One other journey across the solar is full, and UTMB is again! At 6 p.m. native time (CEST) on August 30, 2024, some 2,500 hopefuls will start their circuit of Mont Blanc from Chamonix, France. They are going to have 46.5 hours to make it again to Chamonix, however some will want lower than half that. Beneath, we’ve detailed who will most certainly be the quickest males taking over the massive loop.
Returning champion Jim Walmsley (U.S.) is tough to argue towards as the favourite. It took him a number of years to crack UTMB, however when he did, he did so in spectacular style, successful final yr’s race in a course-record time of 19:37. Additionally in rivalry are current podium finishers Mathieu Blanchard (France), Germain Grangier (France), and Tom Evans (U.Okay.). Every of those males will likely be hoping to climb a step or two greater on the rostrum this yr. Additionally within the combine is current Hardrock 100 winner Ludovic Pommeret (France).
For many who are new right here, UTMB roughly follows the enduring Tour de Mont Blanc path — a 176-kilometer (greater than 109-mile) loop masking almost 10,000 meters (32,700 ft) of elevation achieve and taking in three nations — France, Italy, and Switzerland. It’s seen by many as the top occasion in path operating, a bucket checklist race for leisure ultrarunners, and the last word showdown for elites.
A particular because of HOKA for making our protection of UTMB potential!
Tune in to our UTMB dwell race protection beginning at 6 p.m. CEST (10 a.m. MDT within the U.S.) on Friday, August 30, proper right here on iRunFar. Keep tuned!
Additionally, make sure you take a look at our preview of the 2024 UTMB girls’s race, which publishes tomorrow!
The beginning of the 2022 UTMB. Picture: iRunFar/Kirsten Kortebein
2024 UTMB Males’s Favorites for the Win
Jim Walmsley
Ultrarunning followers in every single place will delight at seeing reigning UTMB males’s champion Jim Walmsley again on the beginning checklist for 2024. Having just lately gained the 2024 Western States 100, his fourth win on the revered 100 miler the place he holds the course report, the American appears to be like like a robust contender to be the primary man in 13 years to win each Western States and UTMB in a single season. From what we will inform, Walmsley has gained virtually each extremely he’s began since 2021, with the one exception being the 2022 UTMB, the place he positioned fourth and the 2021 UTMB, which he didn’t end. Having spent two years residing in France to specify his coaching for the UTMB course, we expect it’s extremely doubtless he might double down on final yr’s win and produce one other showstopper.
Frenchman Mathieu Blanchard placed on a spectacular show on the 2022 UTMB when he challenged Kilian Jornet to a duel, ultimately inserting second after operating neck-and-neck till late within the race. His 2023 season — though strong, with a sixth-place end at Western States 100 and fourth at UTMB — didn’t fairly dwell as much as the expectations set by that 2022 UTMB run. He has, nonetheless, been operating effectively in 2024, with a win on the 94k Maxi-Race Annecy in June. If he can replicate a few of what we noticed in 2022, he gained’t be far off the entrance.
Germain Grangier
France’s Germain Grangier outdid himself on the 2023 UTMB, the place he positioned third, making use of stress to high two — Jim Walmsley and Zach Miller — the entire option to the end. He did that after a formidable win on the 2023 Mont Blanc Marathon 90k. Grangier additionally positioned fifth and ninth, respectively, on the 2021 and 2019 UTMB races and has proven himself to be on an upward curve.
Having positioned third on the 2022 UTMB, whereas nonetheless making his comeback following knee surgical procedure, and happening to win the 2023 Western States 100, the U.Okay.’s Tom Evans was one of many favorites to win the 2023 UTMB. It wasn’t to be, although, and he was pressured to withdraw on the midway mark with abdomen points. Evans, who gained CCC in 2018, has been sharpening up this yr by racing cross nation at house in England. To this point in 2024, he’s positioned third within the Transvulcania Ultramarathon and second on the Lavaredo Extremely Path.
Hannes Namberger
Germany’s Hannes Namberger has had two top-10 finishes at UTMB — sixth in 2021 and eighth in 2023 — with a DNF sandwiched within the center. He had a number of below-par races in 2023 combined in with a win on the Eiger Extremely Path 100k, and has proven himself to be again on type this yr — logging his third win at Lavaredo, forward of Tom Evans, and only a minute over his 2022 course report. He additionally gained the 2021 Madeira Island Extremely-Path.
