Races
Grand Raid Ventoux
Provence ridges to Mont Ventoux. The Bald Mountain at 1,912 meters. Mistral wind and limestone trail.
77 mi+22,674 ft-21,496 ft26 hours1,506 ft to 2,739 fttech 5/10Checkpoints per race bookMont VentouxProvenceWSER qualifierAprilRunning Stones · 3 stones
Distance77 mi
Gain+22,674 ft
Loss-21,496 ft
Altitude1,506 ft to 2,739 ft
Technicality5/10
Air40°F to 80°F
- Start1,506 ft
- High2,739 ft
- Low1,506 ft
- Finish2,684 ft
Geometryderived
Steepest drop1,145 ft-10.0% over 2.2 mi
Night miles33 misunset near 18:00 local
Weather at the cruxderived
At hour 10 of race, feels like 24 C (75 F).Sample of 7 race days, medium confidence.At hour 10 of race, apparent temperature P90 is 24 C / 76 F.
The cruxMont Ventoux summit approach from Malaucene in heat (near mile 50)
Course DNA
The Course
Grand Raid Ventoux runs 124 km through Bedoin, France. +22,674 ft gain and -21,496 ft loss. Surfaces skew 70% trail / 25% dirt road / 5% paved. Mont Ventoux summit approach from Malaucene in heat. High point near 2,739 ft. Low near 1,506 ft. April temps run 40°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 39.
The Work
Train for 22,674 feet of climbing across 124 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 26 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 50.
Kit
April in Bedoin, France: plan for 40°F to 80°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 26 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 19. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 70% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 39.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 19. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 39. Mont Ventoux summit approach from Malaucene in heat near mile 50 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 25 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Grand Raid Ventoux finish lines.
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Sources (1)
- Qualifier: utmb_stones: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series