UTMB 2022 I The Story

UTMB, the Ultra Trail Du Mont Blanc, is a 170km and 10'000m D+ race around the Mont Blanc Massif. It is more than just a race. It is an adventure where each runner writes his or her own unique story. Discover the multifaceted story of UTMB, as I race the elites and show you another side of the race you might not have seen. An inspirational film for all of you yearning to maybe one day take part in this epic adventure.
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Join me, Rafael Hidalgo, on my ultra running adventures as I balance life as a full-time father, husband, and employee. In this video, I'll share my experiences, tips, and the breathtaking trails I've discovered along the way. If you're looking for motivation and inspiration to hit the trails, you've come to the right place! Don't forget to subscribe and hit the like button to support my journey and stay updated on my latest ultra running experiences. Let's conquer the trails together! 🏃‍♂️🌲🏔️

[@SeeChadRun]

Love how you told the UTMB story! Great job, and Jeff is great too! "It's a about people..." Love this!!!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot Chad! 🙏 really appreciate the support! 😃

[@fabiotabollini5431]

Fantastic video! Very motivating. I like your last statement: if your dream doesn’t scare you, it’s not big enough!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks Fabio! I heard that quote once and it stuck with me. Often we prefer waiting until we are ready to take on an objective. I think we are never ready for the objectives that are really worth it and that’s why they scare us. Sometimes we just have to jump into the unknown and enjoy the ride.

[@jerrymitchell2566]

If I were still in my 30- 50s Id go for it too looks like a major challenge with major motivation all over the course & aid .Thank you for your coverage. . I am just back into it after 30 years away due to injuries & work .Now at 69 & 2 years back & looking forward to being tough in the over 70 age group & I love tough climbs but will stick to under 50k for now where I used to be at front of pack now im content to bring up the rear & finish I learn alot watching your coverage & other similar videos THANKS

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot Jerry ! It’s awesome that you are back in the game! Kudos to you! I hope I will also be in good shape like you to continue these adventures at your age! Bravo!

[@thirdfromlast]

Very high production value and beautifully shot. Plus really appreciate your narrative as it is lyrical and philosophical at the same time. One small request: speak to women as well as men. Looking forward to your "stones" video.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot Nadine! Really appreciate your kind words 🙏 i tried to integrate more women in this video with Audre and Amanda Basham. But will try to integrate more in the future 😃

[@eddiesedventures...3106]

Great stuff, Thanks....I'll be going to Chamonix this July to hike around the TDM area..Question. It looks like there are buses that one can catch from town to the outlying villages/towns there?

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks! Yeah there is a network of public transport locally

[@jerrymitchell2566]

Anyone who starts with UTMB w/o first doing a less difficult one first is NOT playing it smart .You absolutely must teach your body what to expect then times it by 2 or 3 as far as difficulty & the mental strength you will need to get through

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Yup thats why I’m attempting UTMB after several other Ultras including two 100km 😃 and in any case the criteria to do UTMB does not let you participate in the draw if you do not meet certain criteria. You cannot “start” with UTMB because you will not be eligible.

[@mtintilay]

Lo voy a escribir en español, pero espero entiendas. Que video increible hiciste, me hiciste sentir totalmente lo que viven esos corredores. Espero algún día estar ahí, mientras tanto voy a disfrutar este tipo de contenido, gracias

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Muchas gracias por tu mensaje!! Me alegro mucho que te gusto! Ojala podras algun dia vivir esto! Este año hago la carrera. Podes ver en la pelicula siguiente como me qualifique 😄

[@gmckemie4281]

Your camera angles, commentary, and music covering the finish towards the end was simply outstanding! Thank you for sharing the fruit of your work. Hope you can find the balance to enable your personal participation.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks so much for your support! That finish line was so moving. I had never experienced anything like it. I have done many races and several ultras but i had never felt so much emotion at the finish line. It was very powerful. That decided me to do this epic adventure. I’m stoked you enjoyed it!

[@hustensaftvernichter3785]

This week someone asked me what UTMB is all about and I told him that ''UTMB, to trail runners, is the equivalent of what the Kona Ironman is to triathletes''. I guess that sums it up pretty well.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Spot on! Very true! The super bowl of trail running, or the Monaco grand prix of trail running. Definitely the crown jewel 💎

[@jimcotton5005]

I only just discovered your channel via this video. Such a great report on the race! I look forward to going through your other videos. Good luck at UTMB this year!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Welcome onboard Jim! Thanks for following! Hope you enjoy the other stories in my films! And hope you find something you can relate to 🙏

[@ianl4518]

Another fantastic film Rafael, thank you for this. I got into ultras because I wanted to qualify for CCC and I did but was not successful in the lottery (twice!). However, I come from a deep and long Ironman background and as soon as UTMB started bringing in 'Stones' I said to my wife that I bet it will be going the same way as Kona. Unfortunately I was proved right. I left IM and got into ultras to get away from that circus, and when UTMB partnered with IM and had Andrew Messick there giving them a lesson into how to monetise every aspect of it, then the writing was on the wall for me and UTMB. I'm definitely in the 'not a fan camp' sadly. I love Chamonix but will now take the family on a non UTMB week and just soak up the mountains without the £££ hoopla. However, that is only my view and it does not stop me from watching the races and appreciating the efforts of the athletes, and those views!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot Ian! Yeah i understand your stance on the new system. One either loves it or hates it.

