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 mi+28,367 ft-25,939 ft26 hours5,236 ft to 7,664 fttech 6/10Checkpoints per race bookPyreneesVal d'AranWSER qualifierJuly
Distance68 mi
Gain+28,367 ft
Loss-25,939 ft
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
Geometryderived
Steepest drop1,795 ft-17.7% 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. +28,367 ft gain and -25,939 ft loss. 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 28,367 feet of 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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