Polar Athletes Shone In Chamonix
Last weekend, they took part in the Mont Blanc Marathon. For some, it was a challenge, for others, performance was the main goal. Marine, Maëva, Anthony and Mehdi all crossed the finish line in Chamonix. We look back with them on their race and their performance.
Mehdi Dergaoui
Our fitness coach from Ile-de-France came to challenge himself on the Mont-Blanc Marathon. A preparation mainly carried out in the Paris region. Mehdi fulfilled the contract by finishing the Mont-Blanc Marathon in just 7h00! (7h00’13)
Was the goal achieved? If not, what did you miss?
“Since it was a first, I wanted above all to have fun! And I succeeded. I managed my intake extremely well and avoided cramps or muscle discomfort! This will allow me to build on this base to achieve greater performance next time! Since this duration of effort is completely new to me, I have to move forward strategically so as not to lose motivation.
Performance-wise, I wanted to finish around 6:30 which would logically put me in the top quarter of finishers. I finished in 7:00, 6 minutes behind the top 25% of finishers. I had a big fall at 3:50, I had to slow down a bit. I know I’m not far from my goal and with a bit more experience and training I know I can achieve it.”
What feeling do you have when you cross the finish line?
“A huge satisfaction! My family was there in Chamonix and I knew that my community was behind me from a distance. I clearly felt this energy throughout the race!”
Which watch model did you choose for this race and why?
“I had the Polar Grit X Pro Titan . It combines strength and lightness, the ideal watch in my opinion. I had all the information I needed to know where I was in terms of elevation and speed throughout the race.”
What part of the race did you like best?
“The descent after the Col des Posettes. We took a refreshing break in a waterfall! It was a pure and unforgettable moment. Before and after this waterfall, the view was simply magical.”
What are the next goals?
“Continue on the momentum of this first year of Run! Being from Paris, I will put races back on the flat. (Probably the Amsterdam marathon in October) Put in 2 or 3 more races until the 2024 Paris marathon that I am lucky enough to be able to run!”
Will you be returning to the MMB and why should we try this race?
“Certainly! I’ve already converted a lot of friends for next year. Personally, I want to do the 23km next year. The Mont-Blanc Marathon is an effort that prepares you for any other effort (apart from ultra-trails of course). Preparing for this race means jumping 100% into running (which was my case this season). And I think that… it’s just magical to be in the middle of nature and realize how lucky we are to have that at home!”
Marine Noret
Marine came to find what she had not been able to find at the beginning of the year following a head trauma. (She had had to give up her first goal of the season). Despite the pain of cramps, our athlete completed the 42km in 6h55.
Was the goal achieved? If not, what did you miss?
“The goal wasn’t really achieved, it took me longer than I had hoped, but that’s the game. I often try to mix work and sporting life and, having worked before in the village of the Mont-Blanc Marathon, my legs were really loaded. I had a lot of cramps quite quickly. Fortunately, I still really enjoyed the first half up to Vallorcine.”
What goes through your head when you pass that finish line?
“When I cross the finish line, it’s an immense feeling of relief. I was so happy to find my loved ones waiting for me on the other side of the line.”
Which Polar watch model did you choose for the race?
“I chose to run with the Polar Pacer Pro . It’s by far my favorite watch for over a year. It’s light, goes everywhere and above all it has excellent battery life.”
What part of the race did you like best?
“I loved the climb of the Col des Posettes so much, it was sublime (just like I remembered) and at the top there were a lot of friends and it did me a lot of good. It was inspiring and motivating.”
What are the next goals for the season?
“My next “big” goal is the MCC (a 40 km UTMB race reserved for volunteers, partners and local residents) next August. This time, I will do everything I can to arrive more rested and as fresh as possible to better appreciate the distance.”
Will we see you again next year?
“Yes, I will return to the Mont Blanc Marathon because, as they say, “never two without three”! The third will be the charm, I have no doubt.”
Anthony Felber
Anthony was one of the favorites for the podium for this 2023 edition of the Mont-Blanc Marathon. At home, he was able to count on the support of hundreds of supporters. After a committed race, Anthony crossed the finish line in 3h55 and signed an excellent top 10!
Was the goal achieved? If not, what did you miss?
“No, it’s not quantitatively because I’m not on the podium. But my qualitative objective and especially on my race strategy, has been achieved. I didn’t want to hide, show the jersey and take the lead from the start. I was able to do it until Vallorcine. Maybe a little too aggressive and ambitious compared to the objective but I have no regrets. I lacked a little experience in managing the race at the front.
What moment do you remember from the race?
“The climb of the Posettes. At the Tour, we arrive at five. We come back to the leader, we knew he wouldn’t hold. We arrive at the fan zone, in management, we take the lead at the start of the climb, I’m in the wake of Rémi Bonnet . I tell myself that I’m invincible and that I’m going to smash everything. At that moment, I feel very very good, at Rémi’s feet putting on a show, I loved it.”
You are a big fan of the Polar Pacer Pro, did you take this model for the race?
“Yes, I took the Pacer Pro because it is a very light model. I know the course by heart, I didn’t need to look at the watch too much. So I had to take the lightest possible model that was comfortable to wear.”
What was your favorite part of the race?
“The summit of Posettes! The view is incredible, you are approaching the end of the first bump, you can take a little time to look around you. It’s too too beautiful.”
What does the rest of your season look like?
“A slightly calmer month of July, to recover and prepare for Sierre-Zinal and the OCC (the final of the UTMB World Series circuit in the 50K category) in August. The goal in Sierre-Zinal will be to improve my time, I will have to prepare well. In September, I am going back to the United States for the stages of the Golden Trail World Series and qualify for the final.”
Will we see you at the Mont Blanc Marathon next year?
“Of course, I’ll go back to believe in it until the end and raise my arms in Chamonix! I really recommend doing this race. The atmosphere is crazier and crazier every year. It’s a course that you can also prepare in the middle of the season, so it’s accessible.”
Maeva Danish
Maëva had discovered trail running just a year ago and had achieved an excellent performance in the Mont-Blanc Marathon. This year, she returned to Chamonix with ambitious goals for this race that motivates her so much. After 5h31 of effort, Maëva crossed the finish line.
Was the goal achieved? If not, what did you miss?
“The objective is partially achieved. The objective was to do a full race. Follow the race plan to the letter in the hope of doing better than last year. Unfortunately, I ran out of energy much too early in the race and I had to deal with the pain sooner than expected. A long dialogue between my inner suffering and my motivation to go all the way.”
If you had to remember one moment from the race, what would it be?
“Every refreshment point where my Team was waiting for me. I was able to capture a little of their energy while I was drained. Without them I would never have been able to cross the finish line on my two legs.”
Which watch model did you choose for this race and why?
“I used the Polar Pacer Pro and the Polar H10 heart rate monitor belt . I use it because it is light, its battery life and because it gave me valuable information about my run (heart rate, slope percentage, km remaining).”
What part of the race did you like best?
“Even though this section is long: I loved the climb towards Les Posettes. That’s where the boys including Anthony started to overtake us, so it was motivating to have them alongside us at that point in the race.”
What are the next goals?
“The next race will still be on the Golden Trail World Series circuit . It will be the legendary Sierre Zinal race in Switzerland!”
Will you be returning to the MMB and why should we try this race?
“I’ll come back next year, it’s a must, there’s a page from the book that I haven’t finished writing here. The Mont Blanc marathon is THE trail monument that you have to run and finish in your life.”
