Races
Val d'Aran by UTMB, Camins de Hèr
Val d'Aran. Pyrenees trails. Vielha start. Six thousand eight hundred meters through Catalan high country.
68 mi26 hours5,236 ft to 7,664 fttech 6/106 stationsPyreneesVal d'AranWSER qualifierJuly
Distance68 mi
Altitude5,236 ft to 7,664 ft
Technicality6/10
Air40°F to 80°F
- Start5,236 ft
- High7,664 ft
- Low5,236 ft
- Finish7,664 ft
- Vielha at mile 0.0
- Val d'Aran by UTMB, Camins de Hèr mile 14 at mile 14, cutoff 5.2 hours
- Val d'Aran by UTMB, Camins de Hèr mile 27 at mile 27, cutoff 10.4 hours
- Val d'Aran by UTMB, Camins de Hèr mile 41 at mile 41, cutoff 15.6 hours
- Val d'Aran by UTMB, Camins de Hèr mile 54 at mile 54, cutoff 20.8 hours
- Finish Spain at mile 68, cutoff 26 hours
Geometrycourse math
Steepest drop1,886 ft-19.1% over 1.9 mi
Night miles20 misunset near 19:00 local
Longest climb2,428 ft68 mi at 0.7%
The cruxPort de la Bonaigua and high Pyrenees cols above Vielha (near mile 44)
Course DNA
The Course
Val d'Aran by UTMB, Camins de Hèr runs 110 km through Vielha, Spain. Surfaces skew 75% mountain trail / 20% dirt road / 5% paved. Port de la Bonaigua and high Pyrenees cols above Vielha. High point near 7,664 ft. Low near 5,236 ft. July temps run 40°F to 80°F. The course rewards patience early and punishes rushed descents after mile 34.
The Work
Train for the climbing across 110 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 6/10. Build a block that simulates the crux near mile 44.
Kit
July in Vielha, Spain: 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 17. Vest capacity for 2 liters minimum. Shoes matched to 75% mountain 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. Port de la Bonaigua and high Pyrenees cols above Vielha 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 23 miles of fatigue management. Finish with reserve for the last descent.
Results
Val d'Aran by UTMB, Camins de Hèr finish lines.
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