Loïs Ardiet and Manon Charpy win the 175 km Ultra Trail des Montagnes du Jura

Loïs Ardiet, 21, wins the 175 km

At just 21, Loïs Ardiet pulled off a surprise victory at the UTMJ 175 km in 21:02:00. The runner from Le Crouzet in the Doubs department was not even setting out to win. Racing 175 km for the first time, his main goal was simply to finish in under 24 hours.

He started cautiously, but took the lead at Lajoux and held it all the way to the finish in Métabief. “It’s crazy. I still can’t believe it. I didn’t think I would win. Finishing was already a huge achievement, and my goal was to finish in under 24 hours,” said the young runner from the Doubs. Already experienced over long distances, with a 75 km and two 100 km races under his belt, Loïs Ardiet was stepping up to 175 km for the first time. That first attempt turned into a home victory, ahead of Jérémy Arbore (21:37:15) and Benoit Robelin (23:14:12).

It’s crazy. I still can’t believe it. I didn’t think I would win. Finishing was already a huge achievement, and my goal was to finish in under 24 hours. It was my first 175 km, so it was a real voyage into the unknown. I started with the 75 km, then did two 100 km races and took part in UTMJ races twice. My friends challenged me a bit, saying, ‘Come on, now you’re doing the 175 km.’ It was a joke at first. I told myself I should start steadily and stay a little behind. My pacer had even told me, ‘I’ll be at Les Rousses at 8:30.’ In the end, the plan didn’t really go to plan. I didn’t expect to take the lead at Lajoux, let alone hold it all the way to the finish. I never let up and kept pushing until the end. Even I don’t know how it was possible. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better result, with my parents and friends there to support me, and especially here in the Jura, at home. I’ve always loved endurance and spending long hours in the mountains, but this is a dream. I’d do it a hundred times over to experience this again. First I’m going to take it all in, because I’m hurting pretty badly... and we’ll see about next year.

Manon Charpy wins after a difficult start

In the women’s race, Manon Charpy also won the UTMJ 175 km on her first attempt at the distance. The runner from Verrières-de-Joux in the Doubs had a difficult start, however. Suffering from stomach cramps from the opening kilometres, she even considered dropping out before managing to carry on.

She eventually won in 28:31:40. “It was difficult from the first few kilometres because I had stomach cramps right from the start, and I even considered dropping outI was able to keep going and finish thanks to my friends. It wouldn’t have been possible without them .” For Manon Charpy, the initial goal was simply to finish her first 175 km. Victory was an unexpected bonus at the end of a particularly gruelling adventure.

It was difficult from the first few kilometres because I had stomach cramps right from the start, and I even considered dropping out. I waited to see if it would pass and, eventually, it got a little better. I don’t think my nutrition was optimal either. I drank a lot because I couldn’t eat very much. It worked out, but I could have managed it better. And by the end, my feet were completely done too. I was able to keep going and finish thanks to my friends. It wouldn’t have been possible without them. I felt I owed it to them to do my ‘runner’s job’ and make them proud. I’m incredibly happy to have shared this with the people close to me. That’s really the most important thing in moments like these. I’m savouring it because they’re here with me. Without that, the victory wouldn’t taste the same. The 175 km was a bit of an unknown for me because I’d never run that distance. My main goal was to finish, so this victory is a very welcome bonus.

Six records in a single day

This year’s UTMJ also saw six new records set across the different races held on Saturday. In the UTMJ Relay 175 km, the No Pain 6 Gain team from the Pays de Gex region smashed the record in 15:41:35. Both records fell in the Franco-Suisse 105 km as well. Inti Coenegracht won in 9:48:38, breaking the ten-hour mark in his first 100 km race. In the women’s race, runner from Besançon Charlotte Allain won in 11:53:31, also finishing under 12 hours.

In the Renarde 75 km, runner from the Jura Dimitri Morel-Jean set a new record in 5:54:46, while Inès Desseaux won the women’s race in 8:10:51. Finally, in the Chamois 10 km, Eliot Monnier Benoit, already the winner in 2025, retained his title and lowered the course record with a time of 39:20. In the women’s race, Amélie Gonnod also set a new benchmark in 47:38.

© Ben Becker

© Ben Becker

© Ben Becker

Métabief at the heart of the celebrations

Beyond the sporting performances, the day was marked by a huge outpouring of support in Métabief, the finish venue for all the races. In the sunshine, more than 750 children took part in the various UTMJ Kids events, while the race finishes, activities and concerts kept the crowds entertained throughout the day. The seventh edition of the Ultra Trail des Montagnes du Jura continues on Sunday with the CMM (40 km) and the Lynx (20 km).

How to follow the 2026 UTMJ live

The various UTMJ 2026 races can be followed in real time on LiveTrail, with live rankings and runners’ split times. Images, the main highlights and reactions are also available live on the UTMJ’s social media channels, particularly YouTube and Facebook.

On Sunday, the live broadcast runs from 7:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.