Running the Tour du Mont Blanc: 6 days, 3 countries, 104 miles, 9,000m of elevation... and a lot of snacks!
This trip had been on Runlates founder Vic's bucket list for a few years - inspired by the UTMB (but not crazy enough to enter!) and looking for a once-in-a-lifetime experience without the pressure of a race. Here's her write-up of how it went...
Why the Tour du Mont Blanc?
If you've ever watched coverage of the UTMB series of events you'll probably be familiar with some of the key locations - Chamonix and Courmayeur for example - and mouth-watering mountain trails and summits with incredible views and scenery.
To enter though is a long process - accumulating running stones from other challenges, entering a lottery with no guarantee of a place. Not to mention the training. And then much of the route would be in the dark!
So Run the Wild's flagship trip has long been the way I wanted to do it - small guided groups, logistics taken care of, and a focus on learning about your surroundings, having fun and enjoying the food as well as the views.
And although it's a running adventure, it isn't six days of running. There is plenty of uphill hiking, technical terrain and descending, and that's part of what makes it such an enjoyable challenge to take on.
Having completed multiple trail events from marathons up to 80kms, and a two-day 100km a few years ago (in which I unexpectedly placed 1st female!) I felt fairly confident I'd be able to cope with the terrain and long days - but 6 of them in a row and with that elevation?
Oh - and did I mention it turned out I'd be 16 weeks pregnant on the first day of the trip? Not necessarily ideal but after doing some research and taking advice I decided to give it a go...
Six days around the Mont Blanc massif
Day 1
Chamonix - Les Contamines. (26km, +1549m, -1412m altitude 1155m)
Setting off from the famous church in the town centre with views of Mont Blanc we made our way to Les Houches (the 'official' start of the UTMB). A gorgeous sunny day to start our adventure! As we started our climb we paused for some advice from Simon (our lead guide) on uphill technique using poles.
It's only recently I've come round to using poles - uphills have tended to be my strength and on multiple events I've found myself (pole-less) overtaking those using them.
However, as with many things, the key is in the technique and they became a hugely valuable part of this trip that allowed me to efficiently tackle the ups so I could fully enjoy the downs! It was useful to have a reminder from Simon of the dos and don'ts right at the beginning.
Putting this into practice, we tackled our first big climb and were treated to more blue-skied views of Mont Blanc as we enjoyed some runnable trails and started to fully appreciate what we'd signed up for!
Accommodation the first night was in a pretty hotel in Les Contamines, full of character and with a sunny garden for our post-run stretch. Dinner was a whole camembert (each!) with potatoes, bread, ham and salad, over the course of which I started to get to know my lovely running buddies. From Iron men and women, to nutritionists, and ex-figure skaters...!
Day 2
Les Contamines - Les Chapieux. (21km, +1492m, -1101m, altitude 1551m)
Another beautiful day, another big climb. This time the Croix du Bonhomme - with one of the highest refuges on the TMB, that sadly was closed! Not to be deterred we enjoyed a scenic picnic with our packed baguettes, and through the course of the day I was introduced to 2 phrases I have since decided to adopt:
A 'cruisey' downhill - used to describe the perfect elevation and conditions to switch into a downhill flow state of sorts. Not steep enough to have to run with the brakes on, nor technical enough to have to walk or falter. Combined with spectacular views of mountains and valleys as they were today - my dream kind of run!
'Trail tattoos'. Sadly today saw the first tumble of one of the group, luckily nothing more than some (still painful) grazes which were patched up by Simon. Hearing these described as a trail tattoo though will make the many scratches and bruises ahead of us all at some point seem more a badge of honour than they might otherwise seem!
Temperatures rising we paused for a water refill at a recommended stream (water coming out of rock I learned made it a safer bet), then towards the end enjoyed a round of oranginas at an open refuge. Even more refreshing was the river-dip in the valley at the end enjoyed by some of the group.
Sufficiently cooled, our memories were tested by Simon in a quiz to see how much we'd absorbed about the landscape we were running through before refuelling on multiple helpings of pasta, salad, cake and local slabs of cheese.
Day 3
Le Chapieux - Courmayeur. (31km, +1570m, -1891m, altitude 1207m)
On to Italy! Setting off we'd been advised the legs may be feeling tired, but we needed to keep moving and running on the flats to ensure we got through our first long day (and importantly, to the pizza, pasta and massages awaiting us in Courmayeur!) Apparently after day 4, the legs miraculously recover and feel good as new again...
This day was one of my favourites. We had a climb to the Col de la Seigne, an alpine pass forming the border between France and Italy. Legs were actually doing ok, I tended to drop to the back when we were on an uphill to manage my temperature and heart rate which was a lovely chance to chat to some of the others on our trip as we climbed. Then on the scenic long traverse through the valley I could stretch the legs, before enjoying a few more 'cruisey' downhills!
