[Editor’s Note: Photographer and Vert.Run co-founder Kirsten Kortebein created these images at the 2024 UTMB. Enjoy!]
With Katie Schide setting a new women’s course record and the men’s podium turning out to be a major surprise, including a win by Vincent Bouillard (France), there were plenty of big storylines to follow at the 2024 UTMB. Still, more than 2,500 runners took to the big loop around Mont Blanc, and there are countless stories and experiences — ranging far beyond those of the elites — of people taking on the challenge of the 109-mile route.
Kristen Kortebein was in Chamonix and out on course during the race, capturing images of the wide range of emotions that this event brings to the surface, as well as all of the small moments that make it special not only for the runners and crews, but also for the spectators and fans of the event. To find out more about how the elite race ended up, you can read our detailed 2024 UTMB results article.
Claudia Tremps (Spain), who went on to take eighth in UTMB, gets a hug from friend and member of the media, Mauri Pagliacci, at the start line. All photos: iRunFar/Kristen Kortebein
Amy Palmiero-Winters (U.S.) soaks up the emotion as she arrives to the UTMB start line.
Emily Hawgood enters the UTMB start line chute.
A glimpse of one of Chamonix, France’s imposing peaks from the valley’s popular (and free!) train route.
An extra small crew member sports a “UTMB Support Crew” t-shirt in Chamonix.
The sun sets in Chamonix on Friday evening as the UTMB racers head into the night.
“Allez Papa!” reads the homemade t-shirt of this UTMB runner’s daughter, who waited impatiently for him in Trient on Saturday morning.
Ruth Croft’s energetic support crew cheers her on through Trient with “Bloody good mate Ruth” signs and cheers. Ruth went on to finish second in UTMB.
A UTMB runner’s daughter, oblivious to the race, enjoys the water trough set up for the racers.
Canada’s Marianne Hogan, who finished third in UTMB, drenches herself at an aid station to battle the heat.
Kamil Leśniak of Poland runs past Trient’s iconic pink church in high spirits during UTMB.
As the temperature began to crank up, Guillaume Deneffe takes advantage of Trient’s fountain to cool off on Saturday morning of UTMB.
Katie Schide runs past her The North Face support crew and teammates on her way to her UTMB victory.
Drew Holmen of the U.S. rests on the ground next to the finish line after completing his first UTMB.
A UTMB finisher and his media crew take a snooze steps away from the UTMB finish line.
