News of the week
- Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller are calling for a boycott of UTMB, in order to defend the trail running community against the rising of the UTMB brand power. For instance, a runner cannot participate to UTMB unless he had run an UTMB branded race during the year, irrespective of the ITRA classification. There are also other points involved in this call for boycott, related to UTMB growing influence and money-making business
Adamello Ultra Trail – the hidden alpine challenge of the September calendar
The Adamello Ultra Trail 2024 was, without a doubt, one of the most demanding and rewarding races I’ve ever attempted. Right from the first kilometer, I knew I was in for something different—something more than just a physical test. This race, often overshadowed by bigger names on the September calendar, delivers a raw and authentic alpine experience that’s perfect for runners who thrive in rugged terrain and silence. A race carved into alpine history Based in Ponte di Legno, a picturesque mountain town in Lombardy, Italy, the Adamello Ultra Trail 2025 offers multiple distances—170 km, 100 km, and 35 km. I ran the 100 km option, which was plenty to get a full taste of the course’s wild beauty and brutal honesty. The route traverses
The 100th by UTMB (Andorra) – How to face the Pyrenean altitude
I’ll never forget the first time I toed the start line of the 100th Andorra UTMB 2025. At that moment, I thought I was ready. My legs were trained, my gear was dialed in, and I had scouted the route online at least a dozen times. But nothing—absolutely nothing—can prepare you for the way the Pyrenees test every inch of your body and mind. Over 105 km, the terrain pushes you into steep ascents, exposed ridgelines, and hauntingly beautiful valleys that steal your breath, both figuratively and literally. In this article, I want to share what I learned from this incredible adventure: key strategies for acclimatization, how to manage altitude effectively, and technical highlights that make this course one of the most challenging yet rewarding
Whalers’ Great Route trail race: Faial’s whaling history and culture
From the very first step of the Whalers’ Great Route trail race, I felt like I was running through pages of Azorean history. This wasn’t just another trail event—it was a visceral encounter with the island of Faial’s deep-rooted connection to the ocean, whaling heritage, and cultural resilience. Each ascent, viewpoint, and coastal descent told a story, echoing the legacy of the whalers who once braved the Atlantic from this volcanic gem in the Azores. Running through time: a route marked by history Before diving into the race itself, it’s worth understanding where we are running. Faial, a small island in the central group of the Azores, might seem unassuming at first glance. However, its past is anything but quiet. From the 18th to the
TransPeneda-Gerês – cut-off times explained
When I first signed up for the race, the phrase TransPeneda-Gerês cut-off times immediately gave me chills. I had read the stats, the elevation gain, the wild terrain… but nothing hits harder than realizing your dream race can end prematurely just because you didn’t manage your energy wisely. I want to share my experience running the TransPeneda-Gerês, not as a champion, but as a regular trail runner who’s learned the hard way what effort management really means. From the first climb to the last checkpoint, this race demands not just strength, but strategy. The myth of “going easy” at the start Every experienced runner tells you to start conservatively, and I thought I did. But the first 10K of TransPeneda-Gerês are deceivingly runnable. You’re fresh,
