Races
Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB - Ultra-Trail des Païens
The Païens route. One hundred nine kilometers through Alsace forest and vineyard hills on a tight cutoff.
68 mi+22,772 ft-22,956 ft21 hours554 ft to 2,654 fttech 5/106 stationsVosgesUTMB IndexWSER qualifierMay
Distance68 mi
Gain+22,772 ft
Loss-22,956 ft
Altitude554 ft to 2,654 ft
Technicality5/10
Air45°F to 80°F
- Start755 ft
- High2,653 ft
- Low571 ft
- Finish571 ft
- Obernai at mile 0.0
- Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB - Ultra-Trail des Païens mile 14 at mile 14, cutoff 4.2 hours
- Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB - Ultra-Trail des Païens mile 27 at mile 27, cutoff 8.4 hours
- Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB - Ultra-Trail des Païens mile 41 at mile 41, cutoff 12.6 hours
- Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB - Ultra-Trail des Païens mile 54 at mile 54, cutoff 16.8 hours
- Finish France at mile 68, cutoff 21 hours
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,194 ft-12.1% over 1.9 mi
Night miles21 misunset near 19:00 local
The cruxVosges forest climbs on a twenty-one-hour clock in May heat (near mile 44)
Course DNA
The Course
Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB - Ultra-Trail des Païens runs 109 km through Obernai, France. +22,772 ft gain and -22,956 ft loss. Surfaces skew 70% forest trail / 25% dirt road / 5% paved. Vosges forest climbs on a twenty-one-hour clock in May heat. High point near 2,654 ft. Low near 554 ft. May temps run 45°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 34.
The Work
Train for 22,772 feet of climbing across 109 km. Back-to-back long runs on trail. Practice power-hiking grades above 15 percent. 21 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 44.
Kit
May in Obernai, France: plan for 45°F to 80°F. Mandatory shell if rain is in forecast. Headlamp with spare batteries if 21 hours pushes past dark. Poles help on sustained climbs above mile 17. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 70% forest 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. Vosges forest climbs on a twenty-one-hour clock in May heat near mile 44 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
Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB - Ultra-Trail des Païens finish lines.
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