The North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc

Well the day finally arrived for Paul Champion to line up with 2,319 other runners for the start of the 5th edition of The North Face Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc. This follows a well-known route around the base of Mont Blanc. Starting in Chamonix (France) at 6.30pm on to Courmayeur (Italy) and then to Champex (Switzerland) before retuning to Chamonix. The route is 163Km long with 8,900m of ascent and descent along the route. The maximum time permitted is 46 hours.

Paul started near the rear of the field not wishing to be lulled into starting too fast to the sound of ‘Chariots of Fire’! Fortunately the first 8k was fairly easy running to allow the muscles time to warm up before being faced with having to go up the famous Kandahar world cup downhill ski run. Reaching the top in 1,686 position. By this time the sun was beginning to set and head torches were going on in readiness for the hours of darkness ahead. By sunrise Paul was well on the way to the Col de la Seigne at 59k and in 1,030th position. It was clear Saturday was going to be hot and by the time Paul reached Courmayeur (907th) just before 10am the temperatures were already in the mid 70’s. This was the first of two points where a bag had been sent forward with clean kit and shoes if needed. Now faced with two big climbs to reach the highest point on the course during the hottest part of the day it was important to keep hydrated. Just after 4.30pm Paul reach the Grand Col Ferret (804th) at 2,537m.

Next followed a long quad bashing descent with a climb at the bottom to Champex (635th) arriving just before dark to the second bag drop control. A welcome change of kit after a very hot day, more chicken noodle soup and other refreshments before donning head light again and heading out for the second night on the run. Only just over 40k to go now but still three big climbs before the finish. A strong second night on the run saw Paul reach Vallorcine in 479th position at 4am. The last control point at Argentiere (457th) was reached at 5.20am. With just 10k left the end was in sight and head lights were again being turned off. This last 10k took 1h 27m. Paul finished in 423rd position in 36hours 14min and would like to say a big thank you to an enthusiastic support team who followed him around the course and encouraged him at some of the control points that were reachable by road.

Well done, Paul! Just completing such a long, arduous course up and down mountains, by day and by night, almost 10 hours inside the maximum time permitted was a tremendous achievement. And to progress steadily through the field to end up beating 1,897 out of the other 2,319 runners was, for a man in his 50’s, awesome!!

(LT)