Red Bull 400: 1,300 runners take on Courchevel’s iconic Le Praz ski jump

On Sunday, July 13, Red Bull 400 made its long-awaited return to Courchevel, Savoie, after a four-year absence. This one-of-a-kind race challenges competitors to climb the iconic Olympic ski jump at Le Praz as quickly as possible, using nothing but their legs. Under brilliant sunshine, heats ran throughout the day, delivering an impressive spectacle for the large crowds. Much to the delight of spectators and the 1,300 runners, the event lived up to every expectation. The fastest competitors experienced only a few minutes of pure intensity, but the effort lingered in their legs for far longer. In the 2025 edition, Marine Coudurier took the women’s title in 4:49, while Julien Petitfrère claimed the men’s win with a blistering 3:30.

The records stand, but the emotions never fade

For its fifth edition in Courchevel, Red Bull 400 once again delivered on its promise, creating an intense and spectacular show in the majestic setting of the famous Savoie resort’s ski jump.

In the women’s race, Marine Coudurier produced a brilliant performance to win in 4 minutes and 49 seconds, powering clear of a tightly packed field at the start. She finished ahead of New Balance athlete Maëlle Beauvir, second in 4:56, and Aurélie Avanturier, who completed the podium in 5:13. In the men’s race, Julien Petitfrère took the win after a blistering climb in 3:30, narrowly beating Étienne Loisel, second in 3:33, and Baptiste Ellmenreich, third in 3:35. Just one second short of the podium, Fleury Roux finished fourth in 3:36. Also worth highlighting was the strong performance from young French cross-country skier Mattis Basille, a member of Team Nordic Experience, who claimed an impressive seventh place in 4:04. For the record, the women’s course record in Courchevel is still held by French-British athlete Emily Harrop, who clocked an impressive 4:29 in the fourth edition on July 10, 2021. That 2021 edition remains the benchmark: on the men’s side, French trail runner Thibaut Baronian also set the current course record that year, with a stratospheric 3:21.

A spectacle, perhaps, but a genuine physical performance

As in every edition, and with fingers crossed for Red Bull 2026 in Courchevel, this unusual race delivered its share of striking images last weekend. Covering 400 metres with 140 metres of elevation gain on Courchevel’s Olympic ski jump, Red Bull 400 compresses the suffering of an ultra-trail race into a few minutes of all-out effort. It’s a lactic-acid party! Some runners had to finish the short course on all fours, flattened by the effort demanded by the 36-degree slope. There were plenty of scenes of suffering at the finish, but just as much camaraderie among the runners after sharing such a unique experience. As usual at events organised by the Swiss brand, the atmosphere was in full swing throughout the day, with entertainment, an after-party and fireworks. Sporting demands meet the Red Bull show. The crowds gathered around the jump got to witness the intensity of an effort that may look short on paper but leaves the legs burning. All beneath beautiful sunshine that made the images even more spectacular.

Looking for elevation gain?

Watching the footage from Red Bull 400 got you craving some elevation gain? Other races in France test endurance on steep terrain, including marathon distances. The most impressive is probably the Marathon du Mont-Blanc, in Chamonix, with its 42.195 km and 2,540 m of elevation gain, an alpine challenge that is as technical as it is demanding, reserved for experienced runners. Less famous but every bit as formidable, the Ultra Trail du Beaujolais Vert (42 km) packs in 1,900 m of elevation gain on trails and forest roads through lush, demanding surroundings. Finally, and this one will appeal to cycling fans, the Semi-Marathon du Mont-Ventoux offers a fine challenge. It covers 21.6 km with 1,600 m of elevation gain. These races may not have the visual madness of Courchevel’s ski jump and Red Bull 400, but they share the same unmistakable taste for gravity.

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