Communiqué de presse 18/05
- 6,000 runners registered for the 2nd edition of the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB
- 1 race still underway: runners remain on the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers in the Grand Est Region (100M) course, with 637 starters out of the 700 registered
- 2 starts on Sunday (the 100K from Orschwiller and the 20K from Barr) and 1 start on Monday (the 50K from Barr)
- Sébastien Spehler (men's category) and Jenny Josefsson (women's category) won the 100M and have qualified for the UTMB final at the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc 2025.
The second edition of the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers in the Grand Est Region (171km and 6,300m elevation gain) kicked off yesterday at 20:00 from Colmar with a spectacular medieval-themed start that saw runners accompanied by knights in armor riding alongside them. Local athlete Sébastien Spehler produced a standout performance blazing along the historic route to claim a record-breaking finishing time.
The journey through the region’s rich heritage began shortly after the start at kilometer 12, as the course took runners through the majestic courtyard of the Hohlandsbourg Castle. The 20 historic landmarks along the route also included Haut-Koenigsbourg Castle, the picturesque towns of Turckheim and Kaysersberg, and the renowned Alsace vineyards.
With 28 runners remaining on the course, their immersion in Alsace’s history continues as they prepare for a second night on the trail. Every step brings them closer to a heroic finish on the ramparts of Obernai, where they will conclude their epic journey. The final finishers are expected to cross the line in Obernai late tomorrow morning after two intense nights testing their endurance amid Alsace's rugged beauty.
Local runner stars in dazzling Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB
Alsace athlete Sébastien Spehler delivered an exceptional performance to take a resounding victory in the second edition of the 100M Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers in the Grand Est region. A native of the town of Colmar, the starting point for the100-mile (171km and 6300D+) journey through a dramatic medieval influenced landscape, Sébastien dominated his debut 100M from the start ahead of 637 starters in the men's race. His new record time of 17:24:21 saw him top an all-French podium ahead of Parisian runner Florian Pierre (18:17:19), and third placed Clément Desille from Annecy (18:51:27).
"I'd been wanting to do the 100m for a while, and doing it here was a very good idea for me because I knew roughly what to expect and I was very well supported, which was just what I needed because endurance is still my weak point, said Sébastien after crossing the finish line on the ramparts of Obernai. I saw that today, up until kilometre 120, my legs didn't hurt at all, but the last 40 kilometres were very difficult. It's good to have done it here, even if when you've just arrived you say to yourself: never again... The atmosphere in Alsace is monumental! It's incredible how many people follow this race, and for anyone who doesn't know the region, it's magnificent to come cross all these castles." Sébastien Spehler
In the equally exciting women's race over the same course, Sweden's Jenny Josefsson emerged as the winner by a considerable margin, finishing in a time of 24:04:30 followed by Italy's Francesca Canepa and Belgian athlete Isabelle Wasmes , who were still in the race.
Sunday 19 May, sees the start of the Ultra-Trail des Païens (116 km and 4,200 D+) at 10am from Orschwiller. This course will take the 763 registered runners through wine trails, the small fortified town of Saint-Hippolyte, and numerous fortified castles as far as Obernai.
Among the favourites are a French trio in the men's race — Theo Detienne (UTMB Index 878), Stéphane Ricard (UTMB Index 819), and Aurélien Collet (UTMB Index 815) all French — and Sweden's Anna Carlsson (UTMB Index 723), Joanna Tallmann (UTMB Index 708) from Germany, and France's Alizée Minker (UTMB Index 664).
Half an hour later at 10.30am the Trail des Pèlerins (34km and 1,280 D+) will start from Barr, with the 312 entrants passing by Landsberg Castle and Hohenbourg Abbey, and through an enchanted forest before arriving in Obernai.
Here the men's favourites include Polish runner Dominik Tabor (UTMB Index 867), and France's Matthieu Corgier (UTMB Index 798) and Dorian Louvet (UTMB Index 786). In the women's event it is again possibly an all-French affair with Lilou Miressi (UTMB Index 661), Tiffany Prinz (UTMB Index 623) and Noémie Le Govic (UTMB Index 603) all with the favourite tag.
Finally, on Monday 20 May at 7am, the Trail des Celtes (50km and 1,990 D+) will start from Barr and take the 801 runners over the Bloss and Heidenkopf peaks, with views of Mont Sainte-Odile and the town of Rosheim.
Among the favourites here are French runners Anthony Felber (UTMB Index 887) and Antoine Charvolin (UTMB Index 870) alongside Benedikt Hoffmann (UTMB Index 885) from Germany in the men's event, with France's Marie Goncalves (UTMB Index 727), South Africa's Megan Mackenzie (UTMB Index 710) and Portugal's Cristina Arreiol (UTMB Index 695) tipped for success in the women's race.
Festive celebration for all
The second edition of the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB is also a festive celebration for all. The host villages come alive with a range of activities designed to entertain not only the runners but also their companions and spectators. Medieval entertainment delights the youngest with armour-fitting workshops and medieval combat sessions. DJ sets and live concerts in the towns along the route add a touch of conviviality. It's a real party that accompanies each stage of this epic adventure, promising unforgettable memories for young and old alike.
