Vincent Esmiol broke Francois D’Haene’s record

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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 13th edition will go down in history.

On 22nd, 23rd and 24th of August, Belledonne buzzed with excitement during the 13th 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 22nd 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 – 22nd to 24th 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

Live : follow the race live

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The 10th edition of L’Echappee Belle will happen on August 19th, 20th et 21 st 2022

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Registrations opening on January 17th at 8:00AM

Born in 2013, the ultra-crossing of Belledonne will blow out its 10 candles next year. A great opportunity to offer an even more beautiful, even tougher, and always more festive edition ! We will find again the 3 routes that are now classic, the Intégrale, 149kms and 11,400m uphill, the Traversée nord, 83.5kms and 6,140m uphill, the Parcours des Crêtes, 62km et 4700m uphill, and a Skyrace, 21kms and 2,000m uphill.
A new alpine race will be added to the Echappee Belle race list for this anniversary edition : the Du’ô des cîmes, between 110 et 120kms / about 11,000m uphill. Such unique crossing, combining autonomy, adventure and technicity will be reserved to 50 pairs (including at least one finisher of the Intégrale), to be selected on application file. The race will go through all key points of the 4 other races. It will not be revealed in its entirety until 10 days before the race.
The party promises to be great with many activities during and around the race. A great opportunity to come and discover the Belledonne massif with families !

Les parcours

  • The Echappee Belle Integrale, 149kms and 11,400m D+, solo, from Vizille to Aiguebelle, for an integral crossing of Belledonne’s
    Massif. With more than 40kms above 2,000m and a minimum of descent in the valley, this very technical and demanding ultra trail
    running offers a unique experience. This race is real fun for experienced trailers who love stunning and challenging grounds!
    DRAW
    > More information
  • The North Crossing, 83.5k and 6,140m D+ solo, from Fond-de-France (Haut-Breda) to Aiguebelle, for run-wild-ground lovers.
    Starting line at Fond-de-France, with an ascent to the beautiful Combe Valloire, near the White Lake, Black Lake and Frozen Lake,
    then a series of 3 passes with Valloire (2,751m), Comberousse (2,669m) and Moretan (2,503m).
    > More information
  • The Ridge Track, 62k and 4,700m D+, solo, from Allevard to Aiguebelle. A very challenging route throughout the wild trails of Maurienne side of Belledonne. This race is more accessible than the 2 other races, but keeps the technical spirit of Belledonne with the Pointe Rognier Peak (2,341m). This Belledonne’s summit offers a unique panorama on the Alps and the Mont-Blanc
    > More information
  • The White Rock Skyrace, 21k and 2,000m D+, starting line at Fond-de-France (Haut-Breda) with a loop itinerary. A technical route with Belledonne’s DNA: a wild route, some stones, a beautiful view on the 7-Laux and Belledonne’s Peak, the ascent of Rocher Blanc (2,928m), some rocks and even more rocks.
    Registration through application file
    > More information
  • Le Du’ô des cîmes, between 110 and 120kms / about 11,000mD+ starting line at South Belledonne, finish line at North Belledonne. Embark on a duo adventure, in almost full autonomy, for a magnificent trip to the heights of Belledonne !  No itinerary marking. Mandatory equipment : helmet, harness, rope, cleats.
    REGISTRATION THROUGH APPLICATION FILE ONLY
    > More information 

Registration information

Registrations will open on January 17th at 8:00 AM for all races.
There will be a draw only for the Intégrale.
Registrations will close on Sunday, January 23rd at 11.59 PM. Results will be published on Wednesday, January 26th at noon.
A waiting list will be there for the unselected runners.
Group registrations are possible (maximum 10 runners per group). The groups will enable a joint participation to the draw for the Intégrale and to start all together within the same wave for the other races.

7 days to the start of the 9th edition of L’Échappée Belle

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To follow the race live:www.lechappeebelledonne.com/live/

The start of L’Echappée Belle will be this coming Friday, August 20th, at 5:00 a.m. at Domaine de Vizille in Isère for the runners of the Intégrale race who will set off for 149kms and 11,400mD+ all the way to Aiguebelle in Savoie. They will be joined on Saturday 21st by the trail runners of the 2 other events : 84kms starting from Fond-de-France at 5:00 a.m. and 62kms from Allevard at 9:00 a.m.
New in 2021 : the White Rock Skyrace, a wild trail of 21kms and 2,000mD+ opened to 150 selected runners.
The Echappée Belle is showing full, with over 2,000 runners coming from all over the world (27 nationalities represented) who will be running through the Belledonne mountain next week-end.

