April 22, 2024
On June 22, is held the Aravis Trail, an emblematic race in the Thônes Cœur des Vallées region. In order for this event to take place in the best possible conditions, we have gathered the organization's advice for successfully completing this sporting challenge!
You are already registered or planning to participate, only 2 months left before the big day!
Choose your format and define your objectives
Choose an achievable goal in order to feel good and trigger positive mechanisms (pedagogy of success). For a first experience, finishing the course is already an interesting objective. For a more experienced person, it will be a question of having fun and/or seeking performance by setting a fairly challenging time!
The Croue
Specially for beginners, this format is made for you. With 11km and 540m of D+, this course is offered solo and is open to walking. It is aimed at all trailers, walkers, aged 18 to 98. It is the ideal event for people who want to start trail running gently, since it offers, over a reasonable distance, climbs and descents accessible to any beginner.
Organization advice: Intended primarily for beginners without experience, it also allows the more experienced to come and work on their speed and power.
The Rod
Family special: 5km and 200m of D+. You are going to run, your family is with you. What could be better than keeping them busy while you sweat? ... This fun course is reserved for children who must be accompanied by an adult (equipped with a mobile phone). Don't forget hiking shoes, clothing suitable for mountain walking (jacket, cap, Kway, etc.) adapted to the weather of the day ... and water.
Organization advice: Don’t panic, registration is done on site the same day!
The Deûfe
+ or – 20 km and an elevation gain of 1100m, this course is aimed at participants who want to discover mountain trail running.
Organization advice: Ideal for getting started in the world of trail running, this is the format that attracts the most runners.
The Alpi'Trail
28 km and 2300m of D+, this race is done in pairs. Fans of long trails, it is necessary to have mountain feet to complete this course.
Organization advice: Sensitive souls, abstain! Due to its technicality, this course is reserved for runners with mountain feet. There are in fact several aerial passages, protected by fixed ropes (harnesses and lanyards obligatory).
The Will
With a mileage of +/- 48km for +/- 3m, this course is aimed at trailers who already have experience of mountain trail running. For the less experienced, the relay version is the ideal opportunity to embark on a course that presents varied terrain with some technical passages but sharing the effort with a teammate.
Organization advice: It is indeed difficult to find a more complete race in terms of landscapes and variety of paths for an interesting distance/elevation ratio. It is ideally located in the calendar for the runner who would be preparing for an ultra in the summer. For fans of two-person races, it is available in a duo or relay version (with a baton handover at the Col de la Croix Fry).
Preparing for your race: terrain reconnaissance
Preparing for your trail requires mental and strategic preparation.
You need to analyze the course and establish a race strategy. For the latter, base yourself on your abilities, on the profile of the route and on the chronology of the difficulties. In any case, you must know your strengths and weaknesses and know how to manage your pace. A piece of advice: don't confuse speed with haste!
If you have the opportunity, scouting the terrain and training on the course is a big plus! This will allow you to become aware of the elevation and distance and then adjust your training plan.
Please note that some passages are only open on the day of the race with the agreement of the owners. It is therefore necessary to close the parks properly during crossings in order to respect the work of farmers.
So, ready?
Practical information :
At the finish area, runners will find showers, masseurs, refreshments and food to recover from their effort. Registrations are open (subject to availability of bibs) until Thursday, June 20. Finally, for all those who do not have the endurance of our runners, we are looking for volunteers, for a few hours or the day, on the ground or in the finish area.
