"I lose track of how many runners pass us. Some fly by, all business. Some have camera crews. Some stop to pull out their own phones and record the fracas. Their bibs show flags for Ireland, Japan, the United States, Nepal. A long and lonely night awaits. For many: two nights, or an early van back to Chamonix. Three capital letters next to their name. Here, the thin air is still thick with hope."
"When Mary Shelley visited Chamonix in 1816, she made the place a protagonist unto itself: multiple scenes in Frankenstein orbit the Mer de Glace, the gorgeous ( and now disappearing) glacier above the valley. The novel is a historical inflection point. The scientist walks onto the ice, entering into open dialogue with the monster. For better or worse, the mountains are no longer foes."
Chamonix becomes the focal point for UTMB, drawing international runners, camera crews, and spectators to alpine trails. Runners display national flags and endure long, lonely nights, with some facing two nights or early van returns. Historical ties to Mary Shelley's 1816 visit link the mountains to Frankenstein, with the Mer de Glace serving as a dramatic backdrop. HOKA serves as title sponsor and equips top athletes with lightweight footwear. The event spans multiple races over several days, creating a nonstop, carnival-like atmosphere that blends elite competition, local ambivalence, and the spectacle of endurance racing.
Read at InsideHook
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