Frenchman Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz has been crushing 100 milers over the previous few years and must be within the tussle for a podium spot at this yr’s UTMB. Whereas he didn’t end the 2022 UTMB, he positioned second in 2021, having gained that yr’s Transgrancanaria, after which gained each Hardrock 100 and Diagonale des Fous in a superb 2023 season. His greatest run this yr thus far was third on the 94k Maxi-Race Annecy, behind Mathieu Blanchard and Thibaut Garrivier, and he completed twelfth on the Mont Blanc 90k, however previous performances would counsel he’s higher suited to the 100-mile distance.
Ludovic Pommeret
Ludovic Pommeret of France dazzled on the 2024 Hardrock 100, the place he gained by greater than three hours, setting an general males’s course report. It was his first time racing the route, however his fourth time operating on it, as he paced compatriot Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz to victory within the 2023 occasion and ran the course twice forward of race day. The 49-year-old Pommeret has a depth of expertise on the UTMB course with three top-10 finishes, together with fifth final yr and a win in 2016. He additionally gained the 2022 TDS, the 2021 Diagonale des Fous, and positioned sixth on the 2022 Western States 100. It’s a decent turnaround from Hardrock to UTMB, however assuming he’s sufficiently recovered, he must be in rivalry for a high spot.
The 2023 UTMB males’s podium (left-to-right): 2. Zach Miller, 1. Jim Walmsley, 3. Germain Grangier. Picture: iRunFar/Meghan Hicks
Different High Males on the 2024 UTMB
Dmitry Mityaev
Dmitry Mityaev has been operating effectively in ultras for a variety of years and appears to be on an upward trajectory currently. He gained the 2024 Mont Blanc 90k, up from fourth in 2023, and taking 19 minutes off his time. In one in every of path operating’s aww moments, he shared the celebrations together with his spouse, Ekaterina Mityaeva, who gained the ladies’s race. Additionally in 2024, Mityaev positioned second at Transvulcania. He gained the 2023 Extremely-Path Cape City 100k, having shared the win with Hannes Namberger on the 2022 occasion. In 2021, he positioned second on the Madeira Island Extremely-Path (MIUT). He additionally positioned second in TDS in 2019 however failed to complete UTMB on his first try in 2021.
France’s Thibaut Garrivier positioned sixth within the 2023 UTMB after a robust fourth-place end on the 2023 Path World Championships Lengthy Path and a win at MIUT 85k. His type has been strong this yr, with a second-place end behind Mathieu Blanchard at Maxi-Race Annecy and a fifth-place end at Lavaredo, and he must be in rivalry for an additional top-10 inserting at UTMB this yr.
Drew Holmen
It seems that Drew Holmen of the U.S. has solely completed two 100 milers up to now, however he’s made them rely, ending third and fifth within the 2021 and 2022 Western States 100, respectively. In 2023, he gained the Lake Sonoma 50 Mile and took fifth in each CCC and the Path World Championships Lengthy Path within the Austrian Alps. All that means a extra mountainous 100 miler gained’t be an issue for him, and he might simply run right into a top-10 spot or higher.
Thibaut Baronian makes his 100-mile debut on the 2024 UTMB, however the Frenchman can’t be discounted for that cause. He comes with years of expertise competing on the highest stage over shorter distances and positioned third within the 2021 CCC, which was his first 100k. Previous to that, he positioned second on the 2017 OCC and third in 2016. He additionally positioned fourth within the 2023 Path World Championships Quick Path. Extra just lately, he took second within the 2024 Mont Blanc 90k.
Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon
Frenchman Arthur Joyeux-Bouillon took ninth on the 2023 UTMB, operating simply 4 minutes faster than his seventh-place end in 2022 — albeit on a barely altered course. His UTMB-specific resume additionally features a ninth-place end in CCC in 2018, and third in TDS in 2021. Arguably, one of the best runs of his profession have been at these occasions. Up to now this yr, he’s positioned ninth at Lavaredo amongst a aggressive discipline, and he must be in with a superb shot at one other UTMB top-10 inserting.
Jia-Sheng Shen of China is one in every of ultrarunning’s rising stars. He earned a reputation for himself by successful the Hong Kong 100k in 2019 on the tender age of 23. Since then, he’s gained over a variety of distances at house in China, together with The North Face 100 Problem Moganshan 100k in 2021. He’s had two top-10 finishes on the Western States 100 — fourth in 2023 and eighth in 2024. Final yr, he took second at CCC, solely dropping contact with the winner on the ultimate climb. His type means that stepping as much as the complete loop will likely be no bother to him, and he must be a contender for a excessive inserting.
