the UltraTrail du Mont Blanc is a unique challenge of endurance racing through the mountains of France on foot. It's made up of three races including the brutal 101 kilometre "Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix" or the 'CCC'.

Earlier this month, and fresh from returning from a serious knee injury, American Hayden Hawkes crossed the finish line to win. It was exactly seven years since he first tasted victory in the race, and he hasn't looked back since.

Photo: Hayden Hawkes of the United States celebrates as he wins the 50k race during the UTMB World Series Canyons Endurance Runs 2023(Credit: Patrick McDermott/Getty Images for Canyons UTMB)