Race: Montreux MxAlps 61km with 4150m + elevation
Runner: Anouk B
Race Date: 07/28/2018
Location: Montreux, Switzerland
Results: 9th Lady, 1st Vet
3 Bests – What aspects of the race did you like the most?
- The whole Montreux Trail Festival has lots of different length races. From a 100 miler with 12000m elevation, to a relay of that 100 miler etc, to a kiddies races where if your kid runs fast the parents can start their race quicker.
- Aside from the races they also have concerts going on and just a festive atmosphere
- The volunteers were great, more on that later.
- But the biggest highlight was hearing cow bells orchestrating all through the night.
- Of course the scenery of the Swiss alps.
Oops sorry can’t stick to 3!
Not so much – Aspects of the race that didn’t do it for you
The aid stations were a bit basic. Liquid side was good but the food diversity was small.
Weird factor – What’s the weirdest thing about this race?
So the races was suppose to be during the day but due to the hectic weather they had to postpone the race to late afternoon so it became practically a whole night run in mud after so much water had fallen. Safety first though and everyone agreed with their call. That weather was insane, it was very good of them; if you didn’t want to run at night you could transfer your race to the next day’s shorter distance or even get a refund.
Highlights of your race – What did you do well and enjoy about your race in particular?
I do like to climb a lot so this is my cup of tea and I like it when the trails are tough, which in normal weather it wouldn’t have been, but because of all that mud they became another level.
Lessons for others – Share your pro-tips on the race to help the next runner
- Bring poles
- The aid stations a quiet far apart so you really gotta fill up on a hot day. Especially the first one, as it’s 16km in.
- Maybe bring a couple of good power bars and sugar loads to not rely too much on the aid station.
Lessons you learned that will help you next time around
- The aid station as mentioned
Most important course specific knowledge to know about the race
- When wet it is one big mud fest.
- After the big second climb there is about 10km of a very narrow, off-clamber path. On the elevation profile it looks like that will be the easy section – to me it was the hardest!
Aesthetics – Is it a pretty course?
SwissAlps – are just beautiful! It doesn’t go up to snow etc but the view are of the mountains and lake Geneva.
Difficulty – Is it a tough course?
I don’t think it’s a technical race except when muddy like this. It has that tough 10km which apparently on a dry day my friend also felt was hard. You gotta like climbing and descending of course as it’s properly steep.
Organized and well run – Did it feel like a well-oiled machine or were they flying by the seat of their pants?
The race directors had to make that tough call to postpone the race – never easy but I am always impressed when they think like that – it will have cost them a lot of more money! And Diego Pazos stands at the finish line to welcome you – there is no happier person! The volunteers due to postponement also of course all stayed 12 hrs longer than they were suppose to, but at the aid stations they were still as enthusiastic for each of us out there.
Competition – Is there a strong field?
Europeans are something else. The fight every second. The men, the women, the elite, the locals – they all race to win!
Logistics – Does it require a special handshake, registration a year in advance, hotels all booked? Give us the low down on the nuts and bolts of making the race happen.
No need to register early, they allow a big field. So easy to get to from Geneva or Lausanne or Chamonix etc. And all around there are plenty of places to run/ hike after.
Weather and typical race conditions
Normally it’s proper summer there, the weather I had was quiet extreme. Sure it might have rained a bit etc, but not like that.
Gear – Did you need anything special or is there anything you’d recommend for the next guy?
Poles
Spectators – Is this a friendly course for your friends?
No not that easy for spectators, although a couple of places allowed for crew.
How’s the Swag?
T-shirts given to participants, and the category winners got a nice bag of swag!
The Overall Score – How many stars do you give this race and do you recommend that others run it?
I loved it but again in Europe there are a million races especially around this time – so if you need advice on where and when on a specific distance / terrain / view happy to help. Of course I recommend it.