UTMB® Mont-Blanc: registration update

March 1, 2021

The end of registrations marks a turning point for runners and the start of their preparation for the 18th edition of the UTMB® Mont-Blanc, which promises to be one of the most contested races of the season.

An adapted registration process
Registrations for the 2021 edition of the UTMB® Mont-Blanc are now closed, marking the end of an extended registration period. Due to the exceptional situation in 2020, registration took place over several stages, giving runners the best possible chance to gain entry.

2% chance of registering with UTMB®
A week after the closing of registrations all of the races were full, with the exception of the PTL® which continues to receive registration requests. Following the announcement that the organisers were considering the possibility of postponing registration in the event of refusal in the draw for other races, both the TDS® and the MCC were filled within 24 hours. Demand was extremely strong for the 3 flagship races: UTMB®, CCC® and OCC, with a low percentage of places remaining before the draw opened to all (UTMB® 2%, OCC 14%, CCC® 22%) and like every year, there were more requests than available places. The end of registrations marks a turning point for runners and the start of their preparation for the 18th edition of the UTMB®Mont-Blanc, which promises to be one of the most contested races of the season.

The greatest athletes to meet in Chamonix
The elites represent an extraordinary field with the world’s best ultra-trail runners, including American Jim Walmsley, Spaniard Pau Capell and Frenchmen François D’Haene and Xavier Thévenard, amongst those to have confirmed their entry. The women’s field is just as impressive with 63% of the elites announced on the event, including Courtney Dauwalter, Ruth Croft and Ragna Debats. More than 50% of the men elites will be present across the various races of the event, with an ever-increasing interested in the CCC® and the OCC. Click here to see all the favorites

The impact of COVID on entries
In line with the last edition, the 3 best represented nations amongst the entrants are France, Spain and the United Kingdom with a total of more than 5,000 runners. While European nations are strongly represented, the United States will also have a strong contingent with more than 300 registered runners earning its position as the 5th best represented country. The impact of COVID has, unfortunately, impacted Chinese runners who are now rank 13th in the entries list, versus 5th place in 2019. Please note that in the event of excessive withdrawal from international runners, runners who did not gain entry through the draw will be contacted and will be have until the end of June to register.

Planning for 2021
The 2021 edition of the UTMB® Mont-Blanc will take place from 23 to 29 August and will offer 7 events: the UTMB® (170km 10 000mD +), the CCC® (101km 6100mD +), the TDS® (145km 9100mD +), the OCC (56km 3500mD +), the PTL®(300km 25,000mD +), the MCC (40km 2300mD +) and the YCC (15km 1200mD +). The organization is working with the relevant authorities to establish operational plans that take into account the current health context and is ready to adapt in line with the evolving situation to comply with the latest regulations. This could include:

• wearing a mask and hand washing compulsory at each meeting place
• staggering starts
• adaptation or relocation of some refueling stations
• removal of self-service at refueling stations
• simplification of bib collection
• removal of assistance zones
• limitation on spectator area size
• control of visitor / spectator movement flow

The organization will implement these measures as required, depending on the evolution of the situation and the regulations in force in France, Switzerland, and Italy.