Canadian Galen Reynolds returns to Tor Des Géants 330K podium
Reynolds took the podium for the third time in an unseasonably warm race in the Italian Alps
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Instagram/galen-reynolds
Canadian Galen Reynolds has taken the podium for a third time at the gruelling Tor Des Géants 330K, finishing the mountain race in 71 hours, 22 minutes and 30 seconds. Reynolds was part of a strong leading contingent this year, with Italian Franco Collé breaking his own course record (set in 2021) in 66h, 39m, 16s, and France’s Romain Olivier finishing just under the 70-hour mark in 69:49:38. U.K. favourite Damian Hall followed Reynolds in to take fourth in 72:04:07.
The Tor Des Géants course covers 330 kilometres and has more than 24,000 metres of elevation gain through the Italian Alps. TDG starts and finishes in picturesque Courmayeur, Italy, in the shadow of Monte Bianco (Mont-Blanc). After the inaugural race in 2010, TDG immediately became one of the hardest non-stop races in the world–the equivalent of climbing Mt. Everest nearly three times during the course of the event. Racers must complete the route in less than 150 hours.
Reynolds, who now lives and trains in Slovenia, took a second-place finish at TDG in both 2018 and 2019, but was unable to finish in 2021 and opted not to race in 2022. “Make it around, and you get to put your mark on one of the best memories out there,” he shared on social media. Alpine mountain racing is Reynolds’s specialty, and the runner claimed wins in the Swiss Peaks 360 and the Dolomiti Extreme Trail (103K) in 2022.
This year’s race posed a challenge with extremely warm temperatures. “I suffered a lot from the heat during the first day, even remaining without water at Col Arp, then I felt much better and I recovered,” Reynolds said. “Each TOR is a unique journey, different from the previous one, full of indescribable emotions.”
Runners at TDG are known for enduring extreme sleep deprivation and hallucinationsover the course of the event. French runner Olivier led for much of the race, but became extremely exhausted and was forced to sleep on Tuesday, losing the lead and continuing to fall back from now four-time winner Collé.
American two-time Barkley Marathons finisher John Kelly continues further back in the race–he’s currently 15th overall at 282 kilometres.
- Franco Collé (ITA) 66:39:16
- Romain Olivier (FRA) 69:49:38
- Reynolds Galen (CAN) 71:22:30
- Damian Hall (GBR) 72:04:07
- Gianluca Galeati (ITA) 72:16:06
Women’s race
At the time of publication, Britain’s Emma Stuart was closing in on the win with around 40 km left to run, having passed Rif. Champillon (71:16:06, 282km). Stuart is building on a successful season after winning the Arc of Attrition and Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB. She’s nearly two hours ahead of the closest contender, Jocelyne Pauly of France. Pauly was fourth at last year’s UTMB and third in 2018, and is followed by the U.K.’s Sophie Grant.
The 2022 first-place women’s finisher and course record holder Sabrina Verjee of the U.K. was on record pace when she injured her ankle and withdrew from the race, along with top contender Katharina Hartmuth, who finished second at this year’s UTMB, only a week before the start of the Tor des Géants.
- Emma Stuart (GBR) On course
- Jocelyne Pauly (FRA) On course
- Sophie Grant (NZL) On course
For full results and to follow the women’s top finishers head here.
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