UTMB trail running festival approaches in Chamonix

The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) series is set to take place in Chamonix, France, beginning August 24, 2026. The week-long festival features multiple races across France, Italy, and Switzerland, centered around the Mont Blanc massif. The marquee event is the 171 km UTMB race, which involves over 32,000 feet of vertical gain.

In the women’s field, Ruth Croft and Courtney Dauwalter are considered the primary favorites. Dauwalter, a three-time winner, is noted for her historic performances, while Croft enters as the defending champion.

In North America, the inaugural BORÉALYS Mont-Tremblant by UTMB recently concluded in Quebec, Canada. The event saw Dany Racine win the Odyssée 100K and Claudine Souciet win the women’s race, marking a successful addition to the UTMB World Series calendar.

Separately, athlete Kilian Jornet has raised concerns regarding climate change in the Alps, specifically noting that rising temperatures are increasing the frequency of dangerous rockfalls around Mont Blanc.