Two-time UTMB medallist Mathieu Blanchard running with Killian: “I had one of my best times, running 50km with the best in the world.”

After 4^th at the UTMB, 3^rd at the Marathon des Sables and 7^th in the Western States last year, the French trail runner, Mathieu Blanchard explained to Iain Martin why he is taking a different approach to his 2024 season.

You recently moved to Europe permanently and have chosen the French ski resort of Les 2 Alpes. What was behind that decision? 

When I first started trail running, I was living in Montreal, Canada, working as an engineer. But as my running progressed and I turned pro with Salomon, I knew I needed a new base. And while I love Montreal, it’s a flat city at sea level.

I started off looking at the mountains in Canada, but in Quebec, they’re too small, and in Western Canada, it’s beautiful, but the bears make it way too dangerous. You can’t run alone there!

So last summer I visited a lot of resorts in France. I chose Les Deux Alpes for several reasons. One is the way the sun hits the resort: this is the sunniest region in the Alps. And I come from the south of France so I really need the sun! 

I also love the Parc des Ecrins. It’s so beautiful and wild and perfect for training. Plus the area goes up to 3600m, so you can train high all year round. 

It’s not just trail running I do in Les 2 Alpes. Within a 5km radius of my home, I can go skiing, mountain biking, trail riding, road cycling, swimming, kayaking, mountaineering, climbing, paragliding…take your pick!

I love that Les 2 Alpes has a great ambience all year round. It’s young, with lots of restaurants and bars and open in summer as well. I don’t want to live in a zombie area!

This weekend you’re taking part in the Trophée Saint-Bernard. That’s your first ski touring race. How are you feeling about it?

I’m very excited, but the Patrouille des Glaciers is the real goal. That’s a three-person team, which I’ll be doing with my girlfriend Alix and another friend.  I’m fitter than them, so this weekend will be easy for me. It’s more about learning how to work together.

I’m really interested in the switch to ski touring. You decided to reduce your running volume this winter? 

I decided this winter not to run as much to regenerate mentally and physically. I’m still running a bit to reduce the risk of injury in the spring. In fact, I ran the Paris half marathon in Paris last weekend in 1:07, so even with very low volume – maybe four times less than usual – I can still run fast. Now I don’t run that much, but I run quality, not quantity.

Ski touring is a fantastic way to build up endurance and to get altitude training at the same time without stress on your body.

Well, all the best ultra-trailers in the world have something in common: ski touring. Look at François D’Haene, Aurélien Dunand Pallaz and Kylian Jornet. They don’t run during winter and they do ski touring. So…

In 2023 you had a superb set of results and different terrains. A 7^th at Western States, 3^rd at the Marathon des Sables and 4^th at the UMTB. I get the impression you like variety in your life…

I see the sports as an adventure. This is why I do it. But I know that if I specialize, I can do better.

It was great to podium at the Marathon des Sables and to be top 10 Western States, top 5 UTMB. But to be honest with you, I wasn’t happy with these results. It was a difficult year for me because I moved countries from Canada to France, gave up my regular job and became a professional. 

After my 2^nd at the UTMB in 2022, I was one of the favourites last year, so I had extra pressure on me too. That’s why I’ve reorganized my life and based myself here in Les Deux Alpes so I don’t have to travel that much.

The 2022 UTMB, when you and Killian Jornet both finished in less than 20 hours, is regarded as the best in the history of that race. You may not have won but you must feel incredibly proud?

I could have won that race, but I waited for Killian when he was totally destroyed and I caught him after 100km at La Fouly. It looked like he was going to drop out at Champex, but I told him “Keep going with me. I’ll ease off a bit, stay with me and maybe it will get better.”