Missed out on the UTMB World Series Finals – use this time to your advantage and explore some other amazing local alpine races, here’s how!
First – do not panic, this happens to lots of people (me included)! You now have an opportunity to make some great alternative plans. Your training is not going to go to waste, you will boost your running mojo and come out stronger! In this article we show you how to turn this to your advantage as well as some amazing alternative alpine races from the Mont Blanc region.
Turn this into your advantage
However much you thought you were prepared, you could always be more prepared. The drop-out rate for UTMB Mont Blanc races is huge. Whether it be spending more time training for hills, getting your nutrition right or indeed just calming those nerves then use this extra time to come back stronger and more resistant to a DNF.
Check out our favourite Alps’ races!
Our motto is “exploring places… not running races” so we will never organise a race. However, all our guides race, we like racing we just happen to think there is more to running than racing! There is a plethora of small and some not-so-small local alpine races for you to enter. There are lots of advantages for doing these whether you have a UTMB place or not. They are friendly, won’t break the bank (frequently cost around 50 Euros), will give you lots of alpine experience in the same area plus are lots of fun! We’ve included only races which don’t require a ballot. If you place then you be rewarded with cheese and wine and possibly some local honey.
Megeve Nature Trail
https://megevenaturetrail.com/
Headline Races
- La Cime – 30km +1560m
- L’Aguille – 42km +2680m
Our Opinion
Beautiful trails starting from Megeve which loop up onto the Mont Joly area with great views of the Mont Blanc Massif. There are other distances from 8km to 74km to check out.
- Dates – end of July
- Location – Megeve, France
Trail des Cabanes
Headline Races
- Trail des Cabanes – 42km +3500m
- Apero Trail – 26km +2100m
Our Opinion
A steep climb out of the Rhone valley in the Swiss Valais leads onto incredible trails. These races link mountain refuges which provide great checkpoints and great support.
- Dates – 3rd weekend of September
- Location – Fully, near Martigny, Switzerland
Montagn’Hard
Headline Races
- La Montagn’Hard – 110km +8200m
- La Moins’Hard – 70km +5390m
- La Mi’Hard – 50km +3790m
- La Mini’Hard – 27km +1950m
Our Opinion
True to their names, these are hard! They have bigger ascent/descent profiles for their distance compared to any UTMB Mont Blanc races. If you want a challenge, then this is it. Stunning trails on the shoulders of Mont Blanc.
- Dates – Beginning of July
- Location – Saint Nicholas de Veroce, France
Trail du Tour des Fiz
https://www.traildutourdesfiz.com/
Headline Races
- Tour des 5 Refuges – 34km +2330m
- Duo des Fiz – 25km +1440m
Our Opinion
Les Fiz are a giant range of limestone peaks which dominate the Arve valley which leads to Chamonix, much like the ones seen in the Dolomites. The Duo is a team event.
- Dates – Mid July
- Location – Plateau d’Assy, France
La Montee du Nid D’Aigle
https://www.saintgervais.com/jai-envie/evenement-et-animation/la-montee-du-nid-daigle/
Headline Race
- La Montee du Nid Aigle – 20km +2000m
Our Opinion
If you don’t like downhill and love the ups then this is for you! Over 35 years old this is a race to the Nid d’Aigle, the Eagles Nest standing at 2,412m where the Tramway du Mont Blanc which takes climbers on their way to the summit. What’s unique about the race, which is now part of the trail championships is that it’s uphill all the way with a train ride back down the mountain from the finish! It’s also the alpine home of Run the Wild.
- Dates – 3rd weekend of July
- Location – Saint Gervais Les Bains, France
Aravis Trail
Headline Races
- Volontera – 48km +3100m
- Deufe – 20km +1100m
Our Opinion
The Aravis mountain range sit between the Mont Blanc Massif and Geneva, rising above Megeve and Annecy. They are stunning limestone monoliths. This area is often forgotten, and the races are a great way to explore this stunning area.
- Dates – Mid June
- Location – Thones, France
Le Belier Trail and Rando
https://lebelier-laclusaz.fr/evenements/belier-trail-rando/
Headline Races
- Le Marathon du Belier – 42km +1980m
- La Course Phare – 27km +1000m
Our Opinion
Not far from Annecy is La Clusaz which is in the Aravis area. It’s another great local set of races with many distances from 7km to the grand slam of 84km (made up over a combination of races).
- Dates – 3rd week of August
- Location – La Clusaz, France
Trail des Aiguilles Rouges
https://www.aiguillesrouges.fr/en
Headline Races
- TAR – 50km +3800m
- Petit TAR – 16km +1250m
Our Opinion
One of the last races of the season in the Chamonix valley it loops through the wild and beautiful Aiguilles Rouges which overlook the Mont Blanc Massif. It’s common to have snow on the route which can add to the challenge.
- Dates – 3rd weekend of September
- Location – Chamonix, France
Join Run the Wild in the Alps
Our final tip is to join us on trail run in the Alps! You can either join us on one of scheduled trips such as our Trails in the Alps, Tour du Mont Blanc plus many others, or book a bespoke trip. It’s a great way to enjoy the trails, see the stunning scenery, learn techniques and all in a non-pressured environment. Plus, we also do a 1 day – “Get ready for racing in the Alps” guided run where we cover everything from what to pack to how to train and look at the sort of terrain, you’ll be running in. Just drop us a line if you are interested.
You’ll look back and be pleased that you gained some incredible experiences along your trail running journey and when the big UTMB event does come round you’ll enjoy it even more!
