”Incredible! Amazing! Wonderful!”, the 12th edition

”Incredible! Amazing! Wonderful!” there were no shortage of superlatives at the finish line in Aiguebelle for this 12 th edition. This year’s weather enabled the 2800 runners taking part in the 4 routes to enjoy the Echappée Belle adventure to the full. A crossing of the Belledonne massif that’s always a hit, not only for its challenging route and scenery, but also for its friendly, family-oriented organization.
This year, several new features were on the program: a maratrail format starting from Val Gelon la Rochette, an extended course starting from the Traversée Nord with a sunrise passage at the Grand Rocher, and L’Echappée Etoilée, 2 non-timed courses for a first trail experience in the Belledonne.

Jean Blancheteau and Géraldine Prost, winners of L’Echappée Belle Intégrale

The Intégrale started at 5:00 am on Friday August 23 rd in the Domaine de Vizille. The 562 runners set off for a 152km run and 11.390m of ascent across the Belledonne mountain range. Portugal’s Guilherme Lourenço set the pace right from the start, scanning at Le Pleynet 35 minutes ahead of his chasers. Behind him, Jean Blancheteau, Cédric Chavet, Benoît Chauvet, Hugo Smets, Antoine Guillon, Edouard Henriot, Maxime Thonon and Flo Gay-Hugues are very closed. In the end, it was race management that prevailed on this 12 th traversée de Belledonne, allowing Jean Blancheteau to add his name to the race’s honours list. He got off to a slow start, ranking 41 st at the first checkpoint, but created a surprise by crossing the finish line in Aiguebelle in 27:08 ahead of Antoine Guillon, announced as one of the big favourites for this Intégrale 2024. The winner of the 2016 North Crossing also gradually climbed the rankings, finishing second in 27:58, followed by Belgium’s Hugo Smets (28:06).
“This race is superb, I really enjoyed it. Exceptional weather, great atmosphere, quality route…” he declares with a smile at the finish arch, before adding “it’s a hell of a course! It was very demanding, with very little rest and some very demanding descents. It was really hard!”
Portugal’s Guilherme Lourenço took 4 th place. A race regular, he says he found this edition more difficult than previous ones. “They were stronger, the mountains put everyone back in their place”.
Her ambition was simply to ring the bell, and she won the Intégrale. Géraldine Prost won in 35:13, nearly 3 hours ahead of her rivals. “It’s just incredible! It was extraordinary! I’m living a dream… I was apprehensive, but I managed a lot.” In second place, Lucie Lacordaire and Melinda Parfait crossed the finish line hand in hand after 100 km shared on the trails. 3rd last year, Lucie set off cautiously, catching up with Melinda at the Col de la Vache where they decided to race together. “Being in pairs makes things lighter,” she explain. This solidarity enabled Melinda to take a magnificent 2 nd place (ex-aequo) on her first ultra trail, despite her
injuries.

To discover: Jean Blancheteau, winner of L’Echappée Belle Intégrale 2024!
https://youtu.be/JrLmasgoE3M?si=t8LApobq0I5taxR-

Stéphane Evêque Mourroux and Agathe Bes, winners of the Traversée Nord race

It was an even earlier wake-up call for this 2024 edition of the Traversée Nord. The 478 runners set off from the Cévéo site in Fond-de-France (Haut-Bréda) at 4:30 am on Saturday August 24 th . The program included a few extra kilometers, with a sunrise passage over the Grand Rocher and the Crêt du Poulet ridges, before rejoining the usual route. There was also a good crowd on this 92km, and in the end it was Stéphane Evêque Mourroux, who won in 14:34 on the terrain he loves and which has enabled him to perform so well. “The course is very challenging, it’s a real mess! It’s superb, I really enjoyed it”. 10 minutes behind, Mathieu Delomier took second place, closely followed by Nicolas Court. Agathe Bes won the girls’ race in 17:13, ahead of Laure De Jacquelot and Anaïs Macian.

