As the sun rises over Tuscany, a thrilling competition is set to unfold during the Chianti Ultra Trail, taking place on March 22-23, 2025. This ultramarathon is particularly noteworthy, featuring three of the last UTMB Mont-Blanc champions: Jim Walmsley (2023), Vincent Bouillard (2024), and Kilian Jornet (2022). The stakes are high, as the event offers two coveted qualifying spots for the Western States race.
Jim Walmsley, a four-time Western States champion and the reigning titleholder, is fully prepared for this 120 km race, which boasts a staggering positive elevation gain of 5,200 meters. Having already secured his position for the Western States, Walmsley is ready to set the pace, stating he has no pressure and can race at the front. As the event kicks off at 4 a.m. on Saturday, Walmsley will face stiff competition from Kilian Jornet, a notable figure in ultrarunning who became a father for the third time just this week. During this race weekend, Jornet expressed his excitement about the competition explicitly, saying, “The goal will be to win.”
Meanwhile, Vincent Bouillard, who achieved an unexpected victory at the 2024 UTMB, is eager to show his mettle in this race. Bouillard remarked, “Running against Kilian and Jim, among others, is fantastic.” He is aiming to secure a podium finish, which will also help him clinch one of the two coveted tickets to the Western States, ideally positioning him to join an elite circle of ultrarunners in California. This race, featuring these three giants of the sport, lends it a unique prestige that goes beyond ordinary competition. Bouillard’s recent transition from amateur to semi-professional has heightened his motivation, especially since there are only a limited number of entries to the Western States.
The Chianti Ultra Trail serves as a vital illustration of the dedication and intensity within the ultrarunning community. With only two golden tickets available for the Western States—one of the four major ultramarathons alongside the Diagonale des Fous, Hardrock 100, and UTMB—every competitor feels the weight of their aspirations. Only a few hundred participants will receive entry into the Western States, reflecting the race's exclusivity and the level of talent it attracts.
As the race progresses, updates from the course are being monitored closely. As of the last check at Cantalici, Walmsley leads the men’s race with an impressive time of 4:24:44, with Jornet and Bouillard closely behind, just 8 minutes behind his formidable pace. On the women's side, Fabila Conti from Italy is leading with a remarkable time of 3:18:32, closely followed by Abby Hall from the USA and Azara Garcia de los Salmones from Spain.
The atmosphere at the Chianti Ultra Trail is electric, with fans and aspiring ultrarunners gathering to witness the spectacle. As each checkpoint reveals the leaders' times, excitement builds not just for the race but for the stories unfolding within it. The competition has attracted a slew of other notable participants, including Lambert Santelli, Francesco Puppi, and Andreas Reiterer, all eager to leave their mark in this prestigious event.
For the athletes, every race is not only about winning the title but also about pushing the limits of human endurance. The Chianti Ultra Trail offers its male and female runners an opportunity to do just that. As various runners navigate the winding trails, they embody the relentless spirit of ultrarunning, where every mile is a testament to their training, resilience, and passion for the sport.
Jornet’s presence at the race adds an aura of excitement, given his legendary status in the ultrarunning community. His ability to compete at such a high level, even shortly after his third child’s birth, showcases his mountain goat-like resilience, granting him an almost mythical reputation in the realm of ultrarunning. He has consistently set benchmarks for others to aspire to, a fact that has significantly increased interest in this race.
As the events unfold under the Tuscan sun, the Chianti Ultra Trail is more than just a race; it is a celebration of endurance racing and an essential chapter in the lives of the competitors involved. The eventual outcomes will ripple through the ultrarunning community. For those fortunate enough to secure a place at the Western States, it represents not only a chance at glory but also the culmination of hard work and dreams realized. With every stride taken in the race, these athletes chase not just a finish line, but also their ambitions and legacies in the extraordinary world of ultrarunning.
