Switching from the couch to a 100 km ultra-trail in just 18 months. What seems like an incredibly challenging adventure movie plot is now a true scientific experiment led in France. Named Project 0 to 100, this program aims to transform completely sedentary individuals into finishers of a legendary mountain race.
The study is overseen by sports physiologist Guillaume Millet and conducted by the University Jean Monnet and the University Hospital of Saint-Étienne. A total of 40 volunteers have been selected. Their common trait: minimal to no physical activity.
For a year and a half, 20 men and 20 women will follow a progressive training program supervised by scientists and endurance specialists. Physiological tests, medical monitoring, physical preparation, and mountain training will analyze how their bodies adapt to extreme effort.
Objective: the success of a mythical race in the end
The ultimate goal is ambitious: to finish the CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix), a 100 km race with approximately 6,000 meters of positive elevation gain that is part of the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. A formidable challenge, even for experienced runners.
More information on the event
The Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix is an iconic ultra-trail event organized within the Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc.
This race connects Courmayeur in Italy to Chamonix-Mont-Blanc in France, passing through Champex-Lac in Switzerland.
The CCC crosses some of the most spectacular landscapes of the Mont Blanc massif. It is one of the major races of the UTMB, known for its physical demands, technical trails, and high level of competition. It attracts thousands of runners from around the world every year.
Beyond the sporting achievement, researchers aim to better understand the human body’s adaptability and combat a major health issue: sedentary lifestyle. The idea behind this is to show that with progressive and adapted training, it is possible to radically transform one’s physical condition.
Scientists hope that approximately 80% of the participants will be able to cross the finish line in 2027.
