Vincent Bouillard, a product engineer for Hoka, claimed an unforeseen victory at the 2024 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in Chamonix, France, which left the entire running world asking: who is this guy?
Bouillard, who works full-time in product development for the running shoe company, surprised the ultrarunning world by winning the 171-kilometer race in 19:54:23.
Although working for Hoka, Bouillard was not a sponsored athlete or a favorite to win UTMB, however he was wearing a pair of trail super shoes that he played a key role in developing.
Before this race, Bouillard was relatively unknown in the ultrarunning community. He has kept a low profile, with private social media accounts and minimal online presence. He was so unknown, he didn’t even have a photo on the UTMB website before the race.
But Bouillard’s performance at UTMB has quickly changed that. His winning time is now the third fastest in the history of the race, only behind Jim Walmsley in 2023 and Kilian Jornet’s 2022 record.
Hoka Employee Turned Ultrarunning Phenom
Bouillard’s day job involves working as a senior product engineer at Hoka, where he focuses on footwear innovation.
He has played a significant role in developing the company’s trail running shoes, including the Hoka Tecton X 3 with its Peba-based foam midsoles.
On race day, Bouillard opted to wear a pair of Tecton X 2.5 shoes (though, technically unsponsored)—a model he helped design as a prototype for Jim Walmsley in previous years and only recently made available to the public in limited quantities.
Despite his success, Bouillard’s career is rooted in engineering rather than professional running.
He started with Hoka in 2016 as an intern and has since become a key player in the development of new footwear technologies. His expertise has been crucial in testing and sourcing materials, particularly those that enhance performance and comfort for elite athletes.
Despite not being a professional trail runner, Bouillard still has a diverse background as an athlete.
He has been involved in various endurance sports, including triathlons and cycling, before focusing more on trail running over the past decade.
His move back to France earlier this year allowed him to train on the trails near Annecy, balancing his professional duties with Hoka with his passion for running.
Bouillard says he has always valued the freedom of not being tied to a sponsorship deal, which has allowed him to race without pressure and maintain a flexible training schedule.
In his career as a trail runner, Bouillard has quietly built an impressive resume.
He has won several races, including the Kodiak Ultra Marathons 100-miler in California and the Gorge Waterfalls 100K in Oregon. While he may have come into UTMB as an underdog, he has the background and performances that set him up for a big day in Chamonix.
How The Race Unfolded
During the race, Bouillard kept a steady pace, staying within the top ten as the competitors reached the 21-kilometer mark.
Initially, he faced some challenges, feeling unwell during a climb but recovering quickly after taking it easy and managing his energy levels carefully.
His strategy paid off as he gradually moved up the ranks, eventually overtaking several leading runners, including Walmsley, who withdrew due to injury.
Bouillard found himself unexpectedly in the lead around the halfway point and decided to capitalize on the opportunity.
He maintained his lead through the challenging sections in Switzerland and back into France, despite the hot conditions and grueling climbs. His ability to stay focused and manage his race in the face of tough competition allowed him to cross the finish line first.
Future As A Sponsored Athlete?
Bouillard’s victory at UTMB has opened up new possibilities for him.
While he has enjoyed the freedom of being an unsponsored athlete, his performance may lead to new opportunities within the sport. He remains open to the idea of becoming a professional runner but appreciates the lack of pressure that comes with his current situation.
“Having a contract to be a professional runner isn’t something I’ve ever really thought about, but why not?” Bouillard said to RUN. “I would always be open to the discussion, but I also enjoy the freedom of not having any contract and not having any pressure to do any type of competition or posting on social media, which I do not at all. So it’s also fun to enjoy that full freedom.”
The win also serves as a significant endorsement for Hoka’s footwear innovation. Bouillard’s choice of shoes—ones he helped design—adds quite a bit of credibility to Hoka’s reputation for producing high-performance trail running gear.
Talk about the ultimate way to boast your latest innovation.
