The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc is the pinnacle of ultra trail running. Starting and finishing in Chamonix, the flagship UTMB race circles the entire Mont Blanc massif across three countries, covering approximately 171 km with 10,000 meters of elevation gain. It is the race that defined the sport and continues to set the standard for mountain endurance.
There is no race quite like the UTMB. Starting in Chamonix beneath the towering summit of Mont Blanc, runners embark on a full circumnavigation of Western Europe's highest massif, crossing from France into Italy, then Switzerland, before returning to the Chamonix valley. The approximately 171 km course with 10,000 meters of climbing is a journey through three countries, two nights, and some of the most breathtaking alpine terrain on Earth.
The course passes through the lush valleys of Contamines and Courmayeur, climbs exposed mountain passes, and traverses balcony trails with views of glaciers, granite spires, and snowcapped ridgelines. The terrain is endlessly varied: smooth forest paths give way to dark, rocky technical sections in Italy, while the Swiss portion offers sweeping panoramas before the final push back to France. Most runners will spend between 30 and 46 hours on the course, running through two full nights.
With over 2,500 starters drawn from more than 100 countries, the UTMB is both a fiercely competitive world championship and a deeply personal odyssey. The finish line on the streets of Chamonix, with the crowds, the lights, and Mont Blanc watching over it all, is one of the most emotional moments in all of endurance sport. This is the race that every trail runner dreams of.
Chamonix , FRA |
24 Aug - Aug 30, 2026