Marathon du Mont Blanc 2017

Chamonix's 1st big trail running event of the summer

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Chamonix Editor Updated 15 April 2022

Chamonix is full of trail runners at the moment, as the much anticipated Marathon du Mont Blanc is about to start.

More than just one race, the 'Marathon du Mont Blanc' event actually includes a series of 8 separate races, attracting competitors from around the world.

Famous ultra trail runners attending this year's event include Kilian Jornet (SPA), Emelie Forsberg, (SWE), Sage Canaday (USA) and Megan Kimmel (USA). Take a look at the list of all the favourites for each race and you can get an idea of where to watch the races from the links to the route maps below.

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The Races

The 80km

This race is limited to 1000 participants and covers an actual distance of 83.7km with a total vertical gain of 5,960m. It's an incredibly technical mountain trail race covering the whole of the Chamonix Valley in one big loop. It starts and finishes at the Tourist office square in Chamonix centre. 80km Route map.

The 42km (Marathon)

This race is limited to 2000 participants and covers 41.6km, with 2,760m height gain and 1,704 descent. It starts at the tourist office square and finishes at Planpraz (Brevent mid station). 42km Route map.

The 23km (Cross / Half marathon)

This race is limited to 1500 participants and covers 23km with 1,665 height gain and 621m of descents. It starts at the parapente field by the sports centre and finishes at Planpraz (Brevent mid station). 23km Route map.

The 10km

This low-level race takes place on the ski de fond trails around the Bois du Bouchet. This race starts and finishes at the parapente field. 10km Route map.

The Vertical Kilometre

This race up the front face of the Brevent mountain covers a distance of 3.8km with 1,000m vertical gain, to the top of the gondola. KMV Route map.

The Night race (Duo Etoile)

A new night race for 2017 where teams of two set out running into the night from Chamonix to the Plan d'Aiguille and back over a distance of 19km. This race starts and finishes at the tourist office square. Duo Étoilé Route map.

The Mini Cross

Children's races between 800m - 3km which take place at the Bois du Bouchet.

The Young marathon

A 15km race for juniors and cadets from Le Tour to the finish line of the 42km race at Planpraz, Brevent. Route map.

The Programme

Thursday 22nd - Friday 23rd - Saturday 24th June

09:00 - 22:00 Collection of bibs
09:00 - 20:00 Salon of exhibitors at Place Mont Blanc

Friday 23rd June 2017 - Place du Triangle de l'Amitié (Tourist Office Square)

04:00 - Start of the 80km race
16:00 - Start of the Vertical KM
20:30 - Prize giving Vertical KM

Saturday 24th June 2017 - Parapente field (see map link above)

08:00 - Start of the 23km race
10:00 - Start of the mini cross
13:00 - Start of the 10km race (in 4 groups)
16:00 - Prize giving 23km - Tourist Office Square
16:30 - Prize giving 80km- Tourist Office Square
17:00 - Prize giving 10km- Tourist Office Square
21:00 - Start of the Duo Etoile race- Tourist Office Square

Sunday 25th June 2017

07:00 - Start of the 42km race (Tourist Office Square)
10:00 - Start of the young marathon (Le Tour)
16:30 - Prize giving Duo etoile
16:45 - Prize giving Young marathon
17:00 - Prize giving 42km

Where to watch

Some of the best places to watch are up on the mountain at the finish line at Planpraz or at Le Tour, where you'll see the runners coming through as well as getting some of the best views in the Chamonix valley. You'll need a lift pass to get up there unless you fancy hiking up.

The tourist office square is where you'll find the most people watching, lining the barricades, as runners start and finish their races, also further up the valley at Tre le Champ, there's a feed station where you can cheer along the runners as they come by.

If you can't be here in person you can follow all the races in real time on the Marathon du Mont Blanc website Live.

It's going to be a hot weekend, so we wish everyone taking part the very best of luck!