The legendary UTMB race

Every summer, Chamonix becomes the beating heart of the global trail with the UTMB (the Ultra-Trail of Mont-Blanc). More than just a race, this mythical event brings together thousands of runners who come to challenge the trails of Mont-Blanc and experience an extraordinary adventure. A look back at the history, the challenges, and the legend of the Ultra-Trail of Mont-Blanc.

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, more commonly known as UTMB, is one of the most renowned ultra-endurance trail races in the world. Created in 2003 in Chamonix, this event quickly gained notoriety, attracting several hundred, then thousands of runners from all over the world in its early years. Today, the UTMB is considered the pinnacle of trail running, a legendary meeting place for mountain enthusiasts and those pushing their limits. It also serves as the grand finale of the international UTMB World Series circuit.

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Official website of the UTMB

An extreme journey around Mont-Blanc

The flagship race of the UTMB circles the entire Mont-Blanc massif, crossing three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland. It stretches for about 170 kilometers, with more than 10,000 meters of positive elevation gain, making it a formidable physical and mental challenge. Runners must face passes at over 2,500 meters altitude, sometimes under very changing weather conditions. The time limit to complete the race is 46h30, which means running day and night, with little or no sleep.

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Official website of the UTMB

An international trail festival

Beyond the flagship race, the UTMB is a true trail festival that takes place over an entire week in Chamonix. Several races are offered, for different levels of practice. Among them are the CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) of 101 km, the TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie) of 145 km, and the OCC (Orsières-Champex-Chamonix) of 55 km. There are also team formats like the PTL (approximately 300 km), and shorter formats like the ETC (15 km) or the MCC (40 km), aimed at volunteers and locals. These races attract more than 10,000 runners in total each year.

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Official website of the UTMB

Performance and Iconic Figures

The UTMB has seen legends of trail running like Kilian Jornet, François D'Haene, and Courtney Dauwalter rise to prominence. These athletes push the limits of human endurance, with record times approaching 19h30 for men and 22h for women. In 2024, a certain Vincent Bouillard, an unknown engineer to the general public, surprised everyone by winning the race in under 20 hours. This kind of performance illustrates both the sporting and human dimension of the event, where strategy, adaptation, and persistence matter as much as speed.

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Official website of the UTMB

An event under the spotlight… and criticism

The UTMB receives extensive media coverage, with live broadcasts, thousands of spectators on the trails, and international prominence. However, the event is also subject to increasing criticism. Some denounce excessive commercialization since the partial buyout by Ironman and the many sponsors involved. Environmental concerns are also raised, particularly regarding the carbon impact of transporting runners and tourist influx. Voices, including that of Kilian Jornet, have even called for a rethinking of the current model to preserve the original spirit of trail running.

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Official website of the UTMB

Why so many runners dream of the UTMB

Despite the criticism, the UTMB remains a dream for many trail runners around the world. The breathtaking setting of the Mont-Blanc massif, the unique atmosphere in Chamonix, the pride of belonging to a community of enthusiasts... so many reasons explain the appeal of this race. Access is, however, very selective: you must obtain a sufficient number of points through other qualifying races (Running Stones and UTMB Index), sometimes over several years. This further reinforces the elite character and personal accomplishment that simply taking the start of the UTMB represents.

In short, the UTMB represents much more than a competition: it is a human and collective adventure, at the crossroads of sport, nature, and legend. With extreme demands, a unique atmosphere, and dreams of achievements, it continues to attract thousands of enthusiasts every year. A symbol of an ideal of self-transcendence, the UTMB remains and will undoubtedly continue to be the mythical event that resonates within the trail running world.