Joël Minguet Lopez and Camille Guy, winners of the Parcours des Crêtes race

Setting off from Allevard at 8am, the 525 trailers on the 63km race were very hot. Pointe Rognier, the high point of the course, once again gave the competitors a hard time. After a great battle at the head of the race, it was Joël Minguet Lopez who came out on top in this format, just ahead of Allevardin Lionel Bouzon. Joris Botton, a fan of the event who has taken part in every edition (in a different format), rounded off the podium. In the women’s category, Camille Guy topped the podium ahead of Diana Ballet and Corinne Concert.

Small but mighty… L’Echappée Belle’s new 42km race

A great success for this new course, which was sold out right from the start. Runners set off from the heart of La Rochette – Val Gelon in a lively atmosphere, before joining the Intégrale course for the last few kilometers. A route that makes it possible to experience L’Echappée Belle in a more accessible format. Tom Genty and Coralie Blanchard are the first to add their names to the list of winners.

Discover the new 42km : https://youtu.be/HjdpMaY3mNU?si=FoHDniB4U-9e45jf

A new women’s record for the Skyrace du Rocher Blanc

The event’s favorite, leading from the start, Pyrenean Maël Allaire took the top step of the podium, very happy with his first experience in the Belledonne. “It’s super wild, it’s just incredible!” he declared at the finish line, “it’s an idyllic place to do a Skyrace, this one is worthy of the great Skyraces!” Léo Pargemin finished 5 minutes behind, closely followed by Paul Burette, who has taken part in this event since its creation 4 years ago.
In the women’s race, Maëlle Beauvir won with a smile in 03:04, setting a new record. Hot on the heels of Manon Benoît, she came in just behind her at Rocher Blanc and caught up with her on the downhill, her specialty! From Great Britain, Carys Mai Huges completed the podium.
The sun shone on this 4 th edition, and the 210 competitors were won over by the course, by its beauty but also by its technicality and commitment. A great finale to the Skyrunner National Series circuit.

Discover: Skyrace, the daring race : https://youtu.be/HXh5nMcz_hc?si=NSA3EZp_ykWjqXkc

L’Echappée Etoilée

Nearly 200 runners turned out for the first edition of L’Echappée Etoilée. Setting off from the foyer du Barioz (Crêt en Belledonne) at 06.30pm on Friday August 23, participants enjoyed their first night-time trail experience in a majestic setting. The 2 signposted, non-timed routes (10 and 20km) took participants over the magnificent crests of the Grand Rocher via the Col du Merdaret to the Crêt du Poulet refuge. The evening ended under a starry sky to the music of local bands Crinquignotes and Chapladiot.
This event was organized as part of L'Echappée Belle by the Département de l’Isère, in close collaboration with the communes of Crêts-en-Belledonne and Theys, the communauté de communes du Grésivaudan, the Office de tourisme Belledonne Chartreuse, the Bel’donne Running association, Isère Attractivité and the Barioz ski lodge. Thanks to the breeders who adapted to allow the race to go ahead, and to the forest owners for their permission to pass
through. Beautiful weather, magnificent winners, a warm atmosphere, exceptional volunteers… all the ingredients were there once again for this Echappée Belle 2024.

 

All the race results for the 2024 edition of l’Echappée Belle

Echappée Belle Intégrale
Men’s results
Jean Blancheteau (27:08:19)
Antoine Guillon (27:58:00)
Belgian Hugo Smets (28:06:30)

Women’s results
Géraldine Prost (35:13:18)
ex-aequo – Lucie Lacordaire and Mélinda Parfait (38:08:04)

Traversée Nord
Men’s Results
Stéphane Eveque Mourroux (14:34:58)
Mathieu Delomier (14:44:39)
Nicolas Court (14:49:20)

Women’s results
Agathe Bes (17:13:35)
Laure Jacquelot (17:47:28)
Anaïs Macian (19:22:43)

