Races
Nice Côte d'Azur
Nice to the Mercantour. Mediterranean views. Limestone ridges and coastal descent.
67 mi+28,442 ft-32,812 ft28 hours0 ft to 6,089 fttech 5/106 stationsMercantourMediterranean viewsWSER qualifierSeptember
Distance67 mi
Gain+28,442 ft
Loss-32,812 ft
Altitude0 ft to 6,089 ft
Technicality5/10
Air50°F to 85°F
- Start4,390 ft
- High6,084 ft
- Low16 ft
- Finish20 ft
- Nice at mile 0.0
- France at mile 13, cutoff 5.6000000000000005 hours
- Nice Côte d'Azur mile 27 at mile 27, cutoff 11.200000000000001 hours
- Nice Côte d'Azur mile 40 at mile 40, cutoff 16.8 hours
- Nice Côte d'Azur mile 54 at mile 54, cutoff 22.400000000000002 hours
- Finish the Mercantour at mile 67, cutoff 28 hours
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,749 ft-17.2% over 1.9 mi
Night miles26 misunset near 18:00 local
The cruxMercantour ridge climbs above the Mediterranean with September heat (near mile 43)
Course DNA
The Course
Nice Côte d'Azur runs 107 km through Nice, France. +28,442 ft gain and -32,812 ft loss. Surfaces skew 70% trail / 25% dirt road / 5% paved. Mercantour ridge climbs above the Mediterranean with September heat. High point near 6,089 ft. Low near 0 ft. September temps run 50°F to 85°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 33.
The Work
Train for 28,442 feet of climbing across 107 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 28 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 43.
Kit
September in Nice, France: plan for 50°F to 85°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 28 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 17. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 70% trail: lugs for mud, rock plate if the course turns technical after mile 33.
Race Day
Hold effort through mile 17. The field often splits on the first big climb after mile 33. Mercantour ridge climbs above the Mediterranean with September heat near mile 43 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 22 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Nice Côte d'Azur finish lines.
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