RacesAlps
UTMB
Demand
5 out of 5
How much it asks
Worth
5 out of 5
Worth the flight + fee
Chamonix, Haute-Savoie, France
Scorecard · UTMB Mont-Blanc, not the World Series
A name that still means something after the expo lights go off.
The card
UTMB is an icon, and the locked score is 5 and 5. Demand is 5 because a Friday night start in Chamonix, a loop of the Mont Blanc massif, three countries, roughly 174 kilometers and 10,000 meters of climb, then another night, is still a mountain ultra at the top of the scale. The TMB is often runnable. Crowds are real. Neither fact makes 174 alpine kilometers a 4. Weather does not care about your stones. Recent editions have delayed the start or cut the Pyramides Calcaires section when the mountain asked. We note that. We do not hide a sanitized cartoon of 174 km with every col intact. A delayed or shortened high section is part of racing this massif, not a reason to take the race off the icon shelf.
Worth is 5 because the Tour du Mont-Blanc is still the reason people come, not the expo. Value is a 2 and logistics a 5; those sit in the dims, not the headline. You collect Running Stones, hold an Index, sit a January lottery, and if you get through you buy race week in Chamonix among ten thousand other people who did the same arithmetic. The corporation built a circuit around that pilgrimage. Icon is not a compliment to the circuit. Icon is the name that still means something after the lights go off. This one does.
We score UTMB Mont-Blanc, not the World Series. CCC, OCC, and TDS are separate cards. Technicality is a 3: a famous hiking trail before it is a race course. Altitude is a 3: 2,500-meter cols, not Hardrock. The machine is professional and enormous: public rules, live tracking, a medical apparatus. If you have never seen the massif, the flight is worth it. If you have already walked the TMB, ask whether you want the race or the photograph of the race. The Pyramides are still on the map until the mountain or the organization takes them off. We will say so either way.
Who it is for
Runners who want the defining alpine-trail 100-mile weekend on earth and will tolerate the World Series machinery to stand in Chamonix at night.
Who should skip
Anyone who resents paying in stones, anyone who wants quiet mountains, and anyone confusing a 174 km crowd with a wilderness 100.
Elevation
Tap or hover for miles, clock, and aidft
Night = sunset 8:19pm to sunrise 6:47am at the start (Aug 28), mid splits.
Bottom ticks are aid. Longest gap 10.7 mi.
Finisher pace · 2026
Median finishers (~50th percentile of 1681 finishers). Not a predicted you. · retrieved 2026-09-06 (repo record)
Saint-Gervais 14.2 mi
- Aid–aid
- 3.0 h
- Elapsed
- 3.0 h
- Clock
- 8:45 pm
Les Contamines 20.2 mi
- Aid–aid
- 1.5 h
- Elapsed
- 4.5 h
- Clock
- 10:15 pm
La Balme 25.6 mi
- Aid–aid
- 1.7 h
- Elapsed
- 6.2 h
- Clock
- 11:57 pm
Les Chapieux 32.5 mi
- Aid–aid
- 2.4 h
- Elapsed
- 8.6 h
- Clock
- 2:21 am +1d
Lac Combal 43.2 mi
- Aid–aid
- 3.1 h
- Elapsed
- 11.7 h
- Clock
- 5:27 am +1d
Checrouit - Maison Vieille 48.8 mi
- Aid–aid
- 1.9 h
- Elapsed
- 13.6 h
- Clock
- 7:21 am +1d
Courmayeur Sport Center 51.8 mi
- Aid–aid
- 0.8 h
- Elapsed
- 14.4 h
- Clock
- 8:09 am +1d
Refuge Bertone 55.2 mi
- Aid–aid
- 2.0 h
- Elapsed
- 16.4 h
- Clock
- 10:09 am +1d
Arnouvaz 63.2 mi
- Aid–aid
- 2.6 h
- Elapsed
- 19.0 h
- Clock
- 12:45 pm +1d
La Fouly 72.3 mi
- Aid–aid
- 3.4 h
- Elapsed
- 22.4 h
- Clock
- 4:09 pm +1d
Champex-Lac 81.1 mi
- Aid–aid
- 2.6 h
- Elapsed
- 25.0 h
- Clock
- 6:45 pm +1d
Trient 91.4 mi
- Aid–aid
- 4.9 h
- Elapsed
- 29.9 h
- Clock
- 11:39 pm +1d
Vallorcine 98.5 mi
- Aid–aid
- 3.5 h
- Elapsed
- 33.4 h
- Clock
- 3:09 am +2d
La Flégère 105.6 mi
- Aid–aid
- 3.5 h
- Elapsed
- 36.9 h
- Clock
- 6:39 am +2d
Chamonix 109.9 mi
- Aid–aid
- 1.3 h
- Elapsed
- 38.2 h
- Clock
- 7:57 am +2d
Local clock derived from published start + finisher splits, not a forecast.
Finishers only (DNFs missing, so the real back of the field is slower).
