Early Life And Personal Background
Ludovic Pommeret is a famous Ultra-trail runner from France. He was born on July 22, 1975, in Savoie, A mountain area in Southeast France. He is also an IT Engineer. He works at Skyguide, a company in Switzerland that helps with air traffic simulation. He lives between Switzerland and Haute-Savoie, near a place called Valloire.
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His wife, Céline, also loves trail running. They have two daughters, born in 2001 and 2004. The family enjoys sports together. In 2023, Ludovic and Céline ran the Grand Raid race together. They finished in 39 hours and 12 minutes. This showed their strong love for trail running.
Discovery of Trail Running
Ludovic started trail running in the year 2000. His brothers-in-law encouraged him to try it at a local event. Before this, he did sports like snowboarding and windsurfing. But he didn’t do well at first. He could not finish the Fortich’ race or his first UTMB in 2004. In 2007, he decided to try shorter races and triathlons. This helped him improve. These early failures made him stronger and smarter in the sport.
Running Style and Training Philosophy
Ludovic runs in a smart way. He starts slow and saves energy. Later in the race, he moves ahead. Since 2015, he has been trained by Philippe Propage, who is the coach of France’s national trail team. Ludovic trains five to six times a week. He does two interval sessions and three or four long runs with hills. He trains for about 15 hours a week, and up to 30 hours during race season. In winter, he does ski mountaineering to stay fit and protect his joints. He also makes sure to sleep 7–8 hours each night to recover well.
Victory at the UTMB 2016
Ludovic became world-famous in 2016 when he won the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). It is one of the hardest races in the world. He ran 170 kilometers with over 10,000 meters of climbing. He finished in 22 hours and 2 seconds. At the start of the race, he felt very sick and dehydrated. But he kept going and won. It was one of the most amazing comebacks in UTMB history.
Grand Raid 2021 – Réunion Island Triumph
In October 2021, Ludovic won the Diagonale des Fous race on Réunion Island. It is a 166-kilometer race with 9,500 meters of climbing. He finished in 23 hours and 2 minutes. He shared the win with Italian runner Daniel Jung. This win showed how strong he is on tough mountain trails. People in Réunion and France loved his victory.
ALSO Read: Florence Foresti And Alexandre Kominek: A Unique Love Story
Historic Record at Hardrock 100 – 2024
In 2024, Ludovic shocked everyone by winning the Hardrock 100 in Colorado, USA. He was 49 years old and broke Kilian Jornet’s record. He finished the 100-mile mountain race in 21 hours and 33 minutes. To prepare, he slept in a hypoxic tent for three weeks. The tent helped him get used to high altitude. With this win, he completed ultra-trail’s “triple crown” – victories at UTMB, Diagonale des Fous, and Hardrock.
Professional Sponsorships and Gear
Ludovic has been sponsored by Hoka One One since 2009. He wears their Tecton X 3 shoes in races. He trains with Speedgoat shoes. He is also part of the Näak Pro Team. Näak makes eco-friendly sports nutrition products.
Representing France on the Global Stage
Ludovic has raced for France in five Trail World Championships. He placed fifth in 2016 in Portugal and 2018 in Spain. In 2016, he helped France win the team gold medal. His good results have helped make France a top country in trail running.
Notable Race Results
- UTMB 2016 – 22:00:02
- Diagonale des Fous 2021 – 23:02:21
- Hardrock 100 Colorado 2024 – 21:33:06 (new record)
- Trail World Championships (France Team)
- Team Gold: 2016
- 5th Individual: 2016 & 2018
- Podiums: CCC, TDS, Western States, Transvulcania
Conclusion
Ludovic Pommeret is a true legend in ultra-trail running. He shows great strength, smart planning, and humility. He has won big races in France, Réunion, and the USA. His training, teamwork, and love for the sport inspire many runners. Whether winning with his wife by his side or breaking records alone, Ludovic shows that passion and balance are the keys to success in ultra-running.