Team INOV8 Return To Chamonix

The INOV8 team are returning to Chamonix for the 2024 edition of the world’s most famous ultra running festival.

It’s a week-long carnival where thousands of long-distance trail runners from across the planet tackle iconic races under the shadow of Western Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc.

There are eight races in total, ranging in distance from 15km to 300km.

The centrepiece, as always, will be the mythical 176km race that starts and finishes in Chamonix, France, and passes through both Italy and Switzerland on a route that circumnavigates Mont Blanc. Runners will rack up a mighty 10,000m of elevation gain in the process.

The sharp end of the 176km elite field is once again stacked, with Jim Walmsley, Mathieu Blanchard, Hannes Namberger and Tom Evans being the top four ranked men, and Katie Schide, Fuzhao Xiang, Eszter Csillag and Emily Hawgood holding the same positions for the women.

But the field is way deeper than just those eight runners. There is so much talent and experience throughout the elite starting list, that this could prove one of the most enthralling races in its 21-year history.

For Team INOV8, Yannick Noel (France), Keith Wigley (UK) and Hallvard Schjolberg (Norway) will all tackle the 176km race.

Yannick finished a superb third place in the 145km race at last year’s Chamonix festival and has enjoyed a stellar 2024 season to date, with wins and podiums at several high-profile ultra running events. He is ranked eighth in the starting list for the blue-ribbon race.

Yannick said: “My preparations have gone well. I’m ready to race and feeling happy. My aim is to enjoy it out there and get a good result, without any injuries. I expect the race to start fast, and Jim (Walmsley) to kick ass!”

Based in the mountainous area of Les 2 Alpes, 38-year-old Yannick – a former footballer – balances his running alongside family life and his job as a pastry chef.