Nina Silitch
Last year I ran 1/2 way around Mont Blanc -competing in the North Face Ultra Trail:
CCC® (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix): passing through 3 countries – France, Italy and Switzerland, and approximately 98 km and 5600 m of +altitude change – semi-autonomous. Maximum time limit was 25 hours. I completed it in just over 18hrs and placed 10th for women overall, 8th for Sr Women.
This summer I made a reconnaissance of the 100 mile, Ultra Trail du Mt Blanc, in a running tour of Mt Blanc – approximately 166 km and 9400 m of altitude change – semi-autonomous. We covered 102 miles and over 30, 000 feet of climbing in 5 days.
Instead of running the new course, Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie [TDS]: approximately 105km and +/- 6700m – semi-autonomous, I happily crewed for my American friend Kim Gaylord. She is an experienced ultra-runner, recently transplanted from the Italian Alps back to L.A. She managed to train amongst the movie stars and pulled off an amazing 3rd place in this tough race. Crewing for Kim was a nice change for me.. The course passed through amazing, tough and rugged countryside of the Alps. I passed through Col des Saisies, Col Cormet de Roseland and Col Petit St Bernard. Believe me throughout the day it made me want to take up road cycling. It was beautiful, true alps.
Next adventure….Trail des Aiguilles Rouge- hosted by our own Chamonix Mt Blanc Running Club. http://www.aiguillesrouges.fr/accueil.php
