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Trail Running in the French Alps

Trail Running in the French Alps

A Brit Lost in the Mountains of France

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  • Race Report: Ultra Trail du Vercors 2019

    It’s strange how things sometimes have a circular feel to them. On Saturday 7th September I found myself lined up at 5am in Lans-en-Vercors, back where it all started, and where fingers-crossed

  • Race Report: Grenoble-Vizille 22km

    Taking a break from the trail with a road race from Grenoble to the historic Château Vizille

  • Race Report: FestiTrail d’Autrans

    Fun and muddy run around this Vercors mountain town was a great end to the 2018 season.

  • Race Report: UTMB Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) 2018

    Read my race report on the 2018 TDS from Courmayeur to Chamonix.
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Latest Posts

Race Report: Ultra Trail du Vercors 2019

September 29, 2019 Leave a comment

Race Report: Grenoble-Vizille 22km

April 14, 2019 Leave a comment

Race Report: FestiTrail d’Autrans

December 28, 2018 One comment

Race Report: UTMB Traces des Ducs de Savoie (TDS) 2018

September 2, 2018 Leave a comment

Race Report: Jurassic Coast 100 Miler

June 8, 2018 Leave a comment

Race Report: UTMB: CCC 2017

September 17, 2017 One comment

Race Report: Montée d’Oule/La Bombarde

April 24, 2017 Leave a comment

Race Report: Ultra Trail de la Motte Chalancon 2016 – 86km

August 16, 2016 Leave a comment

Race Report: Trail des Cimes du Buëch 2016 – 42km

May 25, 2016 Leave a comment

Gear Review: Brooks Cascadia 11

March 29, 2016 Leave a comment

Race Report: Bayard Snow Trail 2016

February 25, 2016 Leave a comment

Problems with Brooks Cascadia 10s?

