Trail des Aiguilles Rouges Supports Victims of Nepal Earthquake
The last trail running race of the season is almost here
There’s no surer sign that autumn is upon us than the impending Trail des Aiguilles Rouges; in little under three weeks, 1000 runners will set off on one of two races across the local mountains.
The Trail des Aiguilles Rouge is a 52km trail running race that includes a hefty 3887m of elevation gain and a thigh-busting 3902m of descent. Its little sister is the P’Tit Trail des Aiguille Rouge, a shorter but still fairly brutal course of 15km with 1230m of elevation gain. Both routes take in some of the most challenging climbs and descents in the valley, across spectacular high mountain terrain.
This year saw record registrations, with places for the longer race filling up barely 2 days after registration opened and the P’Tit TAR edition reaching capacity shortly after. It seems there’s a lot of folks out there who enjoy a bit of punishment early in the morning.
The classic TAR sets off from the centre of Chamonix at 4:30am on Sunday 27th September, heading straight up to Flegere and on past Lac Blanc to Col de la Gliere at 2461m. I guess the best thing you can say about it is that at least you reach the highest point fairly early on and then it’s (in theory) all downhill from there. Except it isn’t though, oh no… The route then traverses the highs and lows of the Reserve Naturelle des Aiguilles Rouges via Col du Brevent and the Refuge de Moede Anterne before dropping all the way down to Servoz just to climb another 1157m up to Prarion, then it’s just the small matter of a 1000m descent to the finish line at Lac des Chavants.
The P’Tit TAR may be shorter but it’s still got plenty to fear, with what the organisers term, “a more direct start” - which translates as “straight up a massive hill”. The P’Tit TAR follows a circuit, starting and ended at Lac des Chavants in Les Houches, with a jaunt up to the summit of Mont Lachat at 2098m en route. Runners must finish within a 4 hour time limit, which is not easy, as our reporter found out when she recce'd the route last week.
The TAR welcomes a new partner this year, Italian sportswear brand Reda Rewoolution has come on board to promote their range of outdoor clothing made of pure merino wool.
This year’s event is held in solidarity with Nepal, in support of families who were affected by the earthquake earlier this year. Donations from runners have already reached 1,687€ and will be given to the association Kang Guru, a charity that was created after the Himalayan avalanche that killed 18 people in October 2005. This association helps Nepalese families who are victims of such tragedies, with all funds raised going towards their health and welfare with education and well being of children being the main priority.
If you are running in either race then here are is the schedule for the weekend:
Saturday September 26th
- 14:00-18:00 Race-bib distribution for the TAR and P'tit TAR in Place de l’Eglise, Chamonix (in front of the tourist office)
- 18:30-20:30 Pasta party at UCPA, Chamonix
Sunday September 27th
- 04:15 TAR Briefing in Place de l’Eglise, Chamonix
- 04:30 TAR Start in Place de l’Eglise, Chamonix
- 09:45 P’Tit TAR Briefing at Lac des Chavants, Les Houches
- 10:00 P’Tit TAR START at Lac des Chavants, Les Houches
- 11:00 First TAR finishers start to come on at Lac des Chavants, Les Houches
- 1:30 First P'tit TAR finishers start to come in at Lac des Chavants, Les Houches
- 12:00 Post race buffet opens at Lac des Chavants, Les Houches
- 14:00-16:00 Prize-giving at Lac des Chavants, Les Houches
- 16:30 Raffle draw at Lac des Chavants, Les Houches
