
Alternatively, the Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix will give the 1609 participants 24 hours to cover a distance of 86 km with 4500 m ascent from the Italian heart of the Aosta valley, through Switzerland, before finishing in Chamonix.
Created in 2003 by a united party of friends lovers of cross-country racing and of the country of Mont-Blanc, les Trailers du Mont-Blanc, the race is a real challenge for the organization: 1200 volunteers maintaining 30 control and safety points for a duration of 60 hours to ensure the wellbeing of all who participate. Also, the entire length of the trail is checked and marked with about 5000 flags or signs, all of which have to be removed the days following the race. In the route there will be a total of 16 refreshment posts, some in villages and others at high mountain refuges, together with 4 reception bases at Les Chapieux, Courmayeur, Champex and Chamonix. For hours the volunteers will ensure a continual supply of hot and cold drinks, and trays of all kinds of foods (some places delight in offering their speciality – fresh cheese from the alp, homemade tart, etc.).
You can follow the two races live on the Internet site: http://live.ultratrailmb.com/. This year, the North Face Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is experimenting with a new technology to follow the athletes during the Race. Via the Goggle Earth Program you will be able to follow the leaders of the race for the final 50 kilometers (GPS tags giving out a signal every 5 minutes will be given to the first 10 men and the first 3 women in the 163 km at La Fouly, 56 km before the Finish).