When the winds of Chamonix, the holy ground of trail running, blew again, a name familiar to trail runners around the world but long absent finally returned to public view —Xavier Thévenard.
French trail-running legend Xavier Thévenard, a three-timeUTMB (2013/2015/2018) champion,after being sidelined by Lyme disease for six years, he announced on social media that he is ready to return to competition and will take part in the 90 km Tour du Mont Blanc trail race in Chamonix, France, on June 26, 2026.
Xavier Thévenard was diagnosed with Lyme disease after contracting COVID-19 in the autumn of 2020.
Lyme disease is a bacterial infection transmitted by tick bites. Symptoms include chronic fatigue, muscle pain and neurological problems. The illness is devastating for elite runners,Xavier Thévenard admitted he could only sustain 40 minutes of exercise before his body would collapse.
In 2021 he withdrew from the June Lavaredo Ultra Trail and the August UTMB, prompting supporters (and himself) to question his future in the sport.The illness changed his life completely and forced him to step away from competition temporarily,
Later his condition took a turn for the better,when an expert from the French Lyme disease association treated him, allowing him to return to the mountain trails.
He took part in the 2025 Gruyère mountain trail race in Switzerland. He finished 31st — and even just completing the race was a hugely significant step in his return to the mountains.
On June 26, Xavier Thévenard will return to his most familiar stage: the Mont Blanc Marathon 90 km trail. He won the event in 2017 and 2019, and to this day he remains one of the sport's finest mountain runners.
Also on the start line is his fellow Frenchman François D'Haene — a renewed clash between the two French greats in Chamonix will stir many trail fans' memories — with Swiss uphill specialist Rémi Bonnet and American Hillary Gerardi also entered.
Although years of illness may have kept Xavier Thévenard is unlikely to reach the podium, but the moment he dares to line up at the start he has already won.
Let's all look forward to it!
