course record.

• The best trail running shoes 2024: get a grip on the trickiest terrain

The 2024 UTMB final kicked off five and a half hours ago in Chamonix and the big story so far is an absolutely stunning performance from Katie Schide.

The US runner joined the pack of male runners at the front of the race pretty much right out of the starting gates and at just over 50 km into the 176 km course she looks to be stuck to them like glue. We watched as she came through the second checkpoint at Saint Gervais only a minute or two behind last year's winner Jim Walmsley, and a couple of checkpoints later at Notre Dame de la Gorge she remained towards the front and looked a lot like she was enjoying herself.

At the time of writing this, Schide is placed an unbelievable 11th overall and currently has a lead of about five kilometers over second-placed Blandine L'Hirondel of France, who's just ahead of Canadian Marianne Hogan. We have no idea if she can keep this pace up for another 120 km but since what she's already achieved seems impossible, we're not making any predictions and just looking forward to finding out. 

Originally from Maine, Schide has lived in the Swiss Alps since 2016 and already took first place at this year's Western States, plus she won the UTMB back in 2022, so we’re guessing she knows what she’s getting herself into.

In the men’s race, Walmsley started out looking like he was having some gear issues when he passed us in Saint Gervais but by Notre Dame de la Gorge he seemed to have his kit sorted and had taken up the lead. It's fair to say he's looking for another win but GB's Tom Evans is keen for redemption after a disappointing DNF at in 2023 and has been sticking close, with Timo Tollefson (US), Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon (France) and Schide's partner Germain Grangier (France) taking turns at rounding out the top three.

In other news, last year’s champ Courtney Dauwalter may not be competing this year, but she’s here in the crowd and passed us at Notre Dame de la Gorge where she was cheering on the other runners. What a great sport. Meanwhile, based on cheering alone, the fan favorite is Ludovic Pommeret who won this year's Hardrock 100 at the ripe old age of 49 and is hanging tight at 26th overall tonight. 

The runners have a long and quiet night ahead of them as the crowds head home, but the temperatures are comfortable and the stars are out. If they don’t run too fast, we’ll be catching up with them tomorrow morning in Italy to see how they’ve fared through the night.

• The best trail running shoes

I’m here in Chamonix covering the UTMB and took advantage of the small window in my schedule today to hit the trail and test out some new trail running shoes. Similar to last year, the conditions are seriously warm and sweaty.

Since I wasn’t racing and was enjoying the views, I could take it slow, but without my hydration pack, I was feeling the effects of the sultry weather after an hour and my hair and clothes were soaked through. 

UTMB runners know they need to be prepared for any weather, with the race taking place at the end of summer taking them up to just over 8,300 feet, but this year it’s looking like heat will be their primary foe. Fortunately, the 106-mile loop around Mont Blanc starts at 6 p.m. tonight so they’ll enjoy cooler conditions for the first chunk of the race. 

Still, current predictions are that the front runners will be back in Chamonix just before 2 p.m. tomorrow, meaning they’ll be racing through the heat of the day and with rain in the forecast, increasing humidity. So, no one’s favorite running conditions.

Naturally, they’ll have thought through their kit meticulously and be prepared with the most breathable running tops and shorts made from sweat-wicking and quick drying material, but let’s hope they’re all over these three tools for running in the heat: 

1. Heat training 

Elite athletes are accustomed to using their sports watches to train within specific heart rate zones these days, but let’s hope they’ve also got their hands on a Core Sensor device and learned how to train in their heat training zone, too.

As I’ve previously written, heat training is becoming more common among elite athletes and helps your body make more blood plasma, which allows you to cool down more efficiently. Your body also lowers the temperature at which you start to sweat and you lose less sodium through your sweat.

Runners who have been training in hot climates will obviously be at an advantage this weekend, but with competitors here from all over the world, and UK athletes like Tom Evans and Harry Jones having trained through a cold, wet summer at home, some will need to have relied on extra clothing and saunas to help them adapt.

2. Electrolytes 

Obviously, UTMB athletes will be well-versed in the language of hydration and electrolytes and be filling up their water bottles at every aid station, but in these conditions, they’re going to have to pay extra attention to replacing salt lost through sweat on the trail. 

Last year, another scorcher, Zach Miller attributed his second-place finish at the race to managing his sodium levels with salt tablets, and this weekend’s runners might want to take a leaf out of 2024 Leadville 100 winner David Roche’s book and only consume sports drinks for the entire race. The aid stations along the route provide bouillion – essentially soup stock – for just this reason and the runners would be wise to take it even if it’s the last thing they want to be drinking.

3. Pacing 

There won’t be an athlete in Chamonix today who hasn’t spent months thinking about pace, from training in Zone 2 to that negative split tactic that allowed Jim Walmsley to win in record time last year. 

But in addition to standard tactics fo walking the uphills (unless you're Kilian Jornet) and making up time on the downhills, these runners might want to take advantage of the evening hours and shaded sections of the trail to pick up the pace, then they can afford to slow it down when the sun is beating down on them. 

• The best running poles 2024: for ultra distance training, epic races, and fastpacking adventures