UTMB MONT BLANC 2024 PREVIEW TOP CONTENDERS PER RACE. Our UTMB 2024 WORLD SERIES highlights an solid elite field for the Finals (OCC – 50K, CCC – 100K, UTMB – 100M)
The main event UTMB counts on women Katie SCHIDE, Ruth CROFT and Fuzhao XIANG, plus men´s champion Jim WALMSLEY to defend his title vs two former winners: Ludovic POMMERET (2016) and Pau CAPELL (2019).
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UTMB MONT BLANC 2024 PREVIEW
TOP CONTENDERS PER EACH RACE
For the 21st edition the UTMB Mont-Blanc will bring together an extraordinary field of elite athletes, promising high-stakes duels in every race from August 26 to September 1, 2024. The world’s top trail runners will converge on the iconic Mont-Blanc trails, ready to push their limits and deliver an unforgettable spectacle.
For the second consecutive year, the UTMB Mont-Blanc will host the UTMB® World Series Finals. On August 29 and 30, the UTMB® (176 km, 100M), the CCC® (101 km, 100K), and the OCC (57 km, 50K) will see the discipline’s best battle it out in what promises to be an extraordinary trail-running week.
The excitement will extend beyond the Finals, as all race formats — from the TDS® to the ETC — will gather elite athletes from across the globe. Each event, whether short or long, will be filled with thrilling moments and remarkable performances.
UTMB 2024: JIM WALMSLEY BACK FOR A DOUBLE
In the flagship UTMB race the women’s top 5 will showcase global diversity, with all five continents represented. Katie SCHIDE (USA – UTMB Index 827), the UTMB Legends 2022 winner, returns after a victorious season that included wins at the Western States Endurance Run and the 100K at the HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB.
She will be joined by high-calibre athletes such as Fuzhao XIANG (CHN – UTMB Index 794), who narrowly missed the podium at the 2023 UTMB, Ruth CROFT (NZL – UTMB Index 792), Eszter CSILLAG (HUN – UTMB Index 776), third at the 2024 Western States Endurance Run, Emily HAWGOOD (ZIM – UTMB Index 771), second in the 2023 CCC and winner of the Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB® in 2024, and Ragna DEBATS (NED – UTMB Index 762).
Among the French athletes Blandine L’HIRONDEL (UTMB Index 804), who finished third in 2023, returns with ambitions to reach the top of the podium. She will face competition from Manon BOHARD CAILLER (UTMB Index 760), winner of the TDS in 2021, and Anne-Lise ROUSSET (UTMB Index 752), who came second in the 100M at the MIUT Madeira Island Ultra-Trail in 2024.
UTMB 2024: THE MEN
In the men’s category, American Jim WALMSLEY (UTMB Index 935) returns to defend his title after last year’s stunning victory, aiming for a historic double following his win at the Western States in June. He will face formidable challengers such as Mathieu BLANCHARD (UTMB Index 905), determined to claim the top spot, Englishman Tom EVANS (UTMB Index 917), second this year in the 100M of the La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®, and German Hannes NAMBERGER (UTMB Index 910), who took first place in the same race.
Two other UTMB Legends are also making their return: Ludovic POMMERET (UTMB Index 888), winner of the 2016 UTMB and the 2024 Hardrock 100 Endurance Run, and Pau CAPELL (ESP – UTMB Index 887), winner of the 2019 edition, ready to reclaim the summit.
French elite athletes are also in the spotlight, with notable participants including Germain GRANGIER (UTMB Index 898), Thibaut GARRIVIER (UTMB Index 906), who finished 6th at the 2023 UTMB, as well as Aurelien DUNAND PALLAZ (UTMB Index 895), Yannick NOEL (UTMB Index 882), and Thibaut BARONIAN (UTMB Index 906), all ready to challenge the world’s best in this legendary race.
CCC 2024: MANUEL MERILLAS STEPS UP TO 100K
The CCC promises fierce competition, with nine athletes boasting a UTMB Index above 900. Among them are Adam PETERMAN (USA – UTMB Index 927), Petter ENGDAHL (SWE – UTMB Index 923), winner of the 2024 Eiger Ultra-Trail™ by UTMB, Manuel MERILLAS (ESP – UTMB Index 922), Hayden HAWKS (USA – UTMB Index 915), third at the 2024 Western States Endurance Run, and Daniel JONES (NZL – UTMB Index 911).
CCC 2024 THE WOMEN
In the women’s category, the competition on the CCC will be equally intense and international. South African Toni MCCANN (UTMB Index 801), winner of the 2023 OCC, will be a favourite, alongside American Heather JACKSON (UTMB Index 769). Other notable competitors include Rosanna BUCHAEUR (GER – UTMB Index 768) and Candice FERTIN (FRA – UTMB Index 751), seventh in the 2023 OCC. Emkay SULLIVAN (USA – UTMB Index 765) and Jazmine LOWTHER (CAN – UTMB Index 767) will also represent North America.
