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How to Train for
HOKA UTMB® MONT-BLANC - OCC 50K
Find out all you need to know about the Ultra-Trail Mont-Blanc by UTMB
When?
Thursday August 29th 2024
Where?
Orsières, Switzerland
Distance
55km / 34mi
Elevation Gain
3,400km / 2,112mi
Mountain Index
62km / 39mi
About
the Race
The OCC 50K represents the ultimate challenge for mid-distance ultra-runners and serves as the 50K category final for the UTMB World Series.
This race spans 55 kilometers with approximately 3,400 meters of positive elevation gain, starting from Orsières in the stunning Val d’Entremont in southwestern Valais.
The Swiss valley’s unique landscapes will captivate you as the OCC route leads through its distinctive nature, passing through Champex-Lac and Trient. Crossing the Franco-Swiss border via the iconic Balme pass, you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the Mont-Blanc massif. After tackling the final climb to La Flégère, enjoy the descent into Chamonix, where you’ll be greeted by cheering families and spectators as you cross the legendary finish line in the heart of the town.
Training
tips
To train for Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB, you’ll need a personalized training plan and to build up your weekly mileage progressively.
Runna offers running training plans for every runner and goal out there.
With Runna, your running coaching app, you get a personalized 100km training plan that:
- Structures your week and sets out all sessions for you
- Automatically adjusts your mileage and types of runs to help you perform at your best
- Incorporates deloads and strength training
- Helps you manage your recovery and nutrition
Having a plan will also help with accountability, meaning that you can focus purely on improving your running game.
Check out our personalized 100km training plans to find the one that best suits your goals.
race distances
55km
Elevation Gain: 3,400
Mountain Index: 62
HOKA UTMB® MONT-BLANC - OCC 56KM BY RUTH CROFT
Ruth Croft is a professional Trail runner from New Zealand and the 2022 winner of the Western States 100 Endurance Run. Ruth won the OCC by UTMB in 2019.
50KM: RUN A 50KM LIKE RUTH CROFT
In this 12 week training plan for Ultra runners, Ruth will guide you with tough workouts to find your best performance on a 50k trail running ultra marathon.
50KM: BECOME AN ULTRARUNNER - RUN YOUR FIRST 50KM
Earn the title of Ultra runner! Build volume, agility, and power…and finish your first ultra like a literal pro. Top choice for first-time Ultra runners.
50KM: RUN A 50K LIKE HILLARY ALLEN
In this 12-week training experience, you’ll safely build the foundation, skills and volume you need to finish your ultra feeling strong.
Race
FAQ's
Through our training plan designed specially for HOKA UTMB® MONT-BLANC – OCC 56 KM BY RUTH CROFT.
Ruth Croft is a professional Trail runner from New Zealand and the 2022 winner of the Western States 100 Endurance Run.
Ruth won the OCC by UTMB in 2019, and she designed an special training plan for the OCC race.
Through Vert.run, we’ve unlocked access to trail running for over 85,000 people from more than 100 countries. By working with races around the world–like the UTMB ® Mont Blanc, and 14 other races in the series–we know that we’ll be able to bring the joy of finishing a race and safely achieving their goal to thousands more trail runners.
Each plan is designed specifically for the demands of the race, including its distance, technicality, elevation gain, and type of terrain.
The plans also include a very important element: the Mountain Index of each race, a tool we developed ourselves at Vert.run so that racers can make sure they’re gaining exactly the right amount of elevation in their training for their race.
When you train with Vert.run, your personal Vert.run coach checks your training once weekly to ensure you’re training safely and following your progress. In addition to ensuring you’re on track for your goal, your Vert.run coach also answers any of your questions about training, nutrition, and gear–giving you direct access to an expert right in your pocket. Your connection with your Vert.run coach provides you with accountability, support, and encouragement—the key tools for success in reaching your trail running goals.
Orsières, Switzerland to Chamonix, France.
The distance of the race is 55 kilometers and total elevation gain is 3,400.
The maximum allowed race time is 14 hours and 30 minutes.
We really want to hear from you, and are here to answer any questions you have. So feel free to write us to explore@vert.run, and one of our coaches will get back to you within 48 hours or fewer.
If you’re a monthly subscriber, yes! You can switch between training plans however you’d like. Just go to your dashboard and choose the “change or restart plan” option. This will take you to your training plan menu. Of course, we do recommend that you finish a training plan once you’ve started it (unless you find it to be way to difficult or easy), since they’re designed to build your fitness over weeks. When you leave a training plan in the middle, you’ll miss key workouts; and when you start a new plan, you’ll start it from the beginning. This is to make sure that you train safely and responsibly, and that the skills you develop are built to last. We encourage you to stick out each plan, challenge yourself in a race or other personal challenge, and then to start a new plan with fresh legs.
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