UTMB preview: Walmsley, Schide vs. everyone
From returning champions, newbie speedsters hoping to make their mark and Canadians ready to crush the course, we've got you covered
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UTMB
Chamonix, France, has transformed into a buzzing hub of excitement as thousands of trail runners and fans converge for the 21st edition of the legendary 176K UTMB (Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc). We know we say this every year, but seriously—this time it’s true: this year’s race will be the most thrilling yet, with an elite field that’s deeper, faster and more competitive than ever before, and we’re here to tell you everything you need to know to cheer on your favourite athletes.
This isn’t just any race—it’s the crown jewel of the ultratrail calendar and the pinnacle of the UTMB World Series Finals. With a staggering 10,000 metres of elevation gain spread over 176 kilometres (106 miles), UTMB demands the best from its competitors. The heart-pounding action kicks off right in the centre of Chamonix on Friday at noon ET.
Women’s race
2022 champion Katie Schide (who finished second last year) is gearing up to chase a rare double victory, aiming to add the UTMB crown to her recent Western States 100 (WSER) win, where she clocked the second-fastest time ever. Like fellow American Jim Walmsley, Schide hopes to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Courtney Dauwalter. As race week kicks off, Schide took to Instagram to share her mixed emotions: “So here we are: race week. And I’m truly excited/curious/nervous to see where I’m at, having prepared specifically for this next race in a much shorter time frame than past years, but with more confidence about what I used to consider my biggest weakness (the actual running).”
But Schide won’t have it easy. She’ll be up against a powerhouse field, including Hungary’s Eszter Csillag, who placed third at the 2023 WSER and fifth at last year’s UTMB. France’s Blandine L’Hirondel, fresh off a third-place finish at the 2023 UTMB and a win at CCC in 2022, is also in the mix. And let’s not forget Germany’s Katharina Harmuth, who secured second place at last year’s UTMB. This battle of the elites promises to be as thrilling as it is unpredictable
Canadian women to watch
Quebec’s very own Marianne Hogan is back and ready to make her mark after a challenging battle with injuries following her impressive second-place finish at the 2022 UTMB. Hogan, who also placed third at WSER in 2022 and secured second at the Ultra-Trail Cape Town 100K in 2023, is eager to reclaim her podium spot. Joining her from Canada are rising stars like Quebec’s Geneviève Asselin Demers, Kelsey Hogan of Newfoundland and Ontario’s Claire Heslop, all set to give their best on this world stage.
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But the excitement doesn’t end there. The list of top female contenders reads like a who’s who of trail-running greatness. Australia’s Lucy Bartholomew, China’s Fu-Zhao Xiang—who placed fourth at the 2023 UTMB and seventh in 2022—and Spain’s Maite Maiora, who finished fifth at last year’s UTMB, are all lining up to challenge Schide. With such fierce competition, this race is shaping up to be a nail-biter from start to finish.
Men’s race
Last year, Walmsley finally seized the UTMB victory he’d been chasing, after two years of relentless training in the French Alps. Now, fresh off a commanding win at WSER, he’s back to defend his title—but the road to a WSER-UTMB double is anything but straightforward. Standing in his way is Ludovic Pommeret of France, the 49-year-old who claimed victory at this year’s Hardrock 100. Pommeret, who finished fifth in last year’s UTMB, seems to only improve with time and is hungry for redemption.
The U.K.’s Tom Evans, who won the 2023 WSER and took third at UTMB in 2022, is gunning for a top spot. He’ll be toeing the line alongside French-Canadian Mathieu Blanchard, who secured second at UTMB in 2022, and France’s Germain Grangier, who was third last year. And let’s not overlook Aurélien Dunand-Pallaz, another French powerhouse, who dominated both the Hardrock 100 and Diagonale des Fous in 2023. With such a stacked field, Walmsley will have to fight tooth and nail to stay on top, making this year’s UTMB one of the most exciting yet.
Canadian men to watch
Like the women’s race, the men’s field at UTMB features some of Canada’s finest talent. Leading the charge is former pro-cyclist Christian Meier, who’s making waves after a first-place finish at both the 2023 TDS and Trail 100 Andorra 50K. Meier is not just here to participate; he’s here to dominate. Alongside him is Ryan Atkins, a world champion in obstacle course racing, bringing his unique blend of speed and toughness to the trail.
Fernie, B.C.’s Ethan Peters returns for his second UTMB, looking to improve on his previous performance, while ultra-champion Scott Cooper, who made history by winning Western Canada’s first-ever 200-mile race in under 50 hours, is also in the mix. With his impressive endurance, Cooper is a serious contender. Other Canadians to watch include Simon Widmann, Chris McNamara (Cooper’s training partner), Kevin Biggs and Samuel Frigon. This Canadian contingent is ready to make their mark on the world stage, and they’re not just here to watch from the sidelines.
Don’t miss a second of the UTMB action! Tune in to the live stream starting Friday, August 30th at noon ET, by clicking here. For real-time updates, follow @canadiantrailrunning and @canadianrunning on X. If you’re craving more pre-race insights, check out Freetrail’s “Trailgating” series on YouTube, co-created by ultra trail pro Dylan Bowman, where you’ll find top-notch interviews and must-follow storylines.
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