Ultra Weekend Recap — May 17–18

By Ultramarathon Connect • 05/20/2025

This weekend brought excitement across a range of altitudes and terrains—from the jagged French Alps to the open roads of Minnesota. Here's how the action unfolded May 17–18:

Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB — Le Puy-en-Velay, France

Date: May 18, 2025
Distances: 18k, 48k, 80k, 123k
Course: Historic pilgrimage route with steep, rocky ascents and sweeping vistas
Weather: Partly cloudy, highs of 61°F (16°C)

The Trail du Saint-Jacques featured over 3,300 runners from more than 40 countries. In the 123k, Julien Chorier led the men's field with a time of 13:12:48. For the women, Clara Canin claimed victory in 15:03:27.

FANS 24-Hour Ultra — St. Paul, Minnesota

Date: May 18, 2025
Format: 6h, 12h, and 24h timed loop events
Location: Lake Como Park
Weather: Cool and overcast, 55–63°F

Now in its 34th year, the FANS Ultra continues to raise funds for student scholarships. In the 24-hour solo event, Mike McGuire logged 132.4 miles while Sarah D. ran 118.2 miles. More than 230 participants took part across all formats.

Hellbender One Hundred — Old Fort, North Carolina

Date: May 17, 2025
Distance: 100 miles
Course: Brutal elevation—over 24,000 feet gain in Pisgah National Forest
Weather: Variable, with light rain and fog above 5,000 ft

One of the toughest East Coast races, Hellbender lived up to its name this year. Travis Wilde won the men’s race in 21:57:39, while Ashley Lentz led the women in 25:03:14. Only 38% of starters finished under the cutoff.

From sun-drenched singletrack to gritty overnight efforts, ultrarunners continue to push boundaries and inspire the community. See you next week for more incredible stories from the trail!