Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon vs Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
A data-led head-to-head using sourced race facts and available derived figures under one published methodology.
Data current as ofVolvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon or Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon — which comes out ahead?
Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon has the stronger available profile on flat grade share and conditions.
Route comparison snapshot
Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- Unavailable
- flat grade share
- 22.0% Favoured
- lower ascent
- 7,564 m
- climbing density
- 33.8 m/km
- net elevation
- -664 m
- maximum grade
- 60.6%
Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mapped route
- Held
- Elevation profile
- Held
- course flatness
- 5.7%
- flat grade share
- 19.8%
- lower ascent
- 4,960 m
- climbing density
- 30.8 m/km
- net elevation
- -1,506 m
- maximum grade
- 39.2%
| Metric | Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon | Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon |
|---|---|---|
| PB potential | Unavailable | 73/100 |
| Flat grade share | 22.0% ✓ | 19.8% |
| GAP factor (% slower than flat) | Unavailable | 5.7% |
| Uphill share | 35.0% | 32.9% |
| Steep-up share | 20.1% | 21.4% |
| Downhill share | 42.9% | 47.3% |
| Total ascent (m) | 7,564 m | 4,960 m |
| Climbing density (m/km) | 33.8 m/km | 30.8 m/km |
| Longest climb length (m) | 4,320 m | 5,560 m |
| Longest climb gain (m) | 623 m | 746 m |
| Longest climb average grade | 14.4% | 13.4% |
| Total descent (m) | 8,228 m | 6,466 m |
| Net elevation (m) | -664 m | -1,506 m |
| Max absolute grade | 60.6% | 39.2% |
| Start elevation (m) | 1,239 m | 1,900 m |
| Finish elevation (m) | 575 m | 394 m |
| Median finish context (s) | Unavailable | 25:42:15 |
| Beginner-friendliness | Unavailable | 60/100 |
| Scenic score | 100/100 | 100/100 |
| Conditions | 82/100 ✓ | 9/100 |
Flat grade share
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 22.0% Favoured
GAP factor (% slower than flat)
Uphill share
Steep-up share
Downhill share
Total ascent (m)
Climbing density (m/km)
Longest climb length (m)
Longest climb gain (m)
Longest climb average grade
Total descent (m)
Net elevation (m)
Max absolute grade
Start elevation (m)
Finish elevation (m)
Median finish context (s)
Beginner-friendliness
Scenic score
Conditions
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 82/100 Favoured
Only metrics available for at least one side are shown. A ✓ marks the better value for each metric (higher-is-better aware). Scores are out of 100 when available. Ascent, climbing density, max absolute grade and median finish describe course or field context and are not marked as better or worse.
Race facts that change the decision
| Fact | Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon | Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon |
|---|---|---|
| Schedule | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-05-14 (legacy event-level date). | Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-27 (legacy event-level date). |
| Location | Volvic, France | Olympic Valley to Auburn, California |
| Actual distance | 224 km | 161 km |
| raceindex.org mapped route held | Held | Held |
| raceindex.org elevation profile held | Held | Held |
| Course type | Unavailable | Point To Point |
| Surface | Trail | Trail |
| Elevation character | Mountainous | Mountainous |
| Terrain | Trail | Trail |
| Scenery | Historic, Parkland, Mountain, Forest, Lakeside, Countryside | Mountain, Riverside, Historic, Forest, Canyon |
| Atmosphere | Wilderness, Destination, Scenic Tour | Unavailable |
| Technicality | Technical | Very Technical |
| Total ascent | 7,564 m | 4,960 m |
| Climbing density | 33.8 m/km | 30.8 m/km |
| Total descent | 8,228 m | 6,466 m |
| Net elevation | -664 m | -1,506 m |
| Max absolute grade | 60.6% | 39.2% |
| Flat grade share | 22.0% | 19.8% |
| GAP factor | Unavailable | 5.7% |
| Cutoff | Unavailable | 30:00:00 |
| Field cap | Unavailable | 369 |
| Latest finishers | Unavailable | 322 |
| Entry model | Open | Ballot |
Schedule
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-05-14 (legacy event-level date).
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
Exact race date not confirmed. Event weekend starts 2026-06-27 (legacy event-level date).
Location
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Volvic, France
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Olympic Valley to Auburn, California
Actual distance
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 224 km
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 161 km
raceindex.org mapped route held
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Held
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Held
raceindex.org elevation profile held
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Held
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Held
Course type
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Point To Point
Surface
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Trail
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Trail
Elevation character
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Mountainous
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mountainous
Terrain
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Trail
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Trail
Scenery
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Historic, Parkland, Mountain, Forest, Lakeside, Countryside
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Mountain, Riverside, Historic, Forest, Canyon
Atmosphere
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Wilderness, Destination, Scenic Tour
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
Technicality
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Technical
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Very Technical
Total ascent
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 7,564 m
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 4,960 m
Climbing density
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 33.8 m/km
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 30.8 m/km
Total descent
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 8,228 m
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 6,466 m
Net elevation
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- -664 m
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- -1,506 m
Max absolute grade
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 60.6%
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 39.2%
Flat grade share
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- 22.0%
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 19.8%
GAP factor
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 5.7%
Cutoff
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 30:00:00
Field cap
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 369
Latest finishers
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Unavailable
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- 322
Entry model
- Volvic Volcanic Experience (VVX) Ultramarathon
- Open
- Western States Endurance Run Ultramarathon
- Ballot
Facts are shown only when they exist in the sourced race record; Not held means no sourced value is held for that race.