- Start
- 3,396 ft1,035 m
- Finish
- 3,399 ft1,036 m
- Net
- +3 ft+1 m
- Longest climb
- 4,350 ft1,326 m
Start and finish are within 400 ft. Treat net as a loop.
Weekend
Official handbook facts
UTMB Mont-Blanc 2026 race page / mandatory equipment · retrieved 2026-09-06 (repo record)
Required kit
2026 edition · RD list
ID
Passport or ID card.
Smartphone
With the LiveTrail application installed and activated, with international roaming enabled for use in the three countries the race crosses.
The runner must be reachable at any time before, during and after the race. Keep the phone on; airplane mode is forbidden and could give rise to penalties. An external battery is highly recommended.
Water container(s)
Sealed, resealable container(s) capable of carrying at least 1L of water, designed for hydration. Plastic bags are prohibited.
1.5L is recommended for UTMB.
Survival blanket
Minimum 1.40m x 2m.
Whistle
Jacket with hood
For bad weather in the mountains. The jacket must be made of a waterproof and breathable membrane (minimum recommended 20,000 Schmerber; RET recommended inferior to 13). The jacket must, imperatively, have an integrated hood or one attached by the original system designed for that purpose by the manufacturer. The seams must be sealed.
The jacket must not have sections of fabric which are not waterproof, but air vents fitted by the manufacturer (under-arm, in the back) are accepted since they do not damage impermeability in any obvious way. The runner must judge whether the jacket complies with the regulations and is suitable for bad weather in the mountains; during a check, the race director's opinion on the matter shall prevail.
Two headtorches
Two fully working headtorches or chest lamps with adjustable power, with a backup power supply system for each. Recommended output: 200 lumens. Phones and watches are not accepted as a light source. For lamps using batteries or removable battery packs: plan one set of spare batteries or spare battery packs for each of the two lamps. For rechargeable lamps with no removable batteries: a portable external battery (power bank) is tolerated provided one of the two lamps is always usable (in particular while the other is charging) and the power bank has a minimum capacity of 5000mAh and is fully charged at the race start.
Red light beam
In order to limit disturbance to wildlife within the Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve, one of the two required head or chest lamps must be fitted with a red light beam directed forwards.
Any device emitting light to the rear will be considered non-compliant.
Running pack
Or other carrying equipment suitable for attaching a timing chip, intended to carry the mandatory equipment.
Must be worn throughout the race.
Self-adhering elastic bandage
For bandaging or strapping. Minimum 100cm x 6cm.
Cap, bandana, or multifunctional neck gaiter
Designed to protect the head from the sun.
Waterproof overpants
Additional warm second layer
A warm second layer top with long sleeves (excluding cotton) weighing at least 180g (men's size medium - M). OR the combination of a long-sleeved warm undergarment (first or second layer, excluding cotton) weighing at least 110g (men's size medium - M) and a windproof jacket with durable water-repellent (DWR) protection.
The wind-proof jacket does not replace the mandatory waterproof jacket, and vice versa.
Beanie
Or multifunctional neck gaiter, which may be the same as the one mentioned above.
Warm and water-proof gloves
Personal beaker
15cl minimum.
Bottles or flasks with lids are not accepted.
Food reserve
Recommendation: 800kcal (2 gels + 2 power bars each of 65 grams).
Tights
Running trousers or long thermal running tights, or a combination of tights and socks fully covering the leg. Full length down to the ankle and footless (no everyday stockings/tights). Technical fabric and opaque even when stretched, with a dense knit; predominantly synthetic composition (polyamide and/or polyester) with elastane; cotton prohibited.
Item 1 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions. Tights do not replace the waterproof trousers. No marked transparency on thighs/glutes; any clear transparency results in refusal if there is doubt as to the intended sporting use.
Jacket with hood (additional list)
For bad weather in the mountains, same specification as the mandatory jacket with hood.
Item 2 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Additional warm second layer (additional list)
Same specification as the mandatory additional warm second layer.
Item 3 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Sunglasses
It is possible to use the same glasses if they are suitable both for the sun and bad weather (such as glasses with photo-chromatic lenses).
Item 4 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Protective eyewear
It is possible to use the same glasses if they are suitable both for the sun and bad weather (such as glasses with photo-chromatic lenses).
Item 5 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Saharan cap
Or any combination which completely covers the head and nape of the neck.
Item 6 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Sunscreen
In its original container with a minimum capacity of 15ml. Recommendation: SPF 50 or higher.
Item 7 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Additional multifunctional neck gaiter
In addition to the one in the mandatory kit.
Item 8 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Warm and water-proof gloves (additional list)
Item 9 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Third warm layer
E.g., softshell, down jacket, thick fleece.
Item 10 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Sturdy, closed trail running shoes
Item 11 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Spare warm clothing
Item 12 of the Additional List, which may be activated by the race director depending on weather conditions.
Vaseline or anti-heat cream
Listed by the RD under Other Recommended Elements; not mandatory.
External battery
Power bank.
Listed by the RD under Other Recommended Elements; not mandatory.
