New Women’s Speed Record on Mont Blanc
Hillary Gerardi took around 30 minutes off the previous record after her quick ascent and descent
On June 17, professional runner Hillary Gerardi set a new women’s fastest known time (FKT) on Mont Blanc – one of the highest mountains in Europe at 4,870 metres – of seven hours and 25 minutes.
Gerardi left the valley at 2:02 a.m. and climbed the famed north ridge into the Gouter, soloing most the way but partnering with Valentine Fabre through the crux. She summited five hours and 16 minutes after leaving. She returned to downtown Chamonix at 9:30 a.m. with Meg Mackenzie. “My kit was dictated by the route, the conditions and the weather, all of which I had been studying somewhat obsessively in the days and weeks preceding.”
About the gear she used, Gerardi said, “I ran the lower section light until after 1,000 metres I reached a 15-litre pack that had been stowed with my alpine kit. It included microspikes, steel crampons, ice axe, helmet, headlamp, glacier/crevasse kit, extra food and water, three pairs of gloves, a heavy midlayer, a windshell, sunglasses, a puffy, and neck gaiter. I left my hydration vest, and travelled with that kit to the Bossons Glacier and Jonction, then to summit and back down through the Jonction. Then I met Meg and switched back to trail mode, shedding my boots, pants, harness and alpine kit to be retrieved later to finish fast and light to the church.”
Gerardi has been competing in long distance races for around six years, and has won several including the Glen Coe Skyline of Scotland, the Tromso Skyrace of Norway and Italy’s Kima Trophy. Prior to Gerardi, the women’s FKT belonged to Emelie Forsberg back in 2018 at seven hours and 54 minutes. Kilian Jornet set the overall FKT from Chamonix in 2013 at four hours 57 minutes.
2021 Profile on Gerardi
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