Races
Grand Raid des Pyrénées - Ultra 160
France, August. Alpine trails. 160 km. Cutoff 48 hours. The cols come whether you are ready or not.
100 mi+1,595 ft-1,550 ft48 hours1,831 ft to 1,916 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookWSER qualifierAugustRunning Stones · 4 stones
Distance100 mi
Gain+1,595 ft
Loss-1,550 ft
Altitude1,831 ft to 1,916 ft
Technicality5/10
Air32°F to 75°F
- Start1,860 ft
- High1,916 ft
- Low1,831 ft
- Finish1,906 ft
Geometryderived
Steepest drop72 ft-0.6% over 2.1 mi
Night miles36 misunset near 19:00 local
Weather at the cruxderived
At hour 10 of race, feels like 33 C (92 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 10 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 33 C / 92 F.
The cruxHigh cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents (near mile 65)
Course DNA
The Course
Grand Raid des Pyrénées - Ultra 160 runs 160 km through France. +1,595 ft gain and -1,550 ft loss. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. High cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents. High point near 1,916 ft. Low near 1,831 ft. August temps run 32°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 50.
The Work
Train for 1,595 feet of climbing across 160 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 48 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 65.
Kit
August in France: plan for 32°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 48 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 25. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 50.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 25. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 50. High cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents near mile 65 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 33 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Grand Raid des Pyrénées - Ultra 160 finish lines.
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Sources (1)
- Qualifier: utmb_stones: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series