A COLOURFUL EDITION OF NICE CÔTE D'AZUR BY UTMB
A SUCCESSFUL COMEBACK FOR VINCENT BOUILLARD AND SECOND PLACE OVERALL FOR COURTNEY DAUWALTER
- 4,343 runners crossed the fnish arch on the Promenade des Anglais, including 26.6% women.
- France, Great Britain and Belgium were the most represented nationalities among the 79 nations present.
- 4 races took place from Friday to Sunday, ranging from 100M to 20K.
- 15 solidarity bibs and €549 in runner donations, totalling €10,495 raised by UTMB Cares for the Mission Trekkeurs association
- 1 joëlette took part in the 20K
- 800 volunteers supported the event
- Over 21 hours of live broadcast, covering the three races (100M, 100K, 50) on live.utmb.world, l’Equipe Live, DAZN, Outside and iQIYI
A weekend of sharing and celebration
The third edition of Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® concluded on Sunday after three days of competition and remarkable athletic performances. Nearly 6,000 runners from 79 nationalities took to the start of one of the five races offered. Ranging from 20K to 100M, participants had the opportunity to explore the treasures of the Mercantour and the hidden gems of the Nice hinterland, discover the beauty of the Southern Region and the Côte d'Azur, and celebrate the success of their adventure together on the Promenade des Anglais in Nice. From land to sea, from villages to peaks, runners and volunteers made this weekend a moment of sharing and celebration.
Despite difficult weather conditions on the 100M, with a mix of rain, snow, and wind, the spectacle was magnificent, and the storyline of the race proved thrilling from start to finish. This year, the 50K featured a new route. The course delighted all runners who started the race on Saturday from the Col d’Eze to Nice.
Reaction from Isabelle Viseux-Poletti, Director of UTMB France events: “We are delighted with the success of the third edition of Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB, which concludes a magnificent year for the UTMB® World Series in France. This event saw a record participation in 2024, and we would like to thank the runners for their trust. The heart of our mission is to enhance the territories that welcome us, and here, within the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolis, participants had the chance to traverse stunning routes through the mountains and villages, culminating in the centre of Nice. None of this would be possible without the dedication of the volunteers, the support of our partners, and the passionate teams who work daily with the ambition of providing the best possible experience for participants. We can't wait to meet again at the start line in 2025!''
Vincent Bouillard and Courtney Dauwalter steal the show
Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB was an opportunity to witness the competitive return of Vincent Bouillard. The winner of the 2024 HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc on August 31, much to everyone's surprise, the French athlete had since kept a low profile. He claimed victory in his comeback race, the 20K, held on Sunday between Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Nice.
Observers eagerly await each race that Courtney Dauwalter is part of, hoping to witness the day she wins the overall classification of an ultra-trail event. The American came very close to fulfilling that expectation on Saturday at the finish of the Ultra Trail Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur (159 km and 8,200m of elevation gain), where she finished in second place, 13 minutes behind the winner, Spain's Cristofer Clemente Mora.
The 2024 edition of Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB featured a strong international line-up. The best runners in the world, including British athlete Jonathan Albon and Norwegian Sylvia Nordskar, both winners of the 50K, as well as American Courtney Dauwalter, made the French event a must-attend on the sporting calendar.
Spotlight on two wonderful initiatives
For this third edition, the organisation of Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB offered the opportunity to the Association Sportive Monégasque de Joëlette to take part in the 20K on Sunday, with Ange Revollon. By participating in the event, the association demonstrates its commitment to ensure individuals with disabilities (both adults and children) can participate in running events using joëlettes.
Thirteen young British athletes from the Alpine Run Project were also present this weekend in Nice. Supported by John McAvoy, their initiatives aim to raise awareness among their generation about the benefits of running in nature. In 2023, they participated in the YCC during the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc. Driven by the slogan "From the Streets to the Peaks", they shared their enthusiasm with all the participants and expressed their joy at coming to Nice and participating in the event for the first time. It was a proud moment for them all to take to the start.
Results
100M
Women’s Podium:
- Courtney Dauwalter (USA - UTMB Index 849)
- Enrica Dematteis (ITA - UTMB Index 695)
- Agathe Lebel (FRA - UTMB Index 642)
Men’s Podium:
- Cristofer Clemente Mora (ESP - UTMB Index 860)
- Nicolas Cerisier (FRA - UTMB Index 778)
- Vincent Fabre (FRA - UTMB Index 740)
100K
Women’s Podium:
- Ingrid Due-Gundersen (NOR - UTMB Index 626)
- Wonny Keil (AUT - UTMB Index 635)
- Aurélie De Bremoy (FRA - UTMB Index 605)
Men’s Podium:
- Valentin Lacroix (FRA - UTMB Index 821)
- Yohan Viani (FRA - UTMB Index 845)
- Guillaume Hansel (USA - UTMB Index 724)
50K
Women’s Podium:
- Sylvia Nordskar (NOR - UTMB Index 752)
- Camilla Magliano (ITA - UTMB Index 767)
- Louise Serban-Penhoat (FRA - UTMB Index 754)
Men’s Podium:
- Jonathan Albon (GBR - UTMB Index 933)
- Simon Paccard (FRA - UTMB Index 860)
- Ezekiel Rutto (KEN - UTMB Index 884)
20K
Women’s Podium:
- Marie Nivet (FRA)
- Alexandra Yatzimirsky (FRA - UTMB Index 652)
- Jekaterina Gallamova (LET - UTMB Index 615)
Men’s Podium:
- Vincent Bouillard (FRA - UTMB Index 904)
- Clément Génot (FRA - UTMB Index 818)
- Morgan Le Tennier (FRA - UTMB Index 711
The final word
Reaction from Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice, President of the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis, Delegate President of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur Region
“This is once again a tremendous success for Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB, which, with a record participation of 6,000 trail runners and the presence of a high-quality elite lineup including Courtney Dauwalter, Jonathan Albon, and Vincent Bouillard, has now established itself in our sporting calendar. From the high peaks of the Mercantour to the Bay of Angels, Nice and the Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis confirm their status as an ideal territory for trail and ultra-trail running. This discipline presents immense physical and mental challenges, and the environmental dimension plays a significant role within it. This is an issue I attach great importance to for our territories, especially as Nice will host the United Nations Oceans Conference next June. I would like to sincerely thank the organising teams of UTMB Group for bringing their expertise and know-how to make this event a must-attend stop on the UTMB World Series circuit. I look forward to welcoming all participants next year, with new surprises and new sporting challenges.”
