Vincent Esmiol leads the Diagonale des Fous 2026 after 80 km

Starting from Saint-Pierre at 10 p.m. on Thursday, Vincent Esmiol (Kiprun) set the pace through the night. The Frenchman reached Hell-Bourg (km 80.7), in the Salazie cirque, at 6:44 a.m., with a substantial lead over his chasers. One of the pre-race favorites, Briton Tom Evans (Asics) is already well behind. He arrived at 7:13 a.m., ten minutes after Hugo Deck (adidas Terrex) and Jean-Philippe Tschumi (Kailas Fuga). The 2025 UTMB winner endured a difficult night, including a fall that left his left eyebrow and right knee bleeding.

Gautier Airiau (Scott) and local runner Judicaël Sautron remain in the lead group, while Thibaut Baronian (Salomon) sits in seventh. It is over, however, for Thibaut Garrivier (Hoka). Fifth at the 2025 UTMB, the Frenchman dropped out at Hell-Bourg after being hampered by digestive problems as well as knee and ankle pain.

Ruth Croft leads the women's race

In the women's race, Ruth Croft (adidas Terrex) is living up to her status as favorite. The New Zealander, winner of the 2025 UTMB, is out in front. Her lead over Sarah Vieuille (Kirpun) reached 28 minutes, but the Frenchwoman has since slipped to fifth. Behind Croft, American Alyssa Clark (On), Frenchwoman Agathe Bes (Brooks) and Irishwoman Emma Stuart (La Sportiva) remain within striking distance. On the demanding trails of the Diagonale des Fous, there is still a long way to go and the gaps can change quickly.