Ultra trail running can take everything you've got—and give you even more
- 10 September 2025
Hours of powering up steep ascents and navigating gnarly descents. Whipping mountain winds, glaring direct sun and biting evening temps. Getting mentally right with the fact that the next aid station is far, far away. Ultra trail running can sound like a gruelling, relentless sport reserved for the wildest, most hardcore athletes among us.
According to our All Conditions Racing Department runners—six of whom just conquered pinnacle UTMB races across the French, Italian and Swiss Alps, on trails spanning 15 to 174 kilometres, with elevation gains of 1,200 to nearly 10,000 metres—the grit, determination, joy and freedom trail running gives you are worth every ounce of work. See for yourself.
ROSS GOLLAN
Race: Experience Trail Courmayeur (ETC); 15K with 1,200m elevation gain
Global finish rank: 29th
"To me, trail running means exploration and discovery—and a runner's high that allows me to tap into moments where nothing else matters, you zone out of life stress and you're present in the here and now".
Ross Gollan, ETC racer
MARIE NIVET
Race: ETC; 15K with 1,200m elevation gain
Global women's finish rank: 7th
"During lockdown, the only option was the trails. Afterwards, the track felt boring, the road felt oppressive, but trail running was fun and gave me freedom to express myself with whatever shape I was in".
Marie Nivet, ETC racer
CESARE MAESTRI
Race: ETC; 15K with 1,200m elevation gain
Global finish rank: 2nd
Cesare's first ETC finish brought a podium finish and battle wound. "The blood made everything a bit more heroic, but it was a simple cut with a branch on the downhill. Nothing serious, fortunately!"
BAPTISTE COATANTIEC
Race: Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB); 174K with nearly 10,000m elevation gain
Global finish rank: 11th
"During my races and especially during my ultras, I have often experienced ecstasy. That feeling of full power, that state of flow where everything seems effortless, somewhere between euphoria and serenity".
Baptiste Coatantiec, UTMB racer
ANTHONY COSTALES
Race: Courmayeur—Champex—Chamonix (CCC); 101K with more than 6,050m elevation gain
Global finish rank: 15th
"When everything goes right, you feel joyful and excited about what you achieved. But sometimes, finishing after a tough day can feel like an even greater accomplishment. Never giving up during a long effort brings its own kind of joy".
Anthony Costales, CCC racer
DREW HOLMEN
Race: CCC; 101K with more than 6,050m elevation gain
Global finish rank: 3rd
"Thousands of little decisions and a lot of showing up leads to these moments. Never heroic, just consistent. Still revelling in the day".
Drew Holmen on his hard-earned podium finish
