La 6000D by Dare2B - La Plagne
La 6000D
Aime → Aime (La Plagne-Tarentaise)
Race guide
Updated 29 June 2026
La 6000D by Dare2B is a 69 km mountain trail race based in La Plagne-Tarentaise, looping out of and back into the valley town of Aime at 676 m. The headline number refers to the cumulative ascent across the full route: 3375 m D+ packed into a single day that takes runners from the Tarentaise valley floor to the edge of the glacier at Live 3000, topping out at 3062 m before a long, leg-sapping descent back to the finish. The route is a genuine mountain day — not a high-speed trail race — and the combination of real altitude, sustained climbs and technically demanding descents means every runner needs a solid plan before the start gun fires in Aime.
Course & Terrain Overview
The race starts and finishes in Aime (676 m), rising steadily through the La Plagne ski domain to reach Plagne Centre at 24 km and 2223 m — already a substantial climb of roughly 1550 m in the opening quarter of the race. From there the route pushes higher to the Live 3000 glacier summit at 34 km and 2988–3062 m, the physical and psychological centrepiece of the day. After the high point the course drops to Bellecôte (42 km, 2021 m) before traversing across to Montchavin (52 km, 1842 m), then making a long descent through Sangot (65 km, 833 m) and back into Aime. Expect a mix of ski-resort tracks, alpine singletrack, rocky high-mountain terrain near the glacier, and forest paths lower down. Above 2500 m the ground can be loose, icy early in the season or soft and boggy — good grip underfoot is essential.
Decisive Climbs & Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The climb to Live 3000 is the defining section. Between Plagne Centre (24 km) and the glacier summit (34 km) you gain roughly 765 m of elevation in just 10 km, at genuine altitude where the air thins noticeably. How well you manage effort on this stretch determines everything that follows. Push too hard chasing the 12:45 Saturday cut-off at Live 3000 and you will pay on the long descent to Bellecôte and the subsequent traverse to Montchavin. The descent from the summit to Bellecôte (42 km, 2021 m) — nearly 1000 m of drop — is where quads are destroyed if you have overcookied the ascent. The final 17 km from Montchavin through Sangot and down to Aime look modest on paper but they arrive at the end of a 52 km day in the mountains; the Sangot cut-off at 18:30 catches runners who have bled time across the back half.
Pacing & Fuelling Strategy
With five cut-offs spread across the day, the race organisers have effectively mapped out a pacing ladder for you. Use the cut-off times as maximum windows, not targets — aim to arrive at Plagne Centre (24 km, cut-off 10:15) with at least 20–30 minutes in hand. The crew-accessible checkpoints at Plagne Centre, Bellecôte and Montchavin are your key refuel points; plan your drop-bag or crew support around these three stops. Carry enough food and fluid to cover the 10 km glacier section between Plagne Centre and Live 3000 without relying on a checkpoint, as conditions near the summit can make transitions slow. Caloric intake needs to be consistent from the start — the first 24 km climb is deceptively long, and many runners arrive at altitude already in a deficit. At altitude above 2500 m appetite often drops; train yourself to eat to schedule, not to hunger.
Conditions to Expect
La Plagne sits in the northern French Alps and the race typically runs in summer conditions, but at 3062 m the weather is alpine and should be treated with respect regardless of the forecast in the valley. Temperature swings of 15–20 °C between Aime (680 m) and the glacier summit are normal; a lightweight insulating layer and a waterproof shell are not optional. Wind at the Live 3000 summit can make conditions feel significantly colder than the ambient temperature. Early morning at the start in Aime will be cool; the mid-altitude sections around Plagne Centre and Bellecôte can be warm and exposed to sun midday. Snow patches near the glacier are possible depending on the year, and the terrain above 2800 m can be wet and slippery. Poles are strongly recommended for both the long sustained climb to the summit and the technical descents that follow.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 676 m · —
20.8 km · 1990 m · Sat 10:15
31.3 km · 2499 m · —
33.8 km · 2915 m · Sat 12:45
38.3 km · 2627 m · —
42.5 km · 2022 m · —
47.7 km · 2046 m · Sat 15:15
53.7 km · 1634 m · —
57.4 km · 1373 m · Sat 16:45
65 km · 833 m · Sat 18:30
68.2 km · 657 m · —
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