Great news for all sports enthusiasts!
If many race events were cancelled due to the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, this is not the case for the Trail des Aiguilles Rouges, which is scheduled to take place on 27 September 2020.
On 29 May 2020, the organization of the Trail des Aiguilles Rouges decided to maintain the event.
"The horizon is clearing up. We're not going there as if nothing had happened, but we have the hope of organizing a normal race", explains Dominique Woreth, the director of the race.
Shortly after the cancellation of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc was announced, the organizers of Trail des Aiguilles Rouges decided to start the registration.
Director Dominique Woreth explains this decision, comparing the Trail des Aiguilles Rouges with the UTMB®, in terms of participants: “We are a big local race. It’s very different from the UTMB. We will have a total of 1000 runners, out of which 50-60% are locals. We don't have the international issue of the UTMB".
Indeed, the UTMB® hit a new registration record in 2020. 32,169 people registered, and the 2020 edition was supposed to become even more international, as 111 nations were expected at the starting line. Moreover, over 10,000 people were expected to participate in the seven races of the UTMB® 2020.
Registration
The registration which started on 1 June 2020 has been a total success. In less than a week, the total of 650 places available in the big event (54 kilometres) was reached.
"It started very strong, much more than usual. It’s already a real success. Usually, registrations are opened on April 1, but this year it would have been improper to talk about it at the heart of the health crisis. We also didn’t want to get started without having certainty about how the event will be held", said Benoît Roux, in charge of registrations.
The registration is more successful than last year. In 2019, it was not necessary to draw lots to find who will fill the 650 places.
For the P’tit TAR (15 km), limited to 350 competitors, there are still places available, but first-come, first-served basis is in place.
To register: trailaiguillesrouges@gmail.com, 0 683 873 225 or www.aiguillesrouges.fr
The races
The TAR
The TAR is a semi-autonomous trail. It takes place in a limited time on natural mountainous terrain along the hiking trails of the Aiguilles Rouges massif. It offers a course of approximately 54 km (33.55 mi) and 4,100 meters of elevation gain (13,451 ft). The 2020 edition leaves from Chamonix to arrive at the village of Les Houches (Lac des Chavants).
The TAR starts on 27 September 2020, at 4 am.
Find the exact course and details here.
The P’tit TAR
The P’tit TAR is an autonomous trail. It takes place in a limited time on natural mountainous terrain along the hiking trails of the Aiguilles Rouges massif. Le P’tit TAR offers a route of approximately 15 km (9.32 mi) and 1,000 meters (3,280ft) of elevation gain. The 2020 route makes a loop at the start and at the arrival of Les Houches passing through Mont-Lachat, it is a technical route.
Warning! You will run in fragile natural sites and you must absolutely respect the rules: do not leave marked trails, do not throw anything.
The P'tit TAR starts on 27 September 2020, at 10 am.
Find the exact course and details here.
The Mini TAR
The Mini TAR - Tom's Trophy is a race reserved for cadets so that the youngest can also enjoy the trails of the Chamonix Valley. A beautiful technical loop at the start and finish of Lac des Chavants which will take apprentice trailers on the slopes of the Bellevue sector. Some portions are common with P'tit TAR. The Mini TAR offers a route of approximately 9 km (5.59 mi) and 600 meters (2,165 ft) of elevation gain.
The Mini TAR starts on 27 September 2020, at 10 am.
Find the exact course and details here.
Sources: @Le Dauphine, www.aiguillesrouges.fr
