Old Malvernian Charlotte Hurst (4.97-99) is preparing to take on the biggest endurance challenge of her ultra-running career when she lines up for the UTMB Nice Côte d’Azur on 25th September.
This prestigious race begins in Auron in the French Alps and covers approximately 165km (103 miles) of demanding mountain terrain before finishing on the Mediterranean coast in Nice. Along the route, competitors face more than 9,000 metres of elevation gain, technical trails and the prospect of running through two nights. Charlie is expecting the challenge to take around 35 hours to complete.
For Charlie, however, the race is about much more than endurance and achievement. Living with Type 1 diabetes, she has made it her mission to demonstrate what is possible with the condition and to challenge perceptions that a diagnosis should place limits on a person’s ambitions.
Over recent years, that mission has seen her accomplish a series of remarkable feats. Charlie became the first British woman with Type 1 diabetes to complete the Marathon des Sables, finished third overall at the Cape Wrath Ultra, and became the first woman with Type 1 diabetes to complete the Dragon’s Back Race.
Now, the UTMB Nice Côte d’Azur represents the next chapter in that journey and, by Charlie’s own admission, her most demanding challenge yet.
Charlie has previously received enthusiastic support from the Malvernian community and hopes fellow alumni will once again follow her progress as she takes on one of the world’s toughest ultra-distance mountain races.
Speaking ahead of the event, Charlie said: “I want to continue demonstrating what can be possible while living with Type 1 diabetes and advocating for the message that a diagnosis does not have to be a life-limiting condition.”
Members of the OM community can follow Charlie’s journey and find out more about her challenge via her website.
Everyone at the Malvernian Society and Malvern wishes Charlie the very best of luck as she embarks on this extraordinary adventure.