1,152 Ultra Trail Champions complete the course
Around 2600 runners lined up in the place du Triangle de l'Amitié on Friday evening eagerly awaiting the starting gun so they could begin their 158km Ultra-Trail tour du Mont Blanc marathon. We read some interesting statistics in Friday's Le Dauphine Libéré paper which we thought we'd share with you... The paper mentioned that during the next 45 hours of the race, the runners would consume 6900 litres of soup, 26000 energy bars, and 6000 bananas; add to that there would be 15 doctors, 70 masseurs and 60 podiatrists on hand to regenerate the tired limbs along the course.
From the 2535 participants who entered the competition, 1152 crossed the finish line within the stipulated 45 hour period, a mere 1383 abandoning their brave attempt at various stages across the course.
On Saturday afternoon a large crowd lined the street in rue Docteur Paccard around 16.00hrs hoping to catch a glimpse of the winner. Whilst waiting, entertainment was provided by group of musicians wearing white face masks beating drums, blowing whistles and other percussion instruments you couldn't help tap your feet to. It wasn't long before the first runner arrived down the rue Dr. Paccard, an impressive 21hours and 6 minutes after starting. Marco Olmo, 58, was greeted with a huge round of applause and loud cries of 'bravo' from the crowd who had eagerly waited the first arrival. The first female runner, Karine Herry who had estimated a time of 26 hours to finish the course, completed the marathon ahead of her schedule in 25 hours 22 minutes.
Local Chamonix runner Vincent Delebarre who has previously finished the Ultra-Trail in first and second position in 2004 and 2005 respectively, this year finished an equally impressive third. The last competitor, Claude Denaix, 50, arrived at the finish line in the 45th hour, and was greated by her 22 year old daughter who had finished a few hours earlier at 38hrs and 30mins.
As always, Chamonet.com was there covering the action on the ground. As we watched the competitors throughout the weekend, we were strangely overwhelmed with tearful emotion and admiration for these athletes completing their last few metres to the finish line. It's quite a strange (guilty) feeling you experience when popping out for your Sunday morning hangover brunch and you pass people that have been running since you clapped them off on Friday evening!
The prize giving ceremony was conducted Sunday afternoon where on this occasion the last runner to cross the finish line was also welcomed on to the podium for a round of applause.
A huge 'well done' to all those that took part. You've spurred us on to add a few extra metres to our training sessions this week!!
Check out our local snow reporter's race coverage here
Photo credit : Le Dauphine Libéré
