The Mont-Blanc Marathon delivers breathtaking views. In the marathon, Kilian Jornet claimed victory just weeks after recovering from the fibula fracture he suffered at this winter’s Pierra Menta. In the 10K, our co-founder Guillaume Adam celebrated his very first trail race with a win and a new course record. He finished two minutes ahead of trail-running specialists Simon Breillad and Yoann Stuck, while Romain Adam took fourth place. Here is the story of his race.
The Mont-Blanc 10K, the perfect distance and course for a first trail race
My latest track races had not gone the way I wanted, so I was determined to make my trail-running debut a success. Over the previous few weeks, I had found my bearings in training with three or four runs alongside my brother Romain. Every outing left me with a few sore muscles, but they helped me get to grips with uphill running and downhill technique. The distance and course of the Mont-Blanc 10K were ideal for a first trail race.
At the start line, the runners’ faces were tense as they waited for the gun. I was doing the opposite, taking in the stunning view of Mont Blanc and feeling less pressure than I had in a long time before a race. Starting in this setting, alongside my brother, what more could I ask for? I knew I was going to enjoy this 10K and its 300 metres of elevation gain.
Thrilling sensations with Mont Blanc in view
Over the first kilometre, the runners shot off like cannonballs. Romain and I waited patiently before moving to the front. I raised the intensity on the first climb at kilometre three. I pulled away, and Romain signalled for me to go. What followed was pure enjoyment on the descent, weaving through the trees while maintaining a strong effort to open up a gap.
The biggest challenge of the day came immediately afterwards. The gradients steepened and my heart rate soared. On the toughest sections, I walked for around ten metres to recover the energy I needed for the rest of the climb. At the top, there were no rivals in sight, and the rest of the race was downhill before flattening out.
I used my long stride to stretch the lead, running one kilometre in 3:07 on the gentle downhill beside the Arveyron. The finish line, set against the backdrop of Mont Blanc, came into view, and I gave everything I had left to break 39 minutes. What a joy it is to run in our mountains. My trail-running adventure is only just beginning!
Maybe one day I will want to take on other Mont-Blanc Marathon races: the 23K, 42K or 90K.
Photo credit: David Gonthier