Written by
Baptiste DOISNEAU
Aug 14, 2025
Altra Running trip to Tignes
Invited by the brand Altra in Tignes, I experienced two immersive days combining sports, encounters, and advice from athletes as the UTMB approaches.
From July 30 to August 1, I had the chance to be invited by the Altra brand to Tignes, in Savoie, to experience two immersive days alongside their athletes, gathered for a week of intense training one month before the UTMB.
The adventure began with a friendly moment around a meal, the perfect opportunity to meet athletes from all corners of Europe and to dive into the group's atmosphere. The next morning, it was time for sports. After a collective warm-up, we had two courses to choose from: a 10 km with 500 m of positive elevation gain, or a 16 km with 1000 m of positive elevation gain. I chose the first option, not yet fully acclimatized to the altitude. The goal: to reach the Aiguille Percée, perched at 2778 meters, before descending. A beautiful and demanding outing, which also allowed us to test the Olympus 275 from the brand.
In the afternoon, we attended a workshop led by Robert Hajnal (2nd in the 2018 UTMB), who shared his valuable advice: contents of his bag for an ultra, nutritional strategy, how to take a gel during a race without losing synchronization. After a well-deserved good meal, I had the pleasure of interviewing five athletes about their journey, their relationship with competition, their deep motivations… You can find these inspiring exchanges a little further down. To conclude this intense day, a beneficial massage provided by Romain (@lazaro.massages) helped relieve tired legs, a real luxury after the effort of the morning.
In the evening, we shared a last dinner with the athletes, in a warm and relaxed atmosphere, before wishing them good luck for their upcoming races. The next morning, after a good night’s sleep and still full of images in my head, it was already time to leave.
A huge thank you to Altra for this invitation and this unique experience, and to all the athletes for their welcome, kindness, and inspiring shares.
Interview Ugo Ferrari :
Can you talk about your background and the key steps that brought you to your current level in trail and ultra running?
Yes, so my journey didn't start in a competitive way. It was mainly my parents who encouraged me to go out, to do sports, at a time when the PlayStation and online games were becoming very prevalent. That little push allowed me to stay active.
The real shift towards competition came around the age of 15-16, with mountain biking. That's when I really took sports seriously, with French Cups, a coach... it was very structured. I was really in the mindset of a competitor. Then, at university, it became more complicated. Between living alone, studies... I shifted to road running. But in fact, I was facing the same risks as downhill mountain biking, and I wasn't performing very well. When I returned to engineering school, I simply stopped that practice: I didn't see the point anymore.
Then a friend suggested I go running with him for 30 minutes, just like that. And then, the competitive spirit came back. I looked at some local races, and I signed up for the Ultra Tour du Beaufortain, which my parents had run several times, following a hike in the Beaufortain massif. I thought: "If they can do it, I can do it too!" Except that I only had six months of running under my belt... I suffered, but I did it. That was the trigger. Afterwards, I trained for two years before returning to ultra trails. In 2016, I finished fourth at the TDS (Traces des Ducs de Savoie). Since then, I've been doing it every year!
This is your 7th edition at the UTMB this year 2025. What drives your passion for this particular race?
There are three main reasons.
First, because the UTMB is simply the biggest global competition in ultra-trail. For shorter formats, it's debatable, but in ultra, it's indisputable. It's the opportunity to face the best, without needing to be part of a national team. You just have to manage to sign up, which is relatively simple when you're a good-level runner.
Next, there’s the proximity. I live 1 hour and 20 minutes from Chamonix, so for me and my family, it's super convenient. There’s a real atmosphere, a familiarity with the place, the course, and the people who work there.
Finally, the media aspect: today, the race is broadcasted, and there is real enthusiasm. L'Équipe even broadcasts parts on television. It has become a well-followed, recognized event. Over the years, I've built connections with those who work on the UTMB. There's a bit of a "family" feel.
Do you notice any differences in the race itself since the first time you participated?
Yes, of course. The first time was in 2018. The race was already very mature, especially after a striking 2017 edition with the Kílian-François battle in the rain. But since then, everything has grown. There aren't necessarily more participants in each race, but there are more events, like the MCC (Martigny-Combe to Chamonix) or the ETC (Experience Trail Courmayeur). The brand village has expanded, and the brands themselves are offering more and more refined products.
