Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc: the challenge on Chamonix’s doorstep

The Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc UTMB is a mythical event, eagerly awaited for every year by athletes all over the world. The event will welcome nearly 10,000 racers to the valley from 22nd to 28th August 2022. Discover the programme with Chamonix Sotheby’s International Realty.

Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc: A must-see sports event

Created in 2003, the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc UTMB brings the best trail runners from all over the world to the Chamonix valley. This unique journey brings together a total of nearly 10,000 runners who come to compete in the mountains on one of the seven races that make up the event.

After a long preparation, the participants come to give the best of themselves on the races that cross the French, Italian and Swiss mountains in the Mont Blanc massif, getting up close to the most beautiful peaks.

The UTMB in numbers

On 26th January 2022, the date of registration for the UTMB, nearly 23,000 requests were registered by the organisers for “only” 10,000 places available. Among these UTMB racers, 590 men and women have elite status*. A total of 106 nationalities are represented in 2022.

This event also includes:

• 2,000 volunteers from 15 different countries
• 20,000 supporters accompanying the runners
• 50,000 spectators attending the event as well as the various animations offered in the 18 participating French, Italian and Swiss towns.

* UTMB Index >800 for men and UTMB Index >600 for women.

The UTMB races

Individual races

• The UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc): The ultimate mountain race, with a 170km course including 10,000 metres of positive elevation to be achieved in less than 46 hours and 30 minutes. The 2,300 participants are scheduled to start at 6pm on 26th August 2022 at place du Triangle de l’Amitié in Chamonix.
• The CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix): This race uses a large part of the international path Grande Randonnée du Tour du Mont-Blanc (GR TMB), with a 100km course including 6,000 metres of positive elevation to be achieved in less than 26 hours and 30 minutes. The 1900 racers are scheduled to start at 9am on 26th August 2022 at place Brocherel in Courmayeur.
• The TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie): The event allows you to discover the villages along the Tour du Mont-Blanc, including in Val d’Aoste and Savoie. The TDS is 145km long and includes 9,100 metres of positive elevation to be achieved in less than 44 hours. The 600 participants are expected to start on 23rd August 2022 at midnight, at place Brocherel in Courmayeur.
• The OCC (Orsières-Champex-Chamonix): The perfect race to get initiated to the UTMB, with a 55km course including 3,500 metres of positive elevation to be achieved in less than 14 hours and 30 minutes. The OCC gathers 1200 racers in the Centre of Orsières, on 25th August 2022 at 8.15am.

Team races

• The PTL (Petite Trotte à Léon): A very demanding team race of 2 or 3 runners, the PTL is 300km long with 25,000 metres of positive elevation to be achieved in less than 152 hours and 30 minutes. Open to a maximum of 300 participants, the PTL will start on 22nd August 2022 at 8am in Chamonix.
• The MCC (from Martigny-Combe to Chamonix): A more accessible event designed especially for UTMB volunteers and locals of the valley. The MCC is a 40km long course with 2,300 metres of positive elevation to be achieved in less than 10 hours. A thousand participants are expected at the start, on 22nd August 2022 at 10am, in Martigny-Combe.

Races dedicated to amateur trail runners and young racers

• The ETC (Experience Trail Courmayeur): The perfect race to test yourself on the UTMB as an amateur trail runner (from 23 years of age) with a 15km course, including 1,300 metres of positive elevation to be achieved in less than 4 hours. The departure is scheduled for 23rd August 2022 at 2pm, in Courmayeur.
• The YCC (Youth Chamonix Courmayeur): Open to young people born between 2000 and 2008, this race offers different length courses of 4km, 8km and 15km depending on the age of the participants. The start is scheduled on 23rd August 2022 at 11am in the centre of Courmayeur. New this year: the young participants will return for a second shorter race (races of 2km, 3.5km and 5km) entitled YCC The Revenge for which the start is scheduled for the next day (24th August 2022) at 1pm at the Champ du Savoy in Chamonix.
• Les Minis UTMB: Animations dedicated to children from 3 to 14 years old, organised throughout the week.

A must-see sports event at the end of the summer in Chamonix, the UTMB allows you to discover the Mont Blanc massif and its surroundings in a unique and unforgettable way.

Partner of sport in the valley, the Chamonix Sotheby’s International Realty team will support you in your project to buy or sell prestigious real estate. Whether in the centre of town, at the foot of the slopes, surrounded by nature or with mountain views, discover the property that corresponds to your lifestyle.