For our forth year in the capital of functional fashion and the Mecca of all trail fanatics, we find ourselves again in Chamonix for the 2024 installment of UTMB – the most prestigious trail running race and the brightest moment for this industry in Europe and the world.
With over 10,000 participants from 90 countries across all distances this year, the main course race demanded resilience and mental toughness from each athlete, as they tackled the 176 km course, with a staggering 10,000 meters of elevation gain.
Over the course of seven days, competitors battled through heat, wind, rain, and even cold nights as they navigated the trails winding through the stunning landscapes of France, Switzerland, and Italy.
The men's race was full of surprises, with unsponsored French runner Vincent Bouillard emerging as the unlikely champion (rumors said he's a full time product designer at Hoka). Bouillard crossed the finish line in an impressive 19:54:23, becoming only the fifth runner to break the 20-hour mark at UTMB. His steady approach and perseverance paid off after many favorites, including Jim Walmsley, dropped out due to an injury. Bouillard’s victory marked one of the most unexpected moments in the race’s history. Frenchman Baptiste Chassagne claimed second, and Joaquín López of Ecuador finished third. For the women’s event, American Katie Schide dominated from the outset, setting a course record with a time of 22:09:31. This victory secured her second UTMB win in three years and completed the prestigious Western States 100-UTMB double. Schide’s confident performance throughout the race kept her ahead of the competition, with Ruth Croft of New Zealand and Canada’s Marianne Hogan rounding out the women’s podium.
We've captured the athletes, vibes, speed and emotions throughout the whole week surrounding different race courses for your review below.
This report is rounding off our 2024 Chamonix week. We are always happy to get back here to celebrate the essence of trail-running and can't wait to return. See you there in a year and check our out other reports from the Mecca of outdoor activities via the links below.
Made by TECHUNTER Magazine. Production: TECHUNTER Media. Photography, edit: Ivan Dzhatiev [THM]. Words, photography, layout, producer: Alexander Zabelin [THM].