Elevation Profile #13: UTMB Week, Chamonix

Elevation Profile is a weekly column from doi trail research covering the world of trail running, running fashion, and outdoor culture, with a particular eye on Thailand and Southeast Asia.

One week a year, the entire trail running world zooms in on the same valley. Chamonix, France, during UTMB week, is where the sport goes to decide what matters. This year delivered on every level: historic race times, limited gear drops timed to the world's biggest trail running stage, and a group of athletes representing Thai running culture who made this year extra special. Before we get into the race results, let's recap all the gear and brand activations that took place this past week.

SATISFY x COROS APEX 4

SATISFY is clearly having itself a year with the art of the collab. The past few months alone have brought partnerships with Levi's and Adidas, shoutout the Circle Pit where you like it or not. But even further back, SATISFY has done collabs with Crocs, Hoka, Salomon, and Oakley 3x. Now comes COROS, and this one sits a bit differently from all of them.

The SATISFY COROS APEX 4, released August 21 and priced at $520, is a redesign of the COROS Apex 4. Yes, it still has the 65-hour battery life in tracking mode, 24 days in standard mode, dual-frequency GPS, global topographic maps, built-in speaker and microphone for hands-free calls and Voice Pins. But this is actually the first time COROS has collaborated with another brand on a product. COROS has really only done athlete collabs, which I think are super well done. My COROS Apex 2 Pro Kilian Jornet edition is still working like a charm even though I've had it for 3 years already.

But what stands out here for the SATISFY x COROS is the color and details, which is a hallmark of SATISFY if you ask me. We have burnt olive with a crystallized black titanium bezel, two interchangeable bands, a khaki nylon jacquard with the woven SATISFY wordmark and a pale green silicone for wet conditions. Aside from the variations of green, the bezel is the detail that caught my eye: each one undergoes extreme thermal processing and chemical etching, creating a unique frost-like crystal pattern. This means that no two bezels are identical.

SATISFY also designed three exclusive watch faces: Physical Overview (daily distance, heart rate, recovery, calories), Environmental Conditions (temperature, rainfall, humidity, UV index), and Training Overview (weekly distance, elevation gain, training load). All three are clean, typewriter-styled, and exclusive to this collab.

And I personally think the coolest thing is that the watch comes with three custom training workouts built by Stian Dahl Sommerseth, who we last saw winning the Eiger E101 in EP#11. For a watch built to go deep into the mountains, having one of the sport's best ultra runners design the training sessions is a really cool bonus. Along with the athlete collabs I mentioned earlier, COROS's training library is also filled with its athletes' programming. I’m currently using Kilian’s advanced trail training program and its true to its name.

Nobody buys a $500 GPS watch just to wear it around because the color is nice. Well, maybe some people out there will. But for the most part, you buy it to use it. That distinction is what makes this collab so unique because it finally lands within the sub-niche of the somewhat nerdy trail ultra runner. Also, these watches last a long time and will hardly come off the wrist. That's some great mileage on a collab if you ask me.

For those in Thailand, you can still pre-order your watch from RNG for THB 19,900- through this link. Limited quantities available, so be sure to buy now if you want it.

SATISFY Off-Road Supply: The Chamonix Outpost

For UTMB week, SATISFY set up the Off-Road Supply at 133 Chemin du Nant Favre in Chamonix, running August 24 to 29. They were open daily, with group runs departing from the storefront every morning for anyone in town, whether racing or spectating. Visitors had early access to new apparel and terrain-tested pieces before they dropped anywhere else, coffee and fuel on site, pro athletes like fan favorite Max Jolliffe and Molly Seidel hanging out.

Our friend Yo and the Run Now Fab Later crew joined for a shakeout run out of the outpost and also spent time eyeing some of the new pieces. Surprisingly, Yo looks like he could be Max Jolliffe's long lost Thai twin. How could I not see this before hahaha.

Some of my favorite pieces worth noting: the mud-dyed versions of The Rocker shoe, the updated brown and orange tie-dye Mothtec shirts and Space-O shorts, and the special Chamonix Mothtec with the goat on it. People seemed hyped about the Mothtec thermal piece, but it doesn't do it for me.

