Grabbing 4th by the balls, Salomon athlete and BDP teammate, Corrine Malcolm dominated at TDS, which takes place at the “World Summit of Trail-Running” between August 27 – September 2 in Chamonix; having completed yesterday evening. Included over the weekend are several races, all of which culminate at the big daddy, UTMB. “The UTMB is a trail-running event full of superlatives! An essential event for trail-runners from all over the world. Each year, the elite of the trail-running world find themselves in Chamonix alongside almost 10,000 runners keen to participate in one of the event’s 7 races.” These races include PTL, CCC, UTMB, TDS, OCC, MCC and YCC.

TDS begins in Courmayeur and passes by the “Maison Vielle,” up along the UTMB path, upwards more to the Col Chavannes; “Even if you are a regular runner of the UTMB, this long ascent of the Valley Veny in the early morning light will certainly help you discover a new perspective of it, in all its magnificence.” In and alongside open country, countryside and mountainous terrain, along the Grande Ranonnee path, through Mont-Blanc, Beaufort, Tarentaise and Aosta valley, it’s a race which touches the soul. Thus we must continue “…throughout the long descent on gentle slopes, the splendid wilderness of the Vallon de Chavannes’ pastures before joining the Vallon de la Doire de Verney which…goes up to reach the Lac de Verney before…Col de petit Saint-Bernard…You then leave the Aosta valley and begin your trip in the Haute Tarentaise with a long descent along the Roman way, which, since the year 2 AD, has linked Rome to Lyon by passing through the Alps. Profit from the party which will be awaiting you when you cross through Seez and then Bourg Saint-Maurice, because it is followed by a serious ascent of almost 2000m! You will pass the forts of Truc and la Platte, which were built at the end of the XIX century, when Franco/Italian relations were turning sour, to protect the valley from eventual attack by the Italian troops. You then reach the wonderful area of the 5 lakes. Just after the Col de la Forclaz, you pass along the lac Esola, and then…climb up over the Passeur de Pralognan. A descent, very steep at first, then gentler, leads you to the volunteers from Beaufort at the Cormet de Roselend…then up to the Col de la Sauce…taking the amazing passage du Cure to the hamlet of la Gitte (have a quick look, just next to the security point, at the chapelle de Notre-Dame des Neiges, dating from 1639) then go up towards the Col de Gitte to 2322m from where one can see the extraordinary view of the Mont-Blanc, Aiguilles Rouges, Fiz and Aravis chains of mountains, before taking a little known path across the ‘Grande Pierriere’ to the Col du Joly…The while walk along the most beautiful paths of the Tarentaise, Beaufort and Mont-Blanc country continues with a descent into Les Contamines, before going up tot he col du Tricot passing the chalets du Truc and Miage…cross the nose of the Bionnassay glacier by footbridge and go up to Bellevue before plunging down into Les Houches. All that remains is to reach the centre of Chamonix for a triumphal and well deserved finish!”

Seated 7th, but taking 4th, we’re really proud of Corrine. What an inspiration.

Corrine’s results can be found HERE!
Full results can be found HERE!
*Race info pulled from HERE!