Ultratrails

The Ultradistance 🏞️, also known by different names such as Ultra-distance, Ultra-marathon or Ultra-trail (and yes, it's hard to keep track with so many names 🤷‍♀️), offers a unique experience for nature lovers ❤️ 🌳. You can choose from routes of 80 km, 100 km, 160 km, or even more! 😵‍💫 Preparation for these races is essential, requiring good self-awareness, flexible ankles, and suitable shoes 👟. Unlike fast running, ultra running trail requires mainly resistance 💪, endurance, and strength 🏋️. The routes are often characterized by steep climbs (lots of positive elevation ⬆️), but it allows you to fully enjoy the beauty of the surrounding landscapes 🍃, especially in the mountains 🌄. Many ultra-trail races take place in the Alps, the Pyrénées, the Vosges, the Massif Central or the Jura, generally between March 🌸 and October 🍂.

A little flashback… This race format appeared in 1974 in the United States 🇺🇲, thanks to Gordy Ainsleigh who paved the way. This runner started the equestrian race 🐎 of the Western States 100 mile Endurance Run. His goal was to finish within the allotted time of 24 hours ✅, running (not on horseback). Crossing the finish line 23 hours and 42 minutes later 👏, he achieved his goal and simultaneously gave birth to ultra trail running! The discipline spread to Europe 🇪🇺 in the 80s-90s. But it was truly in the 2000s that competitions became more numerous all over the globe 🌍. Famous events like the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) ❄️, the Marathon des Sables 🏜️, the Grand Trail des Templiers ⚔️, or the Grand Raid de la Réunion 🏝️ (The famous Diagonale des fous for insiders) attract thousands of ultra-trail runners every year in search of thrills and beautiful scenery 😍. We mustn't forget iconic challenges like the Hard Rock 100 or the "Barkley", considered the toughest ultra-marathons in the world 🤯.

Ultras in France 🇫🇷? We can mention some famous races: the Echappée Belle (Belledonne massif), the Trail de la Côte d’Opale (Pas de Calais), the Ultra Trail du Vercors 🏞️, the SaintéLyon 🌄, the Radicatrail (Seine Maritime), the Écotrail de Paris 🗼, the Ultra Marin ⛵ or the Ultra 01 (Ain). It's hard to find a better discipline to combine travel 🧳, diversity of landscapes 🖼️, and running 🏃.

So, ready to join the big names of this race format 🏃‍♂️? Who knows, you might encounter legends of ultra trail 🏃like Pau Capell, Anton Krupicka, Courtney Dauwalter, Jim Walmsley and many more… Kilian Jornet, the Spaniard, is one of the most iconic faces of this discipline 🤩. On the French side 🇫🇷, you've surely heard of Sylvaine Cussot, François D'Haene, Anne-Lise Rousset or Alexandre Boucheix, nicknamed "Green Cap". If Ultra Trail isn't your ideal distance, don't worry, it's often offered with other options: the discovery trail, the short trail, and sometimes the long trail 🤗.

A true epic in nature 🌿! Ready to challenge your limits and savor the splendor of the landscapes? And who knows what incredible stories await you at every corner of the race!