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Bramwell International's Matt Dooley - UTMB TDS 2011
The last week of august I headed off to Chamonix with my Miwok 18 full of lightweight kit to run the Ultra Tour de Mont Blanc TDS race, 110km with 7500 metres of ascent, starting in Courmayeur and running around the back of Mont Blanc to Chamonix within 30 hours.
The day of the race was a hot one 36 degrees c, which is a definite shock to the system living in the peak district where it never gets above 20. Straight out of Courmayeur there was a 1900 meter ascent. The Miwok carried really well and didn’t bounce around like running packs can thanks to the Bio Sync tendons. The best feature for me was the side opening access for the quick refilling of my Source Widepac as keeping hydrated was important.
All the UTMB races draw people from all over the world and I spotted loads of well used Gregory Packs on some of the Japanese runners. The town comes alive for the week with people checking out kit in the gear shops and buying new Source bladders, stocking up on energy gels and generally hanging out and clapping in the runners whilst enjoying a Coffee (or beer) outside Le Terrace. Followed by a burger at the legendary climbers haunt, Poco Loco.
Can’t wait to go back next year following another winter of training in the cold and dark peak district maybe ill put in a few runs after work in the lakes.