Ultra-Trail du Mont–Blanc, first established in 2003, is a renowned trail and mountain running event that brings together top athletes from around the world. The race starts in Chamonix, France, traverses the Alps, and crosses the borders of France, Switzerland, and Italy. To qualify, athletes must earn points from races under the UTMB system.
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| Ha Thi Hau – the Vietnamese runner. Photo: Baolaocai |
Ultra-Trail du Mont – Blanc 2023 took place in Chamonix, France on September 2. Over 2,400 athletes from around the world participated in the race. The challenging course includes three peaks – Courmayeur, Champex, and Chamonix – with a total elevation gain of over 6,100 meters and a distance of 100 kilometers. This race is known as one of the most difficult in the world.
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| One of the challenging sections of Ultra-Trail du Mont – Blanc 2023. Photo: Baolaocai |
With a strong passion for mountain running and a track record of impressive achievements in domestic and international running events, Ha Thi Hau entered the Ultra-Trail du Mont – Blanc 2023 with determination and confidence.
After a grueling race, Ha Thi Hau finished fourth in the women’s category with a time of 12 hours 38 minutes 28 seconds, only 23 seconds behind the third-place American runner Helen Mino Faukner. This marks the first time a Southeast Asian runner has placed in the top 10 at Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc.
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| Photo: Baolaocai |
The champion of the race was Norwegian athlete Yngvild Kaspersen, who finished with a time of 11 hours 51 minutes 22 seconds. Zimbabwean athlete Emily Hawgood took second place with a time of 12 hours 28 minutes 19 seconds.
