Courtney Dauwalter makes surprise UTMB return as stellar 2026 women’s field is revealed

Courtney Dauwalter will return to UTMB in 2026 as the American superstar bids to reclaim her crown on the trails around Mont Blanc.

The three-time winner is one of the headline names on a stacked women’s start list for the 174km race, which features 9,900 metres of elevation gain and represents the 100M UTMB World Series Final.

Dauwalter’s inclusion is one of the biggest talking points from the newly-announced elite field, with the 41-year-old set for another showdown with defending champion Ruth Croft.

Dauwalter back for more

Dauwalter has established herself as one of the greatest ultrarunners of all time and boasts a remarkable record at UTMB, winning in 2019, 2021 and 2023.

But things didn’t go to plan when she attempted to make it four victories from four starts in 2025.

Dauwalter led during a brutal night which featured rain, snow and freezing conditions, but began to struggle during the second half of the race.

She eventually battled her way to the finish in 10th place – winning a new legion of fans in the process – as New Zealand’s Croft claimed a memorable first UTMB victory.

Dauwalter will now be back in Chamonix looking for title number four – but once again she faces formidable opposition.

Croft defends her crown

Croft’s victory 12 months ago completed a unique UTMB World Series Finals treble.

The New Zealander had previously won CCC in 2015 and OCC in both 2018 and 2019, making her the first female athlete to win all three of the showpiece races in Chamonix.

And after finally adding UTMB itself to that collection in 2025, she now returns as defending champion.

But the race is by no means simply a Dauwalter versus Croft rematch.

Riley Brady is another fascinating name on the start list and, with a UTMB Index of 826, is actually ranked above Croft’s 823 heading into the race.

China’s Fuzhao Xiang, Nepal’s Sunmaya Budha and American Abby Hall add further quality to what looks an exceptionally deep women’s field.

Plenty of contenders

Blandine L’Hirondel will also return to Chamonix with an impressive pedigree at the event.

The Frenchwoman won CCC in 2022 and finished on the UTMB podium in 2023, while she arrives this time as the reigning Diagonale des Fous champion following her victory in 2025.

Australia’s Lucy Bartholomew is another athlete who knows the race extremely well, having recorded three successive top-10 finishes at UTMB.

She was seventh last year and has already underlined her form over 100 miles this season with second place at the Lavaredo Ultra Trail.

And another intriguing storyline surrounds Rachel Entrekin.

The American will face Dauwalter for the third time this season following their meetings at Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB and Cocodona.

Entrekin produced a spectacular performance at the latter, setting a new overall course record – faster than both the previous men’s and women’s marks.

With Dauwalter chasing a fourth victory, Croft defending the title and a host of athletes capable of challenging them, the women’s UTMB promises to be the standout race of the 2026 trail-running season.

The biggest name missing is 2022 and 2024 winner and course record holder Katie Schide, who has been battling persistent plantar fasciitis and nerve issues in her foot.

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