Press release - Chamonix (France), August 29th 2026
HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc 2026 BLANDINE L’HIRONDEL MAKES HISTORY, BEN DHIMAN FINALLY CLAIMS THE TITLE
What to find in the press release: News of the day: UTMB® debrief and champions Coming up: awards ceremony and arrival of the final PTL® and UTMB finishers Did you know? The last victory by a French woman at the UTMB was 10 years ago The number: two women benefited from the new breastfeeding pass The interview: Isabelle Paucot, medical coordinator at HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc Photos and News Access – royalty-free, subject to the credits provided UTMB results – Women: 1. Blandine L’Hirondel (FRA, UTMB Index 807), 2. Rachel Entrekin (USA, UTMB Index 781), 3. Emily Schmitz (USA, UTMB Index 739) UTMB results – Men: 1. Ben Dhiman (USA, UTMB Index 946), 2. Baptiste Chassagne (FRA, UTMB Index 926), 3. Caleb Olson (USA, UTMB Index 945) The suspense concluded on Saturday, August 29, with the final winners of the 2026 HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc. Yesterday, the UTMB had already provided an unforgettable spectacle, with the start given by Marina Ferrari, France’s Minister for Sports, Youth and Community Life, at the very moment when the CCC® top three were crossing the finish line. “The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc is the global showcase for trail running and a source of pride for France.” Marina Ferrari highlighted the event’s place among the major international sporting events and offered her encouragement to the women and men setting off for the UTMB. Today, as the final CCC finishers crossed the finish line in Chamonix, a jubilant crowd celebrated the champions of the 2026 UTMB. Ben Dhiman (USA, UTMB Index 946) in the men’s race and Blandine L’Hirondel (FRA, UTMB Index 807) in the women’s race both secured one of the most significant victories of their careers. For Blandine L’Hirondel, the victory carries particular significance. Following her OCC victory in 2021 and CCC victory in 2022, she has once again made history by becoming the second woman to complete the UTMB® World Series Finals triple. She joins Ruth Croft and Xavier Thévenard, the only athletes to have achieved this feat before her, men and women combined.
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NEWS OF THE DAY Starting after the day’s final heavy downpour, the UTMB runners ultimately benefited from particularly favorable conditions. In the men’s race, Ben Dhiman (USA, UTMB Index 946) made the most of them, setting the pace from the opening kilometers and delivering a masterclass, leading solo from start to finish. Runner-up last year, the American had made the 2026 edition his main goal. And he left no room for anyone to challenge his victory, winning in 18 h 16. Behind him, Frenchman Baptiste Chassagne (FRA, UTMB Index 926) delivered an exceptional performance in 18 h 47, claiming the second step of the podium for the second time in his career after his runner-up finish in 2024. He narrowly held off Caleb Olson (USA, UTMB Index 945), who crossed the line in third place less than a minute behind him (18 h 48), after having spent a long time chasing Ecuadorian Joaquin Lopez (ECU, UTMB Index 912). Ben Dhiman (USA, UTMB Index 946) – 1st man at the UTMB: “I quickly found myself alone, but I decided to stick to my own pace without slowing down. One of the main goals of my preparation was to become more comfortable on technical sections, and I think that helped me become faster and gain confidence. I feel very lucky to be able to run these trails, in these incredible mountains, and do what I love.” In the women’s race, Blandine L’Hirondel (FRA, UTMB Index 807) pulled off a surprise victory in 21 h 54. Particularly comfortable on technical sections and the steepest climbs, despite saying she was not at 100% before the start, she quickly established herself at the front alongside American Rachel Entrekin (USA, UTMB Index 781). The French runner gradually extended her lead throughout the night, eventually breaking away on her own and crossing the finish line first in Chamonix, ahead of the American, who held her position to secure second place in 22 h 15. A few minutes later, Emily Schmitz (USA, UTMB Index 739) completed the women’s podium in 22 h 17, following a battle with Careth Arnold (USA, UTMB Index 766) for third place. The edition was also marked by the DNFs of two UTMB Legends, Courtney Dauwalter (USA, UTMB Index 859) and Vincent Bouillard (FRA, UTMB Index 941), during the night. Blandine L’Hirondel (FRA, UTMB Index 807) – 1st woman at the UTMB: “What really stood out to me was the crowd. They were incredible. I lost my eardrum in Saint-Gervais and I never got it back! The support and enthusiasm from the crowd are incredibly motivating for me. I have no words. I still can’t believe it, and I think it will take me several months to fully realize what happened. I didn’t start with this goal in mind. It’s a real team effort with my family and my coach.”
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COMING SOON The 2026 HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc week will come to an end tomorrow in Chamonix with the final arrivals of the PTL and UTMB, as well as the final awards ceremonies. Also eagerly awaited is the arrival of the Team Adaptive athletes still in the race, including Jonathan Naboulet (FRA) and his team, who are aiming to become the first team using a joëlette to complete the UTMB within the time limits. Another unprecedented challenge awaits: Julien Veysseyre (FRA) will attempt to become the first amputee athlete to complete the UTMB using a transtibial prosthesis. These arrivals promise to extend the emotion and excitement right through to the final passage under the Chamonix finish arch.
DID YOU KNOW ?
THE NUMBER
It took more than ten years for a French woman to once again win under the UTMB finish arch.
2
The last French women’s victory came in 2016, when Caroline Chaverot made history by winning the UTMB. Since then, the years have passed, generations of runners have come and gone, and the podiums have continued to feature the world’s best female trail runners, without a French woman managing to reclaim victory in the flagship race. A resounding victory, carried by a jubilant crowd, with French spectators turning out in large numbers to celebrate the French runner’s success in an atmosphere of enthusiasm that has accompanied the French athletes throughout the week.
The number of women who used a “breastfeeding pass”. This new initiative facilitates access for a partner and child at certain points along the course, allowing mothers to continue breastfeeding during their UTMB. A still modest figure, but one that is expected to grow. Behind this initiative lies a broader evolution: a race seeking to adapt to the realities of women’s lives, rather than forcing them to choose between motherhood and sporting performance.
BEHIND THE SCENE Isabelle Paucot, caring for those who care for the runners An anesthetic nurse and emergency care coordinator, Isabelle Paucot has coordinated the UTMB nursing teams for 23 years. This year, her team includes 64 nurses, working as part of a much broader medical operation: 39 doctors and around 60 rescue workers, as well as numerous physiotherapists and podiatrists. “The important thing for us is to work together,” she explains. One priority guides everyone involved: runner safety, which requires professional, skilled and committed teams. On an event of this scale, even Isabelle is struck by the commitment of the volunteers: “In a hospital environment, people would generally try to postpone returning to work. Here, it’s the opposite: people really want to work. As soon as they’ve had enough rest, they ask for more hours.” A sign of genuine loyalty: 80% of her nurses return year after year, with just 20% being new recruits. “They are housed and fed, and there is a great welcome package, but above all they find an atmosphere here, friendship and a shared working experience. Being able to work under these conditions is extraordinary.” Recruitment begins the day after the draw, in January, followed by regular meetings with Dokever, the company responsible for the medical operation, right up until race week. “They are so happy to give their time to these runners who are ready to give everything,” Isabelle says. “I simply make sure they are well rested before returning to their medical duties. That is my way of taking care of those who take care of others,” she concludes, summing up the spirit that drives her entire team.
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