We’ve all heard of the Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB). The 171km ultra running circuit around the highest mountain in the Alps is famous enough by itself, attracting hikers from around the world. And the actual event is getting bigger and flashier by the year, attracting more and more media attention. Even as a casual trail runner it’s hard to ignore the UTMB behemoth as the organization adopts or buys up popular local races across the globe.
But it’s easy to forget that UTMB the race is only just over 20 years old, and behind the glitz and commercial momentum is a story of humble origins. The race started off as a simple seven-runner relay, organized by a local running club – the emphasis being on the friendship between the three countries the route passes through (France, Italy and Switzerland). But the Mont Blanc tunnel fire in 1999 put a stop to the relays. The UTMB as we know it restarted in 2003, thanks to a small group of passionate runners in Chamonix. In that first year, there were 700 runners and only 67 made it all the way round – but it was a start. The Poletti family took the reins and from there the race has soared in popularity.
