The Trail des Aiguilles Rouges is following the trail running trend with a new record for registrations - this year's event sold out in just 2 days!
Compared to 21 days in 2014, bibs for the TAR are evidently in as high demand as those for the Marathon du Mont Blanc and the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc - both races have now adopted a "lottery" style system for allocating tickets as the "first-come-first-served" system was being swamped by applicants.
The Trail des Aiguilles Rouges is the last trail race of the summer season, taking place on Sunday 27th September. The classic TAR route traverses the highest and steepest peaks of the Chamonix Valley, covering 3887m of ascent and 3902m of descent over a gruelling 52km course that tops out at the Col de la Glière at 2432m.
There is also a shorter race, the P'tit TAR, which is a great introduction to trail running and a real challenge for those who prefer a shorter faster race. The P'tit TAR might only be 15km long but it manages to pack in 1230m of ascent and descent by climbing from Lac des Chavants in Les Houches up to Mont Lachat at 2098m and back down again.
The fast sell-out of the TAR is unprecendented for such a race - the course takes runners into wild and remote areas, demanding a fast pace over very steep and technical terrain. In return you are rewarded with a portion of tartiflette, a slice of cake and a finishers medal at the end.
TAR 2015 Stats:
- 52km, 3887m ascent, 3902m descent
- Maximum 650 runners - 87% male, 41.4% senior category, 29.8% category veteran 1
- The youngest runner this year is 19 while the oldest is 72
- Completion of the TAR is worth 2 points towards the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc
- Estimated best finishing time : 6:30
- Average finishing time : 10:00
- Maximum finishing time : 13:30
- Eleven countries are represented with the majority of entrants coming from France, Switzerland and Belgium.
- 150 volunteers will give their time to help organise and marshall the event
More information on the event schedule and the routes for both races can be found on the Trail des Aiguilles Rouges website, please click on the link at the top of this page.