Parcours des Crêtes
Men’s Results
Joël Minguet Lopez (08:46:16)
Lionel Bouzon (08:51:17)
Joris Botton (09:08:22)

Women’s results
Camille Guy (11:21:13)
Diana Ballet (11:33:43)
Corinne Convert (11:41:58)

42km
Men’s results
Tom Genty (04:28:04)
Anthony Krupka (04:42:21)
Moha Aarab (04:48:29)

Women’s results
Coralie Blanchard (05:34:59)
Claire Dauchez (05:42:11)
Christelle Vandenbulcke (05:47:32)

Skyrace du Rocher Blanc
Men’s Results
Mael Allaire (02:42:33)
Léo Pargemin (02:47:36)
Paul Burette (02:48:02)

Women’s results
Maëlle Beauvir (03:04:15)
Manon Benoît (03:10:08)
Carys Mai Huges (03:16:23)

Full results: https://echappeebelle.livetrail.run/classement.php

Key figures:

  • 562 starters on the Intégrale and 48% finishers
  • 478 starters on the Traversée Nord and 60% finishers
  • 525 starters on the Parcours des Crêtes and 72% finishers
  • 440 starters on the 42km and 93% finishers
  • 210 starters on the Skyrace and 100% finishers
  • 190 participants in the Echappée Etoilée

2024 videos:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6iCsOF7r2Yd6XuESmurTqjMjG95r9_2F&si=W4Sqbslem
BNsFAY2

Live : follow the race live

Read more

Race information Echappée Belle 2024

With the aim of improving safety while involving competitors, from 2024, we are offering 2 bypasses to choose from. So our wish is to allow as many runners as possible to reach Aiguebelle.

Runners using these bypasses will be timed and classified on a different route, taking into account the new mileage and elevation gain. A systematic checkpoint will be carried out to verify who has taken these routes. Ideally, in addition to the control, runners wishing to take these BIS routes are invited to come to the Valloire Supply Station or the Gleyzin Supply Station.

Bypass 1: “Col de la Valloire” on the 92km NORTH crossing
On the first third of the race, we suggest for the most difficult runners, or those who do not feel in good shape to avoid the passage of the difficult Col de la Valloire via the Léat lake, Pierre du Pin and refuge of Oule. This bypass becomes obligatory after 10 a.m. when passing the Grande Valloire refuge.

Bypass 2: “Moretan” on the 152km route
Already taken during bad weather situations, this bypass allows you to take the GR738 from the Gleysin feed station and return to the Super Collet feed station while avoiding the much-feared Moretan sector.

So we hope that a runner who does not feel in the conditions to face these difficulties knows how to give up, to preserve his health, to better enjoy the entire race, to increase his chances of finishing and to avoid endangering the emergency system.

D-15 before launch of L’Échappée Belle 10th edition

044The start of the 10th edition of L’Echappée Belle will happen on Friday, August 19th at 5:00, in Domaine de Vizille in Isere, for the 700 runners who will set off for the whole track of 149km / 11300m uphill till Aiguebelle in Savoie. They will be joined on Saturday 20th by the trailers from the 2 other races: the North Crossing (84 kms) and the Ridge Track (64 kms).

The White Rock Skyrace® du Rocher Blanc runners will start on Friday August 19th at 9:30 from Fond-de-France for a 2000m uphill till the Rocher Blanc.

This 10th edition of l’Echappée Belle offers an original alpine track: the Du’ô des Cimes ; a unique crossing of 120kms and 11000mD+, no marks, quasi-autonomy, mixing adventure and technicality, reserved for 50 pairs. The route will pass through all key points of the 4 other tracks and will only be fully revealed to competitors 10 days before the start.  

The party promises to be great for this anniversary year with numerous animation activities during and around the race. 

The starts 

  • Echappée Belle Integrale: Friday, August 19th at 5:00 in domaine de Vizille.
  • North Crossing: 84kms starting from Fond-de-France on Saturday, August 20th at 5:00.
  • Ridge Track: 64kms from Allevard on Saturday, August 20th at 8:00.
  • White Rock La Skyrace®: Friday, August 19th from Fond-de-France at 9:30.
  • Le The Du’ô des Cimes: Friday, August 19th at 7:00 from Arselle.