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Cédric Chavet, winner Echappée Belle Intégrale 2020

The Echappée Belle: an extraordinary adventure in an exceptional landscape !

The Echappée Belle offers a complete crossing of the Belledonne mountains with more than 40 kms continuously above 2,000 m and few descents in the valley. It seduces by its beauty, fascinates by its technicality, worries by its difficulty … and attracts more and more runners from all over the world. After 8 editions, it has become one of the essential races in the trail world.

The full crossing will leave from Domaine de Vizille on August 20th, 2021 at 5 a.m. The first runners are expected in Aiguebelle on Saturday morning around 9 a.m. The other 2 races, 84kms and 62kms, will start on August 21st from Fond-de-France and Allevard, to reach Aiguebelle. The Skyrace will take place in Fond-de-France on Friday August 20th (start at 9:00 a.m.).

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Skyrace du Rocher Blanc – New 2021

2021 novelties

  • A start from Fond-de-France for the Traversée Nord, followed by a climb in the magnificent valley of the Grande Valloire, a trail near the 3 lakes, Blanc, Noir and Glacé, followed by a beautiful series of passes of Valloire (2,751m) and Comberousse (2,669m) before reaching the Moretan (2,503m) and the Integral race course.
  • The White Rock Skyrace, 21kms and 2,000mD+, starting from Fond-de-France (Haut-Bréda). A 100% Belledonne typical technical itinerary with an agenda of: a wild course, rocks, a breathtaking view of the 7 Laux lakes and the Belledonne summits, the ascent of the White Rock (2,928m), rocks, rocks … With a beautiful race battle ahead on it’s first edition.

Exceptional elite level participation on this 9th edition with in particular 15 runners above 800 ITRA points!

 High level for this 1st edition of the Skyrace ! The world runner-up and trail France champion, Nicolas Martin will be at the start line together with the Swiss ski-mountaineering and long distance runner expert in skyrunning Egli Pascal, his compatriot Julien Ancay, the Belgian Jerome Vanderschaeghe, Lucas Dupuy from the Team TrailHero Dynafit, Paul Burette, Joris Botton, used to Echappée Belle and Benjamin David, winner of the 2015 Intégrale race. The battle should also be great on the women side with the participation of Manon Benoît, of the former elite orienteering race runner Carole Klein, of Anne-Cécile Thevenot and of Lena Bonnel, member of the French Dynafit ski-mountaineering team.

On the 149kms, lots of competition, a very homogeneous elite plateau for men and women : Edouard Laudier, winner of the 2019 Parcours des Crêtes, the Portuguese Guilherme Lourenço and David Quelhas, the winner of the 2014 Echappée Belle Intégrale Sangé Sherpa, the Canadian Jean-François Cauchon, Thibault Marquet and Mikael Pasero. 
As for women, Sandrine Béranger, 1st woman at the 2013 and 2018 Echappée Belle, comes to put her title on the line and should find competition from the Spanish Silvia Ainhoa Trigueros Garrote, Irina Malejonock and the former foil champion Claire Bannwarth.

On the 84kms, pay attention to : Arnaud Lesprillier, Emilien Schiavo and Benoît Amiot.

On the 62kms, we will in particular see again : Ludovic Collomb, Gaëlle Decorse, 1st woman on this race in 2018 and Esther Eustache.

> To learn more on the race favorites : www.lechappeebelledonne.com/favoris-2021/

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An adventure to experience with family or friends !

All public and those accompanying the runners can go and watch the runners pass by at different points of the course and take part in the many activities, especially at the Pleynet, Super Collet, Pontet and Aiguebelle aid stations. Shuttles to access the sites are organized between Allevard and Super Collet, Bourget-en-Huile and Pontet (mandatory), Pinsot and Gleyzin (mandatory). Concerts, introductions to climbing and orienteering, electric mountain biking, pony rides, wooden games, children’s races … the activities are numerous, free and open to all. It is possible to eat at most of the sites and thus wait for the runners in a warm and friendly atmosphere.

> Full program : www.lechappeebelledonne.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/ProgrammeEB2021.pdf

Sanitary pass mandatory at most of event sites.

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Follow the race live

2 live TV events with Alpes Ishere :

  • Friday August 20th from 18:30 till 20:30 from the Pleynet (halfway through the race)
  • Saturday August 21st from 18:30 till 20:30 on the finish line site in Aiguebelle

Broadcast on Facebook and on TNT canal of Télégrenoble (Canal TNT 38, Orange (30/348), Bbox (30/316), SFR (477), Free (30/903))

To follow the runners and get informed over the 3 days : www.lechappeebelledonne.com/live/

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Key figures :

  • 2,139 runners for all races
  • 11% foreigners / 27 nationalities (with a strong representation from Belgium : 47% from all foreigners)
  • 91 French departments represented
  • 600 volunteers.

