Analysis

Who are the men to watch at UTMB 2026?

The complexion of the men’s race has changed dramatically in the build-up to UTMB, with three of its biggest names now missing from the start line.

Four-time champion Kilian Jornet and 2023 winner Jim Walmsley have both been ruled out by knee problems, while defending champion Tom Evans had already confirmed he would not return to defend his crown.

But there is still a hugely competitive field heading to Chamonix – led by the man who won UTMB two years ago.

Vincent Bouillard produced a stunning breakthrough performance to triumph in 2024 and has since proved that was anything but a one-off. The Frenchman arrives back at UTMB after winning Western States earlier this summer and smashing the course record in the process.

Ben Dhiman is another obvious contender after finishing runner-up to Evans here 12 months ago, and his UTMB Index of 946 is now the highest in the men’s field.

American Caleb Olson isn’t far behind on 945, while Germany’s Hannes Namberger – a four-time Lavaredo winner – brings a wealth of experience and arrives with an Index of 941.

Britain still has a major contender despite the absence of Evans. Jonathan Albon, a former OCC and CCC winner, is one of the highest-rated runners remaining in the field and will now attempt to add the biggest race of UTMB week to his Chamonix CV.

And the depth extends much further. Chris Myers (USA), 2024 runner-up Baptiste Chassagne (FRA), last year’s third-place finisher Josh Wade (GBR), Andreas Reiterer (ITA) and American favourite Zach Miller are among a host of athletes capable of making an impact.

So while the loss of Jornet, Walmsley and Evans has removed three huge storylines, it may also have made the men’s race considerably harder to predict.

Who are the women to watch at UTMB 2026?

The women’s race brings together the last two UTMB champions as Courtney Dauwalter attempts to reclaim her crown from defending champion Ruth Croft.

Dauwalter had won on each of her first three UTMB appearances – in 2019, 2021 and 2023 – before that extraordinary sequence finally ended last year, when she struggled during the second half but battled on to finish 10th.

She returns in ominous form. The American won Hardrock 100 for a third time in July, setting a new clockwise-direction record of 26:03:10, just seven weeks before UTMB

Croft was the athlete who took full advantage 12 months ago, producing a superb performance to claim her first UTMB victory and complete a unique Chamonix treble after previously winning both CCC and OCC.

The New Zealander has enjoyed another strong season, including victory at Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB.

But there is plenty of quality beyond the two former champions.

France’s Blandine L’Hirondel, a former CCC winner and UTMB podium finisher, is one of the leading European contenders, while Fuzhao Xiang, Abby Hall and Riley Brady add further depth.

Lucy Bartholomew returns after finishing seventh last year, while Rachel Entrekin is another fascinating contender after her remarkable overall course-record performance at Cocodona earlier this season.

The most significant absentee remains Katie Schide. The 2022 and 2024 champion and UTMB course-record holder misses this year’s race as she continues to deal with the foot problems which have disrupted her season.

So once again all eyes will be on Dauwalter and Croft – but in a race of 174km and almost 10,000 metres of climbing, there is ample opportunity for somebody else to force their way into the biggest storyline of UTMB weekend.