Belledonne experienced a great sporting moment last weekend: Vincent Esmiol won in 23:38’19 the Echappee Belle Integrale and broke Franois D’Haene’s mythic record (23:55).

Perfect weather, ideal conditions, top-notch performances and plenty of excitement: this 13^th edition will go down in history.

On 22^nd, 23^rd and 24^th of August, Belledonne buzzed with excitement during the 13^th edition of the Echappee Belle. Ideal weather conditions provided runners with the perfect setting to write new pages in the history of the event. 

THE INTEGRALE: Vincent Esmiol becomes a legend

The start of The Integrale was given on Friday 22^nd of August at 5:00 AM in the Domaine of Vizille. The 593 participants set off on a 152km race with 11.390m of elevation gain across the entire Belledonne mountain range to Aiguebelle. Vincent Esmiol set the pace from the start of the race, arriving at Le Pleynet almost an hour ahead of his pursuers. He fought hard to achieve this record: “I dreamed of it, but I didn’t think it was possible, at least not this year. I fought with myself the whole way. I knew I was on track, so I accepted the pain. We’ll soon forget about the aches and pains!” he said at the finish line. His determination paid off as he achieved a remarkable feat by beating François D’Haene’s record (23:55) and winning this Integrale in 23:38’19. Three hours later, Romain Olivier crossed the line hand in hand with his daughter in 26:43’34, followed by Anthony Pipitone in 27:08’22.

In the women’s race, Julia Harnie won in spectacular fashion with a time of 34:20’35. “Winning an Echappee Belle is extraordinary, it’s the hardest race I’ve ever done. I’m very, very happy.” She finished ahead of Juliette Blanchet, the first woman in 2020, and Audrey Mazet, who was already on the podium in 2023.

🎥 arrival of the podiums: https://youtu.be/OUESE8WveBU?si=WPIj8UFr97I8NdPb

THE NORTH CROSSING: the new challenge

New this year: the North Corssing has been extended to 96 km and 7.200 m elevation gain, starting at midnight from Allevard. In the cool of the night, the 491 runners set off to tackle the Grand Rocher, passing over the magnificent but very difficult Col de la Valloire before attacking the legendary Moretan on the Integrale route.

Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon and Eliot Retulli led the race from start to finish and crossed the finish line together in 13:47’45. It was the same story behind them, with the Britany/Haute Savoie duo Sidney Thomasset and Rémi Gillie choosing to finish hand in hand, embodying the spirit of solidarity of the event.

In the women’s race, Lorna Bonnel drew on her reserves to stay in the lead despite a painful knee. She used her mental strength to secure victory, completing the North Crossing in 17:02’22 ahead of Charlotte Lantenois (17:24’50) and Marie Dohin (17:53’34).

THE RIDGE TRACK: two records up for grabs

On the Ridge Track, 63km and 4.770m elevation gain, the battle was intense with an exceptional field and ended with two new race records. In the scratch race, Nicolas Menard won in 8:08’43, ahead of Nathan Reydet (8:14’53) and Élie Besson-Pithon (8:27’18). In the women’s race, Maryline Nakache won in 9:40’07 (record), ahead of Marie Sallet (10:05’34) and Sabine Ehrström (10:05’51).

MARATRAIL: youth in the spotlight

The second edition of the Maratrail brought runners together in the heart of La Rochette-Val Gelon for a 42km course with 2.790m of elevation gain, joining the final kilometers of the Integrale. In the men’s race, Johann Baujard took the top step of the podium with a new record time of 4:03’48 “L’Echappee Belle reflects my values. I dream of long distances…”, he said, already looking ahead to 2026. Behind him, Yves Heloury and Mathieu Debroas completed the podium. In the women’s race, Claire Jacquin Porretaz won in 5:06’43, followed closely by Marina Rebollo (5:08’15). The two women shared some wonderful moments of camaraderie during the race. “The ridges were incredible. When the clouds cleared as Marina and I reached the top, it was sublime.” Chloë Varloteaux finished third in 5:38’17, beaming and delighted with her performance.

