On Athletes Conquer the Ultimate Trails at UTMB
From Top-Ten Finishes to DNFs: On Trail Athletes Experience the Highs and Lows of UTMB Finals Week
Chamonix, France - September 1, 2024 – The UTMB World Series Final 2024 came to an exhilarating conclusion, with the last runner crossing the finish line at 16:49 on September 1st, nearly 47 hours after the race began.
For the On athletes racing in Chamonix, the week was filled with emotional highs and lows, both on the trails and as they cheered on their teammates. While some athletes faced early exits due to falls and illness—Kirra Balmanno (PTL), Simon Gosselin (TDS), Paul Mathou (CCC), Gregory Curmer (UTMB), and Geneviève Asselin-Demers (UTMB) all had to withdraw—others endured the full challenge of the Mont Blanc trails, buoyed by the relentless support of the crowds day and night.
Chamonix Heats Up
David Norris (USA), Sammy Chelangat Rotich (KEN), and Sam Lewis (USA) lined up for the OCC on Thursday, August 29th, in Orsières, Switzerland. With 57 km and 3,498 meters of elevation gain ahead, they set off under a blazing sun, knowing the heat would only intensify as the day progressed. All three On athletes steadily gained positions as the kilometers ticked by. Norris was the first On athlete to finish, crossing the line in Chamonix with a time of 5:49:01, securing 23rd place. Rotich followed closely, finishing in 5:58:50, taking 30th in the men’s race and 31st overall. Sam Lewis gained several positions in the women's race and ultimately finished in 6:36:42, securing 17th place.
From Product Tester to Ultra Runner
Antoine Charvolin (FRA), a footwear testing specialist for On in Zurich, took on the CCC race alongside fellow On trail runner and colleague Paul Mathou. The 101 km race with 6,062 meters of elevation was grueling under the hot sun as runners navigated the Italian, Swiss, and French trails. Unfortunately, Mathou had to withdraw after 40 km, but Charvolin continued, steadily overtaking other runners and working his way up the ranks. With 20 km to go and one final climb ahead, he moved up three more spots, securing 13th place and holding it to the finish. Charvolin crossed the finish line at 11:19:16 and was greeted by his ecstatic teammates, who celebrated the young French ultra runners' achievements.
The Ultimate Trail Race
Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon, Claudia Tremps, Jeff Mogavero, Genevieve Harrison, Alyssa Clark, and Katarzyna Solińska waited until 18:00 on Friday for their turn to tackle the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. The 176 km race with 9,915 meters of elevation awaited the 2,800 runners eagerly anticipating the start. As “Conquest of Paradise” echoed across Chamonix, the atmosphere was electric. For the eight On athletes on the starting line, the hours ahead would be filled with relentless climbs, aid stations, endless cheers, and the ever-present awareness of the distance still to come.
Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon led the race early, passing through the first few aid stations in the lead pack. Although he fell back slightly when he reached Col de la Seigne, he regained ground as he arrived in Courmayeur, Italy, proving his place among the elite runners this year. He crossed the finish line in 6th place in a time of 21:12:12. Jeff Mogavero, who had started in the same lead pack as Joyeux-Bouillon, maintained a strong performance through the night. Initially in 13th position, Mogavero had to contend with sickness as the race continued, dropping positions but persevering to finish as the 50th man with a time of 25:31:48.
In the women’s race, favorite Claudia Tremps was out for redemption after a difficult qualifying race forced her to withdraw last year. This year, Tremps was well-rested and determined to finish strong. She made her intentions clear by steadily overtaking runners throughout the race, moving from 93rd to 59th overall. Overcome with emotion as she crossed the finish line on the iconic blue carpet, Tremps secured 8th place in the women’s race with a time of 25:39:37. Close behind her was Alyssa Clark (USA), a newcomer to the On team this year, who impressed with her 11th-place finish in the women’s race, completing the course in 26:25:13.
Katarzyna Solińska (POL), who had made a name for herself with a 6th place finish last year, struggled throughout the race. Despite her challenges, she was determined to complete the course and did so in 31:26:27, finishing 32nd in the women’s race. Genevieve Harrison (USA) also faced a tough race, battling foot pain for much of the course. Despite the pain, she remained resolute, crossing the finish line in 34:50:13 and securing 51st place in the women’s race.
About On
On was born in the Swiss Alps in 2010 with the mission to ignite the human spirit through movement – a mission that still guides the brand today. Fourteen years after market launch, On delivers industry-disrupting innovation in premium footwear, apparel and accessories for high-performance running, outdoor, training, all-day activities and tennis. On’s award-winning CloudTec® innovation, purposeful design and groundbreaking strides within the circular economy have attracted a fast-growing global fan base – inspiring humans to explore, discover and Dream On.
On is present in more than 60 countries globally and engages with a digital community on www.on.com.