UTMB

UTMB, short for Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc, is an international mountain ultramarathon held annually around the Mont Blanc massif in the Alps, spanning France, Italy, and Switzerland. Founded in 2003, it has grown into a multi-race festival centered in Chamonix, attracting runners from around the world and drawing significant media attention.

The flagship event, the UTMB race, covers roughly 171 kilometers with about 10,000 meters of elevation gain. It is known for high-altitude traverses, technical terrain, and variable weather, often taking elite competitors well into the 20 to 40+ hour range. The UTMB weekend also features several related races of varying distance and difficulty, including the CCC (Courmayeur–Champex–Chamonix) around 100 kilometers; the TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie) about 119 kilometers; the OCC (Orsières–Champex–Chamonix) roughly 50–60 kilometers; and the PTL (Petite Trotte à Léon), a challenging approximately 300-kilometer traverse.

Organization and participation: UTMB is organized by the UTMB Group and emphasizes trail-running culture, safety, and environmental responsibility. Entry typically requires meeting qualification standards and may involve a lottery or selection due to high demand. Races provide aid stations, medical support, navigation aids, and strict cutoffs to manage safety.

Impact: UTMB is widely regarded as one of the sport’s premier and most demanding events, contributing to the growth of mountain and trail running and influencing related race series and global participation.