Ultra Trail Mont Blanc is widely considered the world’s premier ultra-running event. The 2023 edition starts tomorrow (Sep 1) at 6pm in Chamonix (southeastern France). Around 2300 runners will race over a course of 171 km (106 mi) that includes over 32,000 ft (10,000 m) of vertical ascent in 3 countries (France, Italy & Switzerland).
This year, the highest ranked entrant is Jim Walmsley (US). Among women, it is two-time champion Courtney Dauwalter (US), who is coming off record wins at the Western States and Hardrock 100-mi events. To add this third title in one year would be quite remarkable - I think it would arguably give her GOAT status.
Live coverage will be available at the UTMB website.
I just posted in the Sports Illustrated Sportsperson of the Year thread that overlooking Dauwalter - especially if she wins UTMB, after crushing WSER and Hardrock - would be a complete travesty. No other athlete is dominating their sport the way she is, this year (and last - the last ultra she didn’t win was the 2022 Barkleys)
This might be the year for Walmsley. It took him a couple of years to finally conquer WSER, and he’s been living and training in Chamonix for the past two years. No Kilian Journet or François d’Haene, either, which should make things a tiny bit easier for the Coconino Cowboy.
irunfar.com is also providing coverage and Twitter updates.
I hiked the TMB in 2019 and there where these psychopaths lugging bikes up to the top of a ridge between Italy and Switzerland and then biking down. I can’t imagine running it.
A friend recently authored a book about the race. He’s tight in the Ultra community in the area, living in Chamonix and founding a company that takes runners throught the Alps.
Called it! Walmsley romps home in 19:37:43, a new course record. Zach Miller is second in 19:58:58. And with Dauwalter holding about an hour’s lead on Xiang, it looks like we’ll see Americans on top of both podiums. Walmsley’s win is a first for an American man.
Courtney gets her third UTMB win. Her margin over second was ~41 minutes, which is impressive.
I think she’ll be slightly disappointed to have required about an hour more than in 2021. But to win the three biggest 100-mile races in a span of 70 days is beyond amazing.