2026 UTMB — Top 10 Storylines: The Most Uncertain Edition Yet? Which…

From August 24 to 30, 2026, the 23rd HOKA UTMB Mont‑Blanc Supertrail Finals will open in Chamonix, France.

On the 24th the PTL category (300 km, 25,000 m ascent) starts first, followed by the MCC category (40 km, 2,300 m ascent) and the TDS category (148 km, 9,300 m ascent).

On the 25th the ETC category (15 km, 1,200 m ascent) and the YCC category (15 km, 1,200 m ascent) set off.

On the 27th at 08:15 local time the OCC category (61 km, 3,500 m ascent) will start.

On the 28th CCC (101 km, 6,100 m ascent) begins at 09:00 local time, and 8 hours 45 minutes later, at 17:45 local time, the marquee UTMB category (177 km, 10,000 m ascent) will start.

With so many categories, what are the key storylines? Today we focus on the three main Finals races (UTMB, CCC and OCC) and outline the top ten things to watch.

UTMB category

(177 km, 10,000 m ascent)

Women’s “clash of the titans”:

Croft VS Dauwalter

The women’s UTMB race will stage an epic face‑off between the defending champion and a three‑time winner — one of the most anticipated battles of this edition.

Ruth Croft crosses the finish line © Run Wild

New Zealand’s Ruth Croft, 2025 UTMB champion, andthe only woman in history to have won all three Finals titles — UTMB, CCC and OCC — effectively the first to complete the “Grand Slam.”This year she will aim to become the first woman in the UTMB World Series era to win two consecutive UTMB titles.

Courtney Dauwalter crosses the finish line © Paoye

American legend “Big Sis” Courtney Dauwalter, a three‑time UTMB winner (2019, 2021, 2023),will line up at UTMB for the fifth time, contesting for her fourth overall title.Last year she watched Ruth overtake her while she was leading and couldn’t respond — she probably won’t suddenly hit the wall this year, right? But after winning Hardrock 100 and breaking that course record, how much she’s recovered remains an open question.

Of course the challengers are also formidable: this year’s Western States 100 runner‑up Riley Brady, Chinese runner Xiang Fuzhao, last year’s Western States 100 champion Abby Hall from the U.S., and Nepal’s Sunmaya Budha making her first 100‑mile attempt all have upset potential. In terms of fitness reserves, the first three all ran Western States 100 this year and have expended a lot of energy; Sunmaya may be in better condition, though she has comparatively less 100‑mile experience.

K, the “king,” returns after a four‑year absence

Blockbuster comeback

Spanish legend "K the King" has won UTMB four times (2008, 2009, 2011, 2022) and is one of the most iconic figures in trail running history. After several years away from the Chamonix scene since 2022, he officially returns this year.

K, the King, at the Zegama Mountain Marathon ©Paoye

But injury is the biggest unknown. At the Zegama Mountain Marathon in May 2026, K the King finished only 43rd due to a knee injury — a race he had won 11 times. Post-race MRI confirmed a horizontal tear of the lateral meniscus, cartilage damage, and joint effusion. He then stopped running entirely. At the Western States 100 in June he raced injured and ultimately DNF'd.

K the King's return is the event's focal point, but how much of his form he can recover — and how much that will shape the race — is one of this edition's biggest questions.

Men's field: "Battle of the Gods"

The title is up for grabs

Although defending champion Tom Evans is absent, the men's lineup still ranks among the strongest in UTMB history. Besides K the King, several top athletes will compete together.

American runner Jim Walmsley, 2023 UTMB champion,2025 OCC championAs the athlete with the highest UTMB index in this edition, he is the clear favorite on paper, but his race condition is also uncertain.

American runner Jim Walmsley © Paoye

French home favorite Vincent Bouillard, 2024 UTMB champion, won Western States 100 this year and set a new course record. But claiming both Western States 100 and UTMB in the same year is extremely difficult — historically only K the King and the "Big Sister" have done it.

American Ben Dhiman, 2025 UTMB runner-up, has raced sparingly this year: 5th at Transvulcania La Palma Island 73 km and 2nd in the Mont Blanc Mountain Marathon 90 km — arriving with fresh legs.

American Caleb Olson, 2025 Western States 100 champion, will be making his first UTMB attempt this year — how much he'll shake up the race remains to be seen.

Additionally, top contenders like Britain's Jonathan Albon and Germany's Hannes Namberger also have title potential. Albon led last year before withdrawing; now he's back, and if he wins he could complete a set of UTMB, CCC and OCC titles — becoming only the second person in history to do so.

Chinese contingent:

Xiang Fuzhao, Chen Lin,

led by Shen Jiasheng and Deng Guomin

Compared with last year, this year's Chinese elite entries in the UTMB category are fewer but higher-caliber.

UTMB Women's field:

Xiang Fuzhao and Chen Lin will compete together © Paoye

Xiang Fuzhao and Chen Lin will compete together.Asis China's most veteran female UTMB competitor, 向付召 has started the main race five times (2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, 2024), finishing four times, with a best result of 4th place in 2023.Last yearAfter finishing as runner-up at the Western States 100 two years in a row, she chose to enter the CCC category; this year she’s racing the Western States 100 and UTMB back-to-back. In 2024 she also did Western States 100 and UTMB back-to-back, but she withdrew from UTMB — what will the outcome be this year?

