Kilian Jornet has withdrawn from UTMB 2026 after revealing he will undergo surgery on a knee injury which has troubled him for several months.
The trail-running legend had been due to make his eagerly-awaited return to the flagship 174km race around Mont Blanc, four years after claiming his fourth UTMB victory in 2022.
But Jornet has now confirmed he will not be on the start line in Chamonix after a recent long training effort showed that the knee problem had not been resolved.
‘Sometimes plans change’
Announcing the news on his social media channels, Jornet explained that he and his medical team had initially attempted to manage the injury without surgery.
He said: “Sometimes plans change, and this year I won’t be running UTMB.
“After several months dealing with a knee injury, we have decided, together with my medical team, that surgery is the best next step.
“We initially took a more conservative approach, and training was going well. However, after a long effort a few days ago, I realised that the issue was still there, which means we need to find a more permanent solution.”
The 38-year-old admitted that walking away from such a major target was difficult but said previous injuries had taught him the importance of adapting in order to protect his long-term career.
He added: “I’m an athlete, I’m competitive, and like everyone who loves this sport, it is difficult to say no to a race or a project.
“But I have experienced injuries before, and each time they have reminded me that these moments are also part of the process, and that learning to adapt is part of being able to continue doing what I love for many years.
“There are still many unknowns about the next steps, but I will share more when I know more.
“Good luck to everyone racing in Chamonix, I will be cheering as always!”
Eagerly-awaited UTMB return put on hold
Jornet’s withdrawal removes one of the biggest attractions from what had looked like an extraordinary men’s race at UTMB.
The Spaniard won the event in 2008 and 2009 before adding a third victory in 2011.
More than a decade later he returned to the top step of the podium in 2022, claiming his fourth UTMB crown in spectacular fashion.
He has not raced UTMB since, meaning his planned appearance in 2026 would have marked his first attempt at the race for four years.
It was also set to produce a fascinating clash between three successive UTMB champions.
Jornet won in 2022 before Jim Walmsley became the first American man to triumph in 2023 and Frenchman Vincent Bouillard produced his breakthrough victory in 2024.
Bouillard has since further enhanced his reputation by winning the 2026 Western States Endurance Run in record-breaking fashion.
Another huge name missing from UTMB
Jornet isn’t the only former champion who will be absent when the race gets under way in Chamonix.
Defending winner Tom Evans had already confirmed he would not return to defend the title he claimed in 2025.
The British star made that decision following his DNF at Hardrock 100, explaining that he did not feel ready to take on another 100-mile race so soon afterwards.
Despite losing Jornet and Evans, the men’s field remains stacked.
Former champion Walmsley and Western States winner Bouillard now become even more prominent among the leading contenders, while 2025 runner-up Ben Dhiman, Caleb Olson, Hannes Namberger and Britain’s Jonathan Albon are among the other major names set to challenge.
For Jornet, however, the focus now switches away from Chamonix and towards resolving the knee problem which has ultimately brought his UTMB comeback to a premature end.
