Written by
Baptiste DOISNEAU
Aug 14, 2025
Altra Running trip to Tignes
Invited by the brand Altra to Tignes, I experienced two immersive days blending sports, meetings, and advice from athletes as the UTMB approached.
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 over a meal, the perfect opportunity to meet athletes who had come 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, two courses were available to us: 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 one, 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 UTMB 2018), who shared his valuable advice with us: contents of his pack for an ultra, nutritional strategy, how to take a gel during a race without losing rhythm.
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) relieved the tired legs, a true luxury after the morning's effort.
In the evening, we shared a final 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 tell us about your journey and the milestones that led you to your current level in trail and ultra?
Yes, so my journey did not start in a competitive way. It was mainly my parents who encouraged me to go out, to play sports, at a time when the PlayStation and online games were becoming very present. This 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 the French Cups, a coach… it was very structured. I was truly in the mindset of a competitor.
Then, at university, it became more complicated. Between living alone, studies… I ended up on the road. But actually, I encountered the same risks as in downhill mountain biking, and I was not very competitive. When I went back to engineering school, I simply stopped this practice: I no longer saw the point.
Then a friend suggested I go run with him for 30 minutes, just like that. And at that moment, the competitive spirit returned. I looked at some local races, I signed up for the Ultra Tour of Beaufortain, which my parents had run several times, following a hike in the Beaufortain massif. I thought to myself: “If they can do it, I can do it too!” Except that I had only six months of running behind me… I suffered, but I did it. That was the trigger.
Then, I trained for two years before going back to ultra trails. In 2016, I finished fourth at the TDS (Traces des Ducs de Savoie). Since then, I tackle it every year!
This is your 7th edition at the UTMB this year 2025. Why this passion for this race in particular?
There are three main reasons.
First, because the UTMB is simply the largest global competition in ultra-trail. For shorter formats, it’s debatable, but in ultra, it’s indisputable. It’s the opportunity to compete against the best, without needing to join a national team. You just have to manage to register, which is relatively simple when you are a good level runner.
Second, there is the proximity. I live 1h20 from Chamonix, so for me, for my loved ones, it’s super convenient. There’s a real atmosphere, a familiarity with the place, the course, the people who work there.
Finally, the media aspect: today, the race is broadcast, and there is real excitement. L’Équipe even broadcasts parts on television. It has become a followed, recognized event. And over the years, I have forged ties with those who work on the UTMB. There’s a little “family” aspect.
Have you noticed any differences in the race itself since the first time you participated?
Yes, definitely.
The first time was in 2018. The race was already very mature, especially after a remarkable 2017 edition with the Kílian-François battle in the rain. But since then, everything has grown.
There are not 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 grown, the brands themselves offer increasingly 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 it was necessary to organize all that: shuttles, parking restriction zones… everything is more structured.
And media-wise, it has exploded. In 2018, no one was doing podcasts. Today, it is very common. I was one of the first to do it in France in my room with a microphone. Now, there are mobile studios, professional teams. It’s impressive, especially since the post-Covid recovery.
How have your preparations evolved over time? How do you adjust your preparations before each UTMB? Can you tell us about your mental coach?
In general, I take a week off after a short race, then I gradually increase the load until three or four weeks before the UTMB. Then, I taper down to recover.
But this year, I started too strong. I had done more volume, more elevation, and I thought my body was coping. The result: I strained a knee. I’m currently working on it. It’s the low point of the preparation, where I should be at my peak.
So, I might consider a new approach with a little less volume, which would be unprecedented for me. I reassure myself by thinking of 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 “think of your wife’s smile” to manage the pain. It’s more about mental organization: not looking at others, not clinging to them, but staying centered on oneself.
He also helps me organize the last week before the race well, which I tended to neglect. With experience, we tend to downplay it, and we end up doing anything by thinking that we have enough years of training behind us.
Have your goals grown over time? Are you aiming for a better placement or a better time as time goes by?
Yes, clearly. My best time is 23h10. I think I can gently aim for 22h30. This year, I started confidently… but the injury puts everything into question. I don’t even know yet if I will be able to start.
My goal remains to arrive calm, and to get close to that 22h30. After that, I will have two levers to progress: First, to have a year without UTMB or long distance, to develop my physiological qualities. To do a winter of cross, less than 10h a week, short races… then possibly finish at the Templiers. It’s like changing the engine of a car: you take it to the garage for three months, and you come back with something more powerful. Second, to work less, but it’s difficult when you are your own boss and doing something you are passionate about.
Interview Alban Berson :
Can you go over your journey and the key steps that brought you to your current level in trail and ultra running?
In my childhood, I ran a little, especially in small local races during school. That lasted until about the end of middle school. After that, I kind of drifted away from sports. I started partying with friends, drinking, smoking… like many at that age, I think.
