Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc

The course leaves Chamonix and immediately begins climbing toward the first of many Alpine passes. Through the night, runners cross the Col du Bonhomme and the Col de la Seigne before entering Italy's Val Veny with the Mont Blanc massif towering above. The Italian section through Courmayeur offers a rare chance to refuel in a proper town before the long climb to the Grand Col Ferret on the Swiss border. The Swiss section is arguably the most beautiful — rolling through alpine meadows above the Val Ferret. The final major climb to the Bovine and the descent through Trient test already-shattered legs. The finish along the Chamonix promenade is one of the great moments in ultrarunning, with thousands of spectators lining the streets regardless of the hour. Course conditions vary enormously — from soft alpine meadow to rocky scree, with exposure above treeline on every major pass. Weather can shift from warm sunshine to near-freezing rain in an hour.