How the ultra marathon around Mont Blanc turned trail running into a
mega sport
Twenty years ago, a small band a runners came up with an idea: hold a
race around the Alps' highest peak, covering more than 100 miles through
Italy, France and Switzerland. They expected a few crazy souls. Instead
more than 700 runners showed up. Running was changed forever.
This is the improbable story of how Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB)
became one of the world's great sporting events even as it set new
limits of human endurance. It is a story of how world's best runners, in
the historic home of mountain adventures, brought about a revolution in
running that has been felt across the globe.
For this unbiased and inside look at the past, present and future of the
UTMB, author and trail runner Doug Mayer, was given unfettered access to
the UTMB archives, and spoke to more than 100 people, from race
organizers and winners, to experts and scientists, to those who love the
UTMB, and even those who hate it. The result is a book with more than
200 photos, maps and infographics that is the most comprehensive
perspective into trail running's greatest race.