Races
La H.O.T. du Père Noël
France, December. Alpine trails. 133 km. Cutoff 25 hours. The cols come whether you are ready or not.
- Start354 ft
- High906 ft
- Low277 ft
- Finish344 ft
- France at mile 0.0
- La H.O.T. du Père Noël mile 17 at mile 17, cutoff 5 hours
- La H.O.T. du Père Noël mile 33 at mile 33, cutoff 10 hours
- La H.O.T. du Père Noël mile 50 at mile 50, cutoff 15 hours
- La H.O.T. du Père Noël mile 66 at mile 66, cutoff 20 hours
- Finish France at mile 83, cutoff 25 hours
Geometrycourse math
The cruxHigh cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents (near mile 54)
Course DNA
The Course
La H.O.T. du Père Noël runs 133 km through France. Surfaces skew 75% trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. High cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents. High point near 925 ft. Low near 262 ft. December temps run 32°F to 75°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 41.
The Work
Train for the climbing across 133 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 25 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 54.
Kit
December in France: plan for 32°F to 75°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 25 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 21. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 41.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 21. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 41. High cols above 2,400 m and long stone descents near mile 54 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 27 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
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