Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB: Routes, contenders follow live

Runners will take on Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB for the second time from 4-6 October 2024, with the event forming part of the UTMB World Series.

It comes just a few days on from Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB and is set to attract over 4,000 athletes.

The French Riviera, Mercantour Massif and Nice Côte d’Azur Metropolis provide a stunning base for the competition, which is aiming to become the biggest trail running event in the Mediterranean basin.

Running Stones are on offer in all three races, with four, three, two and one available in the 159km Ultra Trail Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur, 107km Roubion – Nice, 54km Eze – Nice and 22km Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – Nice respectively.

Ultra Trail Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur will also provide direct access to Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) 2025 for the top three finishers.

The top three in the Roubion – Nice race will earn direct access to the UTMB CCC, while podium finishers in the Eze – Nice will earn a place at UTMB OCC.

Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB routes

Ultra Trail Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur features 8,700m of climbing over 159km, reaching more than 2,650m above sea level.

The race begins in Auron and winds through chestnut forests, following the Tinée river before skirting the Mercantour massif.

After crossing a series of incredible ridges at the halfway point, runners head south, scaling Mont Leuze, Mont Vinaigrier, Mont Alban and then Mont Boron.

The route then winds down a steep staircase and onto the coast, with a final stretch before the finish on the Promenade des Anglais.

Roubion – Nice consists of 5,000m of ascent across 111km, starting in the small village of Roubion, which is built on a cliff in the south of the Mercantour National Park.

The early stages take runners along the Vignols track before joining with the 165km course between the Tinée and Vésubie valleys.

The 54km Eze – Nice route is a demanding one, starting from the legendary Col d’Eze and finishing on the Promenade des Anglais, it combines the most beautiful scenery and trails that the Côte d’Azur and its surrounds have to offer.