Venerating the spirit of endurance, this week’s spotlight shines on the prominent French achievements in ultra-running. With the Hardrock 100 race culminating in an all-French men’s podium and significant national events in trail running, it’s a passionate week for the sport.
Hardrock 100 – Silverton, Colorado
The Hardrock 100 is notorious for its rugged terrain, featuring a staggering total elevation gain of 33,000 feet and an average height of 11,000 feet throughout the course. This year’s race, marked by counterclockwise routing, showcased a blend of lengthy gradual ascents and steep descents, presenting added challenges like smoky air and elevated heat.
Regrettably, the event was overshadowed by the tragic passing of runner Elaine Stypula. Reports confirm that efforts by course sweepers and rescue teams were unavailing. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all affected by this loss.
Men’s Results
In an impressive display of talent, French runners dominated the men’s leaderboard with Ludovic Pommeret, Mathieu Blanchard, and Germain Grangier taking the top three spots, marking a significant achievement for French ultra-running. Pommeret, at age 49, repeated his victory from the previous year with a remarkable time of 22:21, adding his name to the race’s history as the second-fastest finisher in this direction.
Not far behind, Blanchard secured second place at 23:44, while Grangier followed closely to take third at 24:04. The first American finisher was David Ayala, who rounded out the top four with a time of 24:04.
Women’s Results
In the women’s category, Katie Schide made waves by establishing a new counterclockwise course record with a remarkable finish of 25:50. This time surpassed the previous record by a substantial margin of 24 minutes, showcasing her exceptional prowess in ultra-running. Following Schide was Manon Bohard Cailler from France, finishing in 28:36, which ranks as the 11th-fastest time in the race’s history. Katharina Hartmuth continued her strong performance from last year, completing the race in 32:39 to secure third place.
High Trail Vanoise – Val-d’Isère, France
In another thrilling event, the High Trail Vanoise served as the French national championships and a qualifier for the upcoming World Mountain and Trail Running Championships. Spanning 72 kilometers through the picturesque French Alps, the race attracted elite competitors.
Benjamin Roubiol, the winner of the 2023 Trail World Championships, emerged victorious with a stunning time of 7:48. Close behind were Louison Coiffet and Baptiste Chassagne, who finished in 7:50 and 7:57, respectively. The women’s race saw the American Hillary Gerardi take the lead with a time of 9:25, surpassing French runners Jennifer Lemoine and Anne-Cecile Thevenot, who finished in 9:32 and 9:34.
Trail Verbier St. Bernard by UTMB – Verbier, Switzerland
The Trail Verbier St. Bernard celebrated its 16th edition, featuring a competitive field of 5,400 runners across various distances. French runners shone brightly, especially in the long-distance categories. Beñat Marmissolle won the 140-kilometer X-Alpine race with a record time of 18:41, while Céline Finas claimed the top spot in the women’s category with a time of 24:43.
In the 76-kilometer X-Traversée race, former Hardrock 100 victors Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz and Caroline Chaverot came out on top, finishing in 9:08 and 11:08, respectively. This event not only serves as a showcase of endurance but also elevates the rich tradition of trail running in the region.
Conclusion
The remarkable performances of French runners at events like the Hardrock 100, High Trail Vanoise, and Trail Verbier St. Bernard reiterate the depth of talent within this sport. These events not only attract elite competitors but also inspire a new generation of runners aiming to conquer new challenges. With upcoming events on the calendar, the momentum in the world of ultra-running is sure to continue lifting the spirits of athletes and fans alike.
For more information on results and future races, visit iRunFar or UTMB World Series.