What has really changed is the audience. Before, spectators were mainly companions. Today, there is a real public that comes just to watch. So, we had to structure everything: shuttle services, parking restrictions... everything is more organized. And media-wise, it has exploded. In 2018, no one was doing podcasts. Today, it’s commonplace. I was one of the first to do it in France from my room with a microphone. Now, there are mobile studios, professional teams. It’s impressive, especially since the post-Covid recovery.
How has your training evolved over time? How do you adapt your training before each UTMB? Can you also tell us about your mental coach?
In general, I take a week off after a short race, then I gradually ramp up the load until three or four weeks before the UTMB. After that, I taper down to recover.
But this year, I started too strong. I had done more volume, more elevation gain, and I thought my body could handle it. As a result: I injured my knee. I'm currently working on it. It’s a bit of a low point in my preparation, where I should be peaking. So, I'm considering a new approach with a bit less volume, which would be new for me. I reassure myself thinking about runners like Mathieu Blanchard, who also had to deal with an injury.
As for mental preparation, I've only been using it since 2025. I work with Stéphane Brogniart. He has a very concrete approach, not esoteric. He doesn't tell me to "think of your wife's smile" to manage pain. It’s more about mental organization: not looking at others, not clinging to them, but staying focused on oneself. He also helps me organize the last week before the race, which I tended to neglect. With experience, we end up trivializing and doing whatever, thinking we have enough years of training behind us.
Have your goals evolved over time? Are you aiming for a better place or a better time as time goes on?
Yes, clearly. My best time is 23h10. I think I can gently drop to around 22h30. This year, I started confident... but the injury brings everything into question. I don't even know if I will be able to start.
My goal remains to arrive calm and get close to that 22h30. After that, I will have two levers for improvement: Firstly, to take a year without UTMB or long-distance to develop my physiological qualities. To do a winter of cross-training, less than 10h a week, short races... then possibly finish with the Templiers. It’s like changing a car's engine: you bring it to the garage for three months, and you leave with something more powerful. Secondly, to work less but it’s hard when you are your own boss and doing something you are passionate about.
Interview Alban Berson :
Can you tell us about your journey and the key moments that brought you to your current level in trail running and ultra?
In my childhood, I ran a bit, especially in small local races during school. This lasted until about the end of middle school. Then, I drifted away from sports a bit. I started partying with friends, drinking, smoking… like many at that age, I think. High school was a slightly more chaotic time. I experimented with quite a few things. I was in Normandy, not far from Brittany, and I spent a lot of time in the punk and rave party scene with all its excesses. At 24, I started working in the restaurant business, in a seaside resort and then in a ski resort. It was a very festive environment, with many addictions.
In April 2015, I had a major burnout. I was hospitalized in psychiatry for three nights. There, I was surrounded by people with very serious conditions; it was a shock, a real descent. And when I came out of there, I said to myself: never again. I didn’t want to experience that again. It was at that moment that I started running again. I participated in the Neva half marathon in July 2015. And there, I regained the feelings I had when I was a child, and I loved it.
Between two seasons, I traveled a lot, visiting 40 to 45 countries, often by bike. And that’s when the call of nature and adventure became clear. I gradually shifted towards trail running, then ultra running. It happened naturally. In October 2015, I ran my first trail race (17 km). There were 25 participants. I knew nothing: I asked the organizers how the aid stations and the marking worked… And in the end, I won the race. The level wasn't very high, but being on the podium, with a microphone and a trophy also triggered something in me.
What was that famous “trigger” that made you shift from a partying lifestyle to that of an ultra-marathoner?
It’s a double trigger, actually. On one side, there was the hospitalization. That slap made me understand that I never wanted to find myself in that state again. And on the other, this first victory in trail running. I felt a real pride, a recognition. People applauding you, valuing you… It was new for me, and I think my addiction issues were related to a significant lack of self-confidence. And at that moment, I finally found something positive to help me build myself.
Before this turning point, did you already have a relationship with sports, or was it really a radical change?
I had a little bit. My father trained me for small races when I was a child. The longest I did was a 5 km race. I also participated in school cross-country races, in athletics competitions in middle school, in the 1500 or 3000 m, I believe. But it was never with a performance or professional goal. In Normandy back then, trail running barely existed, so it was far from being a life project. And later, between my seasons, I did a lot of bike travels. A total of 25,000 km, in 25 countries, over six different trips. That certainly helped me develop endurance and a taste for adventure.