The Integrale and the Du’ô des Cimes are fully booked. Some bibs are relaining available on the 84kms, the 64kms and the Skyrace®. Registrations are still open, till August 10th. 

An exceptional gathering for this 10th edition

Nobody wanted to miss the opportunity of this exceptional 10th edition. Numerous excellent runners will be to follow during this Echappée Belle, which already promises to be full of suspense:

On the l’ intégrale

In the men category, Jean-Marie Thévenard, Jonatan Tejada Ocedo from Spain, Stéphane Eveque-Mourroux, Aurélien Jacoutot, Matthieu Durand, Nicolas Perrier, Camille Verrier, Yoann Lecauchois, Radek Chrobàk from Czech Republic, as well as Christophe Anselmo, winner of the 2018 edition will be on the starting line.

In the women category, we will follow Sarah Vieuille, Marta Wenta from Poland, Estelle Patou, as well as Silvia Ainhoa Trigueros Garrote from Spain, Stella Petric from Netherland, first woman in 2021, Juliette Blanchet, first in 2020 and Patricia Pensa from Italy, first in 2016 (who comes back on the race for the 6th time!).

On the North Crossing, other former winners are back.

In the men category, Florentin Le Provost (winner in 2015) should beware of Jérôme Vanderschaegh from Belgium, of Théo Le Boudec, Roberto Alberio and Fabien Feutrier. And we’ve the honor to welcome Dawa Sherpa on this race.

In the women category, Manon Benoît, who won the Skyrace in 2021, is making an attempt this year on the 84km race, as well as Nadège Capri who had won the Ridge Track in 2019. Agathe Lebel will also need to be followed closely.

On the Ridge Track, 64kms from Allevard to Aiguebelle, the favorites among men are Ludovic Colomb, Benoit Amiot, Jérémy Pieau, Pierre Bonbonny, Clément Desille et Joffrey Ginoux. In the women category, Camille Guy, Anne-Laure Roux and Nathalie Faure should perform well.

On the White Rock Skyrace®, Gédéon Pochat, a Dynafit runner, Paul Jay, Pierre Reygade, Paul Burette (3rd last year) and Sanna et Lina El Kott Helander from Sweden are among the favourites.

The Du’ô des Cimes challenge, proposed for this 10th edition, is a mix of the 4 existing tracks with must-see passages of the Belledonne mountains. Its technicality and its mostly unmarked track require mountain experience. A finisher at the Intégrale race should must be part of the pair. We will therefore find on the starting line, among the selected 50 pairs, a large field of former winners of the Intégrale, and in particular:

  • François D’Haene (winner in 2019 and current Intégrale time record holder in 23h55) who will team up with his brother-in-law Alexis Traub,
  • Sandrine Béranger (first in the women category in 2013 and 2018) in pair with Sébastien Raichon (2nd at the Intégrale en 2018),
  • David Quelhas and Guilherme Lourenço from Portugal,
  • Antoine Guillon (Traversée Nord winner in 2016) and Cédric Chavet (winner of the Intégrale 2020),

And as well Renaud Rouanet and Sébastien Gérard (winner of the Intégrale 2016), Joris Botton (winner of the Traversée Nord in 2014), Mélanie Rousset (first in the women category of Intégrale 2019), Edouard Laudier (winner of the Parcours des Crêtes in 2019 and of the Traversée Nord in 2020) and Luca Papi.

An adventure to live with family and friends!

The public and everyone accompanying the runners are welcome to come and see the runners at various points on the races, and take part in the activities, in particular at the aid stations in Arselle, Fond-de-France, Le Pleynet, Super Collet, Bourget-en-Huile and Aiguebelle.

