MONT BLANC MARATHON - The most BEAUTIFUL race in the WORLD?!?

[@BenParkes]

Where is the most beautiful place you've ever run?? I think Chamonix would be hard to beat!

[@Armyrope115Official]

not quite on the same level as Chamonix, but running around the Lakes of Killarney in Ireland is pretty incredible and incredibly pretty!

[@Ljungcrantz]

So far the most beautiful place ive ever run was the stockholm marathon. I think the marathon itself would have been beautiful no matter where I was, cuz it was my first (!), BUT I love the city (so that is an added plus) ! :D

[@julianpretorius6238]

My most beautiful marathon I did was the two oceans marathon

[@tymckeown3489]

Beachy head has to be a good shout

[@jj2911]

mount snowdon is a killer but is beautiful on a clear day

[@osmirod1]

I love how you smile through the races man,. Sign that you truly enjoy it

[@chinadom]

The Jungfrau Marathaon in Switzerland is amazing.

[@himanshumishra4559]

I always watch your videos with a smile on my face :) You are super cool !

[@somkitthompson9559]

After watching this video last year, I signed up for a running retreat in Chamonix in July with Trails and Roots, and it was an amazing experience. I remember running some of the exact trail, especially around 24K. What an incredible view. I look forward to run the Mont Blanc in 2024. Thank you for the inspiring video and for you sharing your journey. Bravo Ben Parkes.🙏🤩🙏

[@sovietstu]

Great video Ben, love the mountains. Bit partial to the Austrian Alps myself, have ran some mountain races in Kitzbühel and the Mayrhofen Ultraks. More content like this video would be awesome 👍

[@siandonaghy6308]

This looks amazing, Ben. So inspiring. I ran my first 10km in about 8 years yesterday on the Gold Coast Marathon festival and I finished in a time I was very happy with! I have been watching heaps of your videos in the lead up and I always want to get out and run after seeing you. Thank you!!!

[@RoostersEagles]

Sian Donaghy It was a shame about the rain but how good is the vibe at the GCMarathon!

[@siandonaghy6308]

Ryan Fernance it was pretty awesome. And the rain just made it a little more special. 😂🌈

[@ifonly2675]

Allez Benjamin !! You're a rockstar down in Cham !

[@thecrowfliescrooked]

Always love your videos. It’s great to see you progress throughout the race. You show the low points which is great because EVERYONE has low points. Great stuff!

[@g.mielnik1793]

A beautiful marathon that's what running is about Greetings from Poland

[@chawpmaak]

"Lemons - WTF" that had me laughing

[@xXxBLINGO07xXx]

Coke was on offer?!? Must book next race immediately.

[@aaronleeman-smith9730]

For the tequila i'd suggest.

[@eat_sleep_run_8496]

Drinking lemon juice with warm water every morning helps in maintaining the pH balance of the body. Along with vitamin C, lemons are also a rich source of potassium, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium etc. ... Lemon juice with warm water helps with digestion and hence, helps regulate natural bowel movement.

[@aaronleeman-smith9730]

​@@eat_sleep_run_8496 - I love lemon juice in water, just for the taste and rehydration, but the body's buffering system tightly regulates blood pH in a process known as acid-base homeostasis. Examples of buffers include calcium stored in bone, proteins, or other mechanisms by which the body resists pH changes in the bloodstream. The two main mechanisms primarily involved in this process are: A. Respiratory compensation: Breathing rate increases when acid levels are high. This breaks down the carbonic acid in the blood to water and carbon dioxide or CO2. The process, including the exhalation of the CO2, returns blood pH to normal levels. B. Renal compensation: The kidneys produce bicarbonate ions, which neutralize acid within the blood. These two mechanisms are so effective at balancing acids and bases that it is almost impossible for a person's diet to have any influence on blood pH. Almost all fruit is beneficial or 'healthy' so keep on eating those lemons!

[@aephemerial]

@@xXxBLINGO07xXx imagine getting a line and then "there you go now, mate."

[@ifonly2675]

The mountains are the best place to be in the summer especially during a heatwave. It never gets too hot during the day and it's always nice and cool at night. I wish i was in Chamonix instead of Toulouse at the moment !

[@BenParkes]

I bet Toulouse is so so hot.. hope you can still run!!

[@jpgcontact]

Another great video. Beautiful sights. Kudos for always keeping it in perspective and remembering that first and foremost the most important thing is to enjoy these runs. Congratulations on finishing another marathon - it looked gorgeous, but you can tell it was also quite challenging. 👍

[@BenParkes]

Yeah.. the last few K's were tough for sure.. the heat and the hills made it tough for everyone! Glad you liked the video Juan.. all the best!

