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Ultra Distance & Trails Running: Mountain

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Everest Sky Race (© P. Gatta)

Introduction

After have run 50,000 km (31,075 miles) around the world, Philippe presents several ultra distance races.

Ultra distance and Trail in Mountain: Himal Race: Nepal, Himalayas Everest Sky Race: Nepal, Himalayas Défi de l'Oisans: France, Alps Cromagnon: Italy & France, Alps Grand Raid du Verdon: France White River: USA, Washington Trail running in France Ultra distance and Trail in deserts: Marathon des Sables: Morocco, Sahara Sahara Race: Egypt, Sahara Atacama Crossing: Chile, Atacama Gobi March: China, Gobi Desert Cup: Jordan, Wadi Rum desert Totem Pole Race: USA, Utah Trans Sinai: Egypt, Sinai desert Others Ultra distance and Trail races: Guyane Raid Amazonie: French Guiana, Amazonia Diagonale des Fous: La Reunion Island Guadarun: Guadeloupe Island Iditasport: USA, Alaska Laugavegurinn: Iceland, Landmannalaugar Kungsleden: Sweden, Lapland

. Ultra distance races and Trails map (Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech)

Himal Race 2002: from Annapurna to Everest, Himalaya, Nepal

The Himal Race is probably one of the most fantastic and ultimate trail. The First edition took place in 2002. In 23 days of race, the runners covered 1,000 km (625 miles) and +38,000 meters from the Annapurna Base Camp to the Mt. Everest Base Camp. Carrying their own backpack, the runners went through six major passes above 5400 m.

The second edition was in 2007 from Katmandu to Dolpo: 900 km, 24 stages and 30 passes above 3000 m.
The third edition was in 2010 from Mount Kailash in Tibet to the Annapurna base camp.


Race Information:

• Location: Nepal, Himalayas
• Distance: 1,000 km (625 miles) and +38,000 m (125,000 feet) of total ascent
• Duration: 23 days
• Philippe's story and photos
• Race organizer: Basecamp Trekking and Expedition

Muktinath, Dhaulagiri behind (© P. Gatta)

. Start at Annapurna base camp (© P. Gatta)

Défi de l'Oisans 2006: Alps, France

The Défi de l'Oisans is a 200 km race round the Ecrins National Park (Alps, France). The trail starts and finishes in Les Deux Alpes and follows the GR 54. The race is very well organized by a friendly Team. Below are the details of the stages:

Sunday 30/07, stage 1: Les 2 Alpes - Auris en Oisans: 14 km, +810 m
Sunday 30/07, stage 2: Auris en Oisans - Le Chazelet: 28 km, +1790 m
Monday 31/07, stage 3: Le Chazelet - Villar d'Arêne. 5 km "contre le montre", +430 m
Monday 31/07, stage 4: Villar d'Arêne - Monêtier les bains. 21 km, +780 m
Tuesday 01/08, stage 5: Monêtier les bains - Vallouise. 19 km, +950 m
Wednesday 02/08, stage 6: Vallouise - La Chapelle en Valgaudemar. 54 km, +2940 m
Thursday 03/08, stage 7: La Chapelle - Valsenestre. 31 km, +2510 m
Friday 04/08, stage 8: Valsenestre - Les 2 Alpes. 18 km, +1790 m

Total: 200 km, +12,000 m of positive ascent


Race Information:

• Location: France, the Alps
• Distance: 200 km (125 miles), +12,000 m (39,400 feet) of total ascent
• Duration: 8 stages in 6 days
• Race organizer: SMAG
• Benoit Laval's summary of the 2006 race (French)

Defi de l'Oisans (© P. Gatta)

. La Meije, Defi de l'Oisans (© P. Gatta)

Ultra Trail of Cromagnon: from Limone to Cap d'Ail, Alps, Italy and France

The Cromagnon is a non-stop trail starting in the ski resort of Limone (Italy) and finishing at the beach of Cap d'Ail (France) near Monaco. The race crosses the National Park of Mercantour and follows somehow the GR 52.

There is also a shorter version of the trail called Neander-Trail (57 km). It starts half way of Cromagnon at 8pm and follows the same trail.

Race Information:

• Location: Italy and France, Alps
• Distance: 105 km (65 miles), +5,400m (17,715 feet) of total ascent
• Duration: non-stop race. Maximum 30 hours.
• Race organizer: Cap d'Ail Macadam

Philippe le long du GR5 (© Pascal Clementi)

Philippe le long du GR5 (© Pascal Clementi)

Grand Raid of Verdon: France

Philippe participated to the 8th edition in 2000. The race was 120 km long with 6,100 m of total ascent. It started and finished at Aiguine and followed various trails in the beautiful Canyon of Verdon. There were 3 stages: 1) Aiguine - Rougon: 36 km, +1580m / -1380m. 2) Rougon - Aiguine : 47km, +2470m / -2670m. 3) Aiguine - Aiguine : 42km, +2060m / -2060m.

The race is now called Verdon Canyon Challenge.

Race Information:

• Location: France
• Distance: 120 km (75 miles), +6,100m (20,000 feet) of total ascent
• Duration: 3 days
• Race organizer: AERIA

Canyon of Verdon (© P. Gatta)

Canyon of Verdon (© P. Gatta)

White River: Crystal Mountain, Washington, USA

White River is a 50 miles trail run in Crystal Mountain, Washington. The race has been created in 1993 and is a national championship event since 2001. The race offers great views of Mount Rainier and the northwest forests.

Race Information:

• Location: USA, Crystal Mountain
• Distance: 80 km (50 miles) and 2,650 m (8,700 feet) of total ascent
• Duration: non-stop, 13-hour limit.
• Race organizer: White River 50 Mile Trail Run

Views of Mount Rainier National Park (© P. Gatta)

During the White River Trail, Mount Rainier behind (© P. Gatta)

Mount Rainier (© P. Gatta)

Finish line of White River Trail (© P. Gatta)