One of the great things about a trip like this and the people on it, is at no point did we feel pressured to go faster or that any of us were holding the others up. It was made clear we needed to keep moving, but equally that we needed to go at our own pace to ensure we finished. It's a marathon (or just over 4 of them!) and not a sprint after all...
By this point we'd formed groups with the two guides, later named the 'Coffee' group (more energetic) and the 'Pain au Chocolat' group (more relaxed). Most days I sensibly opted for the pastry!
In the evening we went for a wander and discovered the Tor des Géants was on - another incredible endurance event, 330km and 24,000m of elevation. Our walk was timed with the second-placed female athlete finishing in 80 hours and 35 minutes. Incredible.
Day 4
Courmayeur - La Fouly. (31km, +2103m, -1698m, altitude 1207m)
The biggest day - 2 climbs, the second one up to the Grand Col Ferret - the highest point we'd reach on our trip before dropping down into Switzerland!
We were thankful that the first climb was pretty much straight away - our hotel breakfast we'd been warned was the best on the trip, so well fuelled up we were all glad of the opportunity to hike rather than run! This part of the route was also on the Tor de Géants route so we were able to cheer on the athletes we passed - some looking fresher than others - and appreciate how lucky we were to be enjoying this route with a good night's sleep behind us!
We'd also been told the refreshments this day would be a highlight - focaccia instead of baguette that I will dream about for a while - and a hot chocolate at the first refuge you could stand your spoon up in.
This was the only day where the blue skies disappeared the higher we climbed, as we found cooler air and mist at the top of our final climb. And a sighting of a marmot! The landscape definitely changed too as we dropped into Switzerland - it reminded me more of Snowdonia or the Lake District, and we enjoyed yet another cruisey downhill. This was probably my favourite running stretch of the trip as I flew down to the last refuge, thankful of the opportunity to run in such beautiful surroundings.
We then made our way through woodland before a final stretch on the road past pine forests, mountain meadows and Swiss chalets to our home for the night!
Day 5
La Fouly - Trient (31km, +1450m, -1747m, altitude 1303m)
Today's route felt quite different, as we started on a mix of road and trail through some beautiful alpine villages - filled with photogenic wooden chalets and surrounded by photogenic cows with chiming bells! After a nice descent to complete our warm up we had a long climb through the forest and a trail scattered with mushrooms and woodland sculptures/carvings - many of which were paying tribute to the mushrooms growing.
We paused in Champex Lac (another famous UTMB landmark) for a water refill, coffee and raspberry tart before continuing on our way. The higher we climbed, the sunnier it got and the more beautiful the scenery as the forest opened up. Pausing once again near the summit at a refuge (and once again enjoying some coffee and cake with the views!) we tackled the last bit of up for the day before preparing for our descent.
This was a day of excellent 'running tapas' as a friend would say - having encountered meadows and lanes, stony tracks and skinny trails we now had tree roots aplenty on the long downhill. I quite enjoy the mental challenge and focus of quickly placing your feet where you need to, but I'm not sure everyone on our trip would agree!
We ended up at another famous landmark - the pretty pink chapel in Trient. This was the only night we were in dormitories, but sharing with 3 others who kindly put up with my snoring was actually a lovely way to cement some of the friendships forming (or that's my take on it at least!).
Day 6
Trient - Chamonix. (29km, +1816m, -2084m, altitude 1035m)
Our last day! How did this come round so quickly?
By this point, the morning post-breakfast ritual of lunch packing and taping knees and ankles (in Simon's makeshift 'clinic'!) was becoming a little longer as the previous days of running took their toll. Plans were made for options to miss a section of the route to protect a runner's injured knee from another downhill, which would enable us all to still finish in Chamonix together. Another lovely example of our guides' focus on allowing us to enjoy this experience to its fullest possible extent as a group.
Louis (guide) had told us the Col de Balme, the mountain pass at the Swiss/French border, was one of his favourite views. Once we'd climbed up we understood why! The blue skies were back by this point and we could envisage our route back to Chamonix which included a stunning traverse.
After enjoying the biggest chocolate chip scone/cookie and a coffee we descended to Col des Poisettes and then followed open trails with views of the valley and soon Mont Blanc to the left of us. Surprisingly at this point the legs were feeling great, though once we'd enjoyed one last cruisey downhill this started to change..! The closer we got the more my quads started to request a 'break' - thankfully everyone was flagging a little by this point and as we made our way back into Chamonix we were glad of the more even terrain and shade through the woodland.
As a funny coincidence, 4 friends were holidaying in Chamonix the same week we were in the Alps and I'd shared my location to meet up once we finished. Coming into the church square where we had started 6 days ago we heard clapping and cheers which in all honesty made me quite emotional!
The realisation I'd been able to do the whole trip, and gratitude for the people I ran with and those who cheered us back was both humbling and quite overwhelming.
Our trip finished with champagne (nosecco for me!), crisps, medals and a stretch in Chamonix before later post-shower we all headed out for a celebratory meal which felt like a fitting way to end our adventure.
