Sport: Racers get ready for the Mont Blanc Marathon

The Mont Blanc Marathon will be held from 23rd to 26th June 2022 in Chamonix. Eagerly awaited by thousands of participants, this flagship sports event in the valley marks the start of the summer season every year. From 10 to 90km, everyone can find a challenge at their level. Overview of the event.
 

Mont Blanc Marathon in Chamonix: a real institution

There is only one small step from the capital of skiing to the capital of trail running! Every year at the end of June, Chamonix becomes the meeting point for runners from around the world.

The Mont Blanc Marathon is part of the valley's flagship sports events, which attracts nearly 10,000 participants and 30,000 supporters to each event. Eight races are offered for all levels and ages, making it a very popular event both in France and internationally (85 countries are represented).
 

Many developments

A major sporting event, the Mont Blanc Marathon incorporated the prestigious Golden Trail World Series in 2017, which aims to professionalise the discipline. The races have become so popular that places for the main events (90, 42, 23 km and the "Duo Etoilé" team night race) that since 2010, places have been attributed by random draw (17,000 people sign up for 5,300 available spots).

However, it is still possible to register online for the other races (10 km, vertical KM, Young Race Marathon and Mini-Cross) without going through random sorting, until there are no longer any spots available.

Created in 1979 by the Chamonix CAF (Club Alpin Français), this not-to-miss sports event has been organised by the Chamonix Sports Club since 1984. The sports club is affiliated with the Alpine Ski Racing, one of Chamonix Sotheby’s International Realty’s partners.

Over the years, the Marathon has undergone significant developments, such as setting up the 42 km in 2003, then the 10 km, followed by the vertical KM in 2011, the 80 km in 2013 (which became the 90 km in 2018) as well as the "Duo Etoilé" and the Young Race Marathon in 2015.
 

The 2022 Marathon Programme, 23rd-26th June

The Camp Trail/Salon du Marathon will take its place on the place du Mont-Blanc from Thursday 23rd at 9 p.m. The races start on Friday on the following schedule:

24th June 2022

• 90 km du Mont-Blanc: recognised as a mythical race with its 6,330 metres of altitude gain, it is one of the most technical trail races in France. Start at 4 am, place du Triangle de l’Amitié in Chamonix.
• Vertical KM: This race against the watch is played out over 1000 metres of eleveation with a via ferrata-style end to the race. Start at 5 pm, place du Triangle de l’Amitié in Chamonix.

25th June 2022

• 23 km du Mont-Blanc: This is the original route of the Cross du Mont-Blanc created in 1979. This high-performance race takes runners into a natural setting of exceptional quality. Departure at 8am, paragliding landing site.
• 10 km: this family-friendly race takes place in the valley. Start at 10.30am, paragliding landing site.
• Mini-Cross: a trail race for children, organised in the Bois du Bouchet. Start at 2.30pm (800 m), 3pm (2 km), and 3.30pm (3 km), at the paragliding landing site.
• Duo Etoilé: a 21 km night race to be completed as a team. Start at 7.30pm, place du Triangle de l’Amitié.

26th June 2022

• 42 km du Mont-Blanc, the flagship race of this sports event sees the best runners evolve in a majestic setting, over more than 2,500 metres of elevation. Start at 7.30am, place du Triangle de l’Amitié.
• Young Race Marathon: Located at the end of the 42 km course, this 15 km race is dedicated to young athletes. Start at 10.30am, Montroc.

Very much involved in the valley’s sports events, members of the Chamonix Sotheby’s International Realty team are actively preparing to participate in the Cross du Mont-Blanc (23 km). Don’t hesitate to go and encourage them!