Ruth Croft has made trail running history by becoming the first woman to win the OCC, CCC, and now the prestigious Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB). Crossing the finish line in Chamonix with a time of 22 hours, 56 minutes, and 23 seconds, Croft claimed first place at the 2025 edition of the world’s most celebrated ultra-distance trail race.
The UTMB, widely regarded as the pinnacle of global trail running, draws elite athletes and thousands of fans to the Mont-Blanc region each year. The race spans gruelling climbs, unpredictable mountain weather, and a staggering 9,900 metres of elevation gain. For many, simply finishing the course is considered a career-defining achievement.
A historic performance
Croft, representing New Zealand, credited her performance to a combination of preparation, resilience, and the latest in wearable sports technology. She wore the newly launched Amazfit T-Rex 3 Pro smartwatch throughout the race, using it to track pace, heart rate, and performance readiness across the testing conditions.
She also utilised Amazfit’s Helio Arm Band and Helio Ring for real-time heart rate tracking, and the Helio Strap in the build-up to monitor recovery, sleep quality, and resting heart rate.
Speaking after her victory, Croft said: “I couldn’t have asked for a better day. I was able to manage the cold weather conditions through the evening, and then get back into race mode once day broke. It was made even better getting to share this lap around Mont Blanc with my family and friends.”
Wider success for Amazfit athletes
Croft was not the only athlete wearing Amazfit gear at UTMB 2025. American ultra-runner Rod Farvard used the same T-Rex 3 Pro and Helio devices to secure ninth place in 21 hours, 18 minutes, and 24 seconds — notably on his birthday. Rising Spanish talent Rosa Lara Feliu also relied on the smartwatch and Helio Strap to finish a strong seventh in the OCC event.
Their results underline Amazfit’s strategy of aligning with elite and emerging athletes to showcase its performance-focused products on some of the world’s most challenging stages.
Technology meets endurance
For Amazfit, the UTMB represented more than an athletic triumph. The brand previewed the T-Rex 3 Pro in Chamonix during race week, hosting meet-and-greets, product demonstrations, and community activities. The watch, tested by professionals ahead of launch, is marketed as a rugged endurance companion with advanced GPS, long battery life, and features tailored for athletes navigating harsh environments.
The company said the race aligned with its broader mission to “empower athletes with the most advanced outdoor wearable technology” as it continues to invest in performance sport.
The road ahead
Croft’s victory adds to her reputation as one of the sport’s most versatile and dominant figures, and marks a milestone for both women’s trail running and wearable sports technology. For Amazfit, it is another step in positioning itself at the forefront of endurance sport innovation — supporting athletes not only to compete, but to make history.