High school was a somewhat more chaotic time. I experimented quite a bit. I was in Normandy, not far from Brittany, and I spent a lot of time in the punk and rave party scene with all the excesses that come with it. At 24, I started working in restaurants, first in a seaside resort and then in a ski resort. A very festive environment, with lots of 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 pathologies, it was a shock, a real descent. And upon leaving there, I told myself: never again. I didn’t want to experience that again.
This was when I started running again. I participated in the Neva half-marathon in July 2015. And there, I felt the sensations I had when I was a child, and I loved it.
Between seasons, I traveled a lot, visiting 40 to 45 countries, often by bike. And it was there that the call of nature and adventure became evident. I gradually oriented myself 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 didn't know anything: I asked the organizers how the aid stations and the markings worked… And ultimately, I won the race. There wasn’t a very high level, but finding myself on the podium, with a microphone, a trophy also gave me a breakthrough.
What was that famous “breakthrough” that made you transition from a partying lifestyle to that of an ultra-marathon runner?
It’s actually a double breakthrough.
On one hand, there was the hospitalization. This shock 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, recognition. People cheering for you, valuing you… It was new for me, and I think my addiction issues were tied to a huge lack of self-confidence. And there, I finally found something positive to build myself up with.
Before this turning point, did you already have a relationship with sports, or was it really a radical change?
I had a little. My father trained me for small races when I was a child. The longest I did was a 5 km. I also participated in school cross-country events and in athletics competitions in middle school, on the 1500 or 3000 m, I believe.
But it was never with a focus on performance or becoming a pro. Back then in Normandy, trail running was almost nonexistent, so it was far from being a life project.
And later on, between my seasons, I took many bike trips. 25,000 km combined, in 25 countries, over six different trips. This 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 unexpected. There are so many parameters to master, and so many unknowns. Every race is unique. You have to know how to adapt, rebound, improvise. That's what makes it exciting.
And training is also a pleasure. They are daily micro-adventures. Setting 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 they will finish, not even the best. It’s that 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 most of 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 cycle.
I played a role, I acted pompous… 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 in a much healthier framework, it’s a transformation 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 the desire, then anything is possible. True change starts with a breakthrough. After that, everything can follow.
What helped me was to cling to simple things: nature, sobriety, simplicity. Running is an ancestral sport, accessible: we all know how to run. And there is something profoundly liberating about moving in the mountains, carrying almost nothing.
I love this minimalist aspect, unlike cycling or ski touring, where you have to manage gear, repairs, technical problems… In trail running, your only potential breakdown is yourself. You depart with a pair of sneakers, two energy bars, a bit of water, and you experience an adventure.
It’s also a mindset that I apply to my life: I live in a camper van, with few things. I consume little, I have solar panels, I pay attention to water. Every object I buy, I think carefully about it. This voluntary sobriety, I find in trail running.
It’s maybe a somewhat marginal life, 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 closer to nature.
To finish, I have two quotes that come to mind that correspond well to my journey and are inspiring; the first is “Life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance you must keep moving.” by Albert Einstein and the second is “Thank you for the roses and thank you for the thorns.” by Jean d’Ormesson.
Interview Audrey Virgilio :
Can you tell us about your journey and the significant steps that brought 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 pretty quickly I noticed that I was talented. Around the age of ten, I started cross-country skiing. At first, I was really bad, but I improved, and I think I already had a certain affinity for endurance sports.
Alongside running, where I became the Swiss cross country champion in my teens, I also excelled in cross-country skiing, becoming the Swiss champion at 16. After that, in sports studies, the junior years became more complicated. I felt good, but the results didn't really follow anymore.
When I finished sports studies, I had to choose: either move into elite competition or stop. 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 specific goal.
What really reignited my passion was my partner, who was already doing ultra running, particularly 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-oriented mindset. I rediscovered the joy of effort, of training, even the “blood in the mouth,” as they say. I joined a team, achieved good results in trail running, and everything picked up very quickly from there.
Can you explain what the Run&Sign project consists of, what motivated you to create or participate in it, and what you hope to convey through it?
Run&Sign is a professional insertion program aimed at young people aged 18 to 30 who lack a 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 (which is valued in Switzerland) and to support them in this process.
In parallel, they follow a sports program, mainly focused on running. For many, it's a complete discovery of sports, particularly the rigor it demands: endurance, perseverance, self-overcoming, discipline. It's not easy, but they learn to fight for a goal. And above all, 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 project's success 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, it is planned for the project 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 major race goals?
I tore the ligament in my ankle with bone avulsion, this was my first serious injury. Until then, I had only had a few inflammations, nothing serious. But now, the recovery has been long, especially since it was a busy time at work.
My season was supposed to start in March, but it will finally begin in August. I will resume with a 50 km race on August 23 near Zermatt at the Ultraks, followed by an 80 km race in Slovenia at the Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB. If all goes well, I will move on to the Templiers at the end of October, also 80 km. There is about a month between each race, so we'll see how my body copes and my ability to recover because it’s not easy to find time to recover and also get enough sleep when you work 100%.
How do you balance your role as a coach, your training as a high-level athlete, and your personal life?
