RUNNING THE 2024 UTMB | 109.6 MILES ALONG THE TOUR DU MONT BLANC

Three weeks ago, I ran the 2024 UTMB by @UTMBMontBlanc. UTMB is an incredible 109.6 mile race that follows the Tour du Mont Blanc, starting and ending in France while passing through Italy and Switzerland along the way.

I finished in 43:18:07, equivalent to a 23:42 min/mile pace, placing 1217/2761 overall. For much of the race, I was simultaneously amazed by how beautiful the course was and also overwhelmed by its difficulty. Luckily, I was able to harness a lot of energy from the electric atmosphere present throughout the race. In particular, I could not have imagined how many spectators there would be cheering runners on, ranging from huge crowds at the start and finish line, to the multiple scream tunnels near Notre Dame, to individual families sitting outside when we passed by their homes while running through the mountains. I now better understand just how special UTMB is to all of the communities that the course passes through.

On a personal note, I am really grateful I was able to run and the finish the race. I was dealing with a variety of health issues leading up to and during the race, and there were points where I felt like I was close to DNFing. In early July, I had an unfortunate accident where I fractured my skull and jaw. In the following days, finishing UTMB felt like it would be impossible, so much so that I almost cancelled my registration entirely. Luckily I didn't, and looking back now I'm honestly just so thankful that I was still able to go and experience the race fully.

Congratulations to everyone else who ran as well, including Charlie, Eileen, Michael, David, Sam, Lindsey, Kay, Amy, Ivan, Sammi, and Joyce.

Thank you all volunteers and friends who helped cheer and support! We appreciate you! Carmen Brian Sam

Thanks also to local New York trail running groups who helped support my training

Misty Mountain Runners:   / mistymountainrunners  
Bergen Runners:   / bergenrunners  

Thanks also to my running communities in New York

Run For Chinatown:   / runforchinatown  
Asian Trail Mix:   / asiantrailmix  
Old Man Run Club:   / oldmanrunclub  

Connect With Sebastian!
Strava:   / strava  
Strava Activity for 2024 UTMB:   / strava  
Instagram:   / sebastian.chiu  

Footage by Sebastian Chiu, with additional footage from Joyce Zhou.

Arriving in Chamonix: 0:00
Bib Pick-Up: 1:48
Race Day and Starting Line: 3:50
Race Start: 5:18
Les Houches (Mile 4.8): 7:48
Saint-Gervais (Mile 13.4): 10:02
Les Contamines (Mile 19.4): 11:16
Notre Dame (Mile 22.1): 12:43
La Balme (Mile 24.8): 14:44
Les Chapieux (Mile 31.7): 16:03
Lac Combal (Mile 42.9): 16:55
Chécrouit (Mile 48.3): 18:17
Courmayeur (Mile 51.5): 19:10
Refuge Bertone (Mile 54.9): 20:58
Arnouvaz (Mile 62.8): 23:10
Grand Col Ferret (Mile 65.7): 25:05
La Fouly (Mile 71.9): 26:09
Champex-Lac (Mile 80.5): 27:17
Trient (Mile 90.8): 29:11
Vallorcine (Mile 98.3): 30:12
La Flégère (Mile 105.2): 31:12
Finish Line (Mile 109.6): 32:58