Our recent road trip through France with OLEUS was nothing short of inspiring. Our mission? To visit three major endurance events—Haute Route, Grand Raid Pyrenees, and the iconic UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc). Along the way, we followed three of our sponsored athletes: Scotty Hawker, Herman Desmet, and Alessio Zambon, documenting their journeys before, during, and after their races. But more than that, we dove deep into the endurance community, learning what drives these athletes doing what they do.
Grand Raid Pyrenees: A First for Trail Running
The Grand Raid Pyrenees was the first-ever trail running event I had the chance to experience. We set off early, waking at 5 a.m. to make it to the starting line just in time. Seeing athletes share emotional goodbyes with their loved ones before going on such a long race was inspiring. The atmosphere was electric, with the organizers getting the crowd and participants pumped up through rhythmic clapping. I had never witnessed such energy at 5 a.m. before such a demanding event!
We followed the athletes throughout the course, camping out on a mountainside to get up close and personal with them. You could feel their sweat and determination as they passed, making capturing these moments even cooler. After the race, we headed back to the city to hand out goodie bags, meeting the community and connecting with the support teams. Engaging with fellow spectators, families, and friends of the athletes really brought home how strong the support network is for these endurance athletes.
Haute Route: A Day in the Alps
Next, we set our sights on the Haute Route, an event known for its iconic mountain climbs. Although we were only able to join for one day, it was good to experience one cycling event. We scouted the route and made our way to the famous Col de la Bonette, a legendary finish line in both Haute Route and Tour de France history. There, we parked along the route to capture footage of the riders as they pushed their limits on this grueling climb. The scenery was breathtaking, and the passion of the athletes made for some incredible content.
UTMB: The Pinnacle of Trail Running
Finally, we spent a full week at the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) in Chamonix, arguably the world’s most famous trail running event. Our sponsored athletes were already in Chamonix preparing for the race, giving us plenty of time to immerse ourselves in the event's atmosphere. Each day brought new excitement—whether it was watching a race start or witnessing emotional finishes, the energy in the city was electric. It’s hard to describe the blend of festivity and intensity that surrounds UTMB. Every race start feels like a celebration, while the finish line is a place of raw emotion and accomplishment.
Our main focus, however, was following Scotty, Herman, and Alessio. Throughout the week, we met with them for interviews, shooting content, and preparing our plan to track them during the race. One of the highlights was being at Courmayeur to support them through the night as they passed this critical point in the race. By this point in the race, many of the year’s top contenders had already dropped out. This checkpoint underscored just how demanding and relentless the UTMB course is.
The ultimate moment came on Sunday, September 1st, when Herman Desmet crossed the finish line. While the first finisher completed the course in just 23 hours, Herman persevered for an astounding 43 hours to finish his journey. His achievement highlights the UTMB’s true spirit—it's not just a race for the winners, but an adventure for every single participant, regardless of their time. We captured every second, and it was a profoundly emotional experience to witness his achievement. It’s a core memory that we’ll carry with us forever, and it reinforced just how special these endurance events truly are.
What We Learned
This road trip was more than just a chance to follow elite athletes—it was a deep dive into the world of endurance sports. From early morning starts to late-night finishes, the dedication and determination of every athlete we met was inspiring. Whether you're a seasoned racer or a fan of endurance sports, events like the Grand Raid, Haute Route, and UTMB offer an unforgettable experience that goes beyond the race itself.
We can’t wait to continue this journey and see what the next chapter holds. Stay tuned for more adventures with OLEUS as we continue to follow the endurance community and share their incredible stories.
