There’s nothing quite like UTMB.
What started in 2003 as a gnarly loop around Mont Blanc has grown into the biggest, baddest, and most beloved ultramarathon on Earth. It’s more than a race, it’s a pilgrimage. Every August, the mountain town of Chamonix transforms into a buzzing hive of cowbells, nerves, dreams, and trail shoes.
The main event, the 100-mile loop around Mont Blanc, sends runners across France, Italy, and Switzerland, climbing close to 10,000 meters through alpine passes and historic villages. It’s epic, it’s brutal, and for those who finish, it’s unforgettable.
This year, there’s a slight course reroute due to landslides, and one fewer aid station (La Balme is out). But the soul of the race is intact. The finish line remains in the center of Chamonix, right where it belongs.
How To Watch
Can’t make it to Chamonix? No problem.
The livestream game at UTMB has gone next level. Outside TV and UTMB Live will be streaming the OCC, CCC, and UTMB with drone footage, bike cams, camrunners, and commentary in multiple languages.
- OCC: Thursday, Aug. 28 at 8:15 a.m. CEST
- CCC: Friday, Aug. 29 at 9:00 a.m. CEST
- UTMB: Friday, Aug. 29 at 5:45 p.m. CEST
Catch the action live, or watch the replays if you’re not a night owl.
The 2025 Courses: Inside UTMB, CCC, and OCC
UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc)
This is the big one.
108 miles (174 km). Nearly 33,000 feet of climbing. Three countries. It’s the race that defines trail running.
It starts with fanfare, thousands of spectators jammed into Chamonix’s town square, music pounding, cowbells shaking, adrenaline sky-high. Then it’s off into the mountains, through Les Houches, and up to Col de Voza. That early climb is a wake-up call, you’re not in a local 50K anymore.
From there, it’s a long journey through some of the most jaw-dropping landscapes in Europe. Les Contamines, Col du Bonhomme, Courmayeur, Grand Col Ferret. Each climb hits different. Each descent tests your quads, your focus, and your soul.
By the time runners reach Switzerland, most are deep in the pain cave. Champex-Lac and Trient are where dreams either fade or come roaring back. And then, finally, the push back into France—up Bovine, across Tête aux Vents, and that final brutal drop into Chamonix.
It’s not just a race, it’s a life experience.
CCC (Courmayeur, Champex, Chamonix)
Don’t call it a consolation prize. The CCC may be the “shorter” sibling at 101 kilometers (62 miles), but it’s fiercely competitive and arguably more intense. It’s fast, it’s steep, and it’s a masterclass in pacing.
It starts in Courmayeur, with a climb so steep it immediately tests everyone’s breakfast. Then comes the Grand Col Ferret—your gateway into Switzerland and a wind-whipped ridgeline that feels like the roof of the Alps.
From La Fouly to Champex-Lac, runners find their groove, if they have one. Then it’s the punchy climbs, Bovine, Trient, and the climb to La Flégère before a screaming descent into Chamonix.
For many elites, CCC is where they cut their teeth before tackling UTMB. But for countless others, it’s the perfect distance, long enough to destroy you, short enough to recover before winter.
OCC (Orsières, Champex, Chamonix)
Don’t let the 55K distance fool you. OCC is no cakewalk. It’s short, sure, but it’s sharp, spicy, and packed with punch.
Starting in Orsières, Switzerland, runners head toward Champex-Lac before climbing straight into the clouds. The terrain gets technical fast, the climb to La Giete is a leg-burner, and the ridgeline to Trient is rocky and relentless.
OCC is fast and furious. Road runners turned trail junkies love it, but it bites hard if you go out too hot. The Col de Balme climb late in the race is a heartbreaker—one last chance to move up or blow up.
You’ll cross the finish line in Chamonix to deafening cheers, wondering how 55 kilometers felt like 100.
Prize Money Breakdown
Big race, big rewards. The total UTMB Finals prize pool is over $400,000. Here’s what’s up for grabs in the main event:
- 1st place: €20,000
- 2nd: €12,000
- 3rd: €8,000
- Top 10: €1,000 minimum
CCC and OCC pay out strong too, with €76,000 each for elite fields.
Women’s Race Preview: Dauwalter Returns, But It Won’t Be Easy
Courtney Dauwalter is back. After skipping last year’s race, she’s returned to the Alps, and let’s be honest, she’s still the one to beat. With wins this year at Hardrock and Lavaredo, her mountain form is dialed. But this isn’t a victory lap.
Ruth Croft is also back, and she’s looking sharper than ever. Her runner-up finish in 2024 was a lesson in pacing and grit, and she’s followed it with smart, low-drama wins this season. If anyone can challenge Courtney on the downhills, it’s Ruth.
Abby Hall has been on fire. After a comeback that culminated in a Western States win, she’s stepping up to UTMB with confidence. And Lin Chen? She nearly podiumed last year and won Canyons 100M. Expect fireworks.
Europe’s best aren’t backing down either. Katharina Hartmuth is a machine. Camille Bruyas just podiumed at Hardrock. Claudia Tremps and Maite Maiora both have the legs and mountain savvy to contend.
In short, this field is deep. If the weather turns (and it might), this race could turn into a strategic war of attrition.
Men’s Race Preview: No Clear Favorite, All-Out Chaos
This year’s men’s race? Pure mayhem, in the best way.
Jonathan Albon is arguably the man to watch. He’s got mountain skills, race IQ, and massive results at shorter distances. If he nails the pacing and nutrition, he could take it all. But UTMB is a different beast.
François D’Haene is chasing history. A fifth win would cement him as the greatest UTMB athlete ever. After years of injury, he’s back, and quietly confident.
Then there’s Tom Evans. New baby, new sponsor, new fire? He’s got the wheels and the track record, but two straight DNFs raise questions. This could be his redemption arc.
Hayden Hawks is the wildcard. Knee surgery slowed him down, but his CCC win last year reminded everyone what he’s capable of. If his knee holds, he’ll be in the mix.
And the Frenchmen? Absolutely stacked. Grangier, Pommeret, and Chassagne know these trails, and they know how to close. Don’t be surprised if they outlast flashier names.
UTMB has a way of breaking egos. The one who suffers best usually wins.
