Ultra-Trail of Chamonix | All you need to know
The Ultra-Trail® of Chamonix will be held from August 26th to September 1st, 2024. Considered as the unmissable event of the year, the most famous trail running meeting attracts, as often, thousands of runners from all over the world whether elite or amateur. For this new edition, no less than eight races with demanding characteristics and generous elevations will enliven this great week of competition. During 7 days, Chamonix will become the capital of trail running and ultra-trail.
If you are planning to take part or support the athletes, then check out our special Chamonix Ultra-Trail® article now and discover our program and all the technical characteristics of the main races!
Ultra-Trail of Chamonix | An edition more ULTRA than ever!
Salomon will welcome you from Monday, August 26th to Friday, August 30th both at the Ultra-Trail® Village in Chamonix (📍 Place du Mont-Blanc - 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc) and at the Brand Store Salomon Chamonix (📍 306 Rue du Dr Paccard, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc) to talk about ultra-trail, this demanding discipline that unites all lovers of outdoor and performances. Much more than a sport, a real community.
Local events dedicated to Ultra-Trail will be organized during all the week by Salomon teams. If you want to surpass yourself, train with other runners or meet Salomon athletes, select your country below and discover the complete program. Come and immerse yourself in the values of ultra-trail in Chamonix with Salomon !
This new edition will also be an opportunity for you to discover our latest collection dedicated to trail running. From the hydration bag to the latest models of trail shoes (S/LAB Genesis, S/LAB Pulsar 3, Genesis, etc.) to technical clothing (jackets, shorts, shirts, etc.), there will be something for all distances and all levels.
For this new edition, no less than eight races with demanding characteristics and generous gradients and generous elevations will enliven this great week of competition. To find out more about the four main formats of the new edition, check out the content just below.
The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® | The Queen race of the Ultra-Trail of Chamonix
Organized for the first time in 2003, this 170-kilometer course combined with an elevation gain of over 9,950 meters is an extraordinary challenge that typically requires several months of both physical and mental preparation. Due to its overwhelming popularity, the world's most coveted trail running race is also the most selective. Participants who meet the selection criteria then have the chance to travel through breathtaking landscapes. Amongst the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps, these high-level athletes explore dense and technical forests, ascend steep trails, and discover increasingly stunning panoramas.Much more than just a race, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® is above all an extraordinary human adventure!
Technical characteristics
Start date: August 30th, 2024
Local start time: 18:00
Start location: Chamonix
Distance: 171 km
Elevation: 9,950 meters
Time barrier: 46 hours & 30 minutes maximum
Number of participants: 2,300 maximum
Athletes who made their mark on the race
Salomon athletes
- François D'Haene won the UTMB 4 times in 2012, 2014, 2017 and 2021.
- Courtney Dauwalter won the UTMB 3 times in 2019, 2021 and 2023.
- Mathieu Blanchard placed 3rd in 2021, 2nd place in 2022 and 4th in 2023.
Notable athletes
- Jim Walmsley won the UTMB in 2023.
- Killian Jornet won the UTMB 4 times in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2022.
- Xavier Thévenard won the UTMB 3 times in 2013, 2015 and 2018.
Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix | The Little Sister
The famous "little sister" of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® as many runners affectionately call it, remains a demanding race with over 6,100 meters of positive elevation gain between Courmayeur and Chamonix. Stretching over 100 km, the course traverses Italy, Switzerland, and finally France, where participants can explore beautiful green valleys and numerous wooded trails.
Technical characteristics
Start date: August 30th, 2024Local start time: 09:00Start location: CourmayeurDistance: 100 kmElevation: 6,150 metersTime barrier: 26 hours & 30 minutes maximumNumber of participants: 1,900 maximumAthletes who made their mark on the raceSalomon athletes
- Michel Lanne won the CCC in 2016.
- Thibault Baronian placed 3rd in 2021.
Notable athletes
- Jonathan Albon won the CCC in 2023.
- Blandine L'Hirondel won the CCC in 2022.
