Running 170kms in the UTMB Ultra Trail event of Chamonix. Baptiste Thomas

Beyond the Mountains podcast

Would the idea of running 170 km non stop through the mountains, and climbing over 10,000 meters fill you with excitement or fear. My guest today dreams of such events.

My guest is Batiste Thomas, he is a mountain trail runner, who specialises in the ultra style events. And he has recently competed in his first UT M B - Ultra Trail Mont Blanc. One the biggest trail running events in the world.

Crossing 3 nations, France, Italy and Switzerland. This is a 170km RACE with 10,000 meters in climbing. The spectacular scenery and gruelling course around Chamonix.

I’ve known Batiste for a few years now, and I knew he loved to run. I'd followed him on Instagram and seen him running up the mountains of the Haute Maurienne. He was always standing on the top of some huge mountain peak overlooking the valleys below.

But when I saw a post on IG a few months ago that he was going to compete in the UTMB, I knew I had to speak to him on the show.

Now Batiste is a fairly reserved type of guy, and he was a little nervous to come on, he was worried about his English. But I knew, just like RUNNING, once he was warmed up he would be fine. And he sure does start to open up.

So please stick around to the end. Batiste really gives some great advice about trail running and shares his emotional experience of running 170km around the mountains of Chamonix, France.

You can follow Baptiste here :

https://www.instagram.com/instabat/

https://www.instagram.com/valfrejus/

https://www.strava.com/athletes/8667545

Ok So Let's just start the intro music and get on with the show. Allons-y.