UTMB 2022 - My nightmare race
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- Опубліковано 1 жов 2024
- UTMB - the most famous trail race in the world. Follow along today to see what happened as I embarked on the epic course through France, Italy and Switzerland. The result may not have been what we wanted, but as with everything, you learn so much and we'll return in the future to comeback stronger.
Thank you for all the support for both myself and Sarah. We really appreciate it!
Other great channels to check out
Jeff - / jeffpelletierruns
Lloyd - / run4adventure
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Amen, "Real Life" has so many punches, and ever grateful to see an insight into your "low" that ultimately will turn into a "high" in 2023 or 2024! Onward and Upward Ben, excited for your future races.
Well said Seth
Jeff Pelletier standing behind Ben at the start making his own UA-cam video is a wonderful crossover 🤣
Exactly my thought 😂. Seeing Jeff behind him I really had to laugh 😆, amazing crossover 😅.
Never commented on a UA-cam vid in my life but had to comment. Great attitude brother. Love how humble you are. Anyone who’s banging out a 2.25 marathon is good enough to be elite level on the trails. Was gutted for you both when you dropped early doors. DNFs are part of the game in these long trail races. I did the race myself in 2016. It’s a beast. Spent the last climb talking to my Girlfriend the whole way up who wasn’t even with me. 🤣. Stay strong and swift recovery
"Spent the last climb talking to my Girlfriend the whole way up who wasn’t even with me" ... lol that's awesome. next level crazy. Good on you mate!
It’s easy to share the parts of your life that go well; it’s much harder to share the moments of vulnerability. Kudos to you for sharing the difficult, uncomfortable parts, too. It’s humanizing, and helps many others who have experienced their own adversity relate. Cheers to healing up from Canada and continuing to put out the excellent content!
Soooo true !!!! Great comment Zac !!!! Sooo well thought out !!!!
Well said!!
Very well said Zac 👍
Plato here
Sarah is a saint.. seriously she is so tremendously supportive of everything you do.
Stay strong Ben and wishing a good recovery
PS: saw you at starting line at London Half yesterday and you done a little hop and skip past me whilst recording so trust you’re back to you’re inspiring best
Keep inspiring 🙏
I'd consider myself a good trail runner and I fall over and hurt myself all the time. In the last 10 months, I've had to DNF twice from bad falls that I couldn't walk/shake off. Sometimes we land just wrong and we can't push through. It is a tough break and as you reflected, really frustrating when you are actually feeling good. Don't give up on the trails though!!
14 hour hundred miler is better than a good runner 👍
Absolute legend for sharing this, both of you went through a heck of a lot in that time, I’m glad to see you’re determined to get back there over the coming years, that’s the right attitude 💪 also glad to see you’re back jogging as well 🙏
Absolutely gutted for you both! But what a great team you are, Sarah is an amazing support to you, being willing to sacrifice her race to make sure you were ok. You are both fantastic ultra runners and you’ll be back stronger than ever soon. Take it easy xxx
Glad you managed to get yourself back to civilisation. I know it wasn’t an official aid station, but pretty poor showing from UTMB there considering they were contacted, they told you they’d come get you, but you STILL had to find your own way back. You pay a premium for UTMB for exactly these situations. Personally, not impressed with the organisers there at all but happy to hear it’ll eventually be ok for you :)
Exactly what I was thinking, not sure what happen there UTMB??
I echo the sentiments of everyone else on here--so sorry you had to DNF and thanks for sharing a truthful account of your experience. It's tough to share the difficult parts of your life. But I have to say a big "Not good, not good at all" to UTMB. You called for help, they said they'd send help, and no one showed up. Unless you sign your life away in paperwork before the race, I do find it shocking they had no ability to rescue an injured and stranded runner. I understand it's at altitude, etc etc, but you weren't in the death zone on Everest. There should have been a way for the race officials to get someone to assist you.
