The Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) is the world’s greatest trail race.
It is the centrepiece of a week-long event named after it, the UTMB World Series Finals. Based in Chamonix, France, it sees over 10,000 runners compete in eight different races, with OCC and CCC the next most prestigious.
A brutal 174km route, this iconic event takes in three countries on a journey around Mont Blanc and features around 10,000 metres of climbing.
Follow LIVE
There’s better coverage than ever this year for OCC, CCC and UTMB.
The coverage starts at 17:15 local (CET) time on Friday 29th August 2025, with the race itself getting under way 15 minutes earlier than normal at 17:45. That’s 16:45 in the UK and 11:45 Eastern Time.
The livestream, live tracking and live results will all be available via this link.
The broadcast will be available in five languages (French, English, Spanish, Italian and Chinese) and brought to life by 15 commentators.
You can also follow the event via the following major broadcasters:
In France (Groupe L’Équipe), United States and Canada (Outside TV and Trail Runner), and China (Shinai Sports / iQIYI Sports and RunYeah). The UTMB World Series has also teamed up with DAZN, the world’s leading live sports streaming service, and Eurovision Sport, EBU’s streaming platform, to strengthen coverage across Europe and worldwide.
UTMB
start list
Click here for the full start list and check out the analysis section below for our run through the leading contenders.
Notable runners
Route
A statement from UTMB before this year’s race confirmed a slight change: “Recent landslides between Chamonix and Les Houches have led teams to rethink this section of the route.
“After several field studies, a variant was chosen to ensure your safety while preserving the spirit of the original route.
“The final route of the UTMB is therefore 174km and 9,900 elevation gain”.
That’s only 2km shorter than last year so still relatively unchanged.
The race begins in Chamonix and heads anticlockwise to Saint Gervais, Les Contamines and La Balme. Les Chapieux and Lac Combal are checkpoints five and six before the race descends to Courmayeur before climbing once more, eventually hitting Grand Col Ferret- the highest peak of the race at 2,537m.
The route continues via La Fouly and Triente, with the final checkpoint coming at La Flégère, 168km into this year’s course. From there it’s all downhill into Chamonix.
Analysis
We’ll start with the men by virtue of there being two former winners…
It’s the big comeback for François D’Haene (FRA, UTMB Index 865).
A four-time winner (2012, 2014, 2017, 2021), he returns four years after his last appearance.
Now 38, he is back with the same excitement as in his early days, saying: “In 2005, 20 years ago, I was amazed and intrigued to discover the UTMB as a volunteer. A few months later, too young for the UTMB, I entered the CCC. Since then, I’ve witnessed the growth of the race and the sport year after year, and the fascination and wonder that ultra-trail brings to runners. I’ve also experienced unforgettable moments and victories in 2012, 2014, 2017, 2021. This year, I return with the same excitement and enthusiasm for an adventure and story that I can’t wait to relive.”
Some will question the fact D’Haene is now approaching 40 but fellow Frenchman Ludovic Pommeret (UTMB Index 896) remains an enduring force at 50!
Winner of the UTMB in 2016, he underlined his class again this summer with victory at the iconic Hardrock 100 in the USA.
Alongside the French champions, some of the biggest international names in global trail running will line up to write their own stories on the Mont-Blanc trails. Jonathan Albon (GBR, UTMB Index 926), a complete athlete and master tactician, stands out as one of the main favourites and has won both OCC and CCC.
He will be joined by Daniel Jones (NZL, UTMB Index 921), Hayden Hawks (USA, UTMB Index 913), Tom Evans (GBR, UTMB Index 910), and Ji Duo (CHN, UTMB Index 906).
Also in exceptional form is Ben Dhiman (USA, UTMB Index 904), winner and course record holder at the 2025 Lavaredo 120K and champion of the 2025 Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB 100K.
In the women’s race all eyes will be on the great Courtney Dauwalter (USA, UTMB Index 843).
With three UTMB titles (2019, 2021, 2023), the American has become a global icon of ultra-trail. Always smiling and instantly recognisable, she continues to push the boundaries as she pursues a fourth crown in Chamonix.
She won last time out at the Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB and though her great rival – and the defending champion – Katie Schide doesn’t take her on, it’s still a talent-packed line-up.
Ruth Croft (NZL, UTMB Index 797), CCC champion in 2015 and double OCC winner (2018, 2019), is chasing her first UTMB victory – a win that would make her the first woman to triumph in all three Finals.
Abby Hall (USA, UTMB Index 789), one of the most consistent athletes on the circuit, arrives with high ambitions after a standout victory at the 2025 Western States Endurance Run.
Emily Hawgood (ZIM, UTMB Index 769) continues her rise following a strong start to the season, while Camille Bruyas (FRA, UTMB Index 755) could also make her mark.
Close behind, Heather Jackson (USA, UTMB Index 767), a former pro triathlete, will be a serious contender, while Katharina Hartmuth (GER, UTMB Index 762) – runner-up in 2023 – represents the new wave determined to dethrone Dauwalter. It promises to be quite a race.
Previous winners and course records
France’s Francois D’Haene and Spain’s Kilian Jornet are the most successful male runners in UTMB history with four wins apiece. Great Britain’s Lizzy Hawker is the most successful female runner, having won five times – in 2005, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
Jim Walmsley shattered the men’s course record in 2023 and Katie Schide did the same for the women’s one last year.
Past winners (since 2010)
2010 – Men: Jez Bragg (GBR) 10:30:37. Women: Lizzy Hawker (GBR) 11:47:30*
2011 – Men: Kilian Jornet (SPA) 20:36:43. Women: Lizzy Hawker (GBR) 25:02:00
2012 – Men: Francois D’Haene (FRA) 20:34:57. Women: Lizzy Hawker (GBR) 12:32:13*
2013 – Men: Xavier Thevenard (FRA) 21:09:15. Women: Rory Bosio (USA) 22:37:26
2014 – Men: Francois D’Haene (FRA) 20:11:44. Women: Rory Bosio (USA) 23:23:20
2015 – Men: Xavier Thevenard (FRA) 21:09:15. Women: Nathalie Mauclair (FRA) 25:15:40
2016 – Men: Ludovic Pommeret (FRA) 22:00:2. Women: Caroline Chaverot (FRA) 25:15:40
2017 – Men: Francois D’Haene (FRA) 19:01:54. Women: Núria Picas (SPA) 25:46:43*
2018 – Men: Xavier Thevenard (FRA) 20:44:16. Women: Francesca Canepa (ITA) 26:03:48
2019 – Men: Pau Capell (SPA) 20:19:07. Women: Courtney Dauwalter (USA) 24:34:26
2020 – Postponed due to Covid-19
2021 – Men: Francois D’Haene (FRA) 20:46:00. Women: Courtney Dauwalter (USA) 22:30:55
2022 – Men: Kilian Jornet (SPA) 19:49:30. Women: Katie Schide (USA) 23:15:12
2023 – Men: Jim Walmsley (USA) 19:37:43 Women: Courtney Dauwalter (USA) 23:29:14
2023 – Men: Vincent Bouillard (FRA) 19:54:23 Women: Katie Schide (USA) 22:09:31
* Courses shortened due to poor weather
Past winners
Tab 2 content.