Concerts and live, introduction to rock climbing and orienteering running, kids run, etc., the activities are numerous, free and open to all. It is possible to eat at most sites, and thus wait for the runners in a festive, warm and friendly atmosphere.

Shuttles to access the sites are set up between Allevard and Super Collet, Allevard and Le Pleynet, Pinsot and Gleyzin.
> Full program of animations : www.lechappeebelledonne.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/ProgrammeEB2022-web.pdf

To follow the race online

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

To be noted: 2 meetings each day on L’Echappée Belle Facebook page, from Thursday to Sunday, with video summaries on races.

 

Key figures:

  • 2163 runners overall, including 305 women.
  • 204 foreigners / 21 nationalities (Belgium strongly represented with 96 runners), 9,5% foreigners.
  • 650 volunteers.

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

,

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.

Weather, podiums, atmosphere, 2021 a very nice 9th edition of the Echappée Belle!

Once again, L’Echappée Belle kept all its promises and provided the 1718 starters and 600 volunteers a great celebration in the heart of Belledonne.

Departure from L’Echappée Belle Intégrale du Domaine de Vizille – Photo: Bruno Lavit

531 runners set off on Friday August 20 from the Domaine de Vizille by the light of their headlamps, ready to do battle with the 149km and 11400m elevation gain of this full crossing of the Belledonne massif. They were joined on Saturday by the competitors of the Traversée Nord (84km / 6140m vertical gain) and the Parcours des Crêtes (62km / 4700m vertical gain). Only half of them managed to reach the finish line at Aiguebelle and were able to ring the now legendary bell. Like every year, the Echappée Belle, a difficult and extraordinary race, has not failed in its reputation. Very tough but also very beautiful, the course described as spectacular by the participants offered them incredible panoramas over the magnificent landscapes of Belledonne during this particularly sunny 9th edition. The race took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere with volunteers competing in energy and creativity to welcome and support the runners at the refreshments and mountain stations.

This Echappée Belle 2021 was also marked by a new event: the Skyrace du Rocher Blanc, 21km and 2000m Vertical gain, which knew how to find and conquer its participants on the first edition. “It’s a great course, you really have to do it, this race!” said winner Lucas Dupuy on the finish line in Fond-de-France.

Thibault Marquet winner of the Échappée Belle Integral 2021 in 25h12’03

Thibault Marquet, Echappée Belle Intégrale winner – Photo: Pierre Jayet

It is with visible emotion that Thibault Marquet crossed the finish line at Aiguebelle on Saturday morning after 25:12:03 of racing. He thus posted the second fastest time in the history of L’Echappée Belle, just behind François d’Haene (23:55:11 in 2019). From the start, Thibault Marquet took the lead of the race with Sangé Sherpa and never let go, widening the gap with his pursuers. Unfortunately, his traveling companion was forced to give up at Val Palouse “I managed the race from start to finish without much slack. It went really well ”he admitted on arrival. More than 2 hours behind him, Edouard Laudier, winner of the Parcours des crêtes in 2019 (57km) and the Traversée Nord in 2020 (87km), took second place in 27:31:17. A great performance for his first ultra experience. Although he was dreaming of a victory, his goal was to finish first, so finishing 2nd is a great victory for him. The Portuguese Guilherme Lourenço completes this beautiful podium, happy with his race and his performance on an unprecedented course for him: “I did not expect to finish on the podium because it was difficult to prepare for L’Echappée Belle, we don’t have this type of mountains in Portugal. ”

It was a very good field for the women too with the Spaniard Silvia Ainhoa ​​Trigueros Garrote, double winner of the Tor des Géants who flew over the race and completed this Escape in 32h33’07 ”(16th overall). Sandrine Beranger, double winner of L’Echappée Belle (2013 and 2018) is this time on the second step of the podium, very happy with her race given the high level of this edition. She crossed the finish line in 33:12:33 followed by Irina Malejonock (36:43:05) satisfied to have get to the end herself to  ring the bell in Aiguebelle.