Your attitude is refreshing and I very much appreciate the recognition that sometimes you do everything right and then one thing that is not your fault at all goes wrong and your plans and goal evaporate. There are indeed millions of others in the world with more to complain about, and I appreciate your positivity very much.
I'm pretty shocked that no one from UTMB picked you up or helped you in any way!! I would have freaked out! Wishing you a speedy recovery, glad the injury doesn't seem too bad! 🍀
How did you get passed by the sweepers? Where there sweepers?
It's a major failure for any race to have this happen and leave runners stranded mid-course.
This makes me very angry Ben. As a finisher this year (3rd in the 65yr olds, Pensioner) I think the organization of this race leaves a lot to be desired but having seen what happened to you I am gob smacked. Yes you made mistakes, probably going too fast downhill is risky on such a long event, and maybe you should have pulled the pin at an aid station and therefore let your partner carry on with her dream of finishing BUT where were the sweepers (tailend charlies). I have never heard of or been in an event that didn't have them and for the organizers to just leave you on a mountain to fend for yourself is beyond belief. Surely there has to be some accountability here and I think it needs to go further to ensure it doesn't happen again. I had no support so what would have happened to me especially if the weather was bad. As I say gobsmacked!
Aww man! And the two of you trained so hard and that had to happen. Still epically well done for getting it done what you did even on an injured knee. I do however find it rather shocking that they didn’t notice that 2 runners didn’t check-in at the next checkpoint and basically left you stranded. At least I know with the races here in South Africa they have sweeps at the back keeping a check on the back runners or anybody that has lagged behind. UTCT has sweeps that swap out at ever so many hours at aid stations so even on the 100km and new 100miler this year their is always somebody at the back to check-in.
Ben, your strength and courage is inspiring. This can't have been easy to put together, I have nothing but admiration for you picking up and going again at The Big Half so soon. So many of us were with you online through the race and will keep supporting you on the journey. I hope one day I can share some miles with you both and thank you personally for being so inspiring 🙏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Been looking forward to this video! Thanks for bringing us along on this journey!
I've had multiple tumbles that at the time felt like slow motion and too small to matter - only to find out a few hours later that I broke my collarbone, or elbow, or busted my knee up bad enough I still have scars. So I can sort of relate! Still, I'm gutted for you. I can only imagine how much you put into preparing for UTMB. But I am very glad you made it off that mountain safely. It is a story and experience you will NEVER forget. And You have an amazing girl. Total respect for how she came back to help you. Priorities!
So sorry for you both. you are both an inspiration on how possitive you can remain even when things do go as planned. I'm sure you will both be back and complete this magical race!
Oh no! Such an easy accident to happen in that terrain! I'm so glad it wasn't a worse accident. Thanks for sharing the harsh realities of racing. I think we all need to be reminded of this sometimes. UTMB in particular is very dreamy, but so so challenging! BTW: I must say that I'm obsessed with all of these running-youtuber crossovers!
I knew 2 people in that race, Jeff and Audree, and there they were, right behind you at the start.
Yes, we chatted a lot at the start and for the first 6k. They both did fantastic in the race!
Thanks for sharing Ben. I know this wasn’t the video or experience you had envisaged sharing but you have kept a positive attitude and will be back there at some stage to rewrite the record. I know how cruelly frustrating it must have been to have the knee cost you the race but it’s just one of those freak things as you say. When you finish UTMB another year it’s going to feel even more incredible. I hope the knee continues to heal well and allows you to go after more adventures soon.
What a story man.. kudos to you and what a fantastic partner you have in Sarah.. inspiring!
Hope you're fully recovered and already planning to look after this piece of unfinished business!
So sorry to hear about your race, but you’re right, it’s part of the process. Can’t plan for the unknown. The only thing you can control is your attitude & you could teach a class on that.
It was so hard to watch how excited and emotional you both were at the start line, knowing what was to come. I hope you both get to cross that finish line someday! I hope to cross it some day myself, but that seems rather less likely.
