Ultra-trail running: Mathieu Blanchard targets 2027 UTMB

In the world of ultra-trail running, Mathieu Blanchard has announced he will miss the 2026 UTMB due to persistent heel pain. However, he has already set his sights on returning for the 2027 edition. Blanchard noted a recent conversation with Kilian Jornet, who is also sidelined for the 2026 race due to a knee injury, where the two athletes discussed their respective recoveries and expressed a mutual intention to meet again at the Chamonix event in 2027.

Separately, Louis Calais secured a victory at the Échappée Belle, a major French ultra-trail race covering 145 km through the Belledonne range. Calais completed the course in just over 21 hours, overcoming a knee injury sustained during a fall at the 40 km mark. He managed to outpace favorite Ludovic Pommeret, winning the race after a significant duel that lasted until the 70 km mark.