Vincent Bouillard's Remarkable Victory at UTMB 2024: A Triumph of the Underdog
In a stunning turn of events at Chamonix, 31-year-old engineer Vincent Bouillard, a relative unknown to the public eye, emerged victorious in his first UTMB and only his second ultra-trail of such length, surpassing all the favorites. Notable figures like the reigning champion, American Jim Walmsley, were forced to abandon the race.
The UTMB, known for its captivating narratives and extraordinary human adventures since 2003, continued this tradition in the 2024 edition. The 176.4-kilometer course around Mont Blanc, featuring nearly 10,000 meters of elevation gain, witnessed unexpected outcomes and remarkable feats of endurance.
After a starting gun on Friday at 6 PM for 2,300 participants from around a hundred countries, the race initially followed a predictable trajectory. However, the men's race saw early exits from some prominent names. Frenchman Thibaut Garrivier, plagued by two rib fractures from a July course reconnaissance, withdrew after approximately 4 hours of racing. Shortly past midnight, another French favorite, Mathieu Blanchard, nursing an Achilles tendon injury, halted his run at the 70th kilometer mark near Lac Combal after over 7.5 hours of effort. This prudent decision by Blanchard, who plans to compete in the Diagonale des Fous this autumn in Reunion, reflected his long-term goals.
Amidst multiple withdrawals, a dramatic twist unfolded in the dead of night. Jim Walmsley made a definitive stop at Courmayeur, kilometer 83, after nearly 9 hours of racing. Suffering from a knee injury since his victory in June at the Western States in California, the American champion, who had ceased running for three weeks and undergone infiltrations since July, found the demanding UTMB course unforgiving.
Following these tumultuous events, Frenchman Vincent Bouillard unexpectedly took the lead at the Grand Col Ferret, ahead of compatriot Germain Grangier. Bouillard, a 31-year-old engineer for HOKA, began his athletic journey in track and field, showcasing a passion for mountain sports like skiing, cross-country skiing, and hiking. His trail running career, starting in 2022 and progressing to ultra-trail in 2023, culminated in a remarkable victory at the Kodiak Ultra Marathon by UTMB 100M in 2023, qualifying him for the UTMB.
Returning to Annecy with his wife Kamilah earlier in the year, Bouillard's fairy tale unfolded on the UTMB course, culminating in a triumphant finish in under 20 hours (19h54'23). The women's race saw American champion Katie Schide clinch victory in 22h09'31, securing the 13th overall position. Bouillard's victory, a testament to perseverance and unexpected triumph, solidified his place among the elite in the world of ultra-trail running.