Ben, terribly sorry to hear about your injury. I was fortunate enough to meet you Sarah, Loyd Purvis ,and Stephen Cousins in Chamonix. Many of my favorite content creators in one spot and you were all generous with your time and even posed for a group photo with me. Like you, my UTMB (CCC) dreams were crushed after waking up Friday morning with chest and head congestion. I took a COVID test that was negative and had to give it a go after working so hard for the past three years to get into the race. It was clear early on that a finish was unlikely. I managed to make it 55K before having to drop at Champex Lac. Turns out that I did have COVID so the reminder of my vacation consisted of laying in bed watching the races on my computer. With the change to running stones and so few races in the US to earn them, I don't know how long it will take me to get back there. I'm inspired by your determination to return. Thank you for the great running content and for being a model of positivity. Heal quickly.
You know you’re in trouble when trying to sit on a white plastic garden chair is beyond you! 😂
Chin up mate we’re proud of you and Sarah and you’ll be back one day 👏👏
🤣
Massive feat even still Ben. Huge achievement being there and doing what you did. Sometimes a fall can hit you harder than you realise before the adrenaline leaves. Definitely made the right decision for your body and a tough action to take. I bust my hands and knees from a fall running down Snowdon the other week but that was nothing compared to the damage it caused to my ankle, I made the mistake of running through the pain and paying for it now. All the best
Супер видео. Hope that once I will be in this crowd
Start line vibes are truly goosebump material. Not the result you wanted but you'll will return with Sarah to have another crack!
you're such an inspiration! Been using your running plans and I'm in the best running shape of my life! Thank you
So sorry you fell Ben! I was tracking you all on the UTMB website and saw you stop and wondered what happened. You will finish this race sometime soon! Thanks for all the inspiring content!
It’s alright Ben and Sarah. You two will have your day!! I twisted my ankle running down Brevent and I wasn’t even participating 😂. And then had to hike down 3 miles and took me 3 hours to do that 😢. Still limping 😅.
Incredibly inspired by this video. The opening shots were amazing. I’m so sorry for the unfortunate injury - but very grateful you still shared the experience. Whenever I’m feeling down or uninspired, I’ve found myself watching these opening few minutes here a few times now - hard not to shed tears with you as you were taking it all in. Thank you!
Been checking every day for this to drop!! Sorry about the run mate
Congratulations to your sub-3 Berlin Marathon achievement attained 3 days ago on September 25, 2022! This UTMB 2022 video shows that you have made a strong come back and nailed it.
I will always remember this real life story of yours to give myself and others encouragement whenever we shall meet a setback in life! You are a very optimistic and a strong executor of your running plans! I admire your never-give-up personality!👍👍👍
You remind me of Gary Robbins who shares his hardships with his successes. They are by far the most interesting videos. Thanks so much!
OMG...so awesome!!! Would LOVE to run it in the next few years...thanks for putting this together and most importantly CONGRATULATIONS!!! Need to start researching how to get myself qualified and registered...thanks!
Gutted for you but running off road is a different beast, would love to see you in the Peak District for some practice runs :)
This video really got me, seeing that emotional, joyful start and knowing it wouldn’t be the ending you expected 😭. Thanks for sharing such an honest and authentic video.
I DNF’d UTS this year so have a teeny tiny understanding of how gutted you must be. But we learn, then dust ourselves off and go again!
Absolutely gutted for you both. I ran the race with one of your caps on and finished in 41 hours. I then looked though the results trying to find you both (expecting something crazy like sub 30 hours) and saw you had to pull out. Superb spirit and attitude in the face of adversity - I would have been wailing given the time and effort and difficulty in even getting to the start line. Next time brother, next time....
