In the shoes of the UTMB runners
"It is essential to prepare your feet, as they are the ones in contact with the ground and will carry you to the finish line. The key is anticipation...
Sitting at the supplies table in Courmayeur, at km 75, this amateur runner seems to understand it all: to complete the mythical loop of 170 km and 11,000 m of positive altitude difference around Mont Blanc, you must take care of the fundamental tool of the ultra-trail runner—his feet! The fact that 16% of participants give up due to blisters, black nails, or other foot problems linked to poor preparation confirms this.
Through this immersive video report with the podiatry teams of the organization, amateur runners, and our elite athletes, discover what happens in the shoes of the UTMB finishers and best prepare for your next ultra-trail with their advice and testimonials!
IN IMMERSION WITH THE ORGANIZATION'S PODIATRIST TEAMS, AMATEUR RUNNERS, AND OUR ELITE ATHLETES!
For more than 50 years, we at Sidas have had a mission: to take care of the feet of athletes. Today, we are putting this historical know-how at the service of the UTMB runners through our products, advice, and partnership with the world's leading trail runner. Why do we do this? Because the foot is the fundamental tool of the ultra-trail runner and comfort is the key to pleasure and performance.
Thus, we took advantage of this 2021 edition to enter the backstage of this great sport's event by going on the ground, closer to those who make this event what it is:
- - We followed our elite athletes, Thibaut Baronian (Team Salomon, 3rd) and Baptiste Chassagne (Team Matryx, 9th) on the CCC, to learn how they prepared their feet for such a baptism?
- - We spoke with amateur runners who have made this UTMB a life project. Everywhere on the course, from Chamonix to Courmayeur via Champex, we interviewed them to get their feedback, testimonials, and advice.
- - Finally, we accompanied the podiatrist teams of the organization in the backstage of the queen race, the UTMB, inside these famous bases where dreams continue for some and stop abruptly for others. Where blisters can often be healed but sometimes prove to be prohibitive. Where black nails and other foot problems can be managed most of the time but can unfortunately lead to abandonment in certain situations.
DISCOVER THE SIDAS FOOT PROTECTION RANGE
IN THIS REPORT, WE HAVE TALKED ABOUT...
Tips to prepare your feet for an ultra-trail race...
- - How to do a tanning with lemon juice and moisturizer during the week before the event?
- - How to choose the most suitable socks?
- - Why banish new equipment?
- - How to prepare your feet with anti-friction cream a few hours before the start?
- - And other tips that we will let you discover...
Testimonials from elite athletes and amateur runners...
who have sometimes made their dreams come true thanks to optimal foot care. And unfortunate stories of dreams dashed by a blister that gets infected, overheating that seizes the arch of the foot at the first descent, or a black nail that appears at km 40.
Solemn moments with the organization's podiatrist teams...
who conceded to us that they are facing fewer abandonment situations due to better education and anticipation of the runners.
Rare images, shocking images, immersed in the backstage of the queen race...
Backstage, where the cameras venture very rarely.
To slip into the shoes of the runners of the UTMB, it’s this way...
TO GO FURTHER...
If you want to go further and do a few more miles for optimal foot care in your next ultra-trail, feel free to check out our tips for:
-> Preparing your feet for the UTMB.
-> Feet recovery and care for your feet after an ultra-trail.
