Miao Yao became the first Chinese woman to win the OCC race at UTMB as she triumphed by over six minutes in a course record time.
Third 12 months ago and the winner of the 100km UTMB CCC in 2018, she made her move on the big climb from Trient to the Col de Balme, the highest point on the 57km course.
And despite the searing temperatures she looked relatively comfortable throughout and crossed the line in Chamonix in a new best time of five hours, 54 minutes and three seconds.
Switzerland’s Judith Wyder took second, just ahead of home favourite Clémentine Geoffray.
Where the race was won
The first climb from Orsières to Champex-Lac (add on Chamonix for the OCC abbreviation) saw Dani Moreno set the pace ahead of fellow American Tabor Hemming, whose husband Eli would go on to win the men’s race.
But the top 20 of a stacked field were all within two minutes of each other.
Things changed on the steep slopes up to the the Col de Balme though as Yao blew the race apart.
She took minutes out of the field on that climb and was never really threatened thereafter.
Wyder was her closest challenger but she was already five minutes back when she took a tumble on the run in to Chamonix.
Thankfully she was quickly able to get running again and still had just over two minutes to spare from Geoffray in the battle for second.
Less than 20 minutes separated the first 10 women, underlining the quality of the field.
Unfinished business with UTMB
“I’m so happy to be able to win this race,” said Yao afterwards.
“The mountain and the atmosphere are both incredible, though the heat was a challenge today and hydration was very important.”
The 27-year-old added that a return to the 100-mile UTMB race, where she was a DNF in 2019, could be on the cards when she turns 30.
She is already in a select group of women to have won both OCC and CCC, which includes Ruth Croft, who will bid to complete the set with UTMB later this week.
UTMB OCC results – Elite Women
Thursday 29 August 2024, 57km
- Miao Yao (CHI) – 5:54:03
- Judith Wyder (SUI) – 6:00:05
- Clémentine Geoffray (FRA) – 6:02:10
- Sara Alonso (SPA) – 6:05:15
- Caitlin Fielder (NZL) – 6:05:46