What attracts you the most in ultra trail? The physical effort, solitude, nature, community?
It’s a mix of all that. What I love is the management: the effort, nutrition, light, hydration, the unforeseen. There are so many parameters to master, and so many unknowns. Each race is unique. You must know how to adapt, bounce back, improvise. That’s what makes it exciting.
And the training is also a pleasure. They are micro-adventures in daily life. Going out to discover a summit, a ridge, a river, an unknown path… It makes each outing motivating. I remember my first 80 km: we left at 4 AM. I felt like I was going on a journey. Geographically, physically… but also internally. In ultra, no one can guarantee that they will finish, not even the best. It’s this uncertainty that makes it extraordinary.
And yes, of course, there is also a real reconnection to nature and to oneself. It’s a need for me. I find in this practice a balance that I couldn't find elsewhere.
Do you recognize yourself in the person you were at 35? What has changed the most in you?
What has changed above all is stability. Before, when I was partying, I was having fun, but the next day it was very hard. I was in a vicious circle. I played a role, I acted the part of the show-off… because I lacked self-confidence. Today, I live much healthier. My diet is better, I’ve lost a bit of weight, and above all, I feel more balanced. I still allow myself some pleasures, of course, but within a much healthier framework; it’s a transformation that’s both physical and mental.
What would you say to someone aged 35-40 who thinks it’s “too late” to change their life?
I would tell them that if they have the motivation and desire, then anything is possible. Real change starts with a trigger. After that, everything can follow.
What helped me was to hold on to simple things: nature, sobriety, simplicity. Running is an ancestral sport, accessible: we all know how to run. And there is something deeply liberating about moving in the mountains, with almost nothing on you. I love that minimalist aspect, unlike biking or ski touring, where you have to deal with gear, repairs, technical unforeseen… In trail running, your only possible breakdown is yourself. You go out with a pair of sneakers, two bars, a little water, and you live an adventure.
It’s also a mindset I apply to my life: I live in a camper van, with few belongings. I consume little, I have solar panels, and I’m careful about water. Every object I buy, I reflect on it. This voluntary sobriety, I find it in trail running. It’s a slightly marginal life, perhaps, but I feel aligned with it. My dream would be to live in a yurt, but where I am now, it’s not yet allowed. So the camper van is a good compromise to live as close to nature as possible.
Finally, I have two quotes that come to mind that fit well with my journey and are inspiring: the first is "Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving." from Albert Einstein and the second is "Thank you for the roses and thank you for the thorns." from Jean d’Ormesson.
Interview Audrey Virgilio :
Can you tell us about your journey and the key stages that led you to your current level in trail running and ultra running?
I have always run, especially with my family, with my mom. We participated in quite a few races in Switzerland, and I quickly realized that I had a talent for it. Around the age of ten, I started cross-country skiing. At first, I was really terrible, but I improved, and I think I already had a certain affinity for endurance sports. In parallel with running, where I was the Swiss champion in cross country during my teenage years, I also excelled in cross-country skiing, becoming a Swiss champion at 16. Then, during my sports studies, the junior years became more complicated. I felt good, but the results were not following. When I left sports studies, I had to choose: either go elite, or quit. I decided to stop competing at a high level. But I continued to run for pleasure, about 4 to 5 times a week, without any particular goal.
What truly reignited my passion was my partner, who was already doing ultra races, notably the Diagonale des Fous. We wanted to do it together, so I structured my training a bit more. And by getting a coach, I really got back into a performance-focused mindset. I rediscovered the joy of effort, training, even the "blood in the mouth", as we say. I joined a team, achieved good results in trail running, and everything fell into place very quickly from there.
Can you explain what the Run&Sign project is, what motivated you to create or participate in it, and what do you wish to convey through it?
Run&Sign is a professional integration program aimed at young people aged 18 to 30 without any diploma or certified training. These young people are sent to us by the Employment Service of the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland, and our mission is to help them identify their strengths and desires to maximize their chances of finding an apprenticeship place (which is valued in Switzerland), and to support them in this process.