陈霖 set the fastest UTMB time for Chinese female athletes in 2024; she unfortunately withdrew last year and may break through again this year. Li Anna and Wang Liping's first UTMB journeys are also worth watching.

UTMB Men's field:

Shen Jiasheng and Deng Guomin compete © Paoye

Shen Jiasheng and Deng Guomin formed a doubles pairing.申加升 finished 8th in the UTMB race in 2025 and is aiming for a higher placing this year. 邓国敏 was unable to start last year due to visa issues — what can he deliver this year? Notably, both have new sponsors.

CCC category

(101 km, 6,100 m elevation gain)

Yao Miao returns to compete in the CCC after 8 years.

Going for the win, but the competition is strong

姚妙 is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated members of this year's Chinese contingent.She was the first Asian woman to stand on UTMB's top podium — 2018 CCC champion, and 2024 and 2025 OCC champion.This year she returns to challenge the CCC after eight years; whether she can maintain her dominant form will be the biggest storyline.

Yao Miao won the women's title at the 2025 OCC ©Paoye

In the last CCC edition, Yao Miao beat Katie Schide — who later won UTMB — to take the title, showing the world the strength of Chinese runners. After winning OCC two years in a row, Yao Miao's speed has improved; how will the CCC story be written this time?

Although Yao Miao is listed among the favorites, her rivals are also very strong. The field includes this year's Western States 100 champion Jennifer Lichter — the two met at this year's Gorge Waterfalls 50 km, where Jennifer won and Yao Miao was second. In addition, 2024 CCC champion Toni McCann, who withdrew last year due to injury, returns this year with the obvious goal of reclaiming the title.

Norway's Yngvild Kaspersen won in 2023 but withdrew in 2025 and also pulled out of this year's Western States 100, so her form is hard to predict.

Of course, Chinese runners Chi Lingjie (18th in 2025) and Tang Jingyan (she placed 6th and 9th respectively at the 2024 and 2025 CCC)'s performances are also worth watching.

The CCC men's field is exceptionally competitive.

Can the Chinese men's team make a breakthrough?

Looking at the CCC men's elite list, you can't help but remark how intense the competition is. The champion is truly hard to predict.

Italian veteran Cristian Minoggio, last year he battled Jim Walmsley to the finish at the OCC; he ranks first in the UTMB Index.

Cristian Minoggio, last year at the OCC he went toe-to-toe with Jim Walmsley © Paoye

American David Sinclair, in May's Transvulcania La Palma Island 73 km he dramatically shattered the course record to win.

French home runner Thomas Cardin finished 4th at this year's Western States 100. In April he won the Chianti Ultra Trail 120 km in 9:58:38, 10 seconds faster than Jim Walmsley's 2025 winning time.

Poland's Andrzej Witek was 3rd at last year's OCC and is this year's Chianti Ultra Trail 75 km champion.

American Adam Peterman — 2022 Western States 100 champion, 2024 CCC 3rd, 2025 OCC 6th, and 6th at this year's Western States 100.

New Zealand's Daniel Jones, 4th at the 2024 CCC, and this year's Tarawera Ultra-Trail 100 km champion.

Slovakia's Peter Frano is the most consistent candidate in this group. He placed 5th, 7th, and 2nd at the 2022, 2023, and 2024 CCC respectively, and has completed all four of his Chamonix appearances.

Spain's Antonio Perez isOCC the event's ""professional", in five starts he finished four times and placed in the top three three times (2022 No.2、2023 No.2、2024 No.3), and is the most consistent podium contender.

Looking next at the Chinese men's field, the lineup is also very strong: Meng Guangfu, Silang Duoji, Luo Canhua, Yang Jianjian, Zhang Huohua, Luo Tao, Ba Te Mengkai, and others — what kind of results can they achieve in the fiercely competitive CCC category?

While we worry about their prospects, we're even more eager to see them make history against top competition and better their personal bests.Meng Guangfu finished sixth in 2025 — can he move into the top three this year?

OCC category

(61 km, 3,500 m ascent)

Remi Bonnet VS Francesco Puppi

Shortdistancebattle for the crown

The OCC is the shortest and fastest of the three Grand Final races; this year's course is a bit longer than usual. From the data, OCCis the edition's three-event ""new faces"event with the most,147 among the elite, there are65 who have never raced in Chamonix. Perhaps because the distance is closer to traditional mountain trail races, it has attracted a large number of runners fromSky Runninga speed-oriented athlete with backgrounds in alpine skiing, orienteering, and track long-distance running.

Switzerland's Remi Bonnet, the world VK ascent record holder, dubbed the "Swiss Climbing Machine".In 2024 he withdrew from the OCC category; can he prove himself on the OCC course this year?

