UTMB: The Brutal Race I Thought I'd Love, But Didn’t
How do you find the mental strength to finish when your body SCREAMs FOR YOU TO “stop”?
Guest Blog Post by Ultra Runner Nikki Arthur
UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc) is the crown jewel of ultra trail running. An iconic 108-mile route through France, Italy, and Switzerland, with 10,000 meters of brutal elevation gain. The world championship final. The place where legends are made.
This was the race that made me want to become an ultrarunner. Qualifying for the elite field final felt like a dream fulfilled. I knew it would be tough, but I couldn’t wait.
I thought I was ready to battle. I’d done the training, dialled in the nutrition, prepared for heat, visualised the course, tapered perfectly. I was ready.
But UTMB 2025 had other ideas!
The race started on Friday, 29th August, 17:45, 15 minutes early thanks to a landslide diversion. The speakers thundered with Conquest of Paradise by Vangelis, and the atmosphere was electric. The claxon sounded at the peak of the music, and with it came a torrential downpour.
By the first checkpoint, around mile 25, I was already drenched and cold. I layered up, smiled at the insane support, and tried to hold onto the energy of the crowd. However climbing towards one of the route’s highest points, the weather turned savage: whiteout conditions, blizzarding snow, a battle I hadn’t prepared for.
Memories of the Winter Spine Race in January came rushing back, and I felt myself unravel.
At halfway coming into Courmayeur in Italy, shuffling into the crewed aid station, I broke. Crying, in pain from a hip injury gained from trying to get off the mountain in the snow, I told my partner and coach, Orran, I didn’t want to go on. 90 kms and 5,000 meters of climbing still ahead, I felt empty. I had to dig so deep for the Spine in January. I didn’t feel I could go there again.
This is where crews are more than just bottle-fillers. “Remember who you are. This is what you prepared for. This is when it gets real.” Orran and my best friend Sarah held me together and pushed me back into the most beautiful Italian mountains. The sun had risen and despite the early hour, people were still out on the streets shouting “Allez, Allez”
Nikki’s boxing background helped her fight back
It wasn’t until the next checkpoint, that I began to fight back. I still had a DNF circling in my mind, but I leaned into the tools I’d honed through years of coaching with ESTR: self-awareness, visualisation, resilience… and something clicked!
I overtook 50 runners on the next stretch. Maybe it was the codeine. Maybe it was Wilkinson blasting through my headphones. Maybe it was just the work. Whatever it was, it carried me. I felt stronger and was moving well. The grind never let up and I had to slog it out until the very end.
I had hoped for 30 hours; I finished in 34. I had hoped for top 50; I placed 45th. I had wanted to love it, but I didn’t. Maybe that will change over time.
WHAT THE MOUNTAINS TAUGHT ME
I learned this: the mountains take no prisoners. They are brutal and beautiful in equal measure. But, without my crew, I wouldn’t have finished at all. Ultra running might look like an individual sport but, like life, it never is.
In the end, ultras aren’t about talent. They’re about consistency. Step after step, hour after hour. Reviewing, visualising, reflecting, believing. That’s what got me to the finish line even when love for the race didn’t.
Key Takeaways
Self-awareness is power – Being aware of pain, fatigue, or doubt allows you to adjust strategy and mindset before challenges become overwhelming.
Visualisation isn't just a warm-up – It’s a lifeline during dark moments, helping focus on the next step, not the endless miles ahead.
Resilience is a muscle – Developed over years of reflecting, training, and believing. It fuels the ability to dig deeper when the body screams “STOP!”
Social support transforms challenge – In sport, just as in life, your crew and teammates are vital companions on the journey.
CONNECT WITH NIKKI
Nikki Arthur Bio
Nikki Arthur is an ultrarunner originally from Scotland and now based in the Isle of Man. She began ultrarunning in 2020 after boxing to a high standard for many years. Nikki has achieved significant results including winning the female category in the Montane Winter Spine Challenger North and placing third overall. She was also seventh female and 30th overall in the SkyRun Eryri 2025 - 14 Peaks Ultra. Nikki notably completed running the Isle of Man's coastal paths, spanning 100 miles. Nikki was nominated for the Sportswoman of the Year award in Scotland in 2024 and supports young athletes through her role with Isle of Man Sport.