[@AlexReimerTrail]

Super storytelling! Congrats on the video! I hope you can make it to Chamonix to run UTMB this year. I am running TDS. 💪

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks so much Alex!! Really appreciate the kind words! You can discover whether I made it into UTMB here 🎥 🍿 kzbin.info/www/bejne/eHfNk2ZpgbFsl6s

[@dmayolopez]

What an awesome video!! Loved it. Will I see you there in 2023?

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks!!! You will discover in the next film whether i made into UTMB 😉

[@dmayolopez]

@@rafaelhidalgo - if you go, we should meet!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

@@dmayolopez for sure, you doing it?

[@sailonstellarwinds]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful film. I especially liked hearing from the random finishers towards the end. Their experiences mean as much and are as interesting as those of the podium finishers.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks for your message ! Yeah UTMB is about the random runners! It’s their story 🤗

[@madspetz]

I have seen this a couple of times now and I love it. You are the only one who does great videos/films about your adventure love them all. You are very inspiring makes me wanna trail runs.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks so much Madeleine! Really warms my heart!! I try to put in a lot of my soul in the films so it is touching to hear that you appreciated it so much!! Thanks for following!!

[@KidTempered]

Nicely done ! Hopefully I see you at UTMB 🖖🏼

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks! You can see my next film to see if I made into UTMB 😉

[@KidTempered]

@@rafaelhidalgo wishing you best of luck in your preparation my friend 🖖🏼

[@rafaelhidalgo]

@@KidTempered thanks! Next film will be on the preparation 🙌

[@lucashernandez8409]

Great video Rafael! Well done, motivating and inspiring! All the best and hopefully you get your spot at UTBM

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Gracias Lucas! I will give the answer about UTMB in the next film 😃

[@cyeejen]

Love your film. So fascinating to follow the journey of elite runners through the race!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot Jen!!

[@andres3247]

Awesome movie 👍 congrats 🙂 good luck with your training and with achieving your big dream 🤘

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks Andre! Will try and do a series of films that will build up to the big day. Stay tuned! And also thanks for taking the time to drop a line!

[@matsmith1984]

Absolutely loved this, Rafael! Great video and a different viewpoint! Great story.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot Mathew!! Really appreciate the kind words and support!

[@UltraAdventures]

Great video! 2022 was such a great year to run this! I really enjoyed reminiscing over this film. Thanks!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot for your message!

[@ianrussell2035]

Wow what a great video I was there this year and brought back lots of memories thanks for the footage and good luck for your UTMB race

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot Ian! Really appreciate the kind words! Were you in the race? Or were you spectating like me?

[@christinamuller4406]

Great video! So did you get your spot for UTMB '23?

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks! Will let you find out in the next video 😁

[@zacfagan8304]

Absolutely incredible UTMB movie! Thank you for putting this together.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks so much Zac, means a lot to me! 🙏 really appreciate the support!

[@RachelBurton]

Love your film and seeing Jeff, a more or ordinary guy running to achieve his dream

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks!

[@Phantom_Six]

Love your films mate. You really put into words what it's like to do some of these races and your videography is great. As someone just starting out in running/trail running it's great to see things to strive towards in the future and how it feels to do them.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thank you Phantom_Six 🙏 it’s fantastic that you are starting trail running. Beyond the great physical and adventure aspect there is such a deep dimension of soul searching in Ultras. See you on the trails.

[@Simco_]

Very cool having an individual make a video concept like this.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks

[@joven.magpusao]

Great video footage and storytelling of UTMB.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot! Really appreciate the support!!

[@lebub5782]

That was great to watch, beautifully put together. Thank you!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot! Stoked you enjoyed it!! Thanks as well for taking the time to drop a line! Really appreciated!

[@heldertrailrunning]

Bravo Raph!!!! Well done, love it

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks a lot! 🤗 stoked you enjoyed it!

[@haraldk.2551]

thank you for your wonderful work!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks for your kind message 🙏

[@joreyfunari8978]

💘 Promo'SM

[@trailsandbeers]

Awesome 👍

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks!

[@ברק-נ7ד]

Hello Rafael, I enjoyed every second of the film, was facinaiting well done! Did you manage to get in the lottery????

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks!! I will you discover in the next film whether I got in 😜

[@ברק-נ7ד]

waiting....

[@justapedn1]

Not your grandpa’s ultra, eh? Things have changed.

[@sallysamgarner-gibbons2643]

Great video overall but please stop referring to top female athletes as “the girls” - it’s hugely offensive and minimises their role in the race. You don’t refer to the men as”the boys” you should show the same courtesy to the women. I had to stop watching half way through as it was happening too often.

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks for taking the time to drop a line. I refer to both boys race and the girls race (i dont refer to “men”). I think its more of a language issue: in many race commentaries (golden world trail series for example) they refer to the boy and girls race, I think it is more affectionate than referring to men an women which sounds much colder. In any case on my end I fail to understand how such a detail is the only thing you retain from this story. I feel offended in turn that people focus on such elements of language instead of looking and appreciating the bigger picture.

[@dylancarlson7915]

great video! Could you make recut with only focus on the race and not your experience bit less. I love your storytelling of the race!

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Thanks but this film is part of a series of films on the ultra journey. As i say, UTMB is not about the race, the mont blanc, the ranking etc… its about people’s journey. I have an ultra journey as well that is similar to many others. I would not do a film on just the race, it would be too shallow.

[@wk633]

I think you meant "women" not "girls".

[@rafaelhidalgo]

Nope i commonly say the “boys” race or “girls” race. Many do the same like the commentary on the golden trail world series for example.