Published on 19/03/2026
The Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB 2026 kicks off the European trail running season from March 19 to 22 in the medieval village of Radda in Chianti. With 5,200 participants from 84 countries — and every race sold out — this edition promises to be the most competitive yet. Five races wind through vineyards, olive groves, and past 25 ancient castles of the Chianti League, ranging from the Chianti Wine Run (10 km) to the flagship Ultra Trail Chianti Castles (120 km).
The UTCC is a Western States Golden Ticket race, adding extra stakes for every elite on the start line. Runners face a grueling 120 km course with 5,200 meters of elevation gain and a 26-hour cutoff.
Vincent Bouillard (France) arrives as the top favorite after winning UTMB 2024 and finishing 3rd at Chianti last year. He will face stiff competition from Thomas Cardin (France), winner of the Grand Trail des Templiers 2024, and Adam Peterman (USA), who placed 3rd at CCC 2024. American Jeff Mogavero, 4th at Western States 2025, adds depth to the field, alongside Italian home favorite Simone Corsini, winner of Les Sentiers des Valdotains 2025, and Chinese rising star Luo Canhua.
Courtney Dauwalter (USA) headlines the women's field after a last-minute pivot from the cancelled Tenerife Bluetrail. The two-time Western States winner and ultrarunning icon enters as the clear favorite, using Chianti as a stepping stone toward bigger objectives later in the season. Organizers said they were "honored to welcome the Queen to our race."
Behind Dauwalter, the battle for the podium will be fierce. Yngvild Kaspersen (Norway), CCC winner at UTMB 2023 and 5th at Western States 2024, has the speed and experience to challenge. Rachel Entrekin (USA), two-time Cocodona 250 winner, brings deep ultra expertise. Lin Chen (China), who finished 4th at UTMB 2024, rounds out a truly global top four. Italian Valentina Michielli will carry home hopes.
Andrzej Witek (Poland), 3rd at OCC UTMB 2025, leads the men's field. He faces a strong French challenge from Virgile Moriset, winner of the Nice Côte d'Azur 100K in 2025, and Guillaume Tiphene. Britain's Hugh Chatfield and Spain's Aleix Toda Mas are also contenders.
Anna Tarasova (Russia), winner of the Lavaredo 80K in 2025, is the woman to beat. Germany's Lena Laukner, who won Trail Alsace UTMB 100M in 2025, has proven she can handle long distances. Italy's Aurora Bosia, Sweden's Lina Broström (9th at Chianti 2025), and Germany's Carina Helmreich complete a competitive field.
The 46 km race reads like an Italian championship. Francesco Puppi (Italy), CCC UTMB 2025 winner, is the clear favorite on home soil. Nadir Maguet (Italy), winner of PDA Val d'Aran 2025, and Daniel Pattis (Italy) provide strong domestic competition. The French contingent counters with Sylvain Cachard, SaintéLyon 2025 winner, and Baptiste Chassagne, winner of the Diagonale des Fous Grand Raid.
Norway's Ida Amelie Robsahm, 5th at OCC UTMB 2025 and runner-up at Chianti Marathon 2025, starts as the favorite. She faces Spain's Julia Font Gomez, Ukraine's Sofia Porokhnavets (two-time Lavaredo 50K runner-up), and Germany's Kim Schreiber and Sarah Kistner.
Conditions in Radda in Chianti look mild but mixed for the race weekend:
Temperatures remain mild for late March in Tuscany, but the rain on Saturday and Sunday could make technical sections more challenging and will test equipment choices.
Live tracking is available at UTMB Live. Follow the event on Instagram @chiantiultratrail for real-time updates and behind-the-scenes content.