The practical stuff: what did I actually need?
Run the Wild provided a thorough kit list of exactly what we'd need to stay warm, safe and nourished throughout the trip. It's a personal choice and preference of what those exact items look like (and they should be well tested beforehand), but in case it's helpful here's what I went with!
What kit did I take?
My trusty Hoka Speedgoats, Balega socks, and an on-loan Salomon Adv Skin 12 pack from a friend (that I swiftly purchased on my return!) I'd underestimated the space my kit and snacks would need and loved the softness and all the pockets/compartments.
Having layers and a good waterproof was essential (my Harrier one packed away nice and small), and my poles (also Harrier, Helvellyn) swiftly became my best friends.
What did I eat?
In the hotels/hostels plenty of oats, yoghurt, pastries for breakfast and dinner was usually pasta, potatoes, and often lots of cheese! Snack-wise I took a batch of around 30 trail cookies (from my favourite running cookbook Rise and Run), salted corn, kind bars and then the day's lunch. Washed down with Tailwind endurance fuel/electrolytes and followed by a Tailwind recovery shake post-run!
To note, these were all things I've used many times before - a mix of sweet and savoury, and liquid nourishment as well as chewable food. I've found when it's hot I sometimes don't like to 'eat' and need more liquid, and as the day goes on I bore of sweet stuff and crave savoury. Sadly I wasn't sure my usual favourite of a salted roast potato would travel well to France!
How did I prepare?
In all honesty, my training had taken a bit of a knock as when I found out I was pregnant I felt tired and struggled with the heat and hills. So longer runs became shorter (or didn't happen) and I found I needed more rest. BUT. I kept up my strength, mobility and agility drills, kept walking up hills given any opportunity (albeit more slowly than usual) and I'm lucky that in my day job I spend a lot of time on my feet so hoped the fitness I'd built earlier in the year, endurance and experience would see me through!
Sensibly, I also spoke to Simon and researched back-up plans if I needed to skip a day to recover.
Thankfully, the things I'd found I'd developed for previous events saw me through:
Agility and confidence on the downhills, allowing me to conserve energy (and preserve my quads!)
Efficient, economical running on the flats
Using poles with good technique hiking the uphills and pacing myself
All-round core strength, stability and mobility around the hips, knees and ankles
Simple stretching/mobility routine to aid recovery
Plenty of time-on-feet and fuelling practice to build and maintain endurance
My takeaways
This trip was the perfect reminder if I needed it of my 'why'. Local runs, weekly workouts and healthy habits can have a tendency over time to lose their shine, but keeping that consistency means that I can do things like this! Run the Wild's motto of Exploring Places, not Running Races has long been my mentality and returning home after a week of doing just that has left me hungry to do more.
Secondly, having had to sacrifice miles, elevation and time on feet to rest in the few months before heading to the Alps I'd been truly worried how my body would cope. And also how my mind would cope with not being able to keep up, having to slow down or even miss a day if I needed to.
It never fails to surprise me though how much moving efficiently, and moving well can allow you to do in itself.
Just like a well maintained car (oil, water, tuning etc!) it's amazing how far - literally - having a good 'fuel' or running economy will get you. The feeling of flow on a downhill, working with gravity rather than against it, using your whole body (thank you poles) to drive on the ups, and finding a natural rhythm to tick off those kms on the flat make for quicker and more comfortable recoveries so you can go again tomorrow.
I'm lucky in that my job helps with that. But as someone who does the minimum in terms of personal, focused workouts - I'm talking 1 class a week, and 30 mins strength at best - I'm also aware that moving well doesn't need to be over-complicated or time-rich. The biggest win? Learning to listen to your body and knowing how to respond.
Final thoughts
For me, this trip was totally absorbing. 6 days of live-in-the-moment-joy with no time (or desire) to be scrolling on my phone or thinking about anything else. As someone who can struggle to 'switch off' from the day to day, focusing on the personal admin of bag packing/snack planning, getting to know my new run buddies and taking in my surroundings was a very welcome break! I know it's not everyone's idea of a relaxing holiday (or honeymoon, as mine turned out to be), but I've learned that for me focusing intently on doing one thing well somehow seems to take the pressure off everything else.
Maybe that's why I love Pilates :)
Keep moving.
Whatever your next challenge, I hope this article has inspired and encouraged you that it's achievable! With the right training, support and encouragement (and a little bit of fortune and timing sometimes too) we - YOU - can climb mountains. Literally or otherwise.
If you think we might be able to help you with that, we'd love to chat and welcome you to the Runlates community. Get in touch to tell us what you'd like to achieve!
Vic
Founder, Runlates
Published: September 2026
About the author
Victoria Gidney is the founder of Runlates in Shrewsbury. As a Pilates instructor and certified running technique coach, her focus is on improving mobility, building strength and helping people stay active so they can continue doing the things they love. She also loves to trail run...
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