The toughest race in the world?

[Julai]

The Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc is the ultimate runners' challenge: 103 miles and nine peaks in 46 hours. Duncan Craig overcame sleep deprivation, altitude sickness and cartoon hallucinations to complete the course. More than 1,000 others failed

Mass appeal: It’s standing room only as the 2,600 runners converge on the centre of Chamonix for the countdown

Under orders: Apprehension and excitement as the runners prepare for the starting gun

Early lead: A lone runner, with the dramatic peaks of the Mont-Blanc Massif beyond

Valley of death: Runners navigate some brutal terrain 50 miles in

At one with nature: The course takes runners into areas inhospitable to all but the hardiest animals

Sloping off: Cal (middle) pauses during a vicious descent

Painfully beautiful: A runner summits the final peak with Chamonix visible in the valley below

Pround moment: Blake (left) and Duncan at the finish

[master123]

[GunturBoy]

[sunsilk]

[RameshNYC]