[@citizentraderx1741]

F-ing amazing!!! Yes, Chamonix is beautiful. Views like this make me want to run.

[@VicNicGuitar]

I know you weren’t racing but just hearing those km times made me realise how brutal that course is! If you’re clocking that and struggling with the heat, man I’d die!⚰️ I love your videos. That was excellent. Thanks

[@BenParkes]

Some of those K’s were because of going through aid stations.. but yeah, was super tough at times in that final section because of the heat! Great you like the videos, appreciate the support!

[@garethhjones2346]

What a brilliant video Ben! Again! Love these race videos you do with the GoPro (and with Sarah's help of course). And what a stunning location!

[@PicoBehr]

Wow! I was waiting for this video. I watched the race live on youtube and it was great. I actually spotted you at the starting line. It would be a dream come true to some day be able to race such a hard trail. I was kind of shocked of how difficult, challenging and technical those downhills looked. Great video video Ben! Thanks!

[@rubenbenter]

Love videos like this Ben! Beautiful

[@Stewartuk73]

Brilliant achievement, just seen this, many congratulations.

[@JS-ue2ku]

Absolutely stunning views Ben. Good work. Thanks so much for taking us along! ; )

[@BenParkes]

Glad you enjoyed it C C! :-)

[@twalton]

I love these videos documenting your running experiences. They're so entertaining and interesting. You never know what turns the race could take, and regardless of the result you can still appreciate the run while it's happening. Thanks for the continued inspiration! I'm definitely adding Chamonix to my dream running list! :D

[@BenParkes]

Thank you Tyler.. very kind!

[@annaz9168]

Wow! What a beautiful course - amazing job on the video! I really enjoy all of your race vlogs, but this one was next level with the scenery. P.S. - currently following your marathon training plan for my 2nd marathon and LOVING IT. So well thought out. Thank you for the awesome content all around!

[@creative7530]

To the one who thumbed down, something is wrong with you. Keep the awesome video's coming Ben, we all love them and enjoy every single one 👍 Keep it going.......

[@BenParkes]

Ha.. you can’t please everyone!!

[@emilybacon11]

Was so brilliant watching you, I feel im in another world watching you run & all the beautiful scenery. U have the most strongest, amazing positive attitude in all your runs & even when you moan from being in pain u even do that in such a positive manner which makes me giggle with pride & joy seeing you get thru all this, well done Ben, ur incredible.

[@junelj6781]

Very nice x

[@dsmith8384]

Great film, thank you for making for us all to enjoy

[@jenniferwebster405]

Beauty, very inspiring. It is on the list, as well as the jungfrau and a running holiday around the utmb course at a pedestrian pace of course

[@christianhenry7348]

smilling all the way long, you give the smile. Thanks a lot

[@georginawalters2766]

Wow. Stunning, well done!

[@redsox1079]

Absolutely stunning!! Love the realistic views you show and your enthusiasm for running and life is infectious! Well done! I love running on my local bike path as it hugs the water for the most part. Would love to (be able to, ha) do this race someday!

[@tetehl4731]

This is hard but amazing views!! Well done!! 🙃❤💞👏👏👏👏😍

[@SpacLingwood]

Thanks alot for doing these vids! Helping alot with my fomo :)

[@sark255]

Yes please for more Trail running vlogs! Maybe some downhill running techniques?

[@themindfulrunner1228]

Wow Chamonix.... looks stunning.... I'd love to go Ben. Well done on your run in the heat. Looked tough! I could feel your sense of relief near the end when you dipped your cap in the mountain waterfall. As always great videos. Thanks.

[@BenParkes]

Wish I could have stayed at that waterfall for longer. Had to queue up for about 2 minutes to get to that spot to put my hat in as well. So many people there. Hope all is well down on the south coast!

[@themindfulrunner1228]

@@BenParkes I'm based in the North East Ben and sadly today its cloudy and wet!

[@mmchrisp]

Loved the video mate! My favourite place is anywhere around Keswick!

[@markawcom]

Just did my first marathon yesterday - The Wales Marathon, in Tenby. Tough for my first one - 1800ft of elevation, but what an experience. Love these vides of yours. Inspirational. #10B450

[@BenParkes]

Well done Mark.. that's a lot of elevation for sure. Kudos to you!

[@Ljungcrantz]

@Benparkes that is amazing and so beautiful! I started to look for flights haha! I am training for a race called "Vikbovändan" here in Sweden. Its on the country side and 45k. I have never ran past a marathon, and that only once, so I am excited! I am also focusing on improving my next stockholm marathon in May 2020.

