Smiles & Pain in Chamonix
The 2025 UTMB® wrapped up after another exciting week, with Salomon athletes, including newcomers and Para-Team members, delivering incredible performances across every distance.
UTMB Highlights: Camille on the Podium, Courtney in the Top 10
In the week's main event, Camille Bruyas once again proved she is one of the greats, running a steady, composed race from start to finish, despite tough conditions during the night, finishing 2nd in 23h28’48’’. Camille started in the top five, progressively climbed up to 2nd place, and held it firmly with 50 kilometers to go. Crossing the finish line, she was welcomed by a roaring crowd, scoring a second UTMB® podium four years after her 2021 runner-up finish behind teammate Courtney Dauwalter.
She raced in the S/LAB Ultra collection, wearing the new S/LAB Ultra Glide 1.5.
“Even in my wildest dreams, I couldn’t have imagined a better UTMB! Battling with Courtney and Ruth as the day rose, friends supporting all along the course, even under the rain and snow, and thousands of spectators cheering, it felt like I was in the Saint-Etienne stadium! The race was tough but fun from start to finish, thanks to everyone who was there!”
Camille Bruyas
Salomon Athlete
Lucy Bartholomew earned a well-deserved 7th place in 24h51’32’’, improving on last year's performance with a faster time and stronger finish despite taking a fall mid-race. True to form, she kept pushing, kept smiling, and once again closed the loop around Mont Blanc.
Courtney Dauwalter started the race with a steady pace, smiling as she led through the first checkpoints. After a tough night in cold and rainy conditions, she battled alongside teammate Camille Bruyas and longtime rival Ruth Croft, holding her ground until La Fouly. She kept fighting until Trient before slowing down, determined above all to complete the full loop. Her 10th place finish in 25h50’38’’ was less about the result and more about the display of grit, resilience, and love for the sport. Courtney spent a lot of time in her pain cave but never stopped engaging with the crowds, sharing smiles and high fives with fans who were cheering her on along the course. Her determination to finish underlines not only her strength as an athlete, but also her deep passion for ultra-trail running.
“While my legs gave out and left the party early, there were a million reasons to keep taking another step forward. Family & friends. Love and high-fives and hugs. Pain Cave expansion. Finishing what we start. Adventure. Trying hard. Thank you to all of you, getting to this finish line might be one of my most treasured memories. Huge congrats, respect, and admiration for the women’s field, led by the incredible champ Ruth Croft, I feel lucky to be in the sport right now.”
Courtney Dauwalter
Trail runner
Courtney raced wearing her Shortney collection, including the S/LAB Genesis Limited Courtney Edition, as well as her very own t-shirt, long shorts and hydration vest.
François D’haene started off the race with the leading pack, ready to fight for another UTMB® victory after a strong season of training . But lingering pain that had started earlier in the week resurfaced on race day. Determined to give it a try, he pushed on through the early stages, but as he crossed into Italy the discomfort became too much to continue, forcing him to step off the course with a DNF.
“Even if it is ‘just a race’, I can’t help but feel disappointed after all the time spent preparing for this year’s UTMB. Earlier this week, I had some weird pain appear. I pushed for as long as I could, but had to surrender when I crossed into Italy. The cheering and support along the course was unreal, thanks to everyone for making it magical despite the pain!”
François D'Haene
Trail runner
François raced wearing his Ultra FDH collection, including a pair of S/LAB Ultra FDH V2, t-shirt, shorts and hydration vest.
JOYLINE CHEPNGENO TAKES THE WIN AT THE OCC
In her first-ever 60-kilometer race, Joyline Chepngeno claimed victory at the OCC® in 5h34’03’’, adding another highlight to an outstanding season that already includes wins at Sierre-Zinal and the Marathon du Mont Blanc. She ran with the lead pack early, alongside fellow Salomon athlete Miao Yao, before surging ahead midway and holding strong until the finish. Miao Yao crossed the line just 1’10’’ later in 5h35’13’’, securing 2nd place and another podium after her victory at the OCC last year. Both athletes hugged it out on the finish line, with big smiles covering their faces.
On the men’s side, Ezekiel Rutto took 11th place in 5h19’42’’, while Pol Makuri, member of the Para-team, finished the race in 8h21’30’’ within the top 350.
On the 100-kilometer CCC®, Julie Roux finished 8th while Simon Paccard ran steadily and patiently to finish 19th. Jingyan Tang finished 9th, Fiona Pascall took 15th and Dan Green finished 26th. Para-Team member Julien Veysseyre showed grit and perseverance, completing the course in under 22 hours.
On the 40-kilometer MCC, Pauline Girardet claimed 2nd in 4h21’16’’, while Para-team athlete Sébastien Ditilyeu finished strongly in the top half of the field in 6h25’23’’.
At the 15-kilometer ETC, new Salomon recruits made their mark: Naomi Lang stormed to 3rd in 1h38’17’’, while Maël Henric (11th in 1h26’15’’) and Ryonosuke Omi (18th in 1h28’45’’) secured top-20 spots on the men’s side.
EDITOR'S NOTE [September 10, 2025]:
Following the publication of this race report, Salomon has terminated its sponsorship agreement with Joyline Chepngeno. For more details, please read Salomon's official statement here. Salomon remains firmly committed to fair competition and the integrity of sport in all disciplines.