UTMB 2026: Ben Dhiman, Vincent Bouillard, Baptiste Chassagne, Théo Detienne… Who are the 2026 favorites?

From August 24 to 30, the 23rd edition of HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc will welcome one of the deepest fields in the race’s history, boosted by the UTMB® World Series Finals. After qualifying all season across the circuit’s events, the best athletes will converge on UTMB, the 100-mile (100M) championship race.

Men’s field: experience vs the new wave

The headline race of the week, with its 174 km and 9,900 m of climbing, is shaping up as one of the season’s must-watch showdowns. The 2026 start list brings together some of UTMB’s biggest names, alongside a new generation of challengers.

With defending British champion Tom Evans absent, his American Team ASICS Fuji Trail teammate Ben Dhiman (runner-up to Evans last year) gets a real shot at moving up one step, to the top of the podium, after last season’s breakthrough run. Known for massive training loads (more than 100 hours in July), Dhiman raced two key build-ups before this UTMB: the 90 km du Mont Blanc, where he finished 2nd in June, and Transvulcania, where he placed 5th in May.

But “Big Ben” from the Pyrenees will have his work cut out to get it done. Lining up against him, among others:

Catalan Kilian Jornet (team NNormal) was initially listed on the start list. But he withdrew on August 20, still dealing with a knee injury. On social media he even said the next step would be surgery. The sport’s GOAT won’t be chasing a fifth title this year after his UTMB victories in 2008, 2009, 2011 and 2022.

The next day, it was American Jim Walmsley (team Hoka), another Chamonix crowd favorite, who also announced he would not start. Now based in Arêches-Beaufort, he too pulled out because of a lingering knee issue, after also dropping at Western States.

France’s Vincent Bouillard (team Hoka), the surprise UTMB winner in 2024, has since backed up his status, notably by setting a new record at Western States this past June. The Western/UTMB double is always a tricky bet, but the Team HOKA man has a knack for catching everyone off guard.

The other Frenchman, Baptiste Chassagne (team ON), 2nd in 2024, will be back, having been fine-tuning this one for months with the meticulous approach everyone knows him for. A season opener in Italy at the Chianti Marathon (7th), a break in May after winning Grand Raid du Ventoux, a 4th on his first run at the 90 km du Mont Blanc, then two more recent outings on short, punchy formats (Montée du Nid d’Aigle 20K/2000D+ / 6th, and Trail du Fornet 36K/2820D+, winner). Expect the ON athlete to arrive buzzing for this UTMB, which he dreams of running in under 20 hours, like others…

In ultras, where anything can happen, a few other dark horses deserve a mention:

American Zach Miller (team The North Face), with his trademark all-gas approach, light on calculation and heavy on heart, which already carried him to 2nd at UTMB in 2023.

France’s Théo Detienne (team Brooks), runner-up at the Maxi Race 100 km in May, will want to keep learning the 100-mile game after last year’s DNF, and deliver on the promise people see in him.

Young Frenchman Baptiste Coatantiec (Team Nike ACG), 5th at Ultra Chianti behind the experienced Vincent Bouillard, Andreas Reiterer and Thomas Cardin, is one to watch as well after another 5th at the most recent 90 km du Mont Blanc.

Germany’s Hannes Namberger (team Dynafit), winner of the 120 km at Lavaredo Trail in June and 2nd at Transgrancanaria earlier in the season, will lean on all his experience to try to crack the top 5, or better, as will Italy’s Andreas Reiterer (team La Sportiva).

The Chinese contingent, which saw three runners finish in the top 10 in 2025, won’t be quiet this year either. They can notably count on Jiasheng Shen (team Salomon), a solid 8th last year, who’s looking to confirm his place among the world’s elite.

Women’s field: with Ruth Croft, Courtney Dauwalter and Blandine L’Hirondel

The women’s battle is shaping up to be exceptional as well. New Zealander Ruth Croft (team Adidas Terrex) returns to defend her crown and could add another chapter to UTMB history. The reigning champion put in a serious southern-hemisphere summer, winning Ultra-Trail Tarawera on home soil, then taking 2nd in the 50K at Australia Ultra Trail in early spring, before sealing her return to Europe with a win over 58 km at MaXi Race in Annecy.

Against Croft, a very strong American contingent led by “The President,” Courtney Dauwalter (team Salomon), who confirmed her entry late and will be chasing a fourth UTMB title (after 2019, 2021 and 2023) after last year slipped away from her.

All eyes will also be on her compatriot Rachel Entrekin (team Norda), who made headlines in the spring by winning the Cocodona 250 miles (around 400 km) outright. This will be just the American’s 2nd race in Europe, after a first experience at Chianti Ultra Trail earlier this year (3rd). The third American to watch will be Riley Brady (team Nike ACG), 2nd at the most recent Western States and winner of Canyons Endurance Run in April.

Among the other contenders, France’s Blandine L’Hirondel (team Kiprun) will no doubt be looking to get back onto a podium she tasted in 2023 (3rd). Winner of Diagonale des Fous 2025 and CCC in 2022, the gynecologist and sports physician brings deep course knowledge, despite a final build-up disrupted by injury.

Nepal’s Sunmaya Budha (team Kailas Fuga), winner in June at Lavaredo Ultra Trail and 2025 long-trail world vice-champion, and Australia’s Lucy Bartholomew (team Salomon), three straight top-10 finishes across the last three editions and runner-up at Lavaredo Ultra Trail this year, could also shake up the hierarchy and play leading roles.