An emotional finish for the first duo to complete the 149km in 32h39’15. Florian Passaquay and “his ultra big brother” Jean-Marc Billet cross the line with their children, happy to have shared this adventure together.

 

Nicolas Gourdon wins on the new route of the Traversée Nord

The new route of the Traversée Nord dazzled the 511 participants who started from Fond-de-France. An even more beautiful course with the succession of lakes, white, black and icy, and even harder with the series of passes of Valloire (2751m), Comberousse (2669m) and Morétan (2503m).

After leading the race, Nicolas Gourdon climbed to the top step of the podium followed by Ludovic Chevallier and Arnaud Lesprillier. In the female category, it was Charlotte Taquet who won in 17:11:40 just ahead of Caroline Holveck (17:14:53) and Caroline Paulus (17:56:15).

20210821-091811_echappeebelle_2310.jpg
Col de la Valloire – Photo: Matthieu Rieux

The Parcours des crêtes, a very demanding course

The smaller format of L’Échappée Belle once again surprised its participants with its technicality and commitment. Lots of scree on this 62km, but a reward worthy of the effort with the ascent of Pointe Rognier and its breathtaking panorama.
The runners set off from the heart of the village of Allevard to the sound of the Mister New Orleans marching band in the early morning. 8:30 a.m., that’s how long it took for Robin Guillermou to rally Aiguebelle ahead of Maxime Mlynarski (9:24:33) and Ludovic Collomb (9:31:39).

On the women’s side, Esther Eustache crossed the line after 10:17:12 in the race in first position (9th overall) ahead of Anaïs Macian (10:32:43). 30th at Pointe Rognier Mathilde Talou-Derible turned back the race to finish on the 3rd step of the podium in 10:53:51.

Pointe Rognier – Photo : Matthieu Rieux

Great success for this first edition of the Skyrace du Rocher Blanc

Great novelty for this 2021 edition, the Skyrace du Rocher Blanc has found its audience and won over its participants. Very strong, a concentrate of Belledonne, for this race which remains in the DNA of the Echappée Belle events.
135 runners including 35 women, selected on file for their mountain experience and their motivation, set off on Friday August 20 at 9 a.m. from Fond-de-France for the ascent of the Rocher Blanc: 21 km with 2000 meters of elevation gain, a summit at over 2900m and pebbles! For the men, the battle was close between Lucas Dupuy and Nicolas Martin, who finished respectively first (2h38’00) and second (2h38’06) with barely 6 seconds! Paul Burette completed the podium with a time of 2:44:57.
Among the women, it is Manon Benoît who adds to her fine track record a victory in this first edition of the Skyrace and crosses the finish line in 3:07:06, ahead of Léna Bonnel (3:14:03) of the Dynafit team and Anne -Cécile Thévenot (3h21’57).

The large Echappée Belle family once again delighted the runners

“L’Echappée Belle”, a concentrate of pebbles, lakes, breathtaking landscapes but also happiness. The secret that makes this race unique: the volunteers! “I loved the night, it was party everywhere.” explains Irina (3rd 149km). A mirror ball at the Gleyzin, songs at the Col Morétan, a welcome by the alphorn at the Col de la Valloire, encouragement and little attentions … in the heart of Belledonne for the most great pleasure for runners!
For 9 years now, the Belledonne massif has lived to the rhythm of L’Echappée Belle for a weekend. See you next year to celebrate this first decade!

