The Trails

Last week we embarked on a 6 day trail running escape to the Mont Blanc massif, part race prep for UTMB Nice, part pure escape. Standing beneath the sheer face of Mont Blanc, we felt small yet drawn in, pulled towards the mountain. The trail network here is endless and varies more than you'd expect, ridgelines, alpine forests, waterfalls, glaciers, all within reach of each other and surprisingly accessible once you know where to look. A highlight was day two's climb to La Jonction, 1,600 meters straight up from the valley floor, zigzagging the ridge with glaciers pressing in on both sides. A long climb, heavy at times, with moments where turning back felt tempting. But step by step we pushed on, reaching the top where the ice was close enough to touch. For some of us arriving from the flatlands of the Netherlands, it was the perfect way to acclimatize, a reminder of the scale of what was ahead.

The Days

We curated the routes day by day: long climbs above the valley and below the peaks, cold swims in glacier-fed streams to shake out tired legs, sunrise runs that erased all fatigue. We shared fresh baguettes, built rock dams in cold water, and ended our days with incredible dinners overlooking the Alps.

The Group

What made it unforgettable was the group. A community of runners who connected instantly, pushed themselves beyond what they thought possible, and found clarity in the simplicity of the mountains. These moments went beyond just running; they became memories we'll carry forever. A huge thank you to Stance for supporting us on this journey, and to Julien, our host, whose food is out of this world and whose warmth made us feel completely at home.