Races
Les Coursières des Hauts du Lyonnais
France, May. Alpine trails. 111 km. Cutoff 20 hours. The cols come whether you are ready or not.
- Start2,238 ft
- High3,015 ft
- Low1,331 ft
- Finish2,241 ft
- France at mile 0.0
- Les Coursières des Hauts du Lyonnais mile 14 at mile 14, cutoff 4 hours
- Les Coursières des Hauts du Lyonnais mile 28 at mile 28, cutoff 8 hours
- Les Coursières des Hauts du Lyonnais mile 42 at mile 42, cutoff 12 hours
- Les Coursières des Hauts du Lyonnais mile 56 at mile 56, cutoff 16 hours
- Finish France at mile 70, cutoff 20 hours
Geometrycourse math
Weather at the cruxcourse math
At hour 8 of race, feels like 25 C (77 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 8 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 25 C / 76 F.
The cruxHigh cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents (near mile 45)
Course DNA
The Course
Les Coursières des Hauts du Lyonnais runs 111 km through France. +16,683 ft gain and -16,680 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. High cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents. High point near 3,071 ft. Low near 1,273 ft. May temps run 32°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 34.
The Work
Train for 16,683 feet of climbing across 111 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 20 hours total means limited margin: rehearse fueling every 45 to 60 minutes and downhill eccentric work weekly. Technicality 5/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 45.
Kit
May in France: plan for 32°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 20 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 17. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 34.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 17. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 34. High cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents near mile 45 is where time is won or lost. Walk the steep pinches. Run the flats and gentle downhills. Crew at major aids: socks, calories, ice if hot. Transitions under 5 minutes when possible. Final third is 23 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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