Jim Walmsley saves the furniture and takes the West 20 seconds to an Italian shepherd

Incredible! 5 key moments of the UTMB 2023 that will leave you breathless

The shocking outcome of the Occ in Chamonix

He UTMB 2023 He has left an indelible mark on the history of the trail running, and the Occ (Orsières-Champex-Chamonix) has been the scenario of an unparalleled show. This event, which is part of the UTMB World Serieswas held in Chamonix, where the runners faced a modified route of 61 km and 3,200 meters of positive slope. The race, marked by a frantic start and an electrifying end, has raised both admiration and questions about the future of this exciting sport.

The American Jim Walmsley and the Kenyan Joyline Chepngen They rose with victory, demonstrating their speed and ability to overcome adversities. Walmsley, who has been four times Western State champion, had to fight until the last kilometer to ensure his victory for a narrow margin of 20 seconds against the surprising Cristian Minaggioan Italian corridor who left everyone speechless.

“Quasi, quasi,” said Minaggio, between disappointment and joy, after crossing the goal secondly.

The day was not only a triumph for the winners, but also a reminder of the unpredictability of the trail running. The race, which began with a two -hour delay due to weather conditions, developed in an environment that, although wet, was not as adverse as it had anticipated. This allowed runners to maintain a vertiginous rhythm from the beginning, favoring those with remarkable speed.

An infarction ending: the fight for the podium

In the male category, Walmsley took the lead from the beginning, but not without facing his own demons. As the race advanced, the pressure increased and the possibility of losing victory became palpable. Minaggio, a 41 -year -old pastor who lives in Piemonte, surprised everyone by advancing Walmsley in Argentière's supplies, which generated a frenzy to search for information about this little -known corridor.

However, in the last five kilometers, Walmsley demonstrated its capacity for recovery and speed, managing to overcome Minaggio and cross the finish line in a time of 5h00'35 ''. Minaggio, just 20 seconds away, took 7,500 euros home per second place, an award that, was not victory, represented a great achievement for him.

The podium and the surprises of the day

The podium was completed with the Polish Andrzej Witekwho, with a time of 5h04'08 '', showed that the trail running is full of surprises. Witek, who had trained intensely for the Canfranc World Cup, won other outstanding competitors such as Swedish Petter Engdahl and the British Kristian Jones.

From the Spanish perspective, Antonio Martínez He achieved an outstanding eighth position, although far from his third place in the previous year. His expression at the end of the race reflected a mixture of resignation and disappointment, while other corridors such as Claudio Díaz Castán and Dimas Pereira They also left their mark on this exciting competition.

Male classification of the West

1. Jim Walmsley (Hoka, United States) – 5h00'35 ”
2. Cristian Minaggio (Kailas Fuga, Italy) – 5h00'55 ”
3. Andrzej Witek (Asics, Poland) – 5h04'08 ”
4. Petter Engdahl (Adidas Terrex, Sweden) – 5h05'08 ”
5. Kristian Jones (Hoka, Great Britain) – 5h05'50 ”

For more details about the complete results, you can consult them here.

Final reflections

The UTMB 2023 has been an event that has not only tested the physical resistance of the runners, but also their mental strength. The combination of surprises, emotions and a competitive environment has left all fans of trail running wanting more. What do you think of this edition of the UTMB? Who do you think will be the next one to surprise us in the world of trail running? Leave your opinion in the comments!

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Frequent questions

• What is the UTMB? The UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) is one of the most prestigious trail races in the world, which is celebrated annually in the Alps.
• How long does the Occ? The West has a distance of 61 km with a positive slope of 3,200 meters.
• Who won the West in 2023? Jim Walmsley was the winner of the West in 2023.
• What awards do winners receive? Winners receive metallic awards and trophies, in addition to international recognition.
• How are the UTMB runners classified? The runners must accumulate points in approved Trail races to be able to register.
• What climatic conditions were expected for the Occ 2023? Storms and cold were foreseen, but finally the conditions were more benign.
• What other events are part of the UTMB World Series? In addition to the Occ, there are several races such as CCC and TDS, among others.
• How do you train for a trail career like the Occ? Specific training that includes resistance, speed and technique in mountainous land is recommended.
• How important is nutrition in the trail running? Nutrition is crucial to maintain energy and resistance during the race.
• Where can I find more information about the UTMB? You can visit the official UTMB page for updated information about events and results.