First and foremost, I consider myself 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 a week, sometimes more, but not always.
I primarily run, I also do strength training (with a coach), a bit of cycling and swimming, and in winter, cross-country skiing, my first love!
The fact that I share 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, things eventually crack elsewhere. Balance is essential, and it is individual to each person.
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 accompanying people, lending a hand, and I also learn a lot from them.
Interview Emmanuel Ocampo :
Can you tell us about your personal and sports 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 initially ran more classic distances, like 10 or 20 km, but very quickly I moved on to long distances: first a 50 km, then directly an 80 km.
Before that, I had mostly practiced team sports, but with the pace of work, I looked for a more individual, more flexible sport. That's how I fell into trail running. In 2015, I came to Chamonix for the first time, and there, I had a breakthrough. It was from that moment that I started dreaming of becoming a high-level athlete, 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 head that carries you in the ultras. I work a lot on this aspect, ahead of the races. I know there will be ups and downs, that I will experience difficult moments, but I anticipate them.
I accept them even before the start. And during the race, I hold on to this idea that it will eventually pass, and sometimes it takes time, but I try to stay 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 retain 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 as well as mentally. But I wanted to finish, at all costs.
This memory has remained very strong within me. And indeed, this year, I am returning to the UTMB with a new objective: to finish again, but on both of my 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 community?
The UTMB is mythical. 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 commit to this sport.
How do you define your objectives 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 the rankings, what I seek is the process: everything I put in place to achieve it. That’s what motivates me daily.
I know where I come from. I see the path travelled since I arrived here, and I want to test my level against the best, my teammates, and other European athletes. Just that is already a great victory for me.
Do you have a memorable memory or anecdote that illustrates this passion?
Yes, what I remember the most are the mental and physical battles. That’s the essence of the ultra for me. Those moments when you have to dig deep within yourself to find what you didn't even suspect. It’s not just about running a long time, it’s about confronting yourself and coming out different. Every time I think back to a race, it’s that inner battle that comes up first.
Interview Aubin Ferrari :
Could you talk about your journey and the significant steps that led you to your current level in trail and ultra?
I grew up in a sporting 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 continued until high school. Eight very formative years. By the end of high school, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to continue with skiing, as I struggled to break into high-level competition. But I loved running, especially to prepare for the winter season.
It was at that point, during my higher studies, that I turned to trail running. And not by a small entry: in 2016, at 19, I ran my first ultra of over 100 km, after only two small initiation races. Then, from 2018 to 2021, I was trained by Nicolas Martin, who taught me a lot, both about training and nutrition, as well as the overall management of the athlete.
Since 2021, with my entry into the working world, I stopped following up with Nicolas. But I had acquired a solid foundation, and since I am passionate about training, I continue to learn by drawing inspiration from other disciplines like marathon running or triathlon. Trail running is still a relatively young sport: we are still exploring what works. I love picking up ideas from everywhere.
Do you work on the side? And how do you juggle your professional, personal life, and your life as an athlete?
Yes, I have been working 80% since January 2025, which gives me more flexibility. I haven't significantly increased my running volume, but I've been able to strengthen everything around it: recovery, physiotherapy, massages, strength training... These often neglected elements are actually essential for progressing and preventing injuries.
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. It helps a lot.
Do you do any 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 have been in Switzerland, without a ski area nearby and with little time, I stopped. However, I love biking, especially in winter with home trainers like Zwift: it's ultra precise for working on the right intensities. This summer, I've neglected biking a bit due to a lack of time, as I've increased my volume on foot (about +10%, from 5500 to 6000 km over the year). If I can drop to 50% work time next year, I hope to stabilize my running and add a bit more biking.
Beyond the performance of the UTMB, the mental aspect must play a very important role in such a 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 to arrive in Chamonix too early and exhaust yourself by trying to accept everything. You can easily burn energy even before the start.
I had long had a curse in Chamonix: dropping out of the TDS (Traces des Ducs de Savoie) and then I missed the CCC (Courmayeur – Champex – Chamonix) even though I got to see the finish line, the UTMB... Until 2024, when I managed a great race despite a big issue with my thigh at the end of the course. I managed to stay calm, accept the pain, take my time, then set off again and finish. It was a real relief.
In 2021, for example, I had underestimated the 100 miles. I felt pain in my legs from kilometer 70 and mentally I broke down. I dropped out. Whereas in 2024, I had the same pain at the same moment, but I accepted it. And that’s when you understand 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 for someone who wants to get into ultra trail running?
The opposite of what I did: take it gradually! Start with a 50, then an 80, then a race like the Lavaredo (120 km, one night outdoors), before aiming for a 100 miles. And above all: do not neglect the environment around you. Ultra takes time. If you have a family, children, you need to anticipate, organize, and do things bit by bit. Otherwise, it can become destructive.
And of course, avoid injuries. They are the leading cause of stagnation. It’s better to have a balanced training plan, adapted to your life, than an overly ambitious program that you can’t stick to.