ROCHER BLANC SKYRACE®: Felix Guglielmo and Manon Benoit triumph

On Friday, 209 skyracers set off on the Rocher Blanc Skyrace® (21 km with 2.000 m elevation gain), a technical course in the heart of a wild landscape, culminating at the Rocher Blanc (2.928 m). In the lead from the start, Felix Guglielmo dominated the race and crossed the finish line in 2:36’02 ahead of local Sonam Dorne (2:40’04). Paul Burette, a regular competitor in the event, once again secured a podium place in this Skyrace®. He made a remarkable comeback, moving up from 8th place to 3rd. In the women’s race, Manon Benoit won in 3:04’22, coming close to Maëlle Beauvir’s record. Léa Carlesso (3:21’15) and Marine Grange (3:21’37) completed the podium at a very close finish.

🎥 Skyrace®, a battle at the top : https://youtu.be/vhosD2pwCjM?si=Q78Pra7N6L66cY1W

THE ECHAPPEE ETOILEE (Starring Escape)

The second edition of the Echappee Etoilee brought together 252 people on Friday evening at the start in Le Barioz (Crets-en-Belledonne). Two untimed routes (10.5 and 20 km) offered participants their first experience of night trail running, from the ridge of Le Grand Rocher to the Crêt du Poulet refuge.

The event was organized by the Department of Isere, in collaboration with the municipalities of Crets-en-Belledonne and Theys, the Grésivaudan community of municipalities, the Belledonne-Chartreuse Tourist Office, the Bel’donne Running association, Isere Attractivite and the Barioz ski centre.

🎥 L’Echapppée Etoilée, surpassing expectations at all levels: https://youtu.be/ejq3k7r4ehs

Committed volunteers and a committed region

Beyond performance, the Echappee Belle remains a collective adventure made possible thanks to hundreds of volunteers and the support of the region. 

“Trail running is a family sport that promotes sharing. I hope the Echappee Belle continues to bring these moments to life, and I’ll see you next year!” concludes Herve Genon, Mayor of Val-d’Arc, Deputy Mayor of Aiguebelle and President of the Porte de Maurienne community of municipalities.

 

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Podiums

Integrale

Mens

• • Vincent ESMIOL 23:38’19
  • Romain OLIVIER 26:43’34
  • Anthony PIPITONE 27:08’22

Womens

• • Julia HARNIE 34:20’35
  • Juliette BLANCHET 36:30’27
  • Audrey MAZET 37:35’06

North Crossing

Mens

• • Arthur JOYEUX-BOUILLON & Eliot RETULLIi 13:47’45
  • Sidney THOMASSET & Rémi GILLIE 14:17’17

Womens

• • Lorna BONNEL 17:00’22
  • Charlotte LANTENOIS 17:24’50
  • Marie DOHIN 17:53’34

Ridge Track

Mens

• • Nicolas MENARD 8:08’43
  • Nathan REYDET 8:14’53
  • Elie BESSON-PITHON 8:27’18

Womens

• • Maryline NAKACHE 9:40’07
  • Marie SALLET10:05’34
  • Sabine EHRSTRÔM 10:05’51

Maratrail
Mens

• • Johann BAUJARD 4:03’48
  • Yves HELOURY 4:10’08
  • Mathieu DEBROAS 4:14’57

Womens

• • Claire JACQUIN PORRETAZ 5:06’43
  • Marina REBOLLO 5:08’15
  • Chloë VARLOTEAUX 5:38’17

Skyrace du Rocher Blanc

Mens

• Félix GUGLIELMO 2:36’02
• Sonam DORNE 2:40’04
• Paul BURETTE 2:43’26

Womens

• Manon BENOIT 3:04’22
• Léa CARLESSO 3:21’15
• Marine GRANGE 3:21’37

👉 full results of the 2025 edition : www.lechappeebelledonne.com/resultats-precedentes-editions

Key figures

13th edition – 22^nd to 24^th August 2025

2.642 runners: 

• 700 registered – 593 starters on the Integrale (152 km) / 54% finishers
• 600 registered – 491 starters on the North Crossing (96 km) / 77% finishers
• 600 registered – 538 starters on the Ridge Track (63 km) / 88% finishers
• 500 registered – 559 starters on the Maratrail (42 km) / 94% finishers
• 250 registered – 209 starters on the Skyrace® of Rocher Blanc (21 km) / 96% finishers

252 starters on L’Echappée Etoilée

700 volunteers mobilised

36 nationalities represented – Belgium, Switzerland, Italy, Slovakia and England in the lead