As reported late last night, the UTMB has been cancelled due to bad weather. Yesterday was fairly wet and cold all day but the heavens really opened up shortly after the race started at 6.30pm.
With all the indications looking like it was only going to get worse, the decision was made to stop the runners at Les Contamines. Those that wished to return to Chamonix were brought back by bus, but the option was also given to carry on to Courmayeur, where the race would pick up from the next day. Race organisers said that despite knowing the disappointment that this would cause they would rather return everyone in good health than risk injury due to the conditions.
The TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie) which was due to start at midnight last night, was also held off due to the weather. By way of compensation, the organisers have arranged a second running of the CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) which started at 10am today and both the Ultra-Trailers and the TDS runners were given the option to join in if they wished. We spoke earlier this morning with one runner and Chamonix resident, Richard Cameron Beaumont, who took the CCC option and has spent the night in Courmayeur. Despite having had an uncomfortable night and very little sleep he was still keen to run whatever section of the race he could and said that many people had opted to do the same. Not the best preparation for a 98km run but I guess when you've trained so hard for the Ultra then going home would seem like an anti-climax!
The Ultra Trail is a world famous race that attracts runners from all over the globe. There is thought to have been over 100 Japanese entrants alone and walking around Chamonix over the last few days we have been hearing more different languages and accents than usual, notably a lot of Americans who have clearly travelled a long way for the competition.
The mood in Chamonix today is somewhat subdued and there are a lot of disappointed people walking round town, many still wearing race gear and clutching their bib numbers. The central square is giving tannoy announcements to keep people informed and there is a stall where you can return your number.
Frustratingly the weather now seems to have turned. The clouds are clearing and the sun is shining through, which hopefully bodes well for those who have continued to race in the CCC today.
The UTMB takes a huge amount of planning and organisation, this is the first time that is has ever been cancelled and organisers are trying their best to keep everyone informed. For more updates and official announcements please click on the link below for the UTMB website.
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