News: L'Echappée Belle

Credit : Echappée Belle L’Echappée Belle a cette année encore été à la hauteur de sa réputation offrant un parcours magnifique aux concurrents qui pour la plupart découvraient le sauvage Massif de Belledonne. Le vainqueur, Benjamin David du Team Savoie Endurance nous confie : « aucun trail en France ne tient la comparaison. 40km consécutifs à plus de 2000m, c’est vraiment unique ! ». « J’ai découvert Belledonne et ses lacs, c’est juste énorme comme parcours et je sais que je reviendrai » ajoute Emilie Lecomte. Encore plus belle avec le soleil qui a brillé tout le week-end mais aussi plus dure du fait des températures élevées à l’origine de nombreux abandons (53% de finishers sur le 144km). L’accueil des bénévoles a lui aussi été à nouveau salué par l’ensemble des coureurs. « Des bénévoles toujours disponibles, souriants, à l’écoute, apparaissant parfois au milieu de nulle part », nous partage un concurrent. Benjamin David et Emilie Lecomte, vainqueur de l’Echappée Belle Helly Hansen édition 2015 Le savoyard Benjamin David a créé la surprise sur cette troisième édition en battant le record jusqu’alors détenu par Oscar Perez-Lopez. Il a parcouru les 144km et 10900mD+ en 27h45, une performance au-delà de ses espérances. Il passe la ligne d’arrivée encore frais et nous explique son exploit « j’ai senti que j’avais un coup à jouer quand Lionel Bonnel, favori et parrain de la course a été contraint d’abandonner suite à une mauvaise chute lui provoquant des douleurs dorsales ». Sentant le japonais fatigué, il accélère au passage des Gleyzins et franchit le col Moretan avec 30 minutes d’avance. Beaucoup d’émotion également sur la ligne d’arrivée avec le japonais Kenichi Yamamoto tout sourire, serrant les mains du public, qui termine en 29h11. La troisième à terminer cette traversée est notre marraine 2015, Emilie Lecomte. Elle bat le record de la première féminine en 30h09 et se place en 3ème position au scratch ! Un podium international complété par l’italien Nicola Bassi en 31h02 chez les garçons, et par les anglaises Nicky Spinks en 35h34 et Jane Brown en 38h04 pour le podium féminin. Sur la Traversée nord, Florentin Le Provost boucle les 85km en 14h08. Il devance Damien Trivel (14h30) et Kévin Vermeulen (15h10). Anaëlle Anselme remporte la course chez les féminines en 17h05 avec une confortable avance devant Catherine Rion (18h33) et Chrystelle Lambert (21h11). Sur le Parcours des crêtes, nouveauté 2015, Ugo Ferrari a survolé la course du début à la fin et termine les 47km en 6h08, avec une demi-heure d’avance sur Serge Duverney Prêt (6h39), suivi de Mathieu Martinez (6h46). Chez les femmes, c’est Béatrice Trivel qui remporte la course en 8h39. Elle est suivie de Frédérique Berthaud (9h24) et de Delphine Simon (10h) la première sénior femme. Dernière image de cette magnifique édition : l’arrivée des deux derniers finishers entourés des bénévoles, des vainqueurs et du public. Résultats complets Chiffres clés de la course 418 partants sur le 144km – 53% de finishers 297 partants sur le 85km – 43% de finishers 289 partants sur le 47km – 82% de finishers 350 bénévoles présents sur l’épreuve

Credit : Jean-Luc Augier Both will join in the 144km race and add hope to add another accomplishment to their impressive track records ! Emilie Lecomte previous prestigious successes include: le Tor des geants, le Grand raid 73, le Grand raid de la Reunion (twice), l’Andorra Ultra Trail Mitic, le Trail des Aiguilles rouges, L’Occitane 6666, les Drayes du Vercors… In 2012 she smashed the ladies record for the GR20 in Corisca, beating it by 9 hours, crossing Corsica from north to south: 200 km with a 14 500m ascension in 41h22min. Emilie plans her race season by selecting only the trails that inspire her or locations that she has always dreamt of exploring. L’Echappee Belle Helly Hansen will be one of the chosen few this year. “I am honored to have been asked to be an ambassador for the 3rd edition of L’Echappee Belle. I have not participated in L’Echappee Belle before, however those around me who have have convinced me that it is a race not to be missed”. Her decision to run the 144km trail is due to a desire to “push herself physically and take advantage of the incredible surroundings”. Her desire is to take part in a trail “that is both technically challenging and inspirational, to discover new surroundings and a new playing field”. We are convinced that L’Echappee Belle will prove fulfilling! Emilie is sponsored by Les Saisies, Fereï et Julbo. Lionel Bonnel, is a seasoned sportsman and a accomplished mountaineer and has competed at a high level in both alpine skiing and ski mountaineering. He too is a world renowned trail runner. During his career he has won the Trail de l’etendard, le Verdon Canyon Xtrem, Courchevel Xtrail, le Restonica trail, la Sky race in the Ecrins national park, the 6000D, le Tour des Glaciers de la Vanoise, le Tour de la Grande casse, les Drayes du Vercors… The Belledonne winter sceane is home to this elite sportsman, above St Colomban des Villards is where he first donned his touring skis, “you could say that this is where it all started for me, 30 years ago already!!!”. Lionel has committed to the 144 km race and cannot wait to discover the technically challenging wild trails that will undoubtably be fulfilling. “I want to live each moment and not fixate on a finishing position, as long as I can run with a smile on my face” (taken from the book “Des Foulées ”). Lionel is sponsored by Les Sybelles et Technica

