Trail running race training from Chamonix to Courmayeur

4 days of training and preparation for the legendary trail running race from Courmayeur to Chamonix, with Caroline, UIMLA certified mountain leader.

Group

Alps

4 Days

Apr - Nov

High

Intermediate

Description

A 4-day trail course to prepare at best the legendary race from Chamobix to Courmayeur with logistics included for more comfort. Besides, the bags transport is provided every day and you can enjoy the magical Italy and Beaufortain landscapes and follow your guide’s advices!

Technical, wild and contrasted, you will progress on a route off the beaten tracks. You will be able to spot the traces, to prepare your race or just discover splendid landscapes on the course. A 4-day trail to run, explore, exchange, recognize a mythical journey and progress.

We will progress between Chamonix and Courmayeur via the Bourg Saint Maurice. The different stages will allow you to get to know the whole route. Each evening you will rest in the comfortable accommodation.

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 4 days we will run on average 25-40km a day. We will cover 145km in total, with 9100 meters of altitude gain. We will mainly be on single tracks and technical terrain. We will partially be on aerial paths.

Highlights of this 4 days of trail course are the following: – An official and full recognition of the legendary course – Four steps for more comfort to enjoy better the scenery around you! – Professional advice to better prepare this race – Logistics: transfers, luggage transport, accommodation, meals

Does this 4-day preparation sound interesting? Then I invite you to contact me! We will have the opportunity to discuss your level and your desires. If it isn’t suitable, of course I will tell you other trail courses which I organize this year.

Price includes

Accommodation included
Guiding fee
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Luggage transfer

Price details

Price per person to join a group up to 14 clients. The price does not include the guide´s expenses (accommodation, meals, lift tickets, etc).

Itinerary

Day 1: Courmayeur – Refuge Elena

Meet in front of Chamonix SNCF station at 6:30 am, and transfer by minibus to Courmayeur. Bring your own picnic for this stage (picnics are provided on subsequent days). A long climb takes us to the Col Sapin. We'll then cross some stunning scenery on a balcony trail facing the Grandes Jorasses, before descending into ValFerret and finishing the day at the Elena hut.

29km, 2000m D+, 1290m D-, approx. 7 to 8 hours' running time

Day 2: Elena - Trient

The second and longest day begins with the ascent of the Col Ferret, the Lac de Champex, the alpine pastures of Bovine, a full view of the Swiss Valais and its majestic glaciers, the village of Trient, transfer to Montroc, dinner, and overnight at the gîte (accommodation in dormitories).

43km, 2267m D+, 2893m D-, approx. 9 to 10 hours running time

Day 3: Trient - Chamonix

To finish on a high note, we'll take the Catogne alpine pastures and the Col de la Col de la Forclaz before switching to the French side for our final ascent: the Tête au Vent. The balcony trail will allow us to admire the Mer de Glace and all the mythical peaks of the Mont Blanc massif. At the summit of La Flégère, it's time to head back down into the Chamonix valley for a well-deserved rest! We then arrive in Chamonix in the late afternoon for a closing aperitif and debriefing at around 5 pm.

29km, 2000m D+, 1290m D-, approx. 7 to 8 hours running time NB: Shower available in Chamonix at the end of the day: 6 € per person.

Day 4: ND de la Gorge - Chamonix

The Chamonix route will lead you through the pastures at the foot of the Mont Blanc glacier, the Truc and Tricot pass, Les Houches, and Chamonix.

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.

(Reconnaissance TDS)

Group size: 7 to 14 people.

Level:

Regular practice of running and other endurance activities 4-5 times per week for at least 1:15h
Regular practice of foot race in varied terrain
Regular practice of mountain hiking
Experience and participation in trail in the mountains of at least 40km and 2000m of positive vertical drop and being able to progress at a minimum speed of 800m positive vertical drop / hr for 1 hour, In racing recognition: being able to keep the barriers official schedules of the race on the duration of the course, the course is usually done in several days (2-4 days depending on the relevant races)
Mountain environment knowledge required

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 4 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.

Equipment you will need to bring

Included: - Accommodation in mountain gîtes and refuges (dormitories) - ½ board (dinner + breakfast) - Packed lunches (except picnic on day 1) - Luggage transport, stage by stage - Chamonix - Courmayeur transfer on day 1 - Trient - Montroc transfers on days 2 and 3 - Supervision by a qualified trail professional Not included: - Individual insurance - Food supplements (energy bars and drinks) - Personal expenses - Beverages during meals - Picnic lunch on day 1 (to be arranged individually) - Individual transfers in the event of interruption of the outing or stay What to bring for the day : - A light rucksack including : - A waterproof jacket - A warm long-sleeved fleece top - Survival blanket and whistle - An individual first-aid kit - Cap or headband - Hat and thin gloves - Sunglasses suitable for running - Long tights if running shorts - Cereal bars and energy drink - Plastic bag for garbage - Biodegradable toilet paper - Headlamp - Minimum 1.5l water supply - Elastic strapping - A small amount of cash What to bring : - Running shorts - Short-sleeved T-shirt - A pair of running socks - Previously worn trail shoes To bring for the whole stay : - A silk sheet - Change of clothes for 3 days - Towel - Personal toiletries - Spare shoes - Spare water bag - Spare batteries for headlamp - Spare pair of shoelaces - Pocket knife - Earplugs or ear plugs Recommended additional equipment : - A pair of poles - Camera Personal pharmacy: - Anti-chafing cream - sunscreen - Double-skin bandages - Elastic bandage - Paracetamol - Anti-diarrheal - Antiseptic - Personal medications

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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