Norda x Black Diamond: The 000

As we all know, Norda has built its reputation as the most technically considered minimalist trail shoe on the market. It was the first to come out successfully with a Dyneema upper. And the Vibram Megagrip outsole is pretty standard and trusted by all. The 000, their new collaboration with Black Diamond, takes all of that and moves it into a new space of its own.

As advertised, the norda 000 is designed for technical mountain running and scrambling, the kind of terrain where the shoe needs to be confident on wet rock, loose scree, and steep ridgelines simultaneously. It draws construction cues from both the 002 (padded collar and upper design) and the 001 (underfoot platform), pairs them with a new Vibram Stream Flow midsole and a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5mm lugs. The seamless bio-circular Dyneema upper stays true to what Norda does. The three colorways, Kunzite, Moonstone, and Obsidian, pull from the pink, lavender, and dark mineral hues of high-alpine rock formations. Who knew that light pink would look so tuff!

But aside from the great colors and the red laces that just make these things pop, more needs to be said about the padded heel area. One of the things that has rubbed some runners the wrong way with the 001 and the 001A is the lack of padding on the heel area, which can result in some uncomfortable chafing depending on your foot shape. As an owner of the 001A, I have felt this rubbing on my left achilles, but it's always been solved with two socks. Aside from that, I absolutely love wearing my 001As and they tend to be the shoe that I reach for on most of my runs.

The full collab launch extends beyond the shoe: a Distance 15L Pack in waterproof Challenge Sailcloth UltraWeave, Distance Carbon Z FKT folding poles, a Mini Mission 30L duffle, co-branded apparel, a MiniWire carabiner. The design language runs consistent across all of it. If I didn't already have my Leki poles, you bet I would be testing out the Distance Carbon Z FKT poles.

What makes this collab matter and make so much sense is what it signals. Norda moves into a terrain category their existing lineup was not built for. Black Diamond adds footwear material science to a brand built on hardware. Both intend this as a long-term partnership, which I'm excited about, and the 000 is a great opening statement.

Adidas Agravic Speed Ultra Evo: Road Innovation Meets the Mountain

Adidas dropped the Agravic Speed Ultra Evo at UTMB in Chamonix on August 25, with a wider release following in December 2026. At $500, it is one of the most ambitious trail shoes they have built.

The logic behind it is direct. The Adizero Evo line on the roads has been behind multiple world records this year, including Kejelcha's latest world record half marathon in Buenos Aires.

The Agravic Speed Ultra Evo takes the core innovation of the Evo line and applies it to long-distance mountain racing: molded Lightstrike Pro foam with a new dual Energyrim design that lets each side of the shoe move independently for better adaptation on uneven terrain, a Carbon Energy Rim for stability and efficiency, and a full Continental rubber outsole. The upper is a one-way stretch woven fabric with an integrated debris collar to keep trail debris out.

So how did it do on athletes at UTMB?

For the women's CCC race, this shoe was spotted taking first and second place by their Adidas athletes Yngvild Kaspersen and Toni McCann. More on those ladies below.

At $500 it is priced for the serious end of the market. But if the road Evo technology translates to more trail podiums the way Adidas intends, the price will look a bit more reasonable.

Nike ACG G.O.A.T. 1000: A Vertical Kilometer Above Chamonix

Nike ACG did not just show up to UTMB week with a shoe reveal (more on this later). They built an event.

The inaugural ACG G.O.A.T. 1000 is a vertical kilometer above Chamonix: a 4km route with 1,000 meters of positive elevation gain, no flat ground, no mercy. Seventy-five runners took on the Via Ferrata route during UTMB week. In a vertical kilometer, the distance does not matter. Only the vert does and how much you suffer to get to the top.

From the start, it was hands on knees, air getting progressively thinner, until the runners reached the legendary ACG Orange Bell at the summit.

