Mont Blanc Marathon 2018 preview

One of the biggest running events on the Chamonix calendar

featured in News & reviews Author Brian Kieran, Chamonix Editor Updated 15 April 2022

As the trail running season gets well under way, competitors flock to the valley for this year's Marathon du Mont Blanc.

More than just one race, the Marathon du Mont Blanc event actually includes a series of eight separate races, attracting competitors from around the world. New for 2018, the 80km event becomes an even tougher 90km. With a lot of snow remaining at altitude after an extraordinary winter, this year's event is going to be interesting to say the least.

Heating up the competition, a late announcement from Spanish trail runner and alpinist Kilian Jornet confirms that he will be participating in the 42km category, just three months after fracturing his fibula. Take a look at the list of all the favourites for each race, and get an idea of where to watch the races from the links to route maps below.

Events

The 90km
This race is limited to 1000 participants and covers an actual distance of 91km with a total vertical gain of 6220m. 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. 90km Route map.

The 42km (Marathon)
This race is limited to 2000 participants and covers 42km, with 2,780m height gain and 1,700 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)
The second edition of the Duo Etoile sees teams of two set out running into the night from Chamonix to the Plan d'Aiguille and back over a distance of 17km. 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.

Rundown

Thursday June 28rd - Place du Mont-Blanc
09:00 - Trail Camp opening

Friday June 29rd - Place du Triangle de l'amitié
MONT-BLANC 90KM
04:00 - Start of the Mont-Blanc 90km
14:30 - First finishers from the Mont-Blanc 90km
KM VERTICAL
14:00 - Start of the Vertical KM
20:30 - Awards ceremony for the Vertical KM
(Raffle at the end of the prize-giving)

Saturday June 30th, 2018
MONT-BLANC 23KM - Paragliding Landing Field
08:00 - Start of the Mont-Blanc 23km
10:00 - Start of the Mini Cross (staggered starts depending on category)
13:00 - Start of the Mont-Blanc 10Km (3 waves)
20:00 - Start for Duo étoilé

Richard Bozon Sports Complex
11:00 - Mont-Blanc 23km Buffet (free for 23km runners)
18:00 - Mont-Blanc 42km Pasta Party

Place du Triangle de l'amitié
16:00 - Awards ceremony for the Mont-Blanc 23km
16:30 - Awards ceremony for the Mont-Blanc 90Km
17:00 - Awards ceremony for the Mont-Blanc 10Km
(At the end of the prize giving, raffle for the Mont-Blanc 23km, 90km and 10km)

Sunday July 1st, 2018
MONT-BLANC 42KM - Place du Triangle de l'amitié
07:00 - Start of the Mont-Blanc 42 km - place du triangle de l'amitié
10:00 - Start Young race Marathon - Le Tour
10:30 - First finisher from the Mont-Blanc 42km in Altitude 2000
17:00 - Awards ceremony for Mont-Blanc 42km, Young Race Marathon and Duo étoilé
(At the end of the prize giving, raffle of the 42km, Duo étoilé and Young Race Marathon)

Richard Bozon Sports Complex
2:00 - Mont-Blanc 42km Buffet (free for runners)

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. 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.

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