The start and finish lines are the most emotionally overwhelming place on earth ❤❤❤😊
Such terrible rotten luck but amazing positivity. Well done for trying to push through, and a huge round of applause for Sarah sacrificing her race to render care. So thoughtful of her to double back down the mountain when she lost contact. Glad you're both safe. Next year!!
Greetings from Finland!
Ha man! I am so sorry Ben. I was watching the live show on UA-cam and so many people were asking about you, we all got a bit worried. Come to Thailand by UTMB the top 10 men get an automatic pass for UTMB, it is in December. I was so happy to see you on the start line with Jeff Pelletier (Pel-T-é coming Ben that easy😂) such a great youtuber and runner.
Oh, I was already wondering why there was no updates from you. Wish you a swift recovery and all the luck of the world for next time!
Oh my god yes I LOVE JEFF!!!! please film some videos with him that would be the best cross over ever ! Hope you recover well and well done for getting as far as you did!
“Ben Parke’s trail 🏃🏻♂️adversities are so painful to watch.😭😭 Never give up on Ultra Trails Ben!.
During the race: I could see and feel his anxiety(at the start line) excitement and euphoria of being a part of the UTMB(2022) 100M Chamonix/Italy/Switzerland.”🩵
I am big fan of your videos! Never thought you would dare to try the UTMB! So cograts for the try Ben. In Greece there is a really tough trail race similar to UTMB with 170km and 9000m altitude. You should try this. Its called X-Ultra Tihio Race. Amazing scenery and trails! I just did it 2weeks ago and i really feel you trying the UTMB :D
As honest as ever Ben. Really good video. Best of luck with the recovery. Always things to get in the way of success (COVID has done for my training at the moment) And finally...€250 for a bloody taxi!?
Jeff Pelletier in the background at 4:50
Hi Sarah and Ben, thank you for sharing the story. So raw and impactful! Everyone who participates in these type of events can definitely relate. Quick question though, from participant's perspective it looks like the organisers abandoned you. Unless you drop out in the official station you're on your own, is this the case? If Sarah didn't stay with you were you meant to make the way back on your own?!? That's not a good look for such a huge event.
Ouch! You were both super courageous under pressure. Impressed 👍.
Very unfortunate that you got injured, good on Sarah for hanging in there, & you both adapting to the situation, you’ll look back in months & years to come of what an amazing experience you had first time at UTMB, can’t wait to see both you & Sarahs faces with huge smiles next attempt at UTMB running over the finish line 🏁onwards & upwards 🥳 🏔🌲👣👣🏔🍀🌿✅😀
You have such a great attitude about this Ben, you’ll do this one day! (And proved the Dr’s wrong with the ankle completely fine)!
P.S definitely do come to Canada! We have lots of great races :)
Hardcore perseverance, inspiration and motivation here Ben! I really appreciate you sharing the reality! You will comeback and achieve! Just keep pushing!
Brilliant video Ben & Sarah!!!
So glad to hear that you’re already planning on getting back there again.
Tough gig tripping over and injuring yourself, but as you say, it could happen to anyone. So you’ve got as much chance (if not more now due to experience) as anyone else in the field next time around.
Perhaps a 2023 UTMB showdown between Jornet, Walmsley, and D’Haene will have to play second fiddle to the 3-way head-to-head of Parkes, Purvis, & Cousins!?😉
(And I reckon any collaboration between yourselves and Jeff Pelletier will be awesome too!)
The only thing I would question about this video (- which I think is the best one you have ever done -) is the title. I expect that getting off the mountain and home was actually the nightmare aspect, but the rest of it seemed to be pure joy, and that is the memory that should endure. For you, the die was cast, but it is Sarah's altruism that stands out in this story.
This is my first comment on one of your videos but it really made me think and consider how I’d deal with situations like that so thank you!
It also shows what an awesome person Sarah is.
But I was also quite disturbed by UTMB seemingly abandoning you considering that’s pretty much the pinnacle it’s worrying.
