It was revealed this week that Tom Evans will not defend his UTMB title in Chamonix. That’s despite the British ultra runner not being injured. It means that we’ll have another new champion for the event, with Kilian Jornet the last man to defend his title back in 2009. Coincidentally, Jornet has also withdrawn from the August 28 event.
Evans let fans know of his withdrawal via Instagram, writing: “It’s never easy watching a race you love from the sidelines, but sometimes you have to look at the bigger picture.” However, the 2025 winner will be watching on in the French Alps as a supporter.
Evans is a Major Loss for the Event
The 34-year-old won last year in 19:18:58, one of the fastest UTMB times in history. However, it’s been a chaotic summer for the Brit. He went into the Hardrock 100 as favorite, only to quit after 58 miles in the San Juans due to the altitude.
In Evans’ absence, Chalomix course record holder Jim Walmsley is arguably the man to beat. With a UTMB Index of 967, many are predicting a battle between him and Ben Dhiman, who was the runner-up 12 months ago. Dhiman is the 2022 champion and returns to Chamonix for the first time since then.
Why Evans Isn’t the Only Big Name Withdrawal
Katie Schide is a noticeable absentee in the women’s category. The American won the Western States and UTMB in the summer of 2024. The 34-year-old still holds the women’s course record (22:09:31), but a foot injury has put pay to her attempts at a double this year.
There have been many talking points surrounding UTMB this year. The list includes environmentally friendly policies, headlamp requirements, and government regulations. However, the event will feature 846 elite runners across its races in 2026, including 54 nationalities.
How Does UTMB Work?
The race gets underway at 5:45 PM (CET) on August 28 and is the pinnacle of 100-mile competition. Athletes must complete the 110-mile Mont Blanc course before 4:30 PM on August 30.
In addition to the elite runners, over 1,000 other entrants will run through Italy, France, and Switzerland before returning to France to cross the finish line. Organizers will be hoping for better conditions this year, following the wettest and coldest race in history in 2025. Winners in the men’s and women’s races walk away with 20,000 EUR ($23,409) each.
