It was, as always, a great show, full of twists and emotions. The races of the UTMB Mont-Blanc week, in Chamonix, which took place until last weekend, brought together the strongest trail runners in the world and the elite of companies producing shoes, clothing, and accessories at the foot of Mont Blanc. At the end of seven intense days, the names written in the hall of fame are those of Ben Dhiman and Blandine L’Hirondel, winners of the 100 miles, but Italy carved out a place of honor with the victory of Cristian Minoggio in the CCC, the most prestigious race after the UTMB. Here’s how the two tests and the OCC went.
Dhiman, no surprises
On Saturday Ben Dhiman (USA) in the men’s race and Blandine L’Hirondel (FRA) in the women’s race secured one of the most important victories of their career. For Blandine L’Hirondel, the success has a special meaning. After winning the OCC in 2021 and the CCC in 2022, she has once again made history by becoming the second woman to complete the UTMB World Series Finals triplet. She joins Ruth Croft and Xavier Thévenard, the only athletes to have achieved this feat before her. Starting after the last heavy rain of the day, the UTMB runners benefited from particularly favorable conditions.
In the men’s race, Dhiman, the favorite, took full advantage, setting the pace from the first kilometers, leading solo practically from start to finish. Second last year, the American resident in the Pyrenees had made the 2026 edition his main goal. And he didn’t leave space for anyone to challenge him for the victory, coming in first in 18h16′. Behind him, Baptiste Chassagne (FRA) delivered an exceptional performance in 18h47′, securing the second step of the podium for the second time in his career, after finishing second in 2024. He held off Caleb Olson (USA) by less than a minute, who arrived third in 18h48′ and staged a great comeback that made the finale even more exciting for the audience, after chasing the Ecuadorian Joaquin Lopez for a long time.
In the women’s race, Blandine L’Hirondel secured a surprise victory in 21h54′. Particularly comfortable on technical sections and steeper climbs, despite declaring that she was not at 100% before the start, she immediately took the lead with the American Rachel Entrekin. The Frenchwoman gradually extended her lead throughout the night, eventually breaking away on her own and crossing the finish line in Chamonix first, ahead of the American, who maintained second place in 22h15′. A few minutes later, Emily Schmitz (USA) completed the women’s podium in 22h17′, after a duel with Careth Arnold (USA) for third place. The edition was also marked by the retirements, during the night, of two athletes who had already won the UTMB: Courtney Dauwalter (USA) and Vincent Bouillard (FRA).
Men’s ranking: 1. Ben Dhiman (USA), 2. Baptiste Chassagne (FRA), 3. Caleb Olson (USA)
Women’s ranking: 1. Blandine L’Hirondel (FRA), 2. Rachel Entrekin (USA), 3. Emily Schmitz (USA)
Statements
Ben Dhiman: “I found myself alone early, but I decided to stick to my pace without slowing down. One of the main goals of my preparation was to gain more agility on technical sections, and I believe this helped me become faster and more confident. I feel very lucky to be able to run on these trails, in these incredible mountains, and do what I love.”.
Blandine L’Hirondel: “What struck me the most was the crowd. They were incredible. I lost hearing in one ear in Saint-Gervais and never got it back! The support and enthusiasm of the audience are an incredible motivation for me. I have no words. I still struggle to believe it and I think it will take several months before I really realize what happened. I didn’t start with this goal in mind. It’s a real team effort, with my family and my coach.”
Minoggio among the greats of the world trail
On Friday in the CCC, the twists and turns followed throughout a fiercely fought race, both in the men’s and women’s categories. After a close battle, Cristian Minoggio and Yngvild Kaspersen (NOR) emerged victorious among men and women. Persistent rain and strong gusts of wind led to two course modifications. From the first kilometers, the pace was very high and a leading group quickly formed, which included the American Hans Troyer and the Frenchmen Benjamin Roubiol and Thomas Cardin who immediately took control of the race. Thomas Cardin, one of the favorites, was forced to retire between Champex-Lac and Trient. At the front, Hans Troyer maintained a high pace and led the race for a long stretch. Elie Hemming (USA) and Miguel Arsenio stayed in contact, while Cristian Minoggio staged a great comeback that led him to surpass all opponents and eventually secure the victory in 10h21′.
Among women, the Chinese Miao Yao immediately took control of the race, confirming herself as one of the favorites. Toni McCann (RS) gradually caught up before taking the lead. This led to a tight battle for first place. Behind them, the battle was intense within the leading group, between the Japanese Honoka Akiyama, the American Jennifer Lichter, and Yngvild Kaspersen (NOR), who progressively climbed the rankings to reach the two leaders, ultimately winning in 12h01′.
Men’s ranking: 1. Cristian Minoggio (ITA), 2. Miguel Arsenio (POR), 3. Hans Troyer (USA)
Women’s ranking: 1. Yngvild Kaspersen (NOR), 2. Toni McCann (RSA), 3. Miao Yao (CHN)
Tranchand wins the OCC, but it’s the women who steal the show
At 8:15 on Thursday, the runners in the OCC set off from Orsières in challenging summer conditions, with heat and temperatures in the valleys reaching nearly 30°C, while the wind progressively strengthened at altitude. Conditions that tested the runners’ pace and effort management along the 60 km and 3,500 m of positive elevation gain on the course. In the women’s race, the outcome remained uncertain until the last second. With a time of 6h08′, Lauren Gregory (USA), making her debut at this distance, staged an impressive comeback against Sara Alonso (ESP) and then against Naomi Lang (UK), who dueled with the American until the final straight.
Among men, Frédéric Tranchand (FRA), Short Trail World Champion 2025 and European Champion 2026, crossed the finish line with several minutes of advantage over the Kenyan revelation Nashon Kiplimo, finishing in 5h10′. The battle for third place was also intense, between Sylvain Cachard (FRA) and Miguel Benitez (ESP), with the Spaniard ultimately prevailing in the final moments of the race. The men’s race was also marked by the early retirement of one of the pre-race favorites, Rémi Bonnet (SUI).
Men’s ranking: 1. Frédéric Tranchand (FRA), 2. Nashon Kiplimo (NOR), 3. Miguel Benitez (SPA)
Women’s ranking: 1. Lauren Gregory (USA), 2. Naomi Lang (UK), 3. Sara Alonso (SPA)