Reusable bowl
Listed by the RD under Other Recommended Elements; not mandatory.
Knife or scissors
For cutting elastic bandage.
Listed by the RD under Other Recommended Elements; not mandatory.
Sewing kit / spare laces / tightening cables / repair kits
Listed by the RD under Other Recommended Elements; not mandatory.
GPS watch
Listed by the RD under Other Recommended Elements; not mandatory.
Trail running poles
Listed by the RD under Other Recommended Elements; not mandatory.
Cash
At least 20 euros.
Listed by the RD under Other Recommended Elements, "just in case"; not mandatory.
You must carry the mandatory equipment with you during the whole race, from start to finish, or you will be penalized. Race stewards may check your equipment at any time during the race.
montblanc.utmb.worldretrieved 2026-09-06
Field
Last editions · 100M scored distance
Field evidence: who showed up, who finished, how long. DNF is that evidence, not a difficulty score. Public results, scored distance only.
2026
- Starters
- 2,406
- Finishers
- 1,681
- DNF
- 30%
- Win
- 18:16:29
- Median
- 38:10:30
2025
- Starters
- 2,492
- Finishers
- 1,665
- DNF
- 33%
- Win
- 19:18:58
- Median
- 40:48:29
2024
- Starters
- 2,761
- Finishers
- 1,760
- DNF
- 36%
- Win
- 19:54:23
- Median
- 40:34:49
2023–2025 starters/finishers/win from public results tables; median from LiveTrail finish times. 2026 row from LiveTrail race stats.
Overall field only. Not a pro or sponsored subset.
Climate
Typical August at the start area · historical race-week weather
- Typical high
- 73°F (23°C)
- Typical low
- 55°F (13°C)
- Typical precip
- 4.4 in (111 mm) / August
- Days with rain
- 42% of days
- High point
- 8,323 ft (2,537 m)
BewareRain on race weekend in 2 of the last 3 years.
2015–2024 August means at the start / massif. · Open-Meteo ERA5 / climate · retrieved 2026-09-06 (repo record)
Dimensions
Ten 1–5 scores with a one-line why. Organization has a separate confidence tag.
Supporting dimensions · organization confidence high
174 km around Mont Blanc with a Friday night start. Longer than a U.S. 100, still one push.
About 10,000 m of climb on the TMB. Big, not Tor or Diagonale big.
Alpine trail, crowded, often runnable. Technical by American road-ultra standards; not by Skyrunning ones.
Night, storms, and a late-August mountain forecast that can turn. Heat in the valleys, cold on the cols.
Cols around 2,500 m. Real alpine, not Colorado 14er air.
Stones, Index, lottery, Chamonix in race week, three countries. The machine is the tax.
The global final. Deep elite field, deeper amateur pilgrimage. Prestige is not in dispute; productization is.
Professional, enormous, practiced. Also a corporation with a circuit to protect. High confidence in the machine.
You buy stones at other races to buy a lottery ticket, then you buy Chamonix in August. Worth 5 is the mountain, not the invoice.
Mont Blanc massif, Italy, Switzerland, France. The scenery is the reason the circus exists.
| Dimension | Score | Why |
|---|---|---|
Distance & format How much does the advertised distance and format actually ask? | 5 out of 5 | 174 km around Mont Blanc with a Friday night start. Longer than a U.S. 100, still one push. |
Vertical How serious is the climbing, not just the mile marker? | 4 out of 5 | About 10,000 m of climb on the TMB. Big, not Tor or Diagonale big. |
Technicality Hands, poles, route-finding, or just a long dirt road? | 3 out of 5 | Alpine trail, crowded, often runnable. Technical by American road-ultra standards; not by Skyrunning ones. |
Climate Heat, monsoon, ice, or a friendly summer afternoon? | 4 out of 5 | Night, storms, and a late-August mountain forecast that can turn. Heat in the valleys, cold on the cols. |
Altitude Does the air change the race, or is it a talking point? | 3 out of 5 | Cols around 2,500 m. Real alpine, not Colorado 14er air. |
Logistics How hard is the weekend around the race: travel, crew, lodging, rules? | 5 out of 5 | Stones, Index, lottery, Chamonix in race week, three countries. The machine is the tax. |
Prestige & field Does the start list and history change what the weekend feels like? | 5 out of 5 | The global final. Deep elite field, deeper amateur pilgrimage. Prestige is not in dispute; productization is. |
Organization From public evidence, does the event look competently run? | 4 out of 5 | Professional, enormous, practiced. Also a corporation with a circuit to protect. High confidence in the machine. |
Value Entry fee, travel tax, and lottery friction versus what you get on course. | 2 out of 5 | You buy stones at other races to buy a lottery ticket, then you buy Chamonix in August. Worth 5 is the mountain, not the invoice. |
Adventure & scenery Would you fly for the place even if nobody kept score? | 5 out of 5 | Mont Blanc massif, Italy, Switzerland, France. The scenery is the reason the circus exists. |