Getting into the UTMB spirit

Bad weather on Mont Blanc (photo not representative of the conditions today!)

The UTMB attracts a diverse bunch of individuals. As we drove towards Chamonix the stories behind their efforts to stand on the start line tomorrow diverted our attention from the torrential rain which was hammering down. There was the UN worker who'd done all her training on a treadmill in the heat of Afghanistan. A 53 year old Japanese gentleman just three years into his ultra career and traveling with his rice cooker. He was hoping his running companion had remembered the rice! There was a Jersey based race organiser who's final qualifying point had come from his own race and Gary who was hoping his experiences as one of only three finishers in the inaugural Spine Race would stand him in good stead for the forecast snowy conditions.

Chamonix was grey and every other person was dressed in lycra but the buzz was starting with less than 24 hours to the off.....