The closing ceremony sounded cool and different. No medals. The two winners were handed golden ACG bells, rung out across Mont Blanc so the whole mountain knew who beat the G.O.A.T. 1000. Then their names were engraved on a shepherd's staff, carried back down to live permanently at the Sentier store in Chamonix. Two names a year. That's it. If you want to be immortalized, you know where to come.

The event launched alongside the "Chamo Camo" capsule, ACG's tribute to Chamonix as the trail running capital: a chromatic, high-altitude-inspired camo collection. To me, it looks like any other camo print, but I do like how they took it from the foliage in Chamonix Valley, so there's more of a story behind it.

Nike ACG was in Chamonix this week with a vertical kilometer event, a capsule drop, a redesigned flagship store, and two podium results on the UTMB course. What could make it better?

I'm glad you asked.

Nike ACG Picklejus

Unveiled at UTMB in Chamonix, the Nike ACG Picklejus is the brand's most ambitious trail shoe to date.

The name is a nod to pickle juice, the ultrarunner's mystical cramp remedy. The rocker profile subtly references the silhouette of a pickle, and the debut colorway is pickly. The shoe and name clearly do not take themselves too seriously, but what is underneath it does.

The midsole is Nike's first co-molded, dual-density supercritical ZoomX platform built for trails: a soft central ZoomX core for cushioning and energy return paired with a firmer perimeter stability ring that provides a plate-like effect without an actual plate.

What's really interesting is its newly developed outsole called GOATEK. This is a proprietary compound Nike claims delivers 45% more wet traction and 25% greater abrasion resistance than their previous all-terrain rubbers. I'm such a big evangelist of Vibram Megagrip and Nike has even used them in their most recent trail offerings. I'm super curious how GOATEK stacks up against it because if the reviews aren’t raving, then the Picklejus probably isn’t for me.

What makes the UTMB reveal interesting is that the shoe was already on course. Miao Yao wore the Picklejus in the CCC and came in 3rd. Caleb Olson wore them through the first half of the UTMB, noting that the shoe was particularly well suited for the technical sections of the course, which is a hallmark of the first half until Courmayeur, before making a gear change to the more road-like Ultrafly. Olson also finished 3rd at UTMB.

Nike came to the world's biggest trail race, ran two podium results in a prototype, and then announced the shoe. Quite the introduction if you ask me.

Unfortunately, the Picklejus will not be available until late 2027, which is fine considering all the great shoes that have entered recently.

Hoka La Flégère: The Mountain Activation

Hoka partnered with Compagnie du Mont-Blanc to transform the Refuge de la Flégère at 1,899 meters above Chamonix into an activation for UTMB week. The Refuge sits at the last major checkpoint before the final descent into Chamonix for both the CCC and UTMB courses, making it one of the most emotionally charged locations on the mountain during race week.

I don't know if anyone was watching the livestream, but the energy at La Flégère when the athletes climb up for their final descent was insane. Making a mental note to be there next time to cheer on the future winners, if I'm not racing myself.

Hoka programming included sunrise yoga for overnight refuge guests, Tecton X4 guided trail runs to Lac Blanc and Planpraz with free gondola tickets from the HOKA FlyLab at the UTMB Expo Village, a race-day cheer zone running from August 28 through the final finisher on August 30, and an on-site testing center to try Hoka's trail lineup in real mountain conditions.

The Tecton X4 launch in that setting is hard to argue with, and their latest collab with Lorenzo Fiorino was literally fire. Like how do I even get that? Probably can’t.

The La Flégère location puts the brand exactly where athletes are digging deepest, and the community programming makes the space feel open to everyone. Really great touch by Hoka here.

OCC: Tranchand Wins for France, Gregory Takes It by Three Seconds

The OCC this year covered 60 kilometers with temperatures pushing 30°C on the valley floor and strong winds at altitude.

Frédéric Tranchand won the men's race in 5:10:08, becoming the first French man to win the OCC in ten years. Nashon Kiplimo finished 2nd in 5:14:37, and Miguel Benítez of Spain came in 3rd in 5:17:43 in a result that significantly exceeded his pre-race UTMB index ranking.

