Tour du Mont Blanc trail running race training course

3 days to discover and train for the famous trail running race around Mont Blanc, starting from Chamonix, with Caroline, UIMLA mountain leader and trail running expert.

Group

Alps

3 Days

May - Nov

High

Intermediate

Description

A 3-day training trail to identify and prepare the famous race around Mont Blanc in optimal shape. Or also just to discover a magical itinerary as the Mont Blanc route. From Courmayeur to Chamonix, crossing Switzerland and the pretty mountain village of Champex, let’s follow the footsteps of the great champions.

The highlights of this course are the following:
– A full official recognition of the legendary trail running race
– Three stages, three countries crossed
– Ideal stay for a first approach of the route of Mont Blanc or to get prepared for competition
– Professional advice to better prepare this course
– Logistics: transfers, luggage transport, accommodation, meals

In the ‘extra’ section below, you’ll find information about the required trail running level you need to have. You will also see the equipment that you need to bring with you.

During these 3 days we will run on average 20-35km a day and go up from 1000 to 2000 meters. We will mainly be on single tracks and technical terrain. We will partially be on aerial paths.

I invite you to contact me if this beautiful recognition trip interests you. Then we will have the opportunity to talk about it. If anything does not suit you, I will of course show you other courses I organize. Besides, I also offer trail running trips in a very different environment, like the GR 20 in Corsica, check it out!

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Luggage transfer

Price details

Price per person to join a group up to 15 clients. The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).

Itinerary

Day 1: Courmayeur - Elena

29km, D +2000/-1290m, 7 to 8 hours hiking.
7AM, meeting at Chamonix train station. Bring your picnic meal for this stage (next days picnics are delivered).
Step Courmayeur – Arnuva: A long ascent gets us to Sapin pass. We will cross the magnificent setting of a path facing the Grandes Jorasses, before descending to the Ferret Valley and end the day in the Elena refuge.

Day 2: Elena - Trient

43km, D +2267/-2893m, 9 to 10 hours hiking.
The second day, the longest one, starts with the ascent of the Ferret pass, which will drive us to Champex lake, an emerald jewel set into the mountains and in the bovine pastures, in the heart of the Swiss Valais and its majestic glaciers! We finish this step in the Trient village. Then transfer to Montroc. Dinner and overnight at lodge, accommodation in dormitories.

Day 3: Trient - Chamonix

29km, D +1816/-2090m, 5 to 6 hours hiking.
To finish, we will take the Catogne pastures and the Forclaz pass before switching to the French side for our final ascent: the Tête au Vent. By this trail we can admire the Mer de Glace and all the legendary summits of Mont Blanc massif. On the top of the Flégère, it will be time to descend to the Chamonix valley for a well deserved rest!
Arrival to Chamonix in late afternoon, closing aperitif and debriefing. The course ends around 5PM.
Shower facilities on site, with swimming pool + Jacuzzi: €6 per person.

Details

More info

A minimum number of participants (defined in advance) is required for the departure to take place. If the number of participants is insufficient and the departure is cancelled, clients will be informed via a phone call at least a week prior to the scheduled departure date and will receive a complete refund.

Clients are required to have a multi-risk insurance, covering cancellation fees, rescue and accident, repatriation and baggage loss or theft.

(Courmayeur Champex Chamonix 3 jours)

Group size: 7 to 15 people.

Picnic day 1 is not included.

Sustained level:

Regular practice of running and other endurance sports 3-4 times a week for at least 1:15h.
Regular practice of running on varied terrains, experience and participation in races or natural trails from 20 to 40 km.
Occasional practice of mountain hiking.
Being able to evolve at a minimum speed of 600 m of positive vertical drop/hr for 1 hour.
Knowledge of mountain environment.

(Stage de trail dans le Grand Paradis)

Group size: 8 o 14 people

EXPERIENCED LEVEL

Regular practice of running and other endurance activities 4-5 times per week for at least 1:15hs
Regular practice of foot race in varied terrain
Regular practice of mountain hiking
Experience & participation in trails in the mountains of at least 40km and 2000m D +

Equipment:

During the day: a light backpack with a waterproof jacket, a long sleeve warm fleece type, a survival blanket, a whistle, an individual pharmacy kit*, a cap or headband, a hat and thin gloves, sunglasses suitable for running, long tights if you are wearing shorts to run, cereal bars and energy drinks, a plastic bag for waste, biodegradable toilet paper, a headlamp, a minimum reserve water of 1.5L, an elastic strapping strip and some cash
To wear: running short, a short-sleeved t-shirt, running socks and already worn trail shoes
For the whole stay: a silk sheet, a towel, spare clothes for 3 days, a personal hygiene kit, spare shoes, a spare water socket, spare batteries for the headlamp, a pair of spare laces, a pocketknife and earplugs
Recommended additional equipment: poles and camera

Individual pharmacy kit: anti-friction cream, sunscreen, double skin dressings, elastic band, paracetamol, anti-diarrheal, antiseptic and personal drugs

Meeting point

At Chamonix.

About the guide

-Caroline

4.9

(11)

Mountain Leader

I hold the State Certificate of Mountain Leader (UIMLA), Athlete of Team Garmin Adventure. I won many trail competitions such as Oxygen Challenge, The Glaciers Tour of Vanoise, Albertville Trail, Drayes Blanches of Vercors, the Frison Roche Beaufort, Run and skate of Chamonix… I have also some racing podiums such as the Saintélyon, the Lyon Urban Trail, the Causses Marathon, the Allobroges. I am an ex-sportswoman of high level in rowing (World Championships, World Cups, France Championships). I have a mastery STAPS (Sport) and BEES First degree in rowing. I organise and supervise many trail courses in the Alps with a pro team, a friends group with whom we have a mission: Run and enjoy! I invite you to contact me if you want to train and/or discover these incredible massifs.

Languages

French | English

Certificates

UIMLA

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