Credit : Echappée Belle 2014 Registration for the 3rd Edition of L’Echappée Belle Helly Hansen is open from the 15th of December 2014. Challenge yourself and take part in one of 3 exceptional trails across the Massif de Belledonne : 144km, 85km or 47km, two of which are ultras : 500 places per race. - The Full Echappée Belle, 144 km and 10 900 m D+, a solo race or relay in teams of 2, from Vizille to Aiguebelle, for those who seek a high altitude adventures. A technical trail that scales high mountain tracks and takes you from l’Isère to Savoie with incredible panoramas, over 30 mountains lakes and 15 mountains passes of over 2000 m. A trail for the determined and knowledgeable mountaineer, only 55% finished the race in 2014. - The North Crossing, 85 km and 6 000 m D+, a solo race from Pleynet/Les 7 Laux to Aiguebelle, for those who long for the unbeaten track. This trail allows the runner to discover the north face of the famous Col Moretan! For adventures who want to push themselves but not spend 1 night under the starts. 67% finished the race in 2014. - New in 2015 : Follow the Peaks, 47 km an 2 750 m D+ a solo race from Super- Collet to Aiguebelle with 360 views across the Alps. A race for those wishing to test their mountain trail skills in one day. Credit : Echappée Belle 100% single track – 200% technical – 300% extraordinary A high altitude trail peppered with mountain lakes, and numerous mountain peaks at more than 2 000 m, culminating in a 2 900 m peak (Croix de Belledonne), peaks and view points with unparalleled vistas… Following 2 successful editions, L’Echappée Belle Helly Hansen is one of the most demanding and breathtaking trails on the tour. The setting, the determination needed and the warm local welcome all come together to create a hugely successful event. Only 500 runners per race in order to guarantee the safety of the trailers and an overall success.

Credit : Jean-Luc Augier For how many years has l’Echappée Belle existed and why was it originally created? L’Echappée Belle has grown in our heads for years now. The time necessary for the maturation of such a project. The first edition took place last year in 2013. Belledonne is an unknown mountain range, with a breathtaking landscape to offer. The desire to share these moments, along with the craze of common crossings has helped to raise a territorial project that makes sense, hyphened between Isère and Savoie combining the mountain. L’Echappée Belle – Helly Hanson is a little more than a trail. §staticmap(16026,5,450,250) What kind of route for the runners? Could you describe it? This is an adventure, off of the beaten trail, very technical demanding and with wild beauty. Belledonne courses over 70 mountain lakes and does offer views of the Alps. The course is online (traversing) the Isère at the Savoie. It crosses the Alps stages at 200 m and 3,000 m of altitude. Some portions are off trail and the first part of the route is run above the 2,000 m mark for 40 km. We summarize the course with a slogan that is very true and that is not to be taken lightly: 100% single-tracks, 200% technical, and 300% magnificent. How many runners do you expect on Friday morning? What kind of runners do you attract? We expect around 800 solo runners and 100 relay teams on the great journey. And 1,500 people for the race combined. Have you planned other races on the weekend, and at what distances? New this year, a 85 km will host approximately 500 participants on the same route but with the possibility to explore the northern part running the day. We are talking about opening a 55 km route at the end of the year. Credit : Jean-Luc Augier At the end of the year, what are the expected weather conditions? The first edition took place in a lot of glorious sunshine. The exceptional snow made it complicated for team placing the flags and runners. End of August, all weather is possible and the weather has lively changes in the mountains so we planned several fallback options for the same rally in Vizille Aiguebelle. Have you planned festivities around the race? In the first edition we had focused on the basics. This year, we wanted to provide a real framework that would put the events to the test. And entertainment will be held throughout the length of the race. A village of farmers on the finish line, a climbing wall and an orientation for the children, live for all to follow during the race, a discovery of astronomy, a village of yurts…all this coordinated by a real program for accompanying persons and the public. We want l’Echappée Belle to be a party. Credit : Jean-Luc Augier After finishing the race, what advice would you give the runner who has never been to Vizille? A good restaurant, a fancy sightseeing? Belledonne is the mountain of the water! This is the world’s cradle of white coal (hydro electricity), but also hydrotherapy. I suggest this dual desire to bask in the spa and the associated parks (Uriage, the Allevards baths, the domain of Vizille…) and cultivate the history of the mountains (Aristide Berges mountains – Lancey, cradle museum of the French revolution (Vizille). Discover iron mines with the visit of the great vein of Aiguebelle (arrive). There is not a dull moment. In a sentence, what would you say to the readers of ahotu Marathons to make them want to subscribe to L’Echappée Belle? Come to Belledone, this is a lively sporting challenge mountain, discover landscapes that are uncommon, and enjoy an exceptional challenge before or after the test. Interview with Florent Hubert. Florent is a lover of Belledone, ultra passionate about mountains in all of their respects. His desire through L’Echappée Belle is to share another vision of the trail. Away from events that have no meaning beyond the only sense of competition. This guided him to invest in L’Echappée Belle, with moments that are sometimes difficult, often beautiful shared with volunteers and with riders. If you want to bind to the kilometers, go your way, for all of you mountain range enthusiasts, this is where you need to be in late August.