The women's race delivered one of the closest finishes in UTMB history. Scotland's Naomi Lang led for a major portion of the 61km course. Lauren Gregory of the United States made a HUGE silent but deadly move in the final kilometer, crossing the line in 6:08:07. Lang finished 3 seconds later in 6:08:10. Three seconds across 61 kilometers. Sara Alonso of Spain rounded out the podium in 6:09:11.

Je Jetdilok from Mountriva, who we saw finish 6th in the CM6 i2 in EP#12, completed the OCC as the first Thai finisher in 10:09:09. That callback from two weeks ago to this course says a lot about what he can do.

Danainat Srisantisuk from Dark Side Project finished in 11:34:34. Nattapong Saisud from Storm Valley Racing Team here in Chiang Mai crossed in 12:12:11. Congrats to both of you!

And then there’s our friend Given Pimpisa of Wood and Mountain, who finished in 13:22:34. We have mentioned Given multiple times on Elevation profile, but also she had a great result in CM Nouveau coverage in EP#7.

Seeing her name in the OCC results at Chamonix is one of those big moments. Slay Given, slay.

CCC: Minoggio Leads Italy, Kaspersen Claims Her Second

This year's CCC was rerouted to 107.8km and 6,198m of elevation gain after thunderstorm threats forced organizers to remove the final climb to La Flégère.

Italy's Cristian Minoggio won the men's race in 10:21:48, taking the lead on the climb towards Trient and holding it to the finish. Miguel Arsénio of Portugal came in 2nd in 10:27:25. Fans in Chiang Mai are familiar with this name as he won UTMB Chiang Mai’s 50k and 100k races in incredible fashion. Lastly, Young and Fit Hans Troyer of the United States finished 3rd in 10:33:29 after getting past late by the two Fuga Kailas runners.

The women's race is the one to talk about. Norway's Yngvild Kaspersen won in 12:01:14, her second CCC title after winning in 2023. She was outside the top ten at the halfway mark. She ran the back half faster than anyone in the field and crossed the line first.

Defending champion Toni McCann of South Africa finished 2nd in 12:06:14. China's Miao Yao, who had been putting the Nike Picklejus prototype through its paces during race week, came in 3rd at 12:15:41. Strong run through altered conditions.

Our good friend and doi hardcore leader, Bas Narathip Chanwang finished as the first Thai runner in the CCC with a time of 18:57:52 for Kailas and Suunto Thailand. Bas has been in this column almost every week this year: Nan Sakad podium in EP#11, CM6 i2 in EP#12. But to compete on the world's biggest stage was a dream come true. Super proud of you, Bas.

Sarayut Thannil of Trailway finished in 19:45:34. Benz Phongsiri of Hoka Thailand came in at 21:57:56. Our friend Wang Sanpron aka DJ Wang crossed in 24:16:50. And Joe Thachphong completed the CCC in 27:54:09, completing a promise and later proposing to his now-fiancée after the race. LOVE WINS!

A strong showing at one of the most competitive 100km mountain races in the world. Congratulations everyone!

UTMB: Ben Dhiman Goes Sub-19, Blandine Completes the Triple Crown

Ben Dhiman of the United States, running for ASICS, won the 2026 UTMB in 18:16:29, becoming the first person in the event's history to run the course in under 19 hours. He took the lead at La Balme around mile 25.5 and held a solo lead for over 90 kilometers from there to the finish in Chamonix. The year before, he had finished second. This year he kept saying that his goal was to win it and this time he left no doubt. Absolutely baller to see athletes have that type of confidence in themselves to call out a win and do it. Josh Kerr did the same with his 1 mile world record and yeah what a time to be alive!

Baptiste Chassagne of France, running for On, finished 2nd in 18:47:38. Caleb Olson of the United States, running for Nike ACG, came in 3rd in 18:48:24. Olson had raced the first, more technical half of the course in the Picklejus prototype before switching footwear. To be honest, if the course was a little longer, Caleb would’ve caught Baptiste for sure.

On the women's side, France's Blandine L'Hirondel completed what is being called the triple crown of the UTMB World Series finals: the OCC, the CCC, and the UTMB. Her finishing time of 21:54:49 is the fastest women's time in the event's history. Absolutely love seeing this for the women’s race, records being broken!