Results of the draw Echappée Belle 2021

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– Results on the Integral solo
– All registrations for the Integral duo, the North crossing and the Ridge track are accepted.
You have until February 15 8:00PM to validate your registration.
There are still a few places left on the 2 other courses which will be accessible from February 15.
Registration of pacers from February 15 (100 places available).
Good preparation and see you soon in Belledonne!

Registrations for Echappée Belle 2021

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The 9th edition of Echappee Belle, Ultra Crossing of Belledonne, will take place on August 2021, 20th, 21st and 22nd

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Maintaining the Ultra-Trail Echappee Belle on 21st, 22nd & 23rd August 2020

After weeks of working on various scenarios, the Team Echappée Belle, Ultra Crossing of Belledonne, is pleased to announce its decision to continue the preparation of the edition 2020 which will take place on 21st, 22nd & 23rd August.

All lights are green for the organization: volunteers are ready, mountain shelters are open, township, the territory and our partners support the race. The actual holding of the event is however suspended from the final validation during the summer by the prefectures of Isere and Savoie (cases under evalution). A risk that the organization agrees to take, it will assume the consequences by proposing a refund of 80% in case of cancellation.

A race with very slight modifications in its route
Despite the complicated situation, the organization is committed to offering a beautiful edition with the priority of the safety of all and the respect of the Echappee Belle’s DNA. The 1700 runners registered on the 3 races will be able to live this summer an adventure in Belledonne with very slight modifications. The start of the 62k will be modified by taking place from the Collet d ‘Allevard resort. Very light adaptations on the 87k and 149k may take place.

A adapted event for everyone’s safety
Many changes will be introduced: wave starts and ITRA rating, increasing food self-sufficiency, sanitary measures on aid station (hand washing, wear mask..), podiums at the arrivals progress, regulation of public access and companions on the race.
Rest areas, dormitories and camp beds, and shuttles to departure locations will be maintained.
The programme of event will also be adapted to the situation but the organization will do everything to maintain the friendly and warm atmosphere of the race.

See you in Belledonne !

New 2020 / Selection by the draw for 149km and 87km races

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In 2019, registration for Echappée Belle Intégrale was complete in 23 hours, and for the North Crossing in 7 days. We have a possibility to increase the number of places. But since we committed for a sustainable management of the race and we would like to prevent pushing on paths, to limit soil erosion, and preserve friendliness and pleasure.

Increasing prominence of Echappée Belle last years makes us think that 149km could be completed in few hours only, and the North Crossing (87km) in 2 or 3 days maximum.

This situation might create several inconveniences such as:

  • Disappointment of those who did not have a chance to register;
  • Registerrations on the spur of the moment without assessing how challenging the race is;
  • Disappointment of people who could not register and are not able to run as their trail buddies do;
  • Incomplete information provided during registration might trigger addition treatment time for our volunteers;
  • International trainers who miss the opportunity to register because of jetlag.

In order to avoid pushing and to give equal opportunities to all to participate to Echappée Belle, we decided to establish the principle of selection by the draw for 149km and 87km races.

  • The registration period will last 15 full days.
  • Results will be available few days later.
  • Registrations in a group are possible: in this case, ALL group members are chosen in the lottery, or any member of the group is chosen.
  • Reasonable number of places are specifically reserved for female runners to encourage women to register and participate.
  • Same for international runners.
  • A defined number of 50 places are reserved at the discretion of organizers for volunteers, certain journalists, partners, etc.
  • All who were not selected in the lottery will be placed on waiting list which will be used to continue registrations in case of cancellations.

This operational mode is complex, but it seems to us a better option to guarantee efficiency of the registration process by our amazing team of volunteers, as well guaranteeing quality of Echappée Belle.

This year, the insurance is included in the registration. It comprehends helicopter transportation, mountain rescue services, repatriation. For few more euros, you can have a possibility to extend insurance to one-year period and be covered during all your trainings and sport events.

L’Échappée Belle 2019, The Unforgettable Edition!

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The 2019 edition is a highlight in the history of the race thanks to perfect weather conditions coupled with an exceptional line-up of competitors and their impressive performance!

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Droz Photo

François D’Haene, one of the best ultra-trail runner, will run the Echappée Belle in 2019!

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3 time winner of UTMB and 4 time winner of the Diagonale des Fous, François D’Haene is a giant among the ultra-trail running world. After the Hardrock 100 in USA mid july, he’ll run the Echappée Belle, ultra crossing of Belledonne, August 23rd in Vizille, Isère.

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