🎯 Objective
To complete the 100 km Courmayeur–Champex–Chamonix (UTMB CCC) ultra with over 5,700 m of elevation gain—navigating extreme gradients, technical descents, and emotional lows to reach the iconic Chamonix finish line.
🏃 Athlete Profile – Owen Kimber
- Race: UTMB CCC
- Location: Courmayeur to Chamonix, Alps
- Date: Friday, 30 August 2019
- Distance: 103.77 km
- Moving Time: 25:48:37
- Average Pace: 14:55/km
- Elevation Gain: 5,751 m
- Calories Burned: 7,267 kcal
- Conditions: Alpine, mixed terrain, overnight movement
- Device: Garmin Forerunner 235
- Shoes: Brooks Cascadia 14
- Top Results:
- PR on Descente La Floria – Chamonix (16:26)
- PR on Croisement Floria to Les Nants (8:12)
- PR on Chemin De Chamonix à La Flegere Climb (3:04)
- 2nd fastest on Montée de Bovine (1:40:43)
- Notable Achievement: First UTMB finish, longest run and highest elevation gain to date
📊 Pacing Breakdown – Owen Kimber
KM 1–10 (Settling In) Average Pace: ~13:00/km Notes: Owen opened with measured effort through early climbs. KM 5–9 included steep ascents (up to 300 m gain), with pacing dropping to 28–32 min/km—showing terrain respect and pacing restraint.
KM 11–40 (Technical Descent & Reset) Average Pace: ~11:00/km Notes: Descents from Champex and La Flegere allowed Owen to regain rhythm. KM 12–16 showed strong pacing (7:19–9:43/km), with KM 26–27 reflecting recovery and terrain adaptation.
KM 41–70 (Night Movement & Fatigue) Average Pace: ~15:00/km Notes: Overnight segments included steep climbs (KM 63–66: 198–163 m gain) and fatigue management. Owen leaned into mental cues and aid station resets to maintain forward motion.
KM 71–103 (Final Push) Average Pace: ~13:30/km Notes: Despite exhaustion, Owen surged through final descents—KM 101–102 paced at 8:20/km and 8:19/km. KM 103 closed with a steady 10:06/km, marking a powerful finish through Chamonix.
❤️ Heart Rate & Effort
Estimated HR Zone: Aerobic endurance with high-intensity spikes Insight: Average cadence of 117 spm reflects technical terrain and elevation impact. Owen showed strong effort regulation and mental resilience across 25+ hours of movement.
💡 Key Insights
- Alpine Breakthrough: Owen completed one of the toughest UTMB events—his longest run and highest elevation gain to date.
- Effort Regulation: Despite extreme terrain, Owen avoided pacing collapse and finished strong.
- Mental Resilience: His reflection shows emotional depth—he embraced the night, leaned into aid station resets, and found strength on the final climb.
- Finish-Line Moment: The Chamonix arch marked not just a physical achievement, but a personal transformation.
🧩 Coaching Applications
- Owen’s splits to teach alpine pacing and overnight movement strategy
- Reinforces the value of mental resets and aid station planning
- Models how technical ultras require both physical and psychological endurance
- Celebrates UTMB finishes
- Encourages athletes to reflect on what “impossible dream” means—and how it becomes reality