The amateur runner from Argentina covered the Grande Traversée du Mercantour from Entraunes to Menton in 83 hours, 51 minutes and 10 seconds, claiming the first women’s supported FKT on the route.
One line across the Alps
The route, measured afterwards at 237.88 kilometres with 13,755 metres of elevation gain, took her along mountain paths sometimes run alone and at other times with friends who joined for short sections. A road-assistance team supported the effort throughout, and pacers rotated in across different legs. She set out on 16 September 2026 at seven in the morning and kept moving for the better part of four days.
The Mercantour traverse had existed as a line on the map, estimated in advance at roughly 216 to 221 kilometres with some 12,000 metres of climbing. Now it does.
No professional, no problem
Aramayo grew up in a high-altitude village in Argentina, situated at 3,500 metres, and spent years disliking running precisely because the thin air made it so punishing. She only returned to the sport later, fitting training into lunch breaks between midday and two.
“I’m proud to have finished and set a first trace, to encourage women to attempt records,” she told reporters afterwards. “I’m not a professional athlete, I have a full life, but you can take on this kind of challenge.”
The Argentine, now based in Paris, has previous ultra-endurance experience, including a 200-mile-class race she finished in under 45 hours.
One first trace, laid down for others to chase.
