The 5th edition of the Echappée Belle is full on the 3 races: 144k, 85k and 47k. Almost 1700 trail runners from all around the world will cross the Massif of Belledonne from August 25th Friday to 27th Sunday. 144k and 11100m of elevation, for an extraordinary adventure, on a fantastic landscape… 

Few days before the start, a point about the Elite of this edition.

A highlighted level for the 5th edition

The local runner from Isère department Alexandra Rousset and David Barranger,

sponsor of the edition 2017, will run the 144k. Their top success as well their habit of their mountaint track, make them undoubtedly among the favorites.
David Barranger, living on the plateau of « Petites Roches » is glad to run a race which highlights one of the beautiful massif of his region : “I see the Massif of Belledonne everyday, the concept of the race is both magical and bit crazy. Living an adventure near home is very attracting. No need to go on the middle of Australia or on the Great Wall of China to expect a full blown. Belledonne, it’s mineral, beautiful, savage. The Échappée Belle is a different race, you need to be rustic, hard to evil and we know that nothing will happen has planned. The night run add a special flavor, this will remind me the best times I’ve had on adventure raids” he explain us.
Alexandra Rousset has choosen to come to the Echappée Belle to “discover a race, a massif, paths and to go out of my zone of comfort! ” she explain us. “Basically we run around a massif by using practicable path, or we cross the mountain by using a pass. There we’ll cross the mountain longitudinally, we won’t see the mountain by raising the head, we’ll be above, and it under our feet…big feeling of freedom and to be alone on this world. I LOVE IT! “.

We’ll welcome also:

  • On the 144k : Sylvain Court World Champion and French Champion of trail, Nahuel Passerat, Joris Botton winner of Echappée Belle 85k in 2014, the Spanish runner Erlantz Zaldunbide, Nicolas Mordelet, the local Ronan Moalic, Vivien Reynaud et Sébastien Goudard. On women side from Switzerland Catherine Rion second in 2015, and from Netherland Susan Van Duijl second this year on Dolomiti Xtrem Trail.
  • On the 85k: Anthony Cottier, Francois Lachaux and from Canada Graeme Wilson. Lise Plantier, Magaly Descombes and from Greece Anastasia Gkika Domazetovic.
  • On the 47k: Nicolas Hairon, Kevin Vermeulen, Jérôme Lassale, the French Champion of 100k Julie Chaboud and the German Anna Janssen.

3 races for a non-standard adventure

The Integrale of the Échappée Belle will start from the Domain of Vizille on August 25th, Friday at 06:00. 27:30 for the first, 56:00 for the last finishers, this is the time that will need the 500 runners (more 41 duo) to rally Vizille to Aiguebelle, throught the Massif of Belledonne. A route very technical, with a lot of elevation and spectacular scenery and beautiful view. The 2 others races 85k and 47k, will start respectively from Le Pleynet and Super Collet, to rally Aiguebelle.
The crossing of Belledonne seduced, fascinated, worried…After 4 edition the race became a driver’s favourite on Trail Running World. It attracts each year more and more runners, including stranger. This year they represent 15% of the runner, and come from 30 different countries.

More than a sports challenge…

More than a race, the Echappée Belle make discover the fantastic massif of Belledonne. This Ultra Trail adopts an attitude of respect of the environment and leans on the local economic fabric to propose a friendly and festive event, with many animations on the path and life base. Set up with the help of Espace Belledonne, the municipalities crossed and all the player of Belledonne, this Ultra trail is the event of the local and lovers of Belledonne.

> Program

The Echappée Belle is part of the 9 event of Ultra Mountain National Tour. A challenge which propose adventure and discover to the trail runners, 9 trail running of character, 9 technical and engaged races.
> www.umnt.org