Western States champion Jennifer Lichter will headline a stacked field for the 2026 CCC as some of the world’s best trail runners battle for the biggest 100K title of the season.
The American arrives in Chamonix fresh from a spectacular victory at Western States, while former CCC champions Yngvild Kaspersen and Toni McCann are among those standing in her way. One name missing is defending champion Martyna Mlynarczyk.
There will also be a new men’s champion, with 2025 winner Francesco Puppi absent and Cristian Minoggio, David Sinclair and Daniel Jones among the leading contenders.
The 101km race, featuring 6,050 metres of elevation gain between Courmayeur and Chamonix, is the 100K UTMB World Series Final.
Lichter targets another huge victory
Lichter arrives at CCC with the highest UTMB Index in the women’s field after a remarkable start to 2026.
Her biggest victory came at Western States in June, where she produced a record-breaking performance to claim one of the most prestigious 100-mile titles in the sport.
Now she drops back in distance to 100K for another huge test in the mountains around Mont Blanc.
And there is no shortage of opposition.
China’s Miao Yao won OCC in 2025 and has since demonstrated her credentials over the longer distance with victory at HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB.
Norway’s Yngvild Kaspersen, meanwhile, already knows exactly what it takes to win CCC after taking the title in 2023.
And she isn’t the only former champion returning.
South Africa’s Toni McCann, the 2024 winner, is also on the start list, while China’s Lingjie Chi and New Zealand’s Caitlin Fielder add further depth to an intriguing women’s race.
Who succeeds Francesco Puppi?
Francesco Puppi heads to the shorter OCC rather than defend the title he won in 2025 but Italian compatriot Cristian Minoggio heads the field according to the UTMB Index, with his rating of 944 narrowly ahead of American David Sinclair on 942.
Sinclair has unfinished business at CCC after finishing runner-up to Puppi last year and returns as one of the leading candidates to go one better.
New Zealand’s Daniel Jones should also be firmly in the mix.
Jones finished fourth at CCC in 2024 and returns to the 100K distance with a UTMB Index of 941.
France’s Benjamin Roubiol carries the same rating, while compatriot Thomas Cardin arrives having already tasted major success this season with victory over 100 miles at Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB.
China’s Guangfu Meng is another potential challenger, along with Poland’s Andrzej Witek, who steps up in distance after finishing third at OCC last year.
With neither of the 2025 champions returning and former winners, established stars and in-form challengers converging on Courmayeur, both CCC titles are very much up for grabs.
