“In fact, profitable is the first aim. However I’ve so many extra goals on this race,” ultrarunner Jim Walmsley tells the movie crew within the opening moments of “Walmsley Half 3.”

“To essentially expertise the mountains, to outlive the mountains. To get higher and progress. They’re all targets which might be going to maintain me within the race it doesn’t matter what’s taking place. I hope, I really feel, that that is the yr,” he continues.

“Walmsley Half 3” is the ultimate installment in a sequence of movies that comply with the celebrated runner’s try to turn out to be the primary American man to win UTMB.

Walmsley uprooted his entire life within the service of his aim, and for some time, it regarded just like the runner would possibly pull it off in 2022. He led the pack via a lot of the yr’s UTMB, operating sturdy via the evening due to a yr’s value of targeted preparation.

However ultrarunning is a heartbreaking sport. A bonk crashed Walmsley laborious within the again third of the race, and the American finally completed fourth in 21 hours, 12 minutes. Kilian Jornet took first place.

“A number of occasions greater than something, only a snort got here out. Like, that is the place I’m at. I’ve received one velocity, and it’s ahead,” Walmsley says in an interview after the race. “We’re transferring, and we’re going to get to Chamonix, however we’re going to get to Chamonix as soon as I cross the road, not any time earlier than that.”

Whereas the movie is, on the floor, a simple documentary about making an attempt to win the UTMB, the subtext is all about Walmsley’s relationship together with his spouse.

Jim Walmsley and Jessica Brazeau. All photographs: Wahoo Health

Jessica Brazeau is an achieved path runner in her personal proper, and watching her steadiness her roles as associate and race crew is an interesting window right into a relationship. Finally it’s clear that Brazeau’s presence and balanced help allowed Walmsley’s fourth-place end and prevented the DNF that lurked proper across the nook.

Take a look at “Walmsley Half 3” (above), and don’t overlook to atone for the earlier installments earlier than you do. You received’t remorse it.

Jim Walmsley coaching within the Alps, as seen in “Walmsley Half 3.”