
The 100K is the flagship of the RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz: one big loop through the Portes du Soleil from Morzine past the Lac des Plagnes, the Lac de Montriond and Avoriaz to almost 2,200 m and back. With more than 5,600 m of climbing and a 6 a.m. start, the day runs into the night for many.
Start and finish are on the Place du Baraty in Morzine. After six almost flat kilometres along the valley the first and biggest climb begins: about 1,000 m in a little over six kilometres to roughly 1,940 m. The course then drops to the Lac des Plagnes on the Abondance side (around km 20, just under 1,200 m), climbs again to about 1,750 m and descends via Les Lindarets to the Lac de Montriond, a good spot for spectators after about 35 km.
From the lake comes the second big climb: close to 700 m in 4.3 km to the Croix des Combes aid station and on to Avoriaz, where the base de vie sits at the tourist office around km 48. The second half largely follows the 50K: down to Les Lindarets and then, in two steps, almost 900 m up to the high point at nearly 2,200 m after about 62 km.
The organiser describes beech and fir forest, lakes and open ground above the treeline, fast-flowing tracks as well as technical climbs and descents. After the long descent to about 1,075 m, another 500 m or so of climbing from km 77 leads up to around 1,600 m, followed by a rolling stretch near 1,500 m and a final 600 m descent back into Morzine.
| Start | Length | Ø | Max. | Gain | Cat. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km 6.1 | 6.2 km | 16.6 % | 49.9 % | +1,020 m | HC |
| km 20.1 | 3.2 km | 10.2 % | 25.2 % | +322 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 24.1 | 1.9 km | 13.4 % | 32.5 % | +247 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 38.1 | 4.3 km | 15.9 % | 38.8 % | +684 m | Cat. 1 |
| km 55 | 3.7 km | 13.1 % | 25.8 % | +488 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 59.5 | 2.5 km | 15.3 % | 27.9 % | +378 m | Cat. 2 |
| km 82.4 | 1.3 km | 13 % | 28.6 % | +170 m | Cat. 3 |
| km 87.2 | 1.7 km | 12.9 % | 39.1 % | +220 m | Cat. 3 |
Climb categories follow the road-cycling convention and rate the terrain itself (length and gradient) regardless of sport: Cat. 4 marks the easiest rated climbs, Cat. 1 the hardest, and HC (hors catégorie, “beyond categorization”) is reserved for the most brutal ascents. Short climbs below the Cat. 4 threshold stay unrated.
Over more than 100 km it is not the first climb that decides the race but what is left after it. The 1,000 m from km 6 come while the legs are fresh and invite a pace you pay for after Avoriaz. Hike them with poles at a rhythm you could repeat all day.
The race-deciding section follows the base de vie: the way up to the high point at km 62 and the long descent after it. Use Avoriaz to eat, change and refill rather than to gain time. Runners who arrive there with reserves run the second half; the rest walk it.
The trap is at the end. After the descent to just under 1,100 m many believe the race is done, but from km 77 there are still about 500 m to climb, for slower runners by head torch. Budget energy and concentration for those last 25 km on purpose.

For age-group runners the 100K means roughly 16 to 24 hours on the move, against a 24-hour time limit. The effort is long and aerobic but constantly changing: more than half the course is steeply up or down, and there is hardly any flat ground.
Prioritise long uphill hiking with poles, ideally in blocks of 800 to 1,000 m at a time, and long days on your feet. Back-to-back weekends with two long mountain runs prepare you for the second half, where tired legs still have to climb to nearly 2,200 m and then again to 1,600 m. Eccentric strength for the many descents matters as much, because the quads decide the last 30 km.
The 6 a.m. start and a time limit that runs into the next morning mean running in the dark for most. Practise technical descents by head torch; the organiser requires two of them. In mid-June the valley can be warm while the ground above 2,000 m is cold and wet, and the mandatory kit includes a taped waterproof jacket, gloves, long leggings and a survival blanket, plus sun protection or extra warm layers depending on the forecast.
The event is cupless and aid stations are 10 to 15 km apart. Train with a race vest and a folding cup or soft flask, and practise eating regularly over many hours.

Download the RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz course as a GPX file for your watch or bike computer.
Ben connects your goal, the course, current load, recovery, and calendar. Your plan stays pointed at race day even when real life is not perfectly plannable.
RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz is 101.9 km long. That distance shapes how much aerobic endurance, pace durability, and race-specific work belong in the training plan.
RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz has around 5,669 m of elevation gain over 101.9 km. That affects pacing, muscular load, and preparation for late-race sections.
RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz is classified as Mountainous, averaging 56.4 vertical metres per kilometre. 6% of the route is flat, 19% climbs moderately (2 to 6%) and 28% is steeper than 6%.
The hardest climb of RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz starts at kilometre 6.1, runs for 6.2 km at an average of 16.6% and gains 1,020 metres. Cycling-convention rating: HC. 8 climbs are mapped in total.
Yes, RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz is laid out as a loop: start and finish are in the same place.
Yes. The RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz course is on this page as a free GPX download — ready to import into Garmin, Wahoo, Komoot, Strava or any other app that reads GPX.
Preparation for RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz should account for 101.9 km, 5,669 m of elevation gain, current training load, and available training time. An adaptive plan helps place key sessions without ignoring recovery and real life.
The pacing strategy for RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz should reflect 101.9 km, 5,669 m of elevation gain, and your current fitness. Start controlled and keep margin for sections where the profile or fatigue makes target pace harder.
RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz takes place on June 19, 2027.
RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz takes place in Morzine, France.
RunThrough Trails Ultra Trail Morzine-Avoriaz offers 3 distances — 100K: 101.9 km; 50K: 51 km; 25K: 25.3 km.
Registration runs through the organiser: runthroughtrails.com. YOUB shows you the course, elevation profile and training plan for your preparation.