UTMB 2026: Noémie Lepoutre and Gatien Airiau kick off race week with MCC wins

When it was created in 2018, the MCC was designed to let local runners, volunteers working on the other races during the week, and the event’s partners join the party too, pinning on a bib for an early-week race on a course that’s accessible, yet still demanding.

Over the years, and thanks to the success of this marathon-style format, the MCC has become a coveted target in its own right, especially for up-and-coming trail runners, or for those looking to make a name for themselves during Chamonix’s biggest week.

After the YCC, reserved for young talent, the MCC is often the next step on the UTMB Mont-Blanc ladder. This year confirmed it again: on the women’s side, the podium was made up entirely of runners under 30, while on the men’s side the top two were barely into their thirties and third place went to a 20-year-old.

It all got underway this morning at 10 a.m. in Martigny-Combe, just across the border in Switzerland, under bright sunshine and 23°C on the thermometer.

1456 trail runners lined up at the start on a route that first zigzagged along the road through the vineyards, before joining a path leading to the Col de la Forclaz. The first half stayed uphill all the way to the stunning Col de Balme and its refuge with red shutters. Then it was time to dive back into the valley for the final 20 kilometres, heading for Argentière, La Joux, and finally the finish line in Chamonix.

The men’s race saw victory go to Grenoble’s Gatien Airiau (Salomon), a marketing product manager at the brand. He ultimately held off, by just 23 seconds, the reigning French Trail Long champion Florian Bernabeu-Seguy. Sitting 7th at La Forclaz, then 3rd at Col de Balme, and finally 2nd in Argentière, the runner from Annecy needed only a few more kilometres to reel in the leader. Young Frenchman Jules Mongellaz (Colibri Academy), 20, announced himself among the big names by taking third in this MCC.

In the women’s race, the win went to Belgian runner Noémie Lepoutre, 22, a veterinary student, who said she was living out her “childhood dream” (sic). She also broke four hours of racing, in her first outing beyond 25 km. Winner of the Asics Méribel Trail this season and second at the Montée du Nid d’Aigle 2026, the Belgian made her move between La Forclaz and Col de Balme to shake off any potential challengers.

She finished more than 30 minutes ahead of French runner Pauline Girardet (Salomon), 24, a former ice dancer and now a medical resident. Third place went to Juliette Chassagne, Baptiste’s sister, who finished 2nd at UTMB 2024. At 25, the younger sister ran a near-perfect race, coming within 1:30 of second place.