In Pictures: The Challenge & Charm of UTMB

Trailrun

September 13, 2024

, by David Miller

The incredible scale of the Mont Blanc massif. All photography courtesy of: David Miller

Another year, another UTMB, with Mont Blanc forever looming large against those brave enough to take on the challenge. This year, the honors went to Katie Schide of The North Face and Vincent Bouillard, a materials engineer for HOKA. Schide backed up her win at Western States with a new course record (22:09:31), while Bouillard surprised everyone with the win - becoming just the fifth person to dip under the magical 20-hour mark (19:54:23).

But of course, this race isn’t just about the elites. UTMB tells the tale of thousands of runners, each coming to Chamonix to write their own storylines. In this collection of images, award-winning photographer David Miller captures some of the highs and lows of this incredible festival of running.

Follow David on Strava here and on Instagram here.

Following the footprints of the Dukes of Savoie the runners pass through the magnificent Le chemin du curé on the TDS.

(Left): Just enough shade behind a Citroën Picasso. (Right): Notre Dame de la Gorge brings the party to UTMB. This marks the end of the road and the start of the mountain.

(Left): Just enough shade behind a Citroën Picasso. (Right): Notre Dame de la Gorge brings the party to UTMB. This marks the end of the road and the start of the mountain.

A full 106 mile lap of Mont Blanc brings all sorts of emotions.

The iconic start and finish of UTMB in Chamonix, France.

Lac de Combal during the early hours is truly a sight to behold. This is trail running heaven.

(Left): When you give it everything. This is living and the feeling is unlike any other. (Right): To quit or not to quit. A familiar sight for ultra runners and crew.

(Left): When you give it everything. This is living and the feeling is unlike any other. (Right): To quit or not to quit. A familiar sight for ultra runners and crew.

Layers of Mont Blanc.

This means everything! The blood, sweat and tears are worth it for the lifetime memories created navigating around Mont Blanc.

Every last breath for Francesco Puppi taking second place at the OCC.

(Left): Here for the Women’s Race. (Right): Street scenes at Saint-Gervais.

(Left): Here for the Women’s Race. (Right): Street scenes at Saint-Gervais.

I’ve finally fulfilled my dream!

First light and a sense of scale against the Mont Blanc massif.

UTMB winner Katie Schide embracing the win in front of a packed out media stand!

(Left): A finisher taking a quiet moment behind the scenes. (Right): A moment of solitude pre CCC in Courmayeur, Italy.

(Left): A finisher taking a quiet moment behind the scenes. (Right): A moment of solitude pre CCC in Courmayeur, Italy.

The crowds making way for a runner at the awe-inspiring Notre Dame de la Gorge.

The Italians know how to host the start of a race in Courmayeur for the 100K CCC.

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