"Swiss Climbing Machine" Remi Bonnet © athlete's social media

Italy's Francesco Puppi, 2023 OCC champion, 2024 OCC runner-up, 2025 CCC champion. At the end of June this year at the Western States 100 he ran his first 100-mile in under 14 hours and finished second. Returning from Western States, can Puppi reproduce his short-distance dominance?

Italian athlete Francesco Puppi © Paoye

Beyond the direct duel between the two, France's Frederic Tranchand, Italy's Daniel Pattis, and Sweden's Petter Engdahl are also strong contenders.

As for Chinese athletes,Chinese athletes Zhao Jiaju, Guan Yousheng, Wu Erqing, Zi Juwei, Wang Ruqin, Shi Guo, Zhao Hu, etc., will compete.Because Zhao Jiaju will take part in the upcoming Giants' Journey, he is unlikely to race at full effort.

Chinese athlete Zhao Jiaju © Paoye

Guan Yousheng went to Chamonix early to prepare; although his UTMB index ranks only in the low 30s for the OCC category, that doesn't fully reflect his ability. In 2023 he finished third—now, with more focus this year on trail races, can he take another step forward?

Tove Alexandersson

How much can she win by?

Sweden's Tove Alexandersson is the biggest favorite in the OCC women's field.She is an absolute queen in orienteering. Since returning to trail running last year she has been unstoppable—whenever she races, the win has never slipped away.

2025 World Mountain and Trail Running Championships 45 km short-distance champion; 2026 Zegama Mountain Marathon champion, broke the course record; 2026 Mont Blanc Mountain Marathon champion, broke the course record.

In this year's OCC women's field, the biggest question may not be whether she'll win, but by how much—how large will her advantage be? How much of a threat can other competitors pose to her?

Potential dark horses in the three main categories

UTMB category:

France's Théo Détienne, who led the 2025 UTMB for nearly 100 km before withdrawing with an injury. He returns this year; at just 26 he has made UTMB his primary target for 2026 and is one of the most closely watched French contenders pre-race.

Another French runner, Baptiste Chassagne, is one of the most consistent elites — six Chamonix starts and six finishes. From 4th in the 2018 MCC, to 10th at the 2023 UTMB and 2nd in 2024, he has progressed step by step.

Britain's Josh Wade, 11th at the 2024 UTMB and 3rd at the 2025 UTMB. In May he dominated the Ultra-Trail Snowdonia 80 km, winning in 6 hours 56 minutes — he's in good form.

CCC field:

America's Eli Hemming, 2024 OCC champion and 7th at the 2025 CCC. This season he won back-to-back races at the Broken Arrow 46 km and Rothrock 50 km.

Slovakia's Veronika Leng, familiar to Chinese runners — 5th at the 2025 CCC and this year's Hong Kong 100 champion.

OCC field:

American Christian Allen, who led strongly at the 2024 OCC before withdrawing. His form has improved rapidly over the past two years — this year he won the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB 50 km and placed 6th at Sierre-Zinal.

America's Molly Seidel, Tokyo Olympic marathon bronze medallist. She switched full-time to trail running in 2026, winning her Bandera 50K debut and breaking the course record. Although her Western States 100 finish was 24:29:27, her speed is beyond doubt — how much of her marathon talent she can unleash on the OCC is worth watching.

The "second battleground" off the course

UTMB is not only a battlefield for athletes but also a showcase — and arena — for major outdoor brands.

As title partner of the UTMB World Series, HOKA's deep tie to UTMB gives it a natural home-field advantage in Chamonix. HOKA's elite roster includes Jim Walmsley, Francesco Puppi, Vincent Bouillard, Meng Guangfu, Judith Wyder, Silang Duoji and other top athletes.

As a traditional powerhouse in trail running, SALOMON's elite roster includes Courtney Dauwalter, Tove Alexandersson, Rémi Bonnet and other top athletes. Chi Lingjie, Shen Jiasheng and Zhang Huohua represent China's strength.

ACG is actively expanding into the trail market. Its elite roster includes Yao Miao, Caleb Olson, Riley Brady, Jennifer Lichter and other strong contenders.

Kailas FUGA has steadily expanded its footprint on the European scene in recent years. This year's elite roster includes Sunmaya Budha, Cristian Minoggio, Fabiola Conti, Hou Xiaoci, Luo Canhua, Yang Jianjian, Zhao Jiaju, Guan Yousheng, among others.

Road-running giants like adidas and ASICS are also actively moving into trail running, and their elite lineups are strong. adidas fields Ruth Croft, Abby Hall, Daniel Jones, Toni McCann, Yngvild Kaspersen, Petter Engdahl, etc.

ASICS fields Ben Dhiman, Benjamin Roubiol, Andrzej Witek, Sara Alsonso, etc.

So which brand will ultimately emerge as the big winner? That's still very much in suspense.

Finally, one more preview: Paoye Dabaozha will live-stream the entire UTMB, CCC and OCC races, and will also host the UTMB China Runners' Night event.

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Text / Editor: CC

Image source: Paoye Da Baozha

Visuals: Max

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2026 UTMB — Top 10 Storylines: The Most Uncertain Edition Yet? Which Epic Showdowns Await?