The Race That Changed Running

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.  

Author Biography

Doug Mayer is an author, journalist and founder of the trail running tour company, Run the Alps. He has co-authored two other books with Helvetiq, Trail Running Illustrated and Run the Alps Switzerland: 30 Must-Do Trail Runs. Doug lives in Chamonix, France, with his partner, English Knowles and their trail running labradoodle, Izzy. Doug is a past producer of the Peabody-Award winning show, Car Talk, and has run the UTMB race twice.