Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB Could Be Running Its Final Edition
Frédéric Lénart says serious threats are putting the future of the UTMB circuit’s Côte d’Azur stop at risk.
Uncertainty hangs over the Côte d’Azur stop
The trail community has been rocked by the news: Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB could be nearing its final edition. Frédéric Lénart, Managing Director of UTMB Group, has spoken out about the serious threats facing the event. Despite its undeniable sporting success, the constraints are becoming too burdensome to guarantee the race’s long-term future.
Logistical and administrative hurdles
Organising a race that starts among the snow-capped peaks of Mercantour and finishes on the Promenade des Anglais is a constant logistical challenge. Strict environmental regulations, the management of Natura 2000 areas and the cost of providing security across such a vast territory all make for a precarious balance.
UTMB Group speaks out
“Given the current complexity, this is probably the final edition in its present format,” warns Frédéric Lénart.
The organisation appears to be reaching breaking point when it comes to the logistical support required.
For trail runners, the 2026 edition therefore feels like a “last chance” to take on this one-of-a-kind course, from the high mountains to the Mediterranean Sea. The future of the circuit in southern France will have to be reimagined.