December 16, 2015 One comment

@chamoisbotherer on Instagram

chamoisbotherer
The ski jump at Autrans has seen better days (was The ski jump at Autrans has seen better days (was used in the 1968 Winter Olympics) but is still a great view from the top. Apparently this was just the 'normal' hill event, with the Large hill event across at St Nizier. This was taken Saturday morning during an enjoyable club run with @cap_vercors, but this was also the site of my 'induction' into ultra running 10 years ago during my first ever 80km+ race. I still remember sitting up here at the top after having climbed all those steps in the searing heat, trying to force down disgusting energy gel and not be sick at the same time and wondering why anyone would do this. I abandoned that race after 60km but learned a lot and have since finished it two more times. I didn't know at the time that I would end up living here and scenery like this would be my 'back yard' running trails. #skijumping #runsteepgethigh #vercors #mountains #frenchalps #mountainlovers #alps #igersvercors #igersgrenoble #igersfrance #trail #running #roadToUTMB
Out on a morning run with our club keeping a respo Out on a morning run with our club keeping a responsible social distance between groups of six. Last night's snow soon melted and the mist lifted revealing a magical backdrop between Autrans and Méaudre. #trailrunning #running #feetintheclouds #vercorsphotos #inspirationvercors #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #vercorstourisme #inspirationvercors #mountainlovers #runsteepgethigh #frenchalps #igersvercors #fromwhereirun #roadToUTMB #snow #trail
Trail run up to the Moucherotte enjoying t-shirt w Trail run up to the Moucherotte enjoying t-shirt weather before it snows again next week. #trailrunning #running #feetintheclouds #vercorsphotos #inspirationvercors #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #mountainlovers #lovewhereyoulive #alpes #vercorstourisme #runsteepgethigh #stravarun #run #igersgrenoble #vercorstourisme #vercors #fromwhereirun #frenchalps #training #roadToUTMB
Early morning hot air balloon ride yesterday, taki Early morning hot air balloon ride yesterday, taking off from our village for a spectacular ride over the Vercors. #vercorsphotos #fromtheair #hotairballoons #montgolfière #inspirationvercors #mountainlovers #aerialphotography #frenchalps #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #vercorstourisme #viewfromabove #gettinghigh
Out on an evening run with the sun setting on Lans Out on an evening run with the sun setting on Lans-en-Vercors below. #runsteepgethigh #mountainlovers #lansenvercors #vercorsphotos #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #mountains #frenchalps #snow #sunset #fromwhereirun #instarunners #vercors
Looking across to the #belledonne range from the # Looking across to the #belledonne range from the #vercors #frenchalps #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #vercorstourisme #inspirationvercors #fromwhereirun #mountainlovers #alps #naturephotography #greatoutdoors #montagnes #visitlafrance #naturelovers #snowscape
Lunchtime run above #lansenvercors #escapism #ige Lunchtime run above #lansenvercors #escapism #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #mountainlovers #lovewhereyoulive #alpes #vercorstourisme #vercorsphotos #inspirationvercors #fromwhereirun #runsteepgethigh #vercors #mountains #frenchalps #mountainlovers
Rounding off the weekend with a run with Eric up t Rounding off the weekend with a run with Eric up to the Pas de Bellecombe to enjoy the amazing view and sunset. Blasting back down the empty, snowy trails was great fun for both of us. #mountains #vercors #inspirationvercors #vercorsphotos #frenchalps #bordercolliesofinstagram #colliesofinstagram #dogsofinstagram #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #mountainlovers #lovewhereyoulive #alpes #stravarun #roadToUTMB #igersgrenoble #neige #localTrails #snowrunning
Yesterday was warm and filthy with rain and meltin Yesterday was warm and filthy with rain and melting snow - today was so much better so I ran to the top of the Moucherotte while I had the chance. Its always stunning looking across Grenoble framed by the Belledonne and Chartreuse and with Mont Blanc in the background. #runsteepgethigh #mountainlovers #frenchalps #visitlafrance #vercors #inspirationvercors #vercorsphotos #igersvercors #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #fromwhereirun #stravarun #snowlovers #snowrunning #neige #hiver #winter #mountainphotography #viewfromthetop #auvergnerhonealpes #chartreuse #belledonne #montblanc
A few days of sunshine on the horizon after quite A few days of sunshine on the horizon after quite a bit of snow. #mountains #icicles #sunrise #frenchalps #mountainlovers #vercorstourisme #inspirationvercors #vercorsphotos #igersvercors #snowscape #snowlovers #mountainlovers #leverdusoleil #neige #vercors #iserephotographie #igersgrenoble #igersfrance #visitlafrance #montagnes #morning #glacons
Afternoon snowshoe hike with @amyfox100 to the top Afternoon snowshoe hike with @amyfox100 to the top of the ski slopes yesterday before racing down to beat the darkness and newly imposed curfew. Lifts closed due to Covid, huge dump of snow Thu/Fri and a sunny Saturday meant that finding any ski touring equipment to hire was impossible so we had to adapt our plans. Amazing light at the end of the day, and a great view over a cloud-covered Grenoble across to the Belledonne, Charteuse and Oisans with Mont Blanc in the distance. #mountainlovers #snow #mountains #dogsofinstagram #igersvercors #igersgrenoble #igersfrance #vercorstourisme #iserephotographie #visitlafrance #inspirationvercors #snowlovers #snowshoe #raquettes #neige #montagnes #lanscapephotography #goldenhour #sunset #nofilterneeded
A frigid run yesterday taking in Bec de l'Aigle wi A frigid run yesterday taking in Bec de l'Aigle with this view down into the Gorge du Furon with all the weekend traffic heading back down towards Grenoble. It hasn't snowed in over a week but the treetops are still covered since it hasn't got above freezing in that time also. #gorgedufuron #lansenvercors #vercorstourisme #inspirationvercors #instarunners #vercorsphotos #runsteepgethigh #frenchalps #igersvercors #freezing #vertigo #snowrunning #mountains #igersfrance #igersgrenoble #mountainlovers #winter #iserephotographie #stravarun #montagnes #hiver #neige #snow
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About me

Originally from Yorkshire, I discovered running late in life, but after moving to the Vercors in the French Alps over 7 years ago, I decided my experiences in the mountains were too amazing not to share with like minded runners.

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