Isle of Man distance runner Emily Mylchreest produced a remarkable performance at the 2026 OCC (Orsières–Champex–Chamonix) on Thursday.
Emily overcame a difficult build-up and severe physical challenges to complete one of the world’s most prestigious ultra-trail races.
The OCC forms part of the UTMB World Series, and takes runners from Orsières in Switzerland to Chamonix in France.
This year’s course covered approximately 62km with 3,300 metres of ascent, providing a formidable test of endurance, strength and mental resilience.
For Emily, competing in Chamonix had a special significance. She recalls childhood ski trips there with her father and, after returning in summer and experiencing the atmosphere of the Marathon du Mont-Blanc finish, decided that she wanted to race there herself.
Long Time Coming
Over several years she worked towards earning the UTMB Running Stones required to enter the ballot, including competing in two tough 50km races in Mallorca. After securing her place in the OCC ballot earlier this year, she was excited to finally get the opportunity.
Emily’s preparation, however, was far from ideal. A combination of work, life and training commitments, together with a prolonged period of poor sleep and illness, meant that her planned training block did not go as hoped.
“My confidence took a real knock, and I came into race week with very little idea of what I was capable of,” she admitted. Such were her doubts that she “nearly pulled out more than once”, but ultimately decided to take her chance. Her race strategy was deliberately straightforward: “start conservatively, fuel well, stay hydrated and just keep moving.”
The plan was soon tested by high temperatures, particularly on the climb to Col de Balme. Feeling increasingly unwell, Emily was struggling, but support from familiar faces and some much-needed watermelon and Tuc biscuits at the aid station helped get her moving again.
Battle of Determination
The final stages became a battle of determination. By 50km her legs were suffering from the lack of specific conditioning for the mountainous terrain, while by 55km her quads were exhausted and her feet covered in blisters.
“It became more of a determined shuffle than a run,” she recalled. Importantly, she knew she was going to make the cut-off, and continued towards Chamonix.
The final kilometres proved hugely emotional. The enthusiastic crowds lining the streets shouted “ALLEZ ALLEZ, BRAVO EMILY!”, while high-fiving children on the way into Chamonix provided a memorable finish to an extraordinarily tough day. “After all the doubts and uncertainty in the build-up, I still can’t quite believe I made it to the finish,” she said.
Emily also highlighted the relatively small number of women taking part in these major ultra-trail events, noting that the OCC field was heavily male-dominated. “So even being there felt like an achievement in itself!”
Given her disrupted preparation, illness, lack of confidence and the physical problems she encountered during the race, simply reaching the finish line represents a considerable achievement.
For Emily, the OCC was ultimately about far more than a finishing time. It was the culmination of years of preparation and a determination to take on a race she had dreamed of competing in. “An incredibly tough, but very special day and one I’ll never forget!”