Tour du Mont Blanc Ultra Now Tougher but Expected to Fill in a Few Days
05.01.2007
The North Face have announced the 5th edition of the North Face Ultra-Trail du Tour du Mont-Blanc and The North Face Ultra Trail Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix. The events will take place from the 25th to 27th of August 2007 and entries open at 08.00 on Jan. 8th ... with the races expected to fill up in a few days. So if you are planning to enter be quick!The flood of applications that arrived in Chamonix from 48 different countries last year persuaded the organizers to reorganize the events this year, incorporating new, more demanding courses and some qualification requirements. The main changes are as follows;
Longer, Tougher Courses: The North Face Ultra-Trail du Tour du Mont-Blanc will reach or exceed 160 km and 9000 m of vertical ascent. The second course, Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix will extend to 90 km with an ascent close to 5000 m. The latter of the two will become a race apart, offering an extreme mountain challenge all its own.
Limited Entry and Qualification: The maximum number of participants has been limited to 2000 for The North Face Ultra-Trail du Tour du Mont-Blanc® and 1500 for The North Face Ultra Trail Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix. The North Face Ultra-Trail du Tour du Mont-Blanc will also require proof of completion of a minimum of two 50-km mountain trails or at least one 80-km mountain trail. While The North Face Ultra Trail Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix will not require completion of an ultra-trail, prior participation in these events is advised.
The North Face Ultra-Trail Tour du Mont Blanc is considered the longest, most challenging and most prestigious ultramarathons in Europe and one of the most spectacular courses. The route passes through three countries, and the breathtaking scenery of Mont Blanc with its seven valleys, 400 peaks and 71 glaciers. The North Face Ultra Trail Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix is just as appealing and follows much of the International de Grande Randonnée du Tour du Mont-Blanc path.
