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

Loïs Ardiet, 21, wins the 175 km race

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 had not set out with victory in mind. Racing 175 km for the first time, his main goal was simply to finish within 24 hours.

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

Manon Charpy wins despite 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 endured a difficult start, however. Suffering from stomach problems within the first few 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 problems right from the start, and I even considered dropping out,” she explained. Her victory owed much to the support of those close to her: “I was able to hang on 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 race. Victory was an unexpected bonus after an especially gruelling adventure.

Six records in a single day

This year’s UTMJ was also marked by six new records across the races held on Saturday. In the UTMJ Relais 175 km, No Pain 6 Gain, a team from the Pays de Gex, 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, Jura runner 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, defended 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.

Métabief at the heart of the celebrations

Beyond the sporting performances, the day was fuelled by a huge crowd in Métabief, the finish venue for every race. In the sunshine, more than 750 children took part in the various UTMJ Kids events, while race finishes, activities and concerts kept the town buzzing 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 UTMJ 2026 live

The various UTMJ 2026 races can be followed in real time on LiveTrail, with live standings and 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 noon.