They have some real questions to answer here and I hope you get the answers.
dnf is such a big part of ultra racing. the elites dnf all the time. no other sport has that, i believe. so, it is precious to see it documented. to learn how to deal with it best. so much like life. great video!
Sorry for that outcome Ben and well done to Sarah for her sacrifice. At least you got to taste the unique UTMB atmosphere and experience. We know that injury / incidents unfortunately play a part in our sport and extremely frustrating though it is , in the end it will make us tougher and determined to come back for more ( end of sermon😁😉) Look forward to seeing you and Sarah in more adventures 👍💪
Congrats for the great vid. Something similar happened to me as well in the UTMB 2018 (but without an impact of my knee with a rock but rather because of an old but ongoing knee issue, flaring up from time to time. I almost stayed above there, where you could not go further, close to Croix Bonhomme. I was eventually able to hobble down till next aid station Les Chapieux, km 51. But I was passed by about 700 runners during only that downhill, that says it all..
Glad you finally mentioned the 2.25 marathon 🤣
Hi Ben, I’m sorry for your DNF. Upwards and onwards next time! I would like some clarity if you can of how a; the UTMB organisers left you in the refuge overnight and at a random little settlement for hours, and b; what kind of checks did the medical team do on your knee at the stations? (DOI; I’m a GP, Sports Med doc and do some mountain rescue medicine and also have done a couple of 100km trail ultras and signed up to a 100 miler). It just seems odd that they would let you go to that level of remoteness but also not get you safely home.
“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” - Nelson Mandela
Don't be too hard on yourself - you're an inspiration to many!
1:00... The essence of this video. Great attitude and disposition to enjoy what life gives to you. Best of luck for everything Ben :).
Thank you for sharing your experience, and in such a raw, honest way. And how cool that both my favourite runnner UA-camrs and running couples featured each other in their videos! #JeffPelletier and Audree!
I was so worried when I saw you had withdrawn, but really glad you are ok. Thanks for sharing and continuing to inspire so many of us!
Thanks for sharing your story. So sorry this happened, but you'll get through it like champs! Although, kinda off-putting that utmb left you guys high and dry. If I were you I'd send that taxi bill to them.
Wow! Great video. I've never ran an ultramarathon, but I'm considering it and I was very surprised to find that runners can be left behind like that, especially in very popular ones like UTMB. I've always thought it is well organized until the last bit, and that all racers are eventually brought to the beginning or end of the trail. Did you know that this might happen?
Taxi fares in Switzerland are absolutely mental! THAT'S the real tragedy of this video...
WOW...not mentioning the injury and the DNFs for you both, but the whole ordeal of getting back to Chamonix was insane :/
I hope you try this one again Ben. I know it’s been a while now and I hope you’ve realised you just had an unlucky fall.
BOOMSHANKA! Your an Amazing character old sport and Well played Sarah too.
Sorry you had the happen during the race. The seems incredibly dangerous that Umtb organizers just left you on the mountain to fend for yourself. I'm glad Sarah was with you to help had something truely gone wrong.
Kudos for sharing the crushing lows that ultra trail can bring. I had been following your training journey on UA-cam and having seen you off on Friday as you exited Chamonix town centre I was surprised to see that you had dropped out over night. Your positive attitude will see you through to the end of this race and what you have gone through will make that success all the more sweeter. BTW your bucket hat was top class, sheltering me from the worst of the sun during my OCC. All the best to you and Sarah.
Fantastic video..unfortunately injuries happen, absolutely love your channel man, inspirational
Oh man, I want to give you guys a hug now, or buy you a beer or a coffee (guess I should just order some more benparkes-hats)! Seeing you and Sarah being so genuinely excited at the start of the race, I'm not lying, put some tears in my eyes as well. Massive kudos for sharing also those more sad moments which, however, you immediately put into perspective with your humble positive attitude. You both are just awesome!
Also, I said it several times by now and I will probably keep saying it again and again: personally, I think your and Sarah's race-vlogs are your strongest videos and I am always really excited when there is a one coming up! Stay healthy and get this injury done!