[@petercoates9354]

Love it Ben, thank you 🏃🏻‍♂️

[@Jendo12]

Well done on completing this ! I was there that year and the heat was truly insane up the mountain !!!

[@gerardoh5365]

Good job. Thanks for sharing. I'll have to go do it.

[@kadenwong6599]

OMG, the atmosphere there was really amazing!!!!also the magnificent view of mountain!!!!!!

[@louiealmario5754]

Love watching your videos, your smile makes a lot of difference. Keep smiling 😊

[@rizieqbejat4363]

Thank you for the beautiful video, stunning scenery.

[@harveyemm4865]

What a wonderful run. Well done Ben.

[@runningchannel]

Looks stunning Ben!

[@adamherbert2235]

Thanks for Sharing Ben! Great work!

[@2807Dee]

Love your videos and how positive you are. Well done.

[@krisconvery3709]

Loved that video Ben, one of my favourites. Beautiful place and appreciative that you did a video to show us 👍

[@RoostersEagles]

An absolutely picturesque race! I would absolutely love to be able to run it one day.

[@joshb5500]

niice video Ben! spectacular coverage of this event!! amazing views! looks like you had as much fun as we'd have watching, cheers!!

[@BenParkes]

Aww, thanks Josh. Was lots of fun for sure! All the best!

[@twisterszn4036]

Back to back videos nuts 🤞💯. The most beautiful place I’ve ran was probably right at Lake Michigan in Chicago with the nice beach and an incredible sunset while running. Feeling that wind and having the feeling of being really fast

[@BenParkes]

Got quite a few coming up next week too!! Sunset running is lovely.. must have been spectacular on the banks of the lake there 🇺🇸 🙌

[@simoncastro5674]

You are so amazing ben you are one of my inspiration in running half marathons and i am just 17 years old so i will try my best to finish a marathon thank you so much for your tips for running

[@stevebenjamin1254]

Great video Ben. I was there on the day watching and I can testify to the heat. You did really well, but you don't need me to tell you that. I was entered for the beginners 10k, but had to pull out because of a calf injury and boy was i glad. However, I can't wait until the entries open in October. Maybe do the 23k. I think the full marathon is a bit too much with that amount of climbing. Chamonix is so beautiful and like you, I couldn't stop admiring the view - pictures don't do it justice. Thanks

[@IsMiseAnthony]

Watching this video, nearly tempted to signup for next year.

[@trainertrails5824]

Cool video Ben. The scenery reminds me of the Eiger Ultra Trail. Hat wise, I wore mine at the Serpent Trail 50k this weekend, worked a treat. Keep the videos coming, the variation in content is loads of fun to follow.

[@chuck4863]

Fantastic content, incredible views. Well done Ben

[@stijndeklerk]

Going to Chamonix next week. Some great idea's on where to run in this video, thx.

[@JavierISampedroTNF]

It brought me memories when I did OCC in 2016. I still remember that last climb when going to the ski tracks while the sun was punishing.

[@BenParkes]

That section was the hardest of this run for sure. Well done at OCC!!

[@JavierISampedroTNF]

@@BenParkes thank you! Well done in your finishing. Hope to be back in chamonix one day :)

[@robbasin]

Well done again Ben! Looks fantastic, I've heard a marathon in the Swiss alps is meant to be amazing too! Best scenery I've ever run through was canvey island seafront seeing a young couple courting in an old honda civic, was just breathtaking

[@BenParkes]

Haha 🤣

[@russellclimaco]

💪💪💪🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️🏃‍♂️ Congratulations Ben. Good job!!!!

[@greatTVfXQchiel]

Wow! Perfect place to run. 👍❤

[@SBraun-wv1hu]

Awesome footage, Ben and well done! That was really a pleasure to watch (actually on my sofa with a cold lemon water after my long run 😊🍋💦). And yes, I would love to see some more videos of your upcoming races, it’s a great motivation. Thanks a lot!

[@BenParkes]

Hope you had a good long run this morning!! 🤜🤛

[@mickbrowne6904]

Love the video. The place I like to run. The Lake District. .......My next event....The UTLD Lakeland 50. Going to Chamonix for the UTMB with a view to entering the OCC event next year.