OCC 2024: ANTONIO MARTÍNEZ SOLIDNESS
As the final of the UTMB World Series in the 50K distance, the OCC promises a thrilling race. The international women’s field is set for intense competition, with Judith WYDER (SUI – UTMB Index 792), winner of the 42 km Marathon du Mont-Blanc in 2024, Dani MORENO (USA – UTMB Index 786), third in the 2022 OCC, and Allie MCLAUGHLIN (USA – UTMB Index 780), returning for the second consecutive year with her sights set on the podium.
Among the European contingent, French athlete Clémentine GEOFFRAY (UTMB Index 791), first in the 2023 MCC, Spain’s Sara ALONSO (UTMB Index 775), and Italian Elisa DESCO (UTMB Index 760) promise an exciting battle. Not to be overlooked are other strong international competitors like Miao YAO (CHN – UTMB Index 785), third in the 2023 OCC, and Caitlin FIELDER (NZL – UTMB Index 775), who narrowly missed the podium in the 2023 race.
OCC 2024 THE MEN
In the men’s category, the race is set to be fast-paced and intense, featuring the winner of the 50K at the Restonica Trail by UTMB in July, Rémi BONNET (SUI – UTMB Index 948), Britain’s Jonathan ALBON (UTMB Index 934), who finished first in the 2023 CCC, and his compatriot Robbie SIMPSON (UTMB Index 906), winner of the 50K at the 2024 Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB.
The American Eli HEMMING (UTMB Index 914), winner of the 2024 HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB, will also be competing. Other notable competitors are the Italian Francesco PUPPI (UTMB Index 917), who finished 2nd in the 2023 OCC, and the Spaniard Antonio MARTINEZ PEREZ (UTMB Index 913), who took 3rd place in the same race. French hopes in this event will rest on Sylvain CACHARD (UTMB Index 911) and Benjamin ROUBIOL (UTMB Index 902).
UTMB MONT BLANC 2024, THE OTHER RACES
TDS, MCC, ETC, and YCC
In addition to the UTMB World Series Finals, the 2024 HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc offers a week of unmissable events. From the TDS to the YCC, each race will deliver captivating performances, showcasing talents from all over the world.
TDS: The technical race
With its 148 km and 9,300 m of elevation gain, the TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie) is a challenge that will test the world’s best trail runners. Known for its breathtaking scenery and warm atmosphere, this race attracts the most seasoned athletes each year. Among the favourites this year are Mark DARBYSHIRE (GBR – UTMB Index 888), Simon GOSSELIN (FRA – UTMB Index 874), and Simen Hjalmar WASTLUN (SWE – UTMB Index 848) in the men’s category. In the women’s category, Jocelyne PAULY (FRA – UTMB Index 725), Ariane WILHELM (SUI – UTMB Index 746), and Anna CARLSSON (SWE – UTMB Index 723) will lead the way in this international event.
MCC: For locals and volunteers
The MCC (Martigny-Combe to Chamonix) is a unique 40 km race reserved for volunteers, partners, and local residents, offering an opportunity to immerse themselves in the spirit of the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc while discovering the beautiful trails of Mont Blanc. Elite French runners such as Stéphanie MANIVOZ (UTMB Index 699), Anthony FELBER (UTMB Index 885), Iris PESSEY (UTMB Index 715), and Kevin VERMEULEN (UTMB Index 878) will be among the ones to watch.
ETC: Sprint in the Italian Alps
The ETC offers an exciting adventure over a 15 km course with 1,200 metres of elevation gain in the heart of the Italian Alps. In the women’s category, Maude MATHYS (SUI – UTMB Index 808), Anaëlle BONDOUX (FRA – UTMB Index 767), and Alice GAGGI (ITA – UTMB Index 744) will be ones to watch. Among the men, Roberto DELORENZI (SUI – UTMB Index 911), Daniel PATTIS (ITA – UTMB Index 904), and Lukas EHRLE (GER – UTMB Index 880) are ready for the challenge.
YCC: The future of frail running
The YCC (Youth Chamonix Courmayeur) is dedicated to the next generation of trail runners, offering young athletes aged 15 to 19 the opportunity to experience two intense races over two days. Between the trail starting in Courmayeur and the short but explosive race in Chamonix, this challenge promises to be a showcase for spectacular performances and the emergence of future trail running stars.
UTMB MONT BLANC 2024: THE MISSING NAMES.
Check out the UTMB MONT BLANC LEGENDS 2023 official poster and let us know via comments what is your most missed legend from this year´s edition.
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