From July 9 to 11, 2021, competitors in the Ultra-Trail® Côte d’Azur Mercantour will have the chance to experience something completely new. Numerous innovations are on the agenda, including two stage distances of 150 km and 180 km.
Totally unprecedented, the grand start of these two new stage routes will take place from the square of the Palace of the Principality of Monaco.
Presentation of the seventh edition
The 200 privileged athletes will head towards the Roya Valley (severely affected by Storm Alex in October 2020), crossing the balconies of the Riviera above the Menton area, passing through magnificent villages and summits with incredible sea views. The first stage will end at the base camp in Breil-sur-Roya where a bivouac will be set up to welcome the runners.
It is worth noting that part of the event will take place without any signage, relying solely on orientation via a roadbook and a GPS track provided by the organization to the competitors. A return to the origins of trail running.
The rest of the program is just as enticing, with a magical and unique passage through the heart of the Mercantour National Park, following the tracks of the Great Traverse of Mercantour towards the Authion and the mythical Col de Turini, made famous by the Monte-Carlo Rally. Another nice nod to the links between the Alpes Maritimes Department and the Principality of Monaco.
The end of this extraordinary adventure will conclude around Saint-Martin-Vésubie, where the second base camp will await competitors, with sections reaching nearly 3,000 m in altitude. The other races, starting from and arriving at Saint-Martin-Vésubie, will not be outdone with a very mountainous profile and ridge-line passages at over 2,500 m in altitude. All with breathtaking views of the coastline. Unique features of the Vésubie Valley.
A 10 km course will allow less experienced runners to taste the joys of trail running on a more accessible route.
On the agenda:
- 180 km / 11,600 m D+
- 150 km / 9,500 m D+
- 115 km / 7,150 m D+ – individual & relay.
- 75 km / 5,500 m D+
- 50 km / 4,100 m D+
- 30 km / 2,100 m D+
- 10 km / 550 m D+
Words of Manuela Garelli, organizer of the UTCAM
“For its 7th edition, the Ultra-Trail® Côte d’Azur Mercantour will offer you a tempting and unprecedented program. In addition to the already announced races around Saint Martin Vésubie, I have the great pleasure of unveiling the starting city of the 150 and 180 km courses, traversing the Roya and Vésubie valleys and crossing the Mercantour National Park.” explains the President of New Dream Côte d’Azur, in the presence of the president of the Alpes-Maritimes, Charles Ange Ginésy, and the deputy Eric Ciotti.
“It is from the square of the Palace of the Principality of Monaco that the 200 runners will set off on Friday, July 9 at 10:00 AM, on this magnificent course, connecting the sea to the mountains. This start from Monaco will be a first for us, a privilege, and an honor. As the President of the organization, I am particularly proud and honored.” she adds. “The arrival on July 11 in Saint-Martin Vésubie will also be a strong symbol: that of the gradual revival of the valleys wounded a few months ago by Storm Alex. Two places, two symbols of the proximity and unbreakable ties that unite the Principality of Monaco and the Alpes-Maritimes department.”