[@user-qp6vg9ho8u]

Oh my... that looks just stunning! I HAVE to do this marathon. Added to my bucket list 💗

[@steveo07collings63]

Fair play to you Ben! What a tough, tough run!!!, loving your videos mate👍, #getting it done I'll be wearing my hat for the Wokingham Half marathon this Sunday 👍👊🏼

[@tomekwolny5606]

Beautiful at UTMB, thanks for the video. 196 Massive Relative Effort on Strava - wow you’re fit! I get to 227 effort on Strava doing 16kms on Flat ground!

[@imaginarypotato6483]

I have enjoyed running in the Franklin Mountains (Southern end of the Rocky Mountains in El Paso, TX). It was my first experience with mountain running and looking across a flat desert for 50+ miles in every direction is mind boggling!

[@sark255]

Amazing views and great blog! Thank you. I was running Man Vs Cost in the Land end it was how as well, what makes our running a bit more difficult.. but your hat Safe me 😎🍻

[@Jameswmin]

I’m fairly new to trail & mountain running, so haven’t done it in too many places. Best so far was in the Lattari mountains, by the Amalfi coast (near Naples) last October. Some beautiful trails there, and some interesting wildlife. I had a close encounter with an aesculapian snake, which was a stunningly graceful & beautiful creature - I loved the way it effortlessly climbed into the trees (while keeping a close eye on me).

[@BenParkes]

And you keeping a close eye on it!! 🐍 😬

[@mats271979]

Great video sir, so motivated now!

[@nberkel]

Always a great adventure with you. You did well masking the demons you had to fight through too.

[@colmobrien8904]

Great video thanks

[@antoniopozo2]

Good job!!! Congrats!!! Regards from Spain!!!👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@christophersayers8257]

Loving the video as always Ben, great job 👍🏃‍♂️

[@simonhodgson4941]

The gradient on some of them hills you went up looked nuts! Great video 👍

[@shemhaque2758]

Fantastic content !!! I went to Chamonix last winter for skiing, amazing to see it in the sun and the green! I'll book up this marathon next year hopefully :)

[@313racing7]

Congrats ben. Hope to see more videos of you on trails

[@deft08]

Lovin’ the shoutouts to Sage! :)

[@BenParkes]

He’s one of the nicest people I’ve ever met for sure!!

[@phill.p]

I shouldn’t of watched this, where do I sign up! Wow such a beautiful route.

[@alyssacascos8665]

Wow! I would love to run that race one day! So beautiful❤❤❤

[@19Kamau79]

As Sunday morning jogger :-) I had to run Monday morning this year June 17th in Chamonix.. ..that's how great it is but South Rift Valley in Kenya is my sweetest point ever.

[@BenParkes]

Would love to travel to Kenya one day! Good choice!

[@19Kamau79]

@@BenParkes my wife's home is located in South Rift basically it's been my destiny to visit in Kenya for 16times :-) Thought I have never visited in North Rift where Iten, Kaptagat etc. locates but maybe one day or even next time who knows :-)

[@danielstorry5133]

Another amazing video! What an incredible marathon. You made me laugh in your post chat, "I havent really done much, so I can carry on with training for berlin" haha!

[@johanlarsson7375]

Well done Ben! Sooo beautiful! would love to do that race some day!!!

[@Nikunj573]

The Ladakh Marathon, India I believe has great scenic beauty and you should google about it and run it if you find it scenic enough...

[@curtisbeardsmore7009]

Huge inspiration to me, keep doing you man!!

[@heavyt5702]

What an awesome place 👍

[@Chaosmakerrr]

Loved the video!

[@jak3__]

Northern Italy is pretty epic as well!

[@alexmahoney8481]

Awesome job mate, inspirational!

[@leebamber499]

Amazing, well done

[@JacqInTheWild]

I have a pinched nerve, so no running for me. But love seeing these videos while I can't run.

[@runningwithmarc]

Great video, as always Ben :)

[@JamesSmith-iz3pl]

Ben, did you really say, "My legs feel like they have done much" and that you are back to marathon training the following morning? Wow and crazy!

[@meganhansen8887]

Wow! That looks stunning! Out of the places I have been, my fav place to run is Mammoth, CA! :) ...but France looks gorgeous!!!!! :O

[@BenParkes]

I’d love to go to mammoth!!

[@andylenoir3295]

Superb video 😍😍

[@jacobvandermeulen1970]

st Moritz, Switzerland, Laj da Staz: By far the most beautiful place I've ever run!!!!

[@owenf9793]

Well done respect in that heat....

[@andrewryder1319]

10:05 Wow! wow! wow!!!!!

[@erennie101]

Awesome video and great looking race. One for the to-do-list. Training for Berlin also so I'm looking forward to some Berlin specific content

[@stevejodoin9937]

Must be the happiest mountain running video out there!