From 2 to 4 October 2020, took place in Métabief the first edition of the Ultra-Trail of the Jura Mountains.
The Alps have the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. The Pyrenees have the Grand Raid. Reunion Island has the Diagonale des Fous. Corsica has the Ultra-Trail di Corsica. But Jura did not yet have his ultra trail. Faced with the enthusiasm for this discipline, some enthusiasts took up the challenge of organizing an ultra in this land of Nordic skiing. On October 2, 2020, 250 runners were able to take the start of the first UTMJ, in Lancrans.
5 races on exceptional tracks
And there was something for everyone on the Jura mountains during this autumn weekend. Because besides UTMJ and its 181,9 kilometers and 7700 meters of elevation gain, the organizers have proposed four other races. Franco-Switzerland and its 113,3 kilometers and 4570 meters of vertical drop, the vixen and its 72 kilometers and 2320 meters of vertical drop, the MWC and its 37,5 kilometers and 1050 vertical meters, and the Lynx and its 18,6 kilometers for 690 meters of vertical drop. The routes took many sections of Nordic ski trails and crossed a few resorts. The UTMJ course is also very largely inspired by that of the legendary Nordic skiing event in Jura, the Transjurassienne.
UTMJ: A Dantesque first edition
For this first edition, the runners tasted the continental fall. They have known all the seasons in just a few days. Some pictures reveal a beautiful blue sky, but it must be recognized that the runners also had the right to muddy terrain, wind, rain and even snow!
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It is even in winter conditions that the Franco-Swiss runners set off on October 3, at the start of Les Rousses. So much so that the organizers finally had to shorten the routes in the Swiss sector of Franco-Suisse and the UTMJ on the second day. The passages to the summits of Suchet and Aiguillon have been removed. The route therefore finally passed through the supply station at Grange Neuve, before directly joining the supply station at Pré Malvilain via the Aiguillon pass.
A magnificent first edition of the ultra-trail of the Jura mountains
Despite the weather conditions and the health crisis, runners and organizers were won over by UTMJ. Perfect organization, smiling and motivated volunteers… The runners were full of praise by thanking the teams on social networks, who also expressed their relief after this great success.
“And yes, we did! Runners, volunteers, partners and organizers, despite conditions described as "daunting", we did it and we can only congratulate ourselves. Bravo to all for this first edition! "
Congratulations to the winners of the UTMJ, Stephanie Perriard in women and Fabrice Fauser at men's. The Franco-Suisse was won by Emily Camier and Adrien Alix.
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Do not miss the video recap of this memorable first edition of the UTMJ.
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