The alphorn at the Valloire pass – Photo: Matthieu Rieux

 
/Result Échappée Belle 2021/
ECHAPPÉE BELLE INTÉGRALE
Homme
1- Thibault MARQUET 25:12:03
2- Edouard LAUDIER 27:31:17
3- Guilherme LOURENÇO 27:51:17
Femme
1- Silvia Ainhoa TRIGUEROS GARROTE 32:33:07
2- Sandrine BERANGER 33:12:33
3- Irina MALEJONOCK 36:43:05
 
TRAVERSÉE NORD
Homme
1- Nicolas GOURDON 12:03:33
2- Ludovic CHEVALLIER 13:10:50
3- Arnaud LESPRILLIER 13:12:52
1- Charlotte TAQUET 17:11:40
2- Caroline HOLVECK 17:14:53
3- Caroline PAULUS 17:56:15
 
PARCOURS DES CRÊTES
Homme
1- Robin GUILLERMOU 08:58:30
2- Maxime MLYNARSKI 09:24:33
3- Ludovic COLOMB 09:31:39
1- Esther Eustache 10:17:12
2- Anais Macian 10:32:43
3- Mathilde Talou-Derible 10:53:51
 
INTÉGRALE DUO
 
1- Jean Marc BILLET et Florian PASSAQUAY 32:39:15
2- Adrien LEBRETON et Antoine MIEL 35:20:49
3- Antoine et Jean-Philippe STRECK 42:49:34
 
SKYRACE DU ROCHER BLANC Homme 1- Lucas DUPUY 02:38:00
2- Nicolas MARTIN 02:38:06
3- Paul BURETTE 02:44:57
Femme1- Manon BENOIT 03:07:06
2- Léna BONNEL 03:14:03
3- Anne Cécile THÉVENOT 03:21:57
> Résultats complets : https://echappeebelle.livetrail.run/

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Key numbers

2050 inscrits 1718 partants : – 531 Intégrale – 41 duos – 511 Traversée Nord – 500 Parcours des crêtes – 135 Skyrace

Finishers :

– Intégrale 51%
– Traversée Nord 64%
– Parcours des Crêtes 72%

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

Read more

Cédric Chavet wins the Échappée Belle intégrale 2020

The 8th edition of the Echappée Belle featured an exceptional field of runners. Best trail runners offered us an exciting battle of the titans. Cédric Chavet wins the race in 27h23, followed by Renaud Rouanet (27:35:26) and Stéphane Evêque-Mourroux (27:52:26) . Among female athletes, Juliette Blanchet was the first to pass the finish-line after 35:05:01 of the race. This year, face masks could not hide smiles of finishers when they were crossing the finish-line. Very special context gave a flavour of uncertainty about the maintenance of the race till the very last moment before the start. But it did not spoil the joy at the end of the event. Quite the contrary !

Cédric Chavet crossed the finish-line arch full of emotions at 7.26 am on the 22nd August. “I do barely believe it. I feel so proud. It is an extreme pleasure to win the race such as the Echappée Belle. Winning the race after “François the Great” seems just unbelievable!”, he declared just after he rang the much expected finisher bell. In the “top five” as of the beginning, the winner of this Echappée Belle edition nailed the race, keeping calm in front of competitors who started too fast. Familiar with this kind of challenging landscape, resistant to the heat, he finally won the Echappée Belle after the second-place finish in 2016. Few minutes after him, his friend Renaud Rouanet, arrived 2nd after he took advantage during the final part of the race. In the “top ten” till Gleyzin, Renaud kept his own pace, keeping away from the euphoria of race leaders. “I knew that there is no need to get mad before Pleynet”. One step away from giving up midway, Stéphane Eveque-Mourroux finally climbed to the 3rd step of the podium. “Unbelievable!” he says while crossing the line. “Sunsets… Lakes… It is as gorgeous, as difficult and technical”. The difficulty he talks about is the reason for the high number of withdrawals: 53% of runners finished the race. Leading the race from the beginning till Val Pelous, Jean-Marie Thevenard gave up a few kilometers after. Regardless of a very nice start, the patron of the 2020 edition, Sébastien Chaigneau, was hit by a pain at the level of the solar plexus. Medical care provided at Pleynet helped Sébastien to restart, but he eventually gave up the race shortly after Pleynet.

The women’s race witnessed the victory of Juliette Blanchet who won the Intégrale race with a time of 35:05:01. Following her own pace from the beginning, she catched up leaders and did not give up her position anymore, regardless blister. With a big smile, Céline Finas takes second place (35:36:59), followed by Daphné Alglave Guibert (36:18:57).

