Finding Chamonix -- Racing CCC at UTMB 2018 -- A Movie Race Report

[@kubrabenelli9117]

Going down La Flégère before the climbing the ski slope must be the most technical section, thanks for sharing and congratulations.

[@stephenkukta3508]

Yes, that's definitely the most technical section, particularly in the dark. But it's not a regular part of the course -- that whole section was added at the last minute because a rock slide above La Flegere that killed someone the day before.

[@breath7]

Great job buddy!! Thanks for sharing!

[@stephenkukta3508]

Thanks for watching.

[@stewartliesnham3868]

Hey Stephen, great video. My friend sent it to me to watch and I realised it was you that I was sat next to on the flight from Geneva to London. Thanks for sharing the adventure. I’m running CCC this year so looking forward to finally getting to see the last part of the UTMB course. Take it easy and Happy New Year to you.

[@stephenkukta3508]

Stewart, it’s so great that you found my video and got in touch. I hope we see each other in Chamonix this year. I’m in the UTMB lottery, but chances aren’t great that I’ll get in this first year. Fingers crossed though. Happy New Year!

[@stewartliesnham3868]

Stephen Kukta Cool, good luck with the ballot. Let me know how it goes, would love to catch up in Chamonix.

[@maxwright4387]

that first climb looks brutal

[@edlear3395]

Great video man, one of the best on the CCC. I did it back in 2016 and still one of the hardest and best things I've ever done. Brought back so many memories...not all good 🤣 but it was nice to re-live the whole experience. Good work and strong run 👍

[@stephenkukta3508]

Thanks for the kind words Ed. Means a lot. Best wishes for all your future adventures.

[@edlear3395]

@@stephenkukta3508 if you get a chance to do the ONER on south coast in England then that's a good one. Not the same elevation but spectacular coastal trails and a real challenge. 👍

[@punkinpunker]

Cool viceo dude, thanks for sharing the highs and the lows. Especially that bit where you're crying in the aid station... :)

[@stephenkukta3508]

Not crying. Allergies. :)

[@dansymons1706]

Well done mate! For some reason your video has made me want try the race for myself!

[@stephenkukta3508]

Haha. I'm sorry to have given you that motivation. Best of luck.

[@blackwatch_TV]

Living the dream...thanks for the perspective

[@stephenkukta3508]

Michael McEvoy Thanks Michael. Glad you enjoyed it.

[@eduardherak8599]

Super video jste super hrdinové správní sportovci přeji hodně zdravý při tak krásném sportu jako je běh v krásné přírodě 👍👍👍🏔🏔🏔🏃‍♀️❤️❤️❤️🌞🌞🌞😅

[@cyberciro]

Great video, I’ll be running CCC this year... pretty excited (and a bit scared)!

[@stephenkukta3508]

Ferraro Davide Thanks! It’s a wonderful race and you’ll love it. But it’s good to be scared if it motivates you to train hard :). I hope you learned something from my experience. Have a great race!!

[@PregoGB135]

Awesome man!

[@stephenkukta3508]

Thanks!

[@reddantlerrunning1883]

Brought back so many great memories, thank you! Can't wait to go back. I couldn't believe i had to run that last section at mile 90. It was like going down a dried up waterfall. Great job on your finish. 39:53 for me UTMB. Hopefully i can better my time in 2019

[@stephenkukta3508]

ReddAntlerRunning : Awesome job, man. Anyone who finishes UTMB is my hero. Against my better judgment I'm putting in for the UTMB lottery this year.

[@reddantlerrunning1883]

Stephen Kukta yes do it! Hopefully we can meet there.

[@reddantlerrunning1883]

Just realized we ran Santa Barbara 100K together. Small world. My name is Christopher Thomas

[@stephenkukta3508]

ReddAntlerRunning Haha. We know how to pick 'em. Santa Barbara nearly ended me. Not unlike CCC. I got so dehydrated I had to spend hours in aid stations before staggering through the night to the finish. Ironically, the only reason I didn't drop was that I needed the points for the CCC lottery. :). Good luck in the UTMB lottery -- see you in Chamonix, fingers crossed.

[@kunalsharma2116]

Awesome... Keep Running 🏃 keep inspiring

[@stephenkukta3508]

kunal sharma Thanks!

[@shotouke1667]

I like your ccc video. Well done good job :-))

[@shotouke1667]

see you next year for utmb ?

[@stephenkukta3508]

Shoto Uke Unfortunately not. I applied for UTMB, but no lottery luck this year. :(. I'll definitely try again in 2020 though. I'd really like to see if I can suffer through 100 miles of this. :). Have a great running year!

[@ErnieOne]

Thank you so much for this great video despite the long distance. Such a tough race! Well done! How many miles of the CCC usually a relatively good runner hikes and how many runs? Once again, congratulations!

[@stephenkukta3508]

E. G. Hi, E.G. Thanks for the kind comment. I probably ran about 70 km and hiked 30. Some of the climbs are extremely steep and it’s just as fast to hike those climbs as to run. But I also got cold and tired and so later in the night I hiked some trails that should have been possible to run. I think that the very best runners probably run about 85 to 90% of this race.

[@robinupton6449]

Great video. Out of interest what did you use to film with? Gopro or similar?

[@stephenkukta3508]

Hi Robin, I used a Sony - I think it was the FDR X3000. It had better sound than the GoPro and it had optical stabilization. But that’s now a 3 year old camera and I think, when I shoot UTMB this year, I’ll use a 360 degree camera. Probably the GoPro, based on what I’ve read.

[@sharonvenzke7648]

You are crazy and amusing!! But afraid of cows?

[@stephenkukta3508]

Hey that thing came skulking out of the darkness and almost took me out. Or... she was just sleeping next to the trail and I startled her with my loud breathing. :)