HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc
Friday, August 28, 2026, starting at 17:45 · Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France
TL;DR. The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc 2026 kicks off at 17:45 on August 28 in Chamonix. 174 km and 9,900 m of positive gain across France, Italy and Switzerland, with a 46h45min cut-off. Access via the lottery using UTMB Index + Running Stones. Official fueling: NAAK plus real food at aid stations. Strategy splits into 3 blocks: day (90 g/h), night (60 g/h), day 2 (40 to 60 g/h + solids). Main risk: hypothermia.
Fueling strategy for 24 to 46 hours of racing
UTMB breaks into three blocks. First 12 hours (day + early night): 70 to 90 g/h. Hours 12 to 24 (night + altitude): 50 to 70 g/h. Hours 24 to 46 (day 2): 40 to 60 g/h plus hot solids from aid stations. Sodium 600 to 1000 mg/h. Caffeine: save for the night (100 to 200 mg every 6 hours from 23:00).
Carb loading at 10 to 12 g/kg/day across the 36 to 48 hours before. Big meal at 12:00 Friday, light snack at 15:30. Gut training is a hard prerequisite: 8 weeks on the 6-week gut training protocol. Carry 12 to 16 personal gels plus bars plus sodium capsules. 1 L hydration reservoir mandatory. Vegetable broth at major aid stations restores sodium. Risotto and rice rebuild glycogen. Cheese (Beaufort at Chapieux) replenishes fats and salt.
Course: 9 alpine passes and 3 countries
The pilgrim's loop around Mont-Blanc crosses France, Italy and Switzerland, with 9 major passes. Col de Voza (1,653 m, km 21), Col du Bonhomme (2,329 m, km 41), Col de la Seigne (2,516 m, km 50, FR/IT border), Arête du Mont-Favre (2,430 m, km 60), Grand Col Ferret (2,490 m, km 100, IT/CH border, highest), Bovine (1,987 m, km 130), Catogne (2,005 m, km 156), La Flégère (1,877 m, km 164). Single track on dirt, roots and rock. A red-mode headlamp is mandatory across the Réserve des Contamines-Montjoie.
Aid stations: the only drop bag is in Courmayeur (km 81)
15 aid stations. Majors: Les Contamines (km 31), Les Chapieux (km 49, hot meal), Lac Combal (km 65), Courmayeur (km 81, sole drop bag, hot meal, sleep area), La Fouly (km 110, Switzerland, hot meal), Champex-Lac (km 126), Trient (km 141), Vallorcine (km 154), Chamonix (km 174). Official 2024 to 2026: NAAK, with Energy Drink (Lemon, Watermelon), Bulk Bars (Chocolate & Peanut, Berry & Nut) and Waffles at Dolonne, Champex and Trient. Real food: gluten-free vegetable broth, local soup at Chapieux, buckwheat crozets, risotto at Dolonne, raclette at La Fouly.
Alpine climate: hypothermia is the leading cause of DNF
Temperature in the Chamonix valley (1,000 m) sits at 12 to 22C during the day and 8 to 12C at night. At 2,000 m, 4 to 9C. At 2,500 m on the passes, 1 to 6C with the chance of dropping below zero at night with wind. Afternoon storm probability 30 to 40%. Wind on the passes 40 to 60 km/h, especially Grand Col Ferret. Hypothermia from rain + wind + altitude + fatigue is the leading cause of DNF.
Mandatory kit: waterproof jacket with sealed seams, waterproof trousers, beanie, gloves. Minimum 1 L reservoir. Mandatory kit checks at any aid station, with penalty or immediate DQ if anything is missing. Manage cold: layer up before every night climb, eat before the cold "arrives", trim gels in favour of hot solids at the majors.
Sleep management and caffeine across a 46-hour race
Most finishers (~38 to 42h) sleep zero or take power naps of 10 to 20 minutes at Courmayeur (km 81) and/or Trient (km 141). Sleep areas at these majors. Strategic caffeine: zero during day, first dose 100 mg around 23:00 (Chapieux/Lac Combal). Second dose 150 mg around 04:00. Third if needed at 10:00 next day. A 15-minute power nap after first dose is optimal for cognitive reset. No caffeine in the last 4 hours if you want to sleep after finish.
Logistics: single drop bag and family rules
Start in Chamonix (Place de l'Église / Hôtel de Ville), entirely on foot. Packet pickup at Salle des Concerts 3 to 4 days before. Single drop bag in Courmayeur (km 81). Family access: Les Houches (km 8), Les Contamines (km 31), Courmayeur (km 81) via Mont-Blanc Tunnel, Champex-Lac (km 126), Vallorcine (km 154) via Mont-Blanc Express, Chamonix at finish. Free live tracking on LiveTrail. UTMB does not allow pacers. Carry passport or EU citizen card in drop bag (FR/IT/CH borders).
Relevant guides for this race
Frequently asked questions about UTMB Mont-Blanc
Do I need prior experience to enter UTMB?
Yes, mandatory. You need Running Stones from the UTMB World Series accumulated in qualifier races, plus a minimum UTMB Index. Typically you must have finished one or more ultras of 100K+ on the qualifying circuit.
How long does it take to finish UTMB?
Sub-30h is elite, 30 to 40h is "good finish", 40 to 46h45 is "regular finisher" territory. Median finisher time 38 to 42 hours. Only 60 to 70% of entrants finish inside the cut-off. Typical preparation 1 to 2 years of consistent ultra-trail.
Can I sleep in Courmayeur partway through the race?
Yes, power nap area available. Most athletes take 15 to 20 minutes to reset. Watch the intermediate cut-offs at Champex (km 126) and Trient (km 141). Every minute lost in Courmayeur can jeopardise the rest of the race.
Can I race UTMB with a pacer?
No. UTMB does not officially allow pacers. You run solo or inside the natural "pack" of athletes at a similar pace. Family and friends only meet you at major aid stations.
Do I need a passport to cross the FR/IT/CH borders?
Yes. Carry passport or EU citizen card in your Courmayeur drop bag. Random checks can happen, especially on Italian and Swiss borders. No acceptable document means DQ.