Runner dies in UTMB PTL accident

The UTMB Festival has suffered the death of a competitor for the second year running following an accident in the PTL event on Tuesday.

A Brazilian runner, who has not been named, was competing in the team event when he was involved in a fall.

UTMB statement

A statement from the UTMB said: ”At 01:30am CET on Tuesday 23rd August, the UTMB Mont-Blanc Race Committee was informed that a PTL runner had a serious accident near the Refuge de Plan Glacier. The runner was with his team on an official trail, which is secured for the PTL and marked throughout the year, between the Col de Tricot and the Refuge de Plan Glacier. 

”The rescue helicopter team responded to the scene, following which they confirmed the death of the runner. 

”The PTL is an autonomous ultra-endurance pedestrian event of 300 km and 25,000 meters of ascent, entered by teams of 2 or 3 runners. Participants are tracked by a GPS beacon at all times on the entire course.”

Race continues

All of the other PTL teams have been informed of the situation and the decision as whether or not continue will be made by each individual team.

Before a Hoka group run in Chamonix, Marketing Director Mike McManus said a few words before a minute’s silence in honour of the late runner.

“We are all here to celebrate the beauty of this place and why we love trail running, so this is especially sad news,” he commented.

“Our thoughts, prayers and condolences go out to the family of the victim.”

The Hoka team account also tweeted out its condolences to the runner’s family and friends.

In 2021 a Czech runner fell to his death while competing in the 145km TDS race.