Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB 2024: Dauwalter wins AGAIN - and second OVERALL | Trail Running News

Ultrarunning legend Courtney Dauwalter made it five wins out of five in 2024 when she claimed an emphatic success in the women’s race at Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB.

Last year saw her achieve the unprecedented 100-mile treble of Western States, Hardrock and UTMB.

And she’s continued to raise the bar this campaign too, which has seen her notch victories at Transgrancanaria, Hardrock again, Mt Fuji 100 and the SwissPeaks 70.

And in this 100-mile race from the Mercantour Massif to the Mediterranean she was always out on her own in the women’s field and gradually overtook nearly all the leading men.

In the end there was only one – Spain’s Cristofer Clemente Mora still ahead of her on the finish line on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice as she also finished second overall.

How the race panned out

Clemente Mora (860) was the only runner in the field with a higher UTMB Index than Dauwalter’s 849.

The race began at midday local time on Friday and he was in the front rank throughout.

But when the sun came up on a perfect morning on the French Riviera, Dauwalter was still hot on his heels with just over 10 minutes between them with close to 15km to go.

That stayed pretty constant as both finished strong, with an hour and more back to the rest. Clemente Mora stopped the clock in 21 hours, 22 minutes and 14 seconds, with Dauwalter’s time 21:35:57.

Courtney Dauwalter Nice Cote Azur 2024 — Courtney Dauwalter crosses the line in Nice [Photo credit: UTMB]

Nicolas Cerisier (FRA) was second in the men’s race and third overall in 22:28:24 while the gap behind Dauwalter to the second woman was nearly five hours.

The result also books a spot at UTMB 2025 for Dauwalter – if she wants to take that option.

“I found it very difficult and I’m very pleased to be here,” she said shortly after crossing the line.

“I feel really lucky that we got to come and experience this race, this course, this place. When I came over that last hill and saw the sea and I could start to see Nice I was thrilled.

“This course is unique I think – the terrain you get to cover, the rocks, the roots and the rain made for a fun night.”