This year, two Mégavalanche Trail will take place in Alpe d'Huez and in Reunion Island. Both will be 100% downhill and the first one in the Alps will start on the snowy ground of Pic Blanc.
When we give the characteristics of a trail race, we often indicate the number of kilometers and the positive altitude difference. For the two Mégavalanche Trail that will take place in the next few months, the information of the D+ will not be of great value. These events are indeed only downhill.
On July 9, the second edition of the Mégavalanche Trail will be held in Alpe d'Huez. From the Pic Blanc glacier at an altitude of 3,300 meters, you will have to reach the Oisans valley at an altitude of 700 meters. That is to say a negative difference in altitude of 2 600 meters over a distance of 21 km. There will be some very slight climbs for a total of 100 small meters of positive. This race is obviously inspired by what the organizer (UCC Sport Event) has been offering for a long time in the mountain bike world. For the two wheels, the Mégavalanche will be held the same weekend of July on the same route. The 350 MTB riders will leave a few moments earlier for this famous Megavalanche, held since 1995 in Alpe d'Huez.
The start (at 10am for the runners) will be given in both disciplines from the Pic Blanc glacier and the famous snowy zone that often sends more than one person to the ground. To reach the starting area, you will have to take the ski lifts (package included in the registration). This is the last straw for runners who often swear by the positive difference in altitude. Last year for the first edition of the Mégavalanche Trail in Alpe d'Huez, they were 70 at the start. Abel Jorissen, the winner of this first edition, took 1h31 to reach the Oisans valley.
The same type of race will take place a few months later in Reunion Island, on December 3rd 2023. This overseas version of the Mégavalanche Trail will also live its second edition. Last year, they were about a hundred at the start of the Maïdo for a race format proposing 22km and 2200m of negative altitude difference to reach Saint-Paul. Rendez-vous here for the registration to the Alpe d'Huez race. Registration for the Reunion Island race is not yet open.