HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB®: Youth and Sustainability at the Heart of the 2026 Edition of the UTMB World Series European Major

From 1 to 5 July 2026, HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® will welcome nearly 7,500 runners, with 90% coming from across Europe. As the European Major of the UTMB® World Series, the event has established itself as a must-attend fixture on the international trail running calendar. This prestigious status allows all finishers to earn double Running Stones, while the top ten athletes in each age group across the 50K, 100K and 100M races will secure direct qualification for the UTMB® World Series Finals (OCC, CCC®, UTMB®).

For this sixth edition, eight race formats will be on offer, giving everyone the opportunity to experience their own adventure, whatever their level of experience or ambitions. From the accessible and festive Vielha 10K to the legendary Torn dera Val d’Aran – VDA (163 km and 10,000 m of elevation gain), each course will provide a unique immersion into the region, taking runners through high-altitude trails, unspoilt forests, mountain villages and the iconic landscapes of the Pyrenees. A brand-new race will make its debut in 2026: the Termières dera Libertat – TDL. This 75-kilometre course is steeped in history, inspired by the hidden mountain paths that, for decades, served as escape routes for those fleeing war, persecution and repression.

A Land of Inspiration for the Next Generation

Encouraging young people to embrace trail running remains one of the event’s key priorities. The Trail Festival Baqueira Beret, the organisation’s youth initiative, will welcome more than 400 children for its sixth edition, offering a range of sporting and educational activities designed to introduce them to the mountains and trail running in a fun and safe environment. This commitment is also reflected in the SKY Promesas category. In 2026, 85 young athletes aged 16 to 19 will take on an 18-kilometre course featuring 900 metres of elevation gain. By comparison, only 22 young athletes competed in the inaugural edition of this category in 2022.

Beyond the competition, HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® continues to reduce its environmental footprint by strengthening its sustainability initiatives year after year. In 2025, the event became the first trail running event in Spain to fully offset its carbon footprint through the Voluntary Greenhouse Gas Emissions Offset Programme of the Government of Catalonia. In total, 471 tonnes of CO₂ generated by the event were offset through carbon credits certified by the Catalan Office for Climate Change.

Sustainable mobility also remains a key priority. Thanks to the collective transport plan implemented during the 2025 edition, 20 shuttle buses carried 8,800 passengers, preventing an estimated 2,400 vehicles from using local roads. Solidarity also remains at the heart of the event. Following another sold-out edition several months before race week, the organisation has renewed its charity bib programme in support of UTMB® Cares. Since its launch in 2024, the initiative has raised €24,000 (including €8,000 and 16 charity bibs in 2026) to support projects with a positive social impact.

The PDA 50K promises an intense battle with the presence of one of Spain’s most popular trail runners, Sara ALONSO (ESP, UTMB Index 801). The Basque athlete returns to the trails of the Val d’Aran aiming to shine on the European Major stage. Standing in her way will be Helen MINO FAUKNER (USA, UTMB Index 763) and Nuria GIL CLAPERA (ESP, UTMB Index 754), both strong contenders for victory. In the men’s race, the competition is set to be exceptionally fierce, with Luca DEL PERO (ITA, UTMB Index 925), Robert PKEMOI (KEN, UTMB Index 920) and Alain SANTAMARIA BLANCO (ESP, UTMB Index 918) all capable of claiming the win in what promises to be one of the most open races of the weekend.

In the CDH 100K, all eyes will be on Miao YAO (CHN, UTMB Index 822). Fresh from her victory in the 50K at HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB® last month, the Chinese star returns to the 100K distance as she builds towards her main objective of the season, the CCC®. She will, however, face strong opposition from Norway’s Mari Klakegg FENRE (NOR, UTMB Index 761) and American Lindsay ALLISON (USA, UTMB Index 740). In the men’s field, Julen CALVO VIGARA (ESP, UTMB Index 901) leads a highly competitive line-up featuring Raul Octaviu BUTACI (ROM, UTMB Index 916) and Frenchman Gautier BONNECARRÈRE (FRA, UTMB Index 880), who will be looking to challenge the strong Spanish contingent.

The VDA 100M will also feature a world-class field. After winning the 100K at the Oceania Major earlier this season, Katarzyna Dombrowska (POL, UTMB Index 762) steps up to the flagship distance of the European Major. The Polish runner will face Spain’s Aroa SIO (ESP, UTMB Index 754) in what promises to be an exciting contest. In the men’s race, a high-quality showdown is expected between Benat MARMISSOLLE (FRA, UTMB Index 903) and Santos Gabriel RUEDA (ARG, UTMB Index 861), with a thrilling battle all the way to the finish line in Vielha.