In reply to tony:
I just got back from running the CCC. I finished just after 7am this morning so hit my goal of a sub-22hr run. Well actually my goal was to finish.
The sad thing is I've missed most of the UTMB coverage but I bet the atmosphere was incredible as Francois d'Haene came in victorious. My reception was slightly less rapturous but I still appreciated the support from the good people in Chamonix.
I was glad the conditions were cool but the torrential rain meant the end of the course was modified between Col des Montets and Flegere, cutting out Tete aux Ventes but I think they managed to keep the distance and height gain and distance fairly similar.
Most of the descents from Le Fouly onwards were pretty much unrunnable for anyone without a deathwish as the sticky mud was churned up meaning you really had to be careful over the wet rocks and tree roots. I managed to fall a couple of times as did quite a few others.
The final climb to Flegere this morning was excrutiating and went on forever. It makes you realise how much the elites live on another planet.
It was my first UTMB event as a participant (I've been in town as a spectator before) but despite the conditions I thought it was great. The organisation was flawless, and even the legendary notorious bottlenecks on the first few climbs weren't bad at all and kept the pace manageable. There are undoubtedly a lot of runners and it is a crowded course but you don't get lonely and people are pretty chatty.
I'll definitely be back - maybe the TDS next time and obviously the UTMB itself is on the bucket list for one day.