At the same time, they follow a sports program, mainly focused on running. For many, it’s a complete introduction to sports, particularly the discipline it entails: endurance, perseverance, self-overcoming, and discipline. It’s not easy, but they learn to fight for a goal. And most importantly, they learn to be proud of themselves. This is not a “problematic” audience, as we are often asked. They are just young people who need encouragement and to believe in themselves. The project was launched by my employer, a Swiss company called Nasca Formation, initially in another canton, with the ultimate goal of the legendary Sierre-Zinal race. The success of the project motivated its expansion to other regions, including Neuchâtel, where I was recruited to launch it.
Today, we are funded by the canton, and in the medium term, the project is expected to become an independent association.
After your injury at the Chianti Ultra Trail, how do you envision the rest of your season and what are your next big race goals?
I tore the ligament in my ankle with bone avulsion; it was my first serious injury. Until then, I had had a few inflammations, nothing serious. But now, the recovery has been long, especially since it was a busy period at work.
My season was supposed to start in March, but it will now begin in August. I will return with a 50 km race on August 23 near Zermatt at Ultraks, then an 80 km race in Slovenia at the Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB. If all goes well, I will follow that with the Templiers at the end of October, also on 80 km. There’s about a month between each race, so we’ll see how my body holds up and my ability to recover because it’s not easy to find time to recover and also get enough sleep when you’re working full-time.
How do you manage to balance your role as a coach, your training as a high-level athlete, and your personal life?
First of all, I see myself as a professional: I earn my living through my work, and my family comes before sports. I train based on the time and energy I have. I create my own training plans, adapting them according to my constraints. I generally train between 12 and 15 hours per week, sometimes more, but not always. I primarily run, I also do weight training (with a coach), a bit of cycling and swimming, and in winter, cross-country skiing, my first love!
Sharing this with my partner is a real blessing. We run together, we travel together for races; it’s quality time. But it’s clear that if you put sports first, it eventually strains other areas. Balance is essential, and it is unique to each individual.
Does being a coach influence your own approach to physical and mental preparation? How does it enrich your view of training?
What I love is sharing. Doing things just for myself, without passing it on, doesn’t interest me. Naturally, I enjoy supporting people, lending a hand, and I also learn a lot from them.
Interview Emmanuel Ocampo :
Can you tell us about your personal and athletic journey, and the steps that led you to become the athlete you are today?
My name is Emmanuel, I come from Argentina. My journey in trail running started there. I first ran more classic distances, such as 10 or 20 km, but very quickly I moved on to long distances: first a 50 km, then directly to an 80 km.
Before that, I mainly practiced team sports, but with the work pace, I looked for a more individual, more flexible sport. That's how I got into trail running. In 2015, I came for the first time to Chamonix, and there, I had an epiphany. From that moment on, I started dreaming of becoming a high-level athlete one day in Europe.
How do you experience your ultra trail races mentally and physically: how do you find pleasure, how do you manage pain, and how do you overcome moments of doubt?
The mind, for me, is the key. Of course, you need a good physical base, but it's really the mind that carries you through the ultras. I work a lot on this aspect before the races. I know there will be highs and lows, that I will experience difficult moments, but I anticipate them.
I accept them even before I start. And during the race, I cling to the idea that it will eventually pass and sometimes it takes time, but I try to remain patient. And if it really doesn’t pass... then I accept that it’s not the right day, and I tell myself that I will try again next time. But all of this is a mental work prepared well in advance.
You participated in the UTMB last year, what memories do you keep and do you plan to embark on this adventure again? How do you prepare for a race of such magnitude?
Last year at the UTMB, I experienced my first major injury. A real pain, especially in the last descent, the one everyone knows. I did it in three or four hours because I was in so much pain, but I held on. It was tough, physically and mentally. But I wanted to finish, at all costs.
This memory has remained very strong within me. And precisely this year, I return to the UTMB with a new goal: to finish again, but on my two legs this time. I want to relive the adventure, but under better conditions.
What makes the UTMB so special and symbolic for you and for the trail running community?
The UTMB is legendary. It’s the race that everyone knows. For me, it was also special because I long dreamed of Chamonix without ever having lived there. I wanted to discover these mountains, to run in them. It's a symbol, and it's this image that made me want to fully immerse myself in this sport.
How do you define your goals each season: are you guided by the pursuit of performance and ranking, or by other motivations?
