After 7 days of grueling racing, 17,000 meters of elevation gain (equivalent to climbing Everest twice) and 730 km covered, nearly 300 runners took on this ultimate challenge. They thus become the first Finishers in the history of the Haute Route.
It was under an azure blue sky and in front of several thousand spectators that the peloton crossed the final finish line of the Haute Route 2011, after a prestigious stage ending in Nice on the Promenade des Anglais.
Emotion seized the runners as they crossed the finish line. Between hugs and cries of joy, tears were not uncommon.
Stephen Roche, winner of the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and the World Championships in 1987, joined the peloton this morning at Saint-Etienne-de-Tinée to start this last stage. “What a race! What a course! These runners are worthy of the greatest champions,” he exclaimed.
Michel Roux and Stéphanie Gros winners
It comes as no surprise that Michel Roux (Solo Men) and Stéphanie Gros (Solo Women) came in first in this race. They executed a flawless race throughout the week. Regulars of races and high-altitude mountains, they demonstrated unwavering determination. Beyond the physicality and preparation their performance demanded, it was undoubtedly their mental strength that played a significant role.
Notably, Peter Pouly, winner of 3 stages during the week, and Karine Saysset, also victorious three times, easily secured the Duo Mixed category.
“Our greatest satisfaction is seeing the smiles and emotion of the runners”
For Rémi Duchemin, CEO of OC ThirdPole, the company organizing the Haute Route, this first edition was a true gamble. “We have expended a lot of energy since the launch in November, between designing the course, agreements with host cities, promotion and communication, recruiting the runners, and of course, all the logistics and safety aspects. This Haute Route went off perfectly, in a family-friendly atmosphere, and with ideal weather — we couldn’t have hoped for better. Our greatest satisfaction is seeing the smiles and emotion of the runners today. It’s an emotion shared by the whole Haute Route team, undoubtedly a grand first for everyone,” he commented.
