Julien Veysseyre Makes History as First Amputee to Finish the UTMB After Almost Quitting

Facing extreme physical strain, shifting weather, and a near-withdrawal at the 80-kilometer mark, the 39-year-old athlete crossed the finish line in the heart of Chamonix on Sunday, August 30, accompanied by his children and a dedicated support crew. Veysseyre placed 1,479th out of competitors who originally set off from the starting line on Friday evening, according to race records.

“I have a hard time realizing it right now, but I’m super happy with the outcome because it really wasn’t a given,” Veysseyre told reporters in the mixed zone after completing the historic trek.

Overcoming Crisis at Courmayeur

The achievement nearly ended before the race reached its midpoint.

“I could hardly run anymore. It was really every man for himself,” Veysseyre recalled. Upon arriving in Courmayeur at approximately the 80-kilometer mark, he admitted that in his mind, “it was 98% certain that I wasn’t going back out.”

A combination of anti-inflammatory treatments, a critical adjustment to his prosthesis socket to relieve pressure on his most painful tissue, and crucial intervention from his support team altered the trajectory of his race. Veysseyre relied on a rotating roster of five guides who accompanied him along the trail, carrying and swapping his secondary prosthetic leg depending on the changing terrain.

“If I was all alone, I would have stayed in Courmayeur,” Veysseyre noted, emphasizing the essential role of his team, which included guides Thibaut Baronian, Alice Denuc, and a third guide named Dorian.

A Path Forged Through Para-Triathlon and Trail Running

Veysseyre’s journey to the UTMB finish line followed years of athletic rehabilitation. After losing his leg at age 18, he rediscovered sports through triathlon competition, eventually claiming a world championship title in the sport in 2023.

His transition to trail running caught the attention of equipment manufacturer Salomon, which welcomed him into its specialized para-athlete team. Last year, Veysseyre completed the 100-kilometer CCC race—a shorter sister event to the UTMB—laying the groundwork for his assault on the full 170-kilometer loop around Mont-Blanc, which he previously described as the biggest physical test of his life.

Despite the immense physical toll, Veysseyre pushed through final checkpoints including Champex-Lac, ultimately finishing on Sunday afternoon to a raucous reception at the Place du Triangle de l’Amitié. He was greeted at the finish line by his sons, Léo, 8, and Swann, who celebrated his fifth birthday on the day the race began.

“All the fervor, I didn’t expect a finish line like that,” Veysseyre said. “Even on the paths, since my story had been talked about a lot, there weren’t many people who didn’t know my first name.”