The legendary UTMB race

Every summer, Chamonix becomes the beating heart of the global trail scene with the UTMB (the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc), which is much more than just a race.

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 course around Mont-Blanc

The flagship race of the UTMB goes all the way around the Mont-Blanc massif, crossing three countries: France, Italy, and Switzerland. It spans approximately 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 changeable weather conditions. The time limit to complete the race is 46h30, which means running both day and night, with little to 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 participation. Among them are the CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) of 101 km, the TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie) of 153 km, and the OCC (Orsières-Champex-Chamonix) of 61 km. There are also team formats like the PTL (about 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 emerge. 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. Such performances highlight both the sporting and human dimensions of the event, where strategy, adaptation, and tenacity are just as important as speed.

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Official website of the UTMB

An event in the spotlight… and under scrutiny

The UTMB enjoys extensive media coverage, with live broadcasts, thousands of spectators on the trails, and an international reach. However, the event is also facing increasing criticism. Some denounce excessive commercialization since the partial acquisition by Ironman and the numerous sponsors involved. Environmental concerns are also raised, particularly regarding the carbon impact of transporting runners and the influx of tourists. Voices, including that of Kilian Jornet, have even called for rethinking 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 criticisms, the UTMB remains a dream for many runners around the world. The stunning 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: one must obtain a sufficient number of points through other qualifying races (Running Stones and UTMB Index), sometimes over several years. This further enhances the sense of elite status and personal achievement that comes with simply starting the UTMB.

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.