What is an ultra trail runner?

“Ultrarunning” – Running 42k and beyond According to Wikipedia’s definition and according to guidelines from the international athletics association, ultraruns or ultramarathons are running events on a course that is longer than the 42.195k or 26.2 miles, a marathon distance.

What is the UTMB race?

In simplest terms, the UTMB, or Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc is a famous destination ultramarathon running race in Europe, starting and finishing in Chamonix, in the French Alps. The UTMB race involves around 106 miles (170km) of running and a circumnavigation of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe.

What defines trail running?

Trail running is simply defined as going for a run at the heart of nature. It’s an extremely all-round non-stadia sport that, of course, works the legs, but also the upper body. You don’t need to be high in the mountains to go trail running.

How do you qualify for Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc?

To qualify for a place at the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, runners must compete in at least one of the 30 UTMB World Series Events or one of the three UTMB World Series Majors, where they can collect Running Stones for use in the lottery or be rewarded for their performance with direct access.

What is classed as an ultra?

The standard definition is anything past the marathon, or 26.2 miles. However, the shortest standard distance that is considered an ultra is the 50 kilometer distance, or 31.07 miles.

What do I need for an ultramarathon?

In Your Pack

  1. Wind/waterproof Layer.
  2. Insulation Layer.
  3. Headlamp with Batteries.
  4. Backup Headlamp.
  5. Space Blanket.
  6. Emergency Nutrition (UTMB Requires 800 Calories, about 2 bars and 2 gels)
  7. Hydration (UTMB Requires 1 Liter minimum)
  8. Gloves (light and heavyweight)

Why does Courtney dauwalter wear long shorts?

She doesn’t wear ‘all the gear’ “It’s pure comfort!” she says. “I have always preferred longer shorts and found that in ultramarathons they are still my chosen length.”

How many people run the UTMB?

10000 runners
The UTMB® is the most incredible trail-running event! An essential event for trail-runners from all over the world. Each year, the best athletes meet in Chamonix and almost 10000 runners participate in one of the event’s 7 races.

How is trail running different from road running?

One of the key differences between road and trail running is that running on trails is more technical. Changing terrain and surfaces, as well as hills and brooks that you encounter on your trails, make for a varying experience compared to roads that are steady and somewhat static most of the time.

What is considered a long trail run?

Trail Running Distance Races can be anywhere from a 5k to over 200 miles. Anything over a marathon length is considered an ultramarathon. Many of the races are not highly regulated so distances are usually around what is expected.

Where is Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc?

Chamonix
It is one race during a week-long festival based around Chamonix in France, and is a race of the Ultra-Trail World Tour. The races have strict entry and qualification requirements attained by accumulating enough race points through qualifying trail races over the previous two-year period.

How long is the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc?

The UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc): around 171 km with about 10,000 metres of height gain, starts from Chamonix, in semi-autonomy and in 46:30 hours maximum. The CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix): around 101 km with about 6,100 metres height gain, starts from Courmayeur, in semi-autonomy and in 26:30 hours maximum.

What kind of race is an ultra trail?

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion on the rather simple question “What is an ultra-trail?”. According to me the answer is simple: it is an ultra (i.e. a race longer than a marathon) which is also a trail. We might argue somewhat on the exact definition of a trail and probably there is no precise definition.

What is the definition of ultra distance running?

UltraRunning is devoted to covering the sport of long distance running, also known as ultramarathoning, or, as we prefer, ultrarunning. How far is “a long distance”? The standard definition is anything past the marathon, or 26.2 miles. However, the shortest standard distance that is considered an ultra is…

Why is the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc famous?

The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc ultra marathon is famous because it is a huge challenge, held in the trail running mecca of Chamonix along a well-known hiking route which circumnavigates a huge mountain.

Which is an example of an ultramarathon stage race?

There are some self-supported ultramarathon stage races in which each competitor has to carry all their supplies including food to survive the length of the race, typically a week. An example of this is the Grand to Grand Ultra in the USA.