The 2026 HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc trail race continues to gain momentum. A total of 29,000 people entered the lottery, with registrations in each category rising by about 15%. But to protect the environment and the race experience, entry numbers have remained unchanged since 2006, making competition increasingly fierce. On average, successful UTMB applicants needed to hold 11 'running stones'. This edition put a strong emphasis on sustainability: two-thirds of the runners committed to low-carbon travel to receive a 30% boost to their chances of selection, collectively contributing €250,000 in carbon offsets. The field remained predominantly European (76%) while highly international, representing 129 nationalities. Female participation steadily rose to 26%. At the same time, the race raised over €630,000 through charity entries, underscoring its commitment to balancing competitive development, environmental responsibility and social good. #utmb #trailrunning #trailrunning #trailrunningboom #hoka