The website UFO presents a 2004 calendar with more than 190 ultramarathons in France, including the overseas territories, and including some ultra races in Switzerland and Belgium. It is not clear whether the lists for the latter two countries are fully complete, as a number of Belgian races (Torhout 100 km, Welden 24 hrs) are missing. On the other hand, all the trails by Les coureurs celestes and the Olne-Spa-Olne organization are incorporated, and there is also a new Belgian 24 hours: Les 24 heures d’Ath, 25/26 September. We hope that these Belgian organizations will also send sufficient details of their races to our editor Jean-Paul Praet ! (or to redactie@ultraned.org)
Anyway, it is an impressive overview, so have a look at
http://www.ultrafondus.com/11_CALEND/calendrier_integral_04.php
The 2004 ultra calendar for proper France includes 136 ultramarathons and 22 trail-marathons or 3 and 4 hour races, so in total more than 150! There seems to be quite a number of new stage runs as well as mountain runs. Coming back in 2004 in France are among others La Trans Gaule (25 August – 11 September 2004), and also the Tour du Mont Blanc (27-29 August).
Martien Baars