This was a preview of the race, click here to read all about another sensational victory for Courtney Dauwalter.
The ultrarunning GOAT Courtney Dauwalter says she’s looking forward to seeing “what’s left in the tank for the 2024 race season” when she lines up at Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB on Friday.
It’s been another near-perfect season for the American superstar – four races and four wins, including another triumph and course record at Hardrock 100.
As well as being the first woman in all those events she was also fourth overall at Hardrock, third at Mt Fuji 100 and a close-up runner-up last time out at the SwissPeaks 70.
‘It’s race week’
So could Nice see her go one better and do the overall and first female finisher double?
You’ll be able to find out by watching the race livestream here.
Writing on her Instagram page earlier this week, Dauwalter said: “It’s race week! ⛏️👷♀️
“Headed to @nicecotedazurbyutmb to explore 100 miles of new-to-us trails and see what’s left in the tank for the 2024 race season.
“It’s a point-to-point course that starts in the mountains and ends at the sea… really excited to check it out! ⛰️🌊”
The route takes the athletes from the rugged Mercantour Massif to the Mediterranean waters that make up the stunning French Riviera.
And it culminates at the iconic finish line on the Promenade des Anglais, which only recently also hosted the finish of the women’s IRONMAN World Championship.
Who else is racing?
Over 6,000 runners – from 77 different countries – have entered and in terms of the elites taking part, Britain’s Jon Albon will be the favourite for the 50K event while this year’s UTMB winner Vincent Bouillard takes part in the 20K.
Dauwalter, with a UTMB Index of 849 is currently ranked the best female trail runner in the world.
That puts her well ahead of all her female rivals who include Germany’s Ida-Sophie Hegemann (UTMB Index 731), who placed second in the Istria 100 by UTMB 100M in 2024 and won the 100K at the 2022 Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB.
Only one man has a higher UTMB Index than Dauwalter – who wears bib #1 – and that’s Spain’s Cristofer Clemente Mora (860). He will face competition from France’s Alban Berson (834), who recently finished second in the TDS at the 2024 UTMB, and Sweden’s Petter Restorp (828).
The 100M (159 km and 8,200m elevation gain), starts on Friday October 4 at 12:00 local time from Auron. The first finisher is expected at 09:15 the following day.
The 100K (107 km and 4,500m elevation gain), starts on Saturday October 5 at 06:00 from Roubion.
The 50K (54 km and 2,100m elevation gain), starts on October 5 at 07:30 from Col d’Eze.
The 20K (22 km and 700m elevation gain), starts on Sunday October 6 at 07:00.
