A highlight in the European trail running calendar, Mont Blanc Marathon is the title event in a 3-day weekend of trail races around the jaw-droppingly beautiful Chamonix valley in France. Not to be confused with the ultra running festival, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc festival; Mont Blanc Marathon offers a variety of different races - from the lung-busting Vertical KM to the ultra-distance 90km du Mont-Blanc race. It's a weekend not to be missed!
THE HISTORY OF THE RACE
The story of the Mont Blanc Marathon began back in 1979, and not with a marathon as one would expect, but with a 23-km cross-country race. A total of 450 runners crossed that first finish line back in 1979, and the race has only gone on to grow in popularity year on year.
In 2003, a 42-kilometre ‘marathon’ distance was added to the line up; followed shortly afterwards by a 10-km race – making the event more accessible to a wider field. In later years the addition of a ‘Vertical Kilometre’ gave runners the opportunity to put their uphill racing skills to the test, while a 90-km ultramarathon, introduced in 2013, allowed others a chance to push their endurance. Further races were introduced in 2015, including the Young Race Marathon and the Duo Étoilé – a 23-kilometre night race run in teams of two beneath the starry skies of Chamonix.
THE RACES AT MARATHON MONT BLANC
Runners can choose from a variety of different races over the Mont Blanc Marathon weekend:
- 90km du Mont Blanc – 92-kilometres; 6220m ascent & descent (View Map)
- 42km du Mont Blanc – 42 kilometres; 2730m ascent, 1700m descent
- Cross du Mont Blanc – 23 kilometres; 1680m ascent, 870m descent
- Duo étoile (a team event) – 21 kilometres; 1300m ascent & descent (View Map)
- 10km du Mont Blanc – 10 kilometres; 325m ascent & descent (View Map)
- Mont Blanc Vertical KM – 3.8 kilometre; 1000m ascent (View Map)
- Young Race Marathon – 15-kilometres; 1030m ascent (View Map)
- Mini Cross du Mont Blanc (children only, ages 7 – 15) – 800 metres to 3 kilometres
THE ROUTES
The mighty Chamonix valley plays host to all the races in the Mont Blanc Marathon series, ensuring the competitors are treated to incredible views to make up for the seemingly endless climbs. Traversing between France and Switzerland, the 90km du Mont Blanc race delivers even more inspiring vistas, and since all the races are run in early summer, snow patches on higher trails are not uncommon.
The beautiful Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve sees the 90-km, 42-km and 23-km races pass through its boundaries. Competitors can be treated to the sight of ibex and chamois mountain goats, marmottes and eagles; along with many native species of mountain fauna and flora.
RECORDS AND NOTABLE FINISHERS
Legendary mountain runner, Kilian Jornet, has racked up the most Marathon du Mont Blanc race wins – having won the 42-kilometre race 5 times, 3 of which were consecutive. In 2021 the records fell for both the overall and women’s categories in the race. Norwegian runner, Stian Angermund, raised the bar with an awe-inspiring time of 3 hours and 18 minutes, while Swiss runner and 2012 female winner, Maude Mathys, returned to set a new ladies record in 3 hours and 51 minutes.
