Chilean runners stand out at demanding Chamonix Ultra Trail in France

Nicolás Benavides finished 40th overall at the OCC in Chamonix, while Leonor Calvo placed 57th in one of the most demanding ultra-trail races on the international calendar. Their results made them the third and second-highest-ranked South American athletes, respectively, in the competition.

The OCC covers about 60 kilometers through the Alps, linking Orsières, Champex and Chamonix. Its substantial elevation gain and technical sections test competitors’ endurance, race strategy and mountain skills. The event forms part of the UTMB World Series, a major international ultra-trail circuit.

Benavides completed the course in 6:07:39. His performance marked another appearance among the elite in Chamonix, where he had already achieved a notable result. In the previous edition, he finished inside the overall top 20.

“Returning to the OCC after finishing in the top 20 in the previous edition was an important challenge for me. Chamonix has an incredible level of competition, and every year the race demands something different,” Benavides said.

Calvo crossed the finish line in 7:55:55. Her 57th-place overall finish made her the second-best-performing South American woman in the race, adding another strong Chilean result to the event.

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Returning to the OCC after finishing in the top 20 in the previous edition was an important challenge for me. Chamonix has an incredible level of competition, and every year the race demands something different.