In 2nd, Rachel Entrekin of the United States came in at 22:15:54. If that name sounds familiar, it should: we first covered Rachel in EP#2 when she won the Cocodona 250-mile race in a single pair of Norda 055s, and referenced her again in EP#9. Her UTMB debut delivered a 2nd place finish on the sport's biggest stage and now all the haters can stop asking how Rachel would do against the world's best. Emily Schmitz of Hoka finished 3rd not too far from Rachel Entrekin putting together such a strong back half of the race. Similar to Caleb Olson, she would’ve caught Rachel if the course was longer.

Dr Nisachon Morgan of Xreal and Suunto Thailand finished as the first Thai runner at UTMB with a time of 34:45:51. Less than a month ago, she won the CM6 i5 in EP#12. Now she has finished UTMB in an incredible time. A note about this in the next section below.

Marie Pinnell, the American runner based in Chonburi running for Trailway, finished in 38:17:17. Marie won the Rimpha X Trail 54km women's race in EP#10. She made the trip to Chamonix after placing top 10 at the UTMB Chiang Mai for the Chiang Dao 100 mile. After suffering some knee issues affecting her downhill, Mari crossed the UTMB finish line with her baby girl Mintra. As always, we love to see it.

Jaru Limsila came strong in at 38:37:33. Rabin Srisuttinun of Amino Vital Thailand finished in 39:49:54 just under 40 hours. Both of them pulling off incredible sub-40 performances. Congrats to these two, honestly inspiring to see.

Our favorite local legend Toon Suda Tantiveerasut of Hoka Thailand crossed in 42:40:48. Toon was on the CM6 i3 women's podium, using it as a final training race for the UTMB, and looked so strong running up to the finish line. I swear, almost every clip we've seen she's all smiles. I’m also taking notes to have mama noodles ready at my aid stations.

And Pear Mutita Junin came in at 44:44:56, just two weeks after her strong result in the CM6 i4 EVO, also using her CM6 race as the final tune-up for UTMB. Closing the loop strong! Absolutely crushed it, Pear.

The SEA All-Time UTMB List: SuperJay Holds the Top

The best graphic from this year's UTMB week, for us, is the updated top 10 SEA fastest finishers list from Trail Running Connect. We had to make our own version.

Two new 2026 entries push into the top ten. Vietnam's Nhon Do Trong enters at 4th with 27:49:45. And Daved Simpat of Kailas Malaysia enters at 6th with 28:53:04. We covered Daved in EP#11 when he returned eight years after his first title to win the Cameron Ultra MOSSY100 in 14:17:14. From Cameron Highlands to Chamonix in the same year. Daved is having a strong year.

SuperJay Jantaraboon of Kailas Thailand still holds the top two spots: 25:50:58 from 2022 at number one, 26:35:30 from 2019 at number two. The doi hardcore run leader, world-class adventure racer, and CM6 i4 winner has been to the UTMB multiple times and owns the two fastest times any Southeast Asian has ever run at UTMB. Both spots. I learn something new every day.

In 3rd is Stingray John Ray Onifa of the Philippines with 27:28:27 from 2022. Stingray was SuperJay's teammate at The North Face at the time and is also this year's SEATRC long-trail champion.

What's also cool is that Thailand holds 6 of the 10 all-time spots: SuperJay twice at 1st and 2nd, Phairat Varasin at 5th and 9th, Atthapol Intajak at 7th, and Knattapisit Krutkrongchai at 8th. If you make this list longer, you can probably add Dr Nisachon Morgan to it!

I shared the graphic with SuperJay and he is already looking ahead. His goal is to break the 24-hour mark the next time he runs UTMB. Looking back at his past attempts, he mentioned that he has been running the first half too fast, close to the top 15 runners by the time he reaches Courmayeur, and paying for it in the back half. He wants to start more conservatively and finish stronger.

Personally, I'd love to see that. If anyone can do it, it is him. Come find us at Basecamp Coffee Club every Tuesday at 6:45am to train with the man himself.