On Friday, February 1st, at the Administrative Center, the fifth edition of the Ultra-Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour 2019 was presented to the public. From June 14 to 16, between Nice and Saint-Martin Vésubie, many athletes will compete to win the prestigious 150 km race. The defending champion, Sébastien Camus, completed the 2018 course in 22 hours and 44 minutes.
The Department of Alpes-Maritimes introduced the changes made. Firstly, the arrival of New Dream Côte d’Azur as the new operator of the event with Manuella Garelli (former triathlete) as president. Together with her team, she perfectly organized the Cannes International Triathlon in 2014. The Department aims to unite the local associative fabric around this project.
The CNOSF (French National Olympic and Sports Committee) has awarded, for the ninth consecutive year, the label “Sustainable development, sport commits.”
The major challenges will be: Mont Chauve, Madone d’Utelle, the Cime de la Valette de Prals at an elevation of 2,496m. Between the sea and the mountains, the Ultra-Trail Côte d’Azur Mercantour has all the necessary assets to become a recognized event on the international stage.
Five routes will be offered to runners:
– 150 km individually or in relay teams of 2 or 4 people
– 110 km
– 40 km
– 15 km
– The vertical km
Offering a maximum number of courses allows to maximize the number of participants and provides lighter access for occasional runners.
Let’s remember that trail running has more than 500,000 practitioners in France and the market is estimated at over 500M euros in France, with an annual growth of 10%.
