Family Business
How my dad crewed me at CCC (UTMB)
When I planned my CCC adventure (I like planning very much, by the way) I had the idea to surround myself with positive people that I truly care about, which worked out very well. But there was one person in particular that I wanted to have by my side during my first 100k trail race: my dad.
If you follow me on IG for a while, you have found out, that I have a very special connection with my dad, which wasn’t always the case. It got reignited through running about 7 years ago. Since then we shared some of the most wonderful running experiences and crafted memories for a lifetime, such as running the Boston Marathon together.
Having him join my trip to Chamonix and seeing him at every aid station plus the finish line meant the world to me. During the race I thought about him a lot and knew how excited and proud he was about what I was doing at this very moment. These thoughts were full of positive energy, which I definitely needed to finish the CCC.
I also really enjoyed introducing him to the world of ultra trail running. What better place to do this than Chamonix and the UTMB and what more passionate and inspiring runners than Lisa, Sascha, Marina, Eva and all the other great people he met while hanging out at aid stations and in Chamonix. Not to speak of outstanding athletic performances by Courtney Dauwalter and Francois D’Haene, who were only the tip of the ice berg of what magic was going on at UTMB 2021.
I would not wonder if my dad and me toe the line together at a trail race soon, maybe even an ultra trail race, for that matter. And even if not, my dad will stay one of my idols when it comes to running. If I ever happen to be as fit and dedicated to this sport like him, when I reach his age, I am more than blessed.
