174 kilometres, an elevation gain for 9700 metres and 41 hours running and power walking are just some of the staggering numbers behind Cooma's Mick Sullivan latest Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) world series victory.

Sullivan has again showed his determination and class to emerge victorious in the 65 year and older category in the UTMB finals in France, his third consecutive win.

Sullivan completed the gruelling mountain course through the Alps in 41 hours, 13 minutes. Despite battling a knee injury, he finished more than three hours ahead of his closest rival to win another title in the prestigious UTMB World Series.

The UTMB is regarded as the biggest and most prestigious trail running race in the world. The event attracts the top professional runners and is also open to amateurs such as Sullivan.

The race takes competitors through France, Switzerland and Italy, starting and finishing in the main square of Chamonix.

Cheered on by his wife, Jenny, Sullivan said he was proud of his efforts in overcoming knee soreness to finish the race.

"Though there were unexpected challenges, I was happy that I met these tests and finished the race in just over 41 hours and had no falls," Sullivan said.

"My well-honed trail craft stoof by me to overcome the hiccups and surprisingly still win my class.

"The attrition rate for my age group was staggering, a strong international competitive field of 19 runners started and only three of us finished."

Sullivan spent six weeks training in the Alps ahead of the race. He said this time was crucial for acclimatising and went along way to helping him win.

"I developed my mountain legs and resilience necessary for the UTMB, Sullivan said.

"Although we have great trail running in Australia, we simply don't have anything like the vertical climbs that the Mt Blanc region has.

"This is why it's the Mecca for the sport and runners keen to do well need to acclimatise to the demands of the terrain and trails there."

Sullivan's first 60km was the strongest he has felt in an ultra race, but this feeling quickly disappeared when he sustained a knee injury running ona flat road.

"The more I progressed, the worse the knee got," Sullivan said.

To manage the condition, he had to power hike sections he would normally run and while this used a lot more energy and was slower, it allowed Sullivan to finish the race.