Le Défi de l'Olympe 2027

Le Défi de l'Olympe is a short but steep mountain trail race in Brides-les-Bains, in Savoie in the French Alps, usually held in early April. The main format is a 6-hour climbing challenge on a 3.5 km route with 520 metres of uphill gain, so the race is less about covering one fixed distance and more about how many ascents runners can stack up before the clock runs out. The route climbs from Brides-les-Bains toward Méribel les Allues, and runners come back down by ski lift after each ascent, getting about seven minutes to breathe before starting again. The event is aimed at people who like vertical running and hard climbing formats, with a duo option where partners alternate efforts, plus a single-ascent “montée sèche” for anyone who wants the climb without the full 6-hour grind. The 6-hour trail is the most popular format, and the previous edition drew more than 100 participants.