Ultra-Trail UTMB: The Secret Weapons of Top Teams
The Changing Landscape of UTMB
In the past 20 years, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) race has undergone significant changes, and so too have the training methods of the world’s top athletes. From incorporating different disciplines to utilizing cutting-edge technology, the best teams are constantly seeking the edge in their preparation for this grueling endurance race. Let’s take a closer look at the secret weapons of some of the top trail running teams.
The Hoka Team: Drawing Inspiration from Road Runners and Triathletes
The Hoka team, led by Christopher Rainsford, has a roster of serious contenders for victory at UTMB, including American Jim Walmsley and Frenchman Thibaut Garrivier. But the team doesn’t consist solely of trail runners; they also include road runners and triathletes. Rainsford explains that the training of endurance runners can be a solitary endeavor, so they strive to create cohesion within the team by bringing athletes together to share their preparation methods and support systems. Triathletes and marathoners have often taken their professionalization further, and trail runners often draw inspiration from their approach.
To foster team spirit, the Hoka team gathers their athletes for a three-week training camp in Val Thorens, at an altitude of over 2,300 meters. The goal is to make the athletes feel like they belong to a team when they arrive at UTMB. Rainsford acknowledges that they would like to do even more in this regard and are moving in that direction.
The Salomon Team: Advancing Physiological Understanding and Preparing for Specific Challenges
Vincent Viet has been leading the Salomon team since 2022, which boasts top athletes such as Courtney Dauwalter, Mathieu Blanchard, and François D’haene. The team also organizes training camps for its runners, including a preseason stage in Portugal and a four-day course preview of the UTMB route. However, they have realized that training on well-known trails like those in the Mont-Blanc Massif can be disrupted by external distractions. To counter this, they have partnered with smaller mountain areas, such as Val Cenis in Maurienne, where athletes can prepare in peaceful surroundings without distractions.
But the team doesn’t stop there. They work closely with Guillaume Millet, a researcher specializing in the physiology and biomechanics of long-distance endurance efforts. Millet helps improve their performance and tailor the preparation of their athletes to the specific demands of each race. For the Western States 100, for example, he provided protocols to tackle the challenges of exertion in extreme heat. On the UTMB, they focus on sleep management, among other aspects.
The North Face Team: Access to a Futuristic Training Center
The North Face has expanded its arsenal in recent years as its trail running lineup has evolved, with a particular focus on its flagship athlete, Pau Capell, the winner of UTMB 2019. Following Katie Schide’s UTMB victory in 2022, the team regained its dominance in major races. To support their athletes even more closely, the brand collaborates with the All Triangles innovation laboratory in Annecy to develop shoe prototypes tailored to each runner. They also provide access to a state-of-the-art training center called “3.2.1 Perform”.
Xavier Feuillée, the founder of the center, explains that they go beyond physical preparation, utilizing a wide range of tools originally developed for Formula 1 drivers to enhance cognitive abilities. Each athlete undergoes a comprehensive physiological assessment, which guides their physical and physiological training. The center includes dedicated floors for medical and physiological tests, recovery and physical preparation facilities, as well as a more secretive third floor where photography is prohibited. This floor features various machines and tools, the functions of which may not be immediately apparent, designed to challenge athletes’ cognitive abilities, reflexes, and decision-making skills.
A Paradigm Shift Since the Competitive 2017 UTMB
With the growing popularity of trail running, the competition on the starting line, especially at the UTMB, has significantly increased. The competitive UTMB race in 2017, won by François D’haene, marked a turning point in the sport’s history. Today, teams spare no expense in their quest to gain an advantage on the trails of Mont-Blanc.
As the sport continues to evolve, the teams’ approach to training has evolved as well. From the Hoka team’s focus on creating a sense of unity across different disciplines to Salomon’s collaboration with researchers to optimize performance and The North Face’s futuristic training center, it is clear that innovation and collaboration are key components in the preparation of the top UTMB teams.
Aspiring trail runners can learn from these strategies and adapt them to their own training regimens, focusing on diversity, physiological understanding, and utilizing the latest advancements in sport science and technology. Ultimately, it is the combination of determination, preparation, and the right strategies that will give trail runners the best chance of success at UTMB.
<< photo by Jerry Zhang >>
The image is for illustrative purposes only and does not depict the actual situation.