Miguel Heras
Miguel Heras took second in a high discipline on the 2024 Transgrancanaria, lower than a half hour slower than his successful time from the identical race 14 years prior (though the course has modified repeatedly), and in tougher situations. The 49-year-old Spaniard has a depth of expertise in extremely racing. He tends to favor racing at house in Spain and has gained the distinguished Extremely Pirineu 100k twice — in 2016 and 2022 — and podiumed there in 2015 and 2023 additionally. Exterior of Spain, wins embody the 2016 Les Templiers. He positioned second in UTMB again in 2013, and since that has failed to complete on two additional makes an attempt — in 2017 and 2023.
Jonas Russi of Switzerland took eighth within the 2022 UTMB however failed to complete upon return the next yr. The 2023 Lavaredo winner DNFed the Path Alsace Grand Est 100 Mile in Could of this yr, which he put all the way down to an damage sustained in coaching. He should have shaken it off rapidly sufficient, as he was again the next month with a robust fourth-place run at Lavaredo and was not far off his successful time from 2023. If his luck is in, he might be within the combine for an additional top-ten end at UTMB.
Beñat Marmissolle
France’s Beñat Marmissolle took sixth on the 2022 UTMB and went on to place second behind Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz on the 2023 Hardrock 100. Whereas he’s raced a variety of distances, his greatest outcomes appear to be at occasions over 100 miles, with a win on the 2022 Diagonale des Fous and a third-place end there in 2021. Nevertheless, he’s had a rocky yr thus far in 2024. Following a DNF at MIUT, he withdrew his identify from Lavaredo, citing excessive fatigue. It stays to be seen if he’ll toe the road at UTMB, however we’re crossing our fingers for him to return to full well being.
Final yr’s TDS winner, Canada’s Christian Meier, makes his 100-mile debut on the 2024 UTMB. The technical 145k TDS seems to be his longest outing up to now, however he has loads of expertise on the 100k distance and must be effectively able to stage up. Amongst his greatest outcomes are fourth within the 2022 Doi Inthanon 100k and a win on the 2023 Path Andorra 50k.
Baptiste Chassagne of France has been within the high 10 at a UTMB Mont Blanc competition race for every of the final 5 editions. In 2018, he took fourth at MCC, adopted by sixth in OCC the next yr. In 2021 and 2022, he stepped as much as CCC, inserting ninth and tenth respectively. The 2023 UTMB was his first try at 100 miles, and he once more positioned tenth. It’s arduous to guess towards him for an additional top-10 end this yr.
Joaquin Lopez of Ecuador has baggage of type at UTMB races and appears like a robust looking forward to a top-10 spot. He simply missed out on one final yr, coming eleventh. Place-wise, this was again from sixth in 2019, however an hour sooner than his earlier time whereas on an extended course and in a extra aggressive discipline. He’s additionally positioned second within the 2022 TDS, the place he was tenth again in 2016. Extra just lately, he took third within the Path Andorra 105k.
China’s Ji Duo positioned 14th on the 2023 UTMB and went on to win that yr’s Doi Inthanon 100 Mile by virtually an hour and a half — and almost two hours clear of huge names like Beñat Marmissolle of France and Robert Hajnal of Romania, who he will likely be lining up alongside once more for the 2024 UTMB. Up to now this yr, he’s gained on the Mount Yun 100k in China, and positioned twelfth on the Western States 100, a course that’s arguably a bit too runnable for his talent set.
Scott Hawker
New Zealand’s Scott Hawker has had a few of the greatest runs of his profession at UTMB occasions, inserting fifteenth in final yr’s UTMB and third in 2019. He additionally took second place within the 2021 CCC. Different high outcomes embody second on the 2022 Extremely-Path Australia 100k.
Italy’s Daniel Jung has type in large mountain 100 milers, having positioned fourth within the 2022 Hardrock 100 and gained the 2021 Diagonale des Fous. He hasn’t raced UTMB earlier than, however he did come sixth within the 2017 TDS. He additionally positioned third within the 2022 Lavaredo, and this yr gained the Extremely-Path Snowdonia 100k and the KAT 100 83k.
Miguel Arsénio has had a stack of wins at house in Portugal and some standout worldwide outcomes, too. These embody a second-place end on the 2023 Transgrancanaria, a win on the 2023 Maxi-Race Annecy, and one other on the 2023 Extremely Pirineu 100k. Extra just lately, he gained the Swiss Canyon Path 110k in June of this yr in course-record time.