Competition is very important to me. It motivates me, it's what drives me to set goals and train hard. But more than rankings, what I'm looking for is the process: everything I put in place to achieve it. That’s what motivates me on a daily basis. I know where I come from. I see the journey I’ve taken since I arrived here, and I want to test my level against the best, my teammates, and other European athletes. Just that, for me, is already a great victory.
Do you have a significant memory or an anecdote that illustrates this passion?
Yes, what I remember most are the mental and physical battles. That's the essence of the ultra for me. Those moments where you have to dig deep within yourself for something you didn’t even suspect was there. It’s not just about running long; it’s about confronting yourself and coming out different. Every time I think back to a race, it’s that inner struggle that comes back to me first.
Interview Aubin Ferrari :
Can you go over your journey and the significant steps that led you to your current level in trail and ultra?
I grew up in a sporty family, so I have always been very active. It was in middle school that things took a more serious turn: I joined a sports-study program in cross-country skiing, which I pursued until high school. Eight very formative years. At the end of high school, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to continue with skiing, as I was struggling to break through to the top level. But I loved running, especially to prepare for the winter season.
It was at that moment, during my higher studies, that I turned to trail running. And not through the small door: in 2016, at 19 years old, I ran my first ultra of over 100 km, after only two small initiation races. Then, from 2018 to 2021, I was coached by Nicolas Martin, who taught me a lot about training, nutrition, and overall athlete management. Since 2021, with the entry into the working world, I have stopped following up with Nicolas. But I had acquired solid foundations, and as I am passionate about training, I continue to learn by taking inspiration from other disciplines such as marathon running or triathlon. Trail running is still a young sport: we are still exploring what works. I love to draw ideas from everywhere.
Are you working alongside this? And how do you juggle your professional life, personal life, and your athlete life?
Yes, I have been working 80% since January 2025, which gives me more leeway. I haven’t significantly increased my running volume, but I have been able to strengthen everything around it: recovery, physiotherapy follow-up, massages, strength training… These often neglected elements are actually essential for progress and injury prevention.
On a personal level, I have a rather simple life. I live with my partner, we don’t have children, so we manage to coordinate our schedules without too many sacrifices. That helps a lot.
Do you do other sports in your life? Do you see it as a help for trail running or rather another passion?
I used to do cross-country skiing a lot, especially in winter. But since I’ve been in Switzerland, without a nearby resort and with little time, I have stopped. However, I love cycling, especially in winter with home trainers like Zwift: it’s ultra precise for working the right intensities. This summer, I neglected cycling a bit due to lack of time, as I increased my running volume (about +10%, from 5500 to 6000 km over the year). If I can switch to 50% work time next year, I hope to stabilize running and get back to a bit more cycling.
Beyond the performance of the UTMB, the mental aspect must play a very important role in this kind of highly publicized race. How do you manage this part?
The UTMB is clearly the race of the year. Everyone is there, all the brands, the media… And the classic mistake is arriving in Chamonix too early and exhausting yourself by trying to accept everything. You can easily burn energy even before the start.
I have long had a curse in Chamonix: dropouts in the TDS (Traces des Ducs de Savoie), then I missed the CCC (Courmayeur – Champex – Chamonix) even though I could see the finish line, and the UTMB… Until 2024, when I managed a nice race despite a big issue with my thigh at the end of the course. I was able to stay calm, accept the pain, take my time, and then go on and finish. It was a real relief. In 2021, for example, I underestimated the 100 miles. My legs hurt from kilometer 70, and mentally I cracked. I dropped out. While in 2024, I had the same pain at the same moment, but I accepted it. And that’s when you realize that in ultra, physical pain is almost secondary: it’s the mental aspect that decides whether you finish or not.
Do you have any advice to give to someone who wants to get into ultra trail?
The opposite of what I did: go gradually! Start with a 50 km, then an 80 km, followed by a race like the Lavaredo (120 km, one night outside), before aiming for a 100-mile race. And above all: don’t neglect the environment around you. Ultra takes time. If you have a family, children, you need to anticipate, organize, and do things step by step. Otherwise, it can become destructive.
And of course, avoid injuries. They are the main cause of stagnation. It’s better to have a balanced training plan that suits your life than a too ambitious program that you can’t stick to.
