A race that compiles a breakdown of the athletes who abandoned the competition cannot be kind.
The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, an abusive mountain tour through three countries, began Aug. 30 with 2,469 runners. About 104 miles later, 1,686 of them had completed the loop back to Chamonix, France.
Many were left behind on some of the highest passes of the Mont Blanc massif — the col de Voza, the col de la Seigne, the Grand col Ferret — on trails that cut through France, Italy and Switzerland.
For those who endured to the finish line, a view of Mont Blanc was waiting. There was no prize money.
Xavier Thevenard of France won in 20 hours 34 minutes 57 seconds. Rory Bosio, from Lake Tahoe, Calif., was the top women’s finisher and seventh over all in 22:37:26.