Pablo Villa
Spain’s Pablo Villa didn’t end on his final outing at UTMB in 2021, however he gained the 2019 TDS after two DNFs on that route, so a robust comeback is feasible. He has a background in Skyrunning and gained Transgrancanaria in 2020 and 2022. He has been making ready in a coaching camp at altitude in Spain’s Sierra Nevada and appears able to go all in on this yr’s UTMB.
Tom Joly of the U.Okay. had a robust yr in 2023. He positioned third within the Transgrancanaria 85k, completed eleventh in Path World Championships Lengthy Path, gained the Extremely Sierra Nevada 59k, took sixteenth at UTMB, and adopted that up by successful the Translantau 129k by greater than an hour. Up to now this yr, he’s had a uncommon DNF at Transgrancanaria however proven good type in some shorter races. He’ll most certainly be trying to enhance on final yr’s place at UTMB.
Raul Butaci of Romania positioned 18th on the 2023 UTMB, however his different outcomes counsel he’s succesful of a better inserting. He gained Transgrancanaria in 2024, up from fourth in 2023, and in addition positioned eighth within the 2022 CCC. Whereas he’s been racing ultras for a number of years now, the 2023 UTMB was his first step as much as the 100-mile distance, and he’ll doubtless be geared up to construct on that have on this yr’s race.
Yan-Qiao Yun of China completed simply inside the highest 20 — in nineteenth place — finally yr’s UTMB. He’s gained the Hong Kong 100k twice — in 2013 and 2017 — and positioned fifth in 2012. He additionally positioned sixth and tenth, respectively, within the 2019 and 2018 TDS. He had a few sturdy ends in the later a part of 2023, together with a win on the China100 Mountain Cross-Nation Race 100k and a second-place on the Translantau 129k. He must be in with a superb shot at one other top-20 inserting.
Seb Spehler
Frenchman Sébastien Spehler has a prolonged resume over a variety of distances however is pretty new to 100 miles. He failed to complete his first try on the distance — the 2022 Western States 100 — however obtained it proper subsequent time, successful the 2024 Path Alsace Grand Est 100 Mile by almost an hour. Previous to that, achievements embody wins on the 2017 and 2018 Les Templiers, the place he additionally took second in 2021 and 2022. On the opposite facet of the pond, he was second within the Lake Sonoma 50 Mile in 2019, and gained The North Face Endurance Problem 50 Mile that very same yr.
Ben Dhiman, an American who lives in France, suffered disappointment within the type of a DNF finally yr’s UTMB, however seems to be constructing effectively towards a greater end result this yr. He bounced again from defeat to take third on the 2023 Les Templiers, gained this yr’s MIUT, and positioned second on the Path Andorra 100k. His present coaching floor at altitude within the Pyrenees ought to assist him to copy the form of type that noticed him win the 2023 Penyagolosa Trails 100k and the 2023 Path Andorra 100k. He additionally took third within the 2022 Diagonale des Fous, displaying a robust consequence over 100 miles is effectively inside his scope.
China’s Jia-Ju Zhao is hoping it’s third time fortunate on the UTMB course. He completed eleventh in CCC again in 2019, however failed to complete both of his UTMB begins in 2022 and 2023. He has sturdy type elsewhere over the 100-mile distance, having gained the 2022 Doi Inthanon 100 Mile, and positioned second within the 2020 Panda Path 100 Mile. Extra just lately, he gained the 2024 Chongli 100 Mile in China, and if he can keep away from no matter pitfalls took him out on the final two events, this might be his yr at UTMB.
Frenchman Yannick Noël took third at this yr’s Lavaredo. If the UTMB Efficiency Index could be handled as an inexpensive relative metric, this was one of the best run of his life. He additionally took third within the 2023 TDS — up from twelfth in 2019 — and positioned eleventh within the 2021 UTMB. His enhancing type since then would definitely counsel he might be greater up the placings.
Josh Wade has been making waves at house within the U.Okay. the previous few years, successful Extremely-Path Snowdonia 100 Mile in 2023 by an enormous margin and taking fourth within the 50k on the identical occasion this yr. He failed to complete finally yr’s UTMB, however bounced again to take eighth on the 2024 Transgrancanaria. He’s additionally made it ninth within the 2022 Transvulcania and third within the 2023 Eiger Extremely Path 100k. He’s in all probability a robust top-20 candidate going into this yr’s UTMB.
Robert Hajnal
Romania’s Robert Hajnal has had type at UTMB prior to now, inserting ninth in 2022 and second in 2018 — one of many worst climate years for the occasion in current reminiscence. He additionally took eighth place at CCC in 2015. He failed to complete final yr’s UTMB, and ran an off-the-boil Western States 100 in 2024, the place he completed twenty fourth. Nevertheless, in between these, he ran an awesome race to complete fourth on the 2023 Doi Inthanon 100 Mile and just lately gained the Bucovina Extremely Rocks 88k at house in Romania.
Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz runs at midnight in the course of the 2021 UTMB. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Nonetheless Extra Quick Males on the 2024 UTMB
- Manuel Anguita (Spain) – fifth 2024 Mont Blanc 90k; seventh 2024 Transvulcania; 1st 2024 Tenerife Bluetrail 109k
- Pere Aurell (Spain) – tenth 2021 CCC; third 2022 & 2nd 2021 Transgrancanaria
- Jhon Barrera (Colombia) – seventeenth 2022 UTMB; third 2023 Kodiak Extremely Marathons 100 Mile; fifteenth 2024 MIUT 115k
- Alexandre Boucheix (France) – twenty first 2023 & 18th 2022 UTMB; 1st 2022 Kullamannen 100 Mile
- Pau Capell (Spain) – 1st 2019 & sixth 2017 UTMB; third 2018 & sixth 2015 CCC; 1st 2016 TDS
- Sylvain Courtroom (France) – 1st 2024 Path du Saint-Jacques 130k; 2nd 2023 Endurance Path des Templiers 100k
- Gregoire Curmer (France) – seventh 2021 UTMB; thirteenth 2023 TDS; 2nd 2023 Extremely-Path Snowdonia 100 Mile
- Guillaume Deneffe (Belgium) – fifteenth 2022 UTMB; 4th 2024 Extremely-Path Snowdonia 100 Mile; 2nd 2022 Kullamannen 100 Mile
- Guo-Min Deng (China) – 1st 2024 Mt Fuji 100 Mile; 14th 2024 Western States 100; 1st 2024 Chongli 51k; twentieth 2022 UTMB
- Jordi Gamito (Spain) – tenth 2017 & twelfth 2015; fifth 2016 TDS; 2nd 2024 Tenerife Bluetrail 110k
- Gediminas Grinius (Lithuania) – 1st 2024 Amazean Jungle Thailand 147k; 2nd 2023 Doi Inthanon 175k
- Remigio Huaman (Peru) – twelfth 2022 CCC; third 2022 MIUT
- Sebastian Krogvig (Norway) – seventh 2024 MIUT; 1st 2021 TDS; third 2021 & 2017 Lavaredo
- Cody Lind (U.S.) – sixteenth 2023, ninth 2022, & 4th 2021 Western States 100; fifteenth 2024 Canyons 100k
- Ionel Manole (Romania) – third 2024 Transgrancanaria; 4th 2024 Val d’Aran 50k; fifth 2024 Transvulcania
- Mike McMonagle (U.S.) – 1st 2023 Grindstone 100 Mile; third 2024 Swiss Alps 100 50k
- Jeff Mogavero (U.S.) – sixteenth 2022 UTMB; seventh 2023 Transvulcania; third 2021 & 2019 Run Rabbit Run 100 Mile
- Sergio Gustavo Pereyra (Argentina) – twentieth 2023 UTMB; nineteenth 2022 CCC; eighth 2021 Patagonia Run 100 Mile
- Gabriel Rueda (Argentina) – thirteenth 2023 UTMB; 1st 2024 Valhöll Argentina 125k; 1st 2024 Val d’Aran 65k
- Andy Symonds (U.Okay.) – eleventh 2022 UTMB; sixth 2024 Eiger Extremely Path 100k
- Tim Tollefson (U.S.) – third 2017 & 2016 UTMB; fifth 2021 Western States 100; 1st 2020 Javelina 100 Mile; 1st 2019 Lavaredo
- Canyon Woodward (U.S.) – twenty eighth 2023 & forty fifth 2022 UTMB; 1st 2024 Canyons 100 Mile
Pau Capell wins UTMB in 2019. Picture: iRunFar/Bryon Powell
Males Beforehand Entered However No Longer Racing the 2024 UTMB
- Jon Albon (U.Okay., residing in Norway) – 1st 2021 OCC; 1st 2023 & 2nd 2022 CCC; sixth 2024 Western States 100; 1st 2021 Les Templiers
- Tyler Inexperienced (U.S.) – seventh 2024, 2nd 2023 & 2021, 4th 2022 Western States 100; third 2023 Transgrancanaria; 2nd 2019 Javelina 100 Mile
- Jean-Philippe Tschumi (Switzerland) – third 2023 & 2nd 2022 Diagonale des Fous
Name for Feedback
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