DNFing a race abroad is frankly f*cking brutal. I did in 2018 and had a 6mi walk back to the finish, and pretty sure I cried most of the way (went back and finished it this year) thanks for sharing as always! Hope you get back out there soon dude😎
Hi Ben
What a fantastic video.
So inspirational.
Please won’t you let me know what Garmin watch you were wearing for the race. Just saw a small bit of it in your video.
Kudos to showing how you gave it your all... I banged my head on the west highland way in June and carried on for 20 miles before having to call it. Gave me the grit to see UTMB through to the end. Win some, lose some but luckily you have the memories of the start line, the incredible training runs and the knowledge that you have people around you who care and have your back. No DNF can take that away from you!
The WHW is obviously a dangerous place. I broke my rib on the WHW 10 miles in last year. Managed to finish it though but wouldn't want to do that again!
@@peterwilkins7013 fair play!
Thank you for sharing!! Even though the race didn’t play out the way you wanted. What an adventure to tell and remember especially when you run this race again and finish. You and Sarah are an inspiration and I hope to run this race in the future.
How did it feel during the Big Half?
If it's swelling up to the point you cannot move there's nothing you can do. I hope you enjoyed your stay in France anyway. Props to Sarah!
It's heartbreaking that you hurt your knee. Cheers to Sara(h). Thanks for sharing.
Great video. Jeff Pelletier was right behind at the start if you hadn’t already noticed
They knew ;) ua-cam.com/video/xBHkPHbQQtI/v-deo.html
I found this heartbreaking to watch. I admire and am inspired by you even more now! Very excited to hear you and Sarah might be coming to Canada to work with Jeff Pelletier. I'm an Essex girl originally but have lived in Vancouver since 2011 and Jeff is also someone who inspires me. Really hope you all do something where folks can join you, that would be so awesome 🤩
Really sorry to hear about the accident, but glad that you are okay. I had a similar knee injury during my snowboard trip earlier this year and totally understand why you were not able to complete the race. I am also quite shocked that it took you guys forever to get back to some place safe. I thought UTMB would have handled the situation better. Anyways, get well soon and look forward to you returning to the race next year!
Valiant effort! Good luck hunting the stones. I'm chasing this dream as well. Maybe we'll meet at the starting line.
Gutted for you both, enjoyed the video, it really came across how special it was. On the bright side you've still got that finish line feeling to look forward to one day, and it'll be all the more special as a result of this!
The only running UA-camrs I watch are you and Jeff (since he's a local for me). I'm hyped for this collab!
Your ability to stay calm and positive is so admirable. I recently broke a toe which ruined my summer mountain climbing plans and let me say..I did NOT take it with such grace, lol. Wishing you all the best for your recovery, hopefully you'll be back out there in no time!
Sorry to hear!! Thanks for putting such an honest video up on the net! Thanks for real life video!
Mate, thanks for sharing, we always see the ‘perfect’ videos. Glad you’re ok
Go give it another try in years to come, you'll tackle this beast one day!
Thank you for sharing your story with us. Like others have said, you and Sarah inspire so many people every day. I admire your positive outlook after a heartbreaking turn of events. I look forward to watching you cross the UTMB finish line!
You are strong and determined! I know you will succeed in your future endeavors! Thank you for your heartfelt sharing! Sarah is a keeper!
I remember I had a similar fall at the ‘Lakes in a Day’. I was 45 miles into a 50 mile race. I also couldn’t continue. I was gutted. After that day I have never taken running in events for granted. It’s made me more determined than ever and I make sure I enjoy every second no matter what happens. Like you said Ben - we are blessed to be able to participate in these great events 😊
This is a fantastic video on so many levels!! Weve all had those “days” after so many months of sacrifice and training. For such a massive event thats shabby treatment for participants who need genuine assistance!!!