One of the most treacherous mountain races on the planet, is the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc. The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (also referred to as UTMB) is a single-stage mountain ultramarathon.

The race started in 2003 and has become one of the premiere mountain races simply for it’s high altitudes where racers are constantly challenged, climbing uphill or downhill the majority of the race.

It takes place once a year in the Alps, across France, Italy and Switzerland. The distance is approximately 166 kilometres (103 mi), with a total elevation gain of around 9,600 m. It is widely regarded as one of the most difficult foot races in Europe. It’s certainly one of the largest with over two thousand starters. The combined participation in all of the events is approaching 10 thousand runners.

While the best runners complete the loop in slightly more than 20 hours, most runners take 30 to 45 hours to reach the finish line. There is no prize money awarded.

The runners don’t run for the glory, for the podium, they run for the pleasure and personal satisfaction it brings them.

I was incredibly honored when Francois D’Haene agreed to do this interview especially with his busy training schedule.

François D’Haene is an expert ultra_trail runner and last year’s winner of the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc which as mentioned before is 166 kilometers  (103 mi), with a total elevation gain of around 9,600 m. He completed the race in 20 h 11 min. In addition, he is also the 2012 winner of Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc.

His list of accomplishments is quite impressive and just down right astounding:

He’s run a marathon in 2 h 34 min 52 s. (Current world record: 2 h 2 min 57 s.)

Could you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into running?

Since I was young, I started running, and I have been involved in athletics for quite a long time now. and it’s been 10 years that I have been involved in trail running…

You have been in inspiration to millions around the world, who inspires you? Who are your mentors? 

What inspires me is nature, the mountains and overall adventure. The feelings being free when you are able to reach a summit and then another summit or a ridge behind that one. The possibility to discover everything with little or no effort.

What’s the most important lesson you have learned?

To take my time and listen to my body while I am in the mountains and during my long runs.

In one sentence or phrase how would you define success?

Success is just a consequence of some adaptation and some pleasure in the mountain.

What’s the most important personality trait that you feel has greatly helped you?

The pleasure to feel in the mountain for some adventure.

What is the most important book and or movie you have read and or watched? Why?

I don’t watch tv a lot and the same goes for books. I don’t have time for those things, also I don’t feel inspired by them.

What was the most difficult decision you had to make?

To choose and make my calendar each year. I always want to do too many things in one year!

What was the best decision you made?

To get married and have children.

What question should I have asked you that I didn’t? Why is it important and what is the answer?

What does trail running mean to you? For me, I  just want to insist that trail running is my own way to live some truly  inspiring moments in the mountains.

Have a good day.

You can learn more about Francois at his Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/francois.dhaene

You can learn more about his winery and his business at: http://domainedugermain.com/en/