As the world’s top trail runners gather in Chamonix, France, this week for the UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) Finals, an unexpected competitor made his trail running debut. Two-time Olympic marathoner Suguru Osako of Japan tested his speed in the 40-kilometre Martigny-Combe to Chamonix (MCC) race, just two weeks after placing 13th in the men’s marathon at the Paris Olympics in 2:09:25.
Osako’s introduction to trail running was both thrilling and humbling. According to race results, he started strong, running with the lead group and reaching the first checkpoint around the 10K mark in fourth place. However, the steep and rocky terrain of the Alps soon took its toll on the 2:05 marathoner, who dropped 48 spots over the next 30 kilometres, ultimately finishing 52nd overall in 4:30:41–an hour behind winner Kevin Vermeulen of France.
“I’ve got a new respect for all trail runners,” Osako shared on his Instagram story after the race. “It was scarier than I expected, and my legs wouldn’t move—especially on the downhills where I’m terrible.”
Osako reflected on the differences between trail running and road racing, noting that 4.5 hours on the trails felt entirely different from his marathon experiences. Despite his challenges, he said he’s interested in doing more trail running in the future.
The MCC race, part of the prestigious UTMB Finals series, spans 40 kilometres, starting in Martigny-Combe, Switzerland, before crossing the border into France and finishing in Chamonix. With a daunting 2,300m of elevation gain, the race is a true test of endurance, speed and skill. The MCC race was created in 2018 for UTMB volunteers, partners, media and local residents, kicking off the week-long series of events with a challenging and scenic route through the Alps.
At 33 years old, Osako, a three-time Olympian, is one of the best distance runners in Japan. His personal best of 2:05:29 from the 2020 Tokyo Marathon puts him second all-time among Japanese marathoners. He has competed in the men’s marathon at the last two Olympic Games, placing sixth and 13th. His trail running debut at the UTMB Finals may have been unexpected, but it likely won’t be the last we see of him on the trails.
