Scotty Hawker is no stranger to prestigious podiums. Among his many achievements, the Christchurch runner, now 37, placed third at France’s Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc back in 2019.
“That was the biggest one where I felt like I’d cracked it,” he says.
“You just hope for those days where the stars align and you feel good.”
In 2021 he placed second in the 100km version of the event, the CCC (Cormayeur, Champex, Chamonix) and in 2023 he returned to the hallowed European Alps for another crack at the 171km. Scotty was in 8th place with 10km to go when his body shut down.
“I heard from the support crew that 5th and 6th place were a couple of minutes ahead and as I caught up to the guy in 7th place I was feeling so good,