Duo of Camille Minard and Florian Becker took first place in the Intégrale in 32:33:13 in their category.

As for the North Crossing 87km race, Edouard Laudier is the first to cross the finish-line with a time of 13:16:09. He already won the Ridge Track 62 km in 2019. Sébastien Gérard (13:46:48), winner of the Intégrale in 2016, and Jean-Adrien Michel (13:59:08), finished in second and third place accordingly. American runner  Hilary Allen wins the women’s North Crossing race after a 26h15 effort. She is followed by Estelle Patou (16:25:23) and Pauline Gaidet (17:33:46). Mimmi Kotka (Sweden), after leading the women’s race, and at the 10th position from
scratch, gave up at Pontet.

The youngers runner, Benjamin Roubiol and Louison Coiffet (21 years old) took the 1st and the 2 nd place scratch on the Ridge Track with a time of respectively 06:49:51 and 07:11:41. Sylvain Court, winnerof the Integrale in 2017 finshed 3rd.
Julie won the women’s race with the new route of 57k and 3900m of elevation with a time of 08:09:34. Anna Comet Dynafit’s runner finished 2 nd (08:20:53) and Marine Quintard was 3rd (08:30:32).

An amazing edition due to the context, the weather and elite runners

“That’s trail running!” The 1017 finishers were unanimous when crossing the finishline: the route is beautiful but it’s probably one of the most difficult that they ran. Everything was in place to make this 8th edition so great: more elite runners than usual, a beautiful weather and volunteers ready even with the sanitory situation. All the imposed process have been respected, without spoiling the pleasure of the runners, who have appreciated the organization and the commitment of the volunteers.
The latter competed for creativity to welcome runners on the different pit stop: musique, nice messages written for runners, fun decoration of the pit stop…and still with a strictness to follow the sanitory rules. Many thanks to the volunteers who are the DNA of the Echappee Belle: friendship, empathy, availability…they give of their time during 1 day, 1 week, 1 month or 1 year to help make this race an authentic and warm event.

Interview of the first of 149k: https://youtu.be/fXp7iDM6BkM
Finish line of the last finisher in Aiguebelle: https://youtu.be/spPqNfAbrA0
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RESULTS

Échappée Belle intégrale
Men
1.      Cédric Chavet 27:23:39
2.      Renaud Rouanet 27:35:26
3.      Stéphane Eveque-Mourroux 27:52:26
Women
1.      Juliette Blanchet 35:05:01
2.      Céline Finas 35:36:59
3.      Daphné Alglave Guibert 36:18:57
North Crossing
Men
1.      Edouard Laudier 13:16:09
2.      Sébastien Gérard 13:46:48
3.      Jean-Adrien Michel 13:59:08
Women
1.      Hilary Allen 15:39:09
2.      Estelle Patou 16:25:23
3.      Pauline Gaidet 17:33:46
Ridge Track
Men
1.      Benjamin Roubiol 06:49:51
2.      Louison Coiffet 07:11:41
3.      Sylvain Court 07:22:31
Women
1.      Julie Roux 08:09:34
2.      Anna Comet 08:20:53
3.      Marine Quintard 08:30:32
Intégrale duo
1.      Camille Minard et Florian Becker 32:33:13
2.      Antoine Biard et Florian Monnereau 35:02:38
3.      Stéphane Baumhauer et Xavier Heitz 39:43:32

Résults full: https://echappeebelle.livetrail.run/classement.php

Photos podiums: www.facebook.com/lechapeebelledonne/posts/3427521827287411
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STATISTICS edition 2020

1489 runners included 40 duo and 180 women
Intégrale
– 53% of finisher
– 520 runners included 29 women
– 40 duos, 42% of finisher
North Crossing
– 67% of finishers
– 455 partants included 63 women
Ridde Track
– 88% of finishers
– 474 runners included 86 women