# Athlete withdrawals from UTMB 2026

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/athlete-withdrawals-from-utmb-2026
> Updated: 2026-08-26T13:56:00.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 2.

Leading athletes have withdrawn from the 2026 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) scheduled to begin in late August. Most notably, four-time winner Kilian Jornet announced his withdrawal due to a persistent knee injury involving a lateral meniscus tear and cartilage issues, necessitating surgery.

Other major competitors, including 2023 winner Jim Walmsley and Beñat Marmissolle, have also confirmed their absence. While Jornet and other favorites are sidelined, the field includes diverse competitors such as Bhutanese runner Jigme Tenzin, who qualified for the 101-kilometre race following a performance in Thailand.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-26: UTMB mountain running: Jigme Tenzin competes as Kilian Jornet withdraws

Bhutanese runner Jigme Tenzin prepares for the 101km UTMB race in the Alps, while four-time champion Kilian Jornet withdraws from the event to undergo knee surgery.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/utmb-mountain-running-jigme-tenzin-competes-as-kilian-jornet-withdraws

### 2026-08-20: Kilian Jornet and other favorites withdraw from UTMB 2026

Elite trail runners Kilian Jornet, Jim Walmsley, and Beñat Marmissolle have withdrawn from the 2026 UTMB due to injuries, significantly altering the field for the Chamonix race.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/kilian-jornet-withdraws-from-utmb-2026-due-to-knee-injury

---
Cite as: Athlete withdrawals from UTMB 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/athlete-withdrawals-from-utmb-2026