The Frenchman has achieved great results in several of the best ultra-distance races in the world
The French trail runner has confirmed his presence in the ninth edition of 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria. The self-sufficiency race that will take place between November 13 and 17 will feature one of the most outstanding ultra-distance runners of the last decade. Julien Chorier joins a list of outstanding runners who will be on the starting line this 2024 such as Luca Papi; Claire Bannwarth or Marco Gubert.
Julien Chorier has an outstanding track record. Among his greatest achievements are that he was the first European to win the Hardrock 100 in Colorado; double winner of the 163 km Grand Raid on the island of Reunion and that he has climbed to the podium in races such as Ultra Trail de Mont Blanc and the Classic of The North Face Transgrancanaria.
In addition, the French runner has won ultra-distance races on several continents: the aforementioned Hardrock 100 in the United States; Ultra Trail Mt Fuji in Japan; Madeira Ultra Trail in Portugal; Ronda del Cims in Andorra; Verbier X-Alpine in Switzerland or the Ultra Run Raramuri in Mexico.
In 2024, his most recent results are the eleventh place he took in August at the TDS HOKA UTMB Mont Blanc, where he covered the 148 km with 9,300 metres of positive elevation in a time of 21 hours 40 minutes and 39 seconds. Prior to this event, Chorier had three consecutive podiums at the Val Tho Summit Games (3rd); Trail de Haute Provence (2nd) and Desert Rats UTMB (3rd).
The French athlete talks about his preparation for a test as demanding as the 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria, “I haven’t changed my training much. I’ve prioritized arriving fresh since I ran the TDS.” “I’m doing a lot of training with a four-kilogram backpack,” adds Chorier.
Regarding his debut in the race, he says that “I’m very excited to discover this new adventure; the autonomy and the unmarked route attracts and scares me in equal parts,” says the runner.
There is less than a month left for the 2024 edition, where the organization has already revealed two of the five basecamps that the race will have, Santa Lucía de Tirajana and Artenara. In the coming weeks, more details will be revealed about this epic adventure that will undoubtedly bring unforgettable moments.
The 360º The Challenge Gran Canaria is a test organized by Arista Eventos, with the sponsorship of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria through Turismo de Gran Canaria and the Insular Sports Institute; the Government of the Canary Islands with Promotur – Canary Islands; Tejeda and Fred City Council. Olsen Express; and the collaboration of the companies Lorenzo González Automoción, Gofio La Piña, Inerza, Emicela and Provital.