- Xavier Thévenard won the CCC in 2010.
Orsières-Champex-Chamonix | The Swiss Little Sister
More accessible than other races in Chamonix, the "Swiss little sister" is the perfect opportunity for intermediate-level runners to take part in a major trail running event without the extreme distance or elevation gain of other courses. With nearly 3,425 meters of positive elevation gain over 55 km, Orsières-Champex-Chamonix still presents a demanding challenge for participants. They will, of course, enjoy the beautiful surrounding landscapes, especially the frozen Lake of Champex, a renowned spot for ice skaters in winter.
Technical characteristics
Start date: August 29th, 2024Local start time: 08:15Start location: OrsièresDistance: 55 kmElevation: 3,400 metersTime barrier: 14 hours & 30 minutes maximumNumber of participants: 1,200 maximumAthletes who made their mark on the raceNotable athletes
- Blandine L'Hirondel won the OCC in 2021.
- Xavier Thévenard won the OCC in 2016.
Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie | The Other Ultra-Trail
Renowned for being the most technical race with nearly 9,100 meters of positive elevation gain, "Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie" links the famous Aosta Valley to French Savoie, offering participants breathtaking landscapes one after another. From picturesque villages like Bourg-Saint-Maurice and Les Chapieux to technical mountain passes such as the Col du Seigne and Col Chavannes, this 145 km course tests the endurance, mental strength, and resilience of all runners.
Technical characteristics
Start date: August 26th, 2024
Local start time: 23:50
Start location: Courmayeur
Distance: 145 km
Elevation: 9,200 meters
Time barrier: 44 hours & 10 minutes maximum
Number of participants: 1,600 maximum
Athletes who made their mark on the race
Salomon athletes
- Martina Valmassoi won the TDS in 2022.
- Michel Lanne won the TDS in 2017.
Notable athletes
- Christian Meier won the TDS in 2023.
- Ludocvic Pommeret won the TDS in 2022.
- Xavier Thévenard won the TDS in 2014.
ULTRA-TRAIL OF CHAMONIX | THE MANDATORY EQUIPMENT FOR THE MAIN 4 RACES
Mandatory
- 1 Bag to carry the mandatory equipment during the race (e.g., hydration pack)
- Your Smartphone with the installed Lverun application and a plan allowing its use in France, Italy, and Switzerland
- 1 Personal cup, minimum 15 cl capacity
- 1 Minimum of 1-liter water reserve (e.g., water bottle or flask)
- 2 Headlamps with spare batteries or battery packs (200 lumens or more for the main headlamp)
- 1 Survival blanket, minimum size 1.40m x 2m
- 1 Whistle
- 1 Adhesive elastic bandage for strapping or bandaging (minimum 100 cm x 6 cm)
- 1 Food reserve (at least 800 kcal)
- 1 Jacket with a hood suitable for mountainous bad weather
- 1 Pair of long-legged running pants or leggings / Combination of leggings and socks covering the entire leg
- 1 Cap or bandana
- 1 Additional warm second layer (long-sleeved thermal top) - OCC® not concerned
- 1 Beanie - OCC® not concerned
- 1 Pair of warm and waterproof gloves - OCC® not concerned
- 1 Waterproof over-pants - OCC® not concerned
- Your Identification document
Recommended
- Vaseline or anti-chafing cream
- 1 Reusable bowl
- 1 Knife or scissors to cut the adhesive elastic bandage
- 1 Sewing kit
- 1 GPS Watch
- Minimum of 20€
Additional kits should be planned according to weather conditions (Hot Weather Kit and Cold Weather Kit). For more information on these kits, please refer to the organizer's website.
You now know everything about the new edition of the Ultra-Trail® of Chamonix! We invite you to meet us at the Ultra-Trail® Village in Chamonix and at the Brand Store Salomon Chamonix from August 26th to August 30th, 2024. And of course, we count on you to encourage all participants!
Photo credits: Pierre Gouineau, Jordi Saragossa and Philipp Reiter