UPCOMING EVENTS IN APRIL 2026
DESERT RATS TRAIL RUNNING FESTIVAL BY UTMB : a festival in the heart of the american desert
Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB® will take place from 09 to 12 April 2026 in Fruita, Colorado, at the heart of the arid landscapes of the American Southwest. For this 23rd edition, the fourth within the UTMB® World Series circuit, the event will bring together nearly 1,760 participants, including 93% American runners, with one of the highest female participation rates on the circuit at 41.86%. A true fixture of American trail running, the race is now rooted in more than twenty years of sporting and community tradition. Four race formats will be offered over three days: 100 km (100K), 48 km (50K), 21 km (20K) and 9 km, allowing all profiles to experience the unique and distinctive high desert environment. The courses are both runnable and exposed, weaving through red rock cliffs, mesas, and sweeping views over the Colorado River.
The event also represents a key step for certain runners on the circuit, as it offers both qualification for the three UTMB World Series Finals (top 3 in 50K, 100K, 100M) and a chance to enter the lottery for the Western States Endurance Run 2027 (by completing the 100K in under 18 hours).
North American Para Trail Summit: Inclusion and Support for Adaptive Athletes at the Heart of the Project
In 2026, the event reaches a significant milestone by hosting the North American Para Trail Summit, in collaboration with the organisation Born to Adapt. This programme aims to support and develop trail running opportunities for athletes with disabilities. Throughout the weekend, several initiatives will be implemented: dedicated supervision, specialised support for athletes using prosthetics, coaching sessions, guide training, and adapted aid stations. The goal is to enhance accessibility, strengthen athlete–guide partnerships, and build lasting inclusion within trail running.
More information about the North American Para Trail Summit here
Official website, follow along on: live.utmb.world
ISTRIA 100 BY UTMB: Heading to the Istrian Peninsula
Istria 100 by UTMB® is set to be the third European event of the season, following Arc of Attrition by UTMB® and Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB®. This 13th edition will take place from 9 to 12 April 2026 on the Istrian peninsula in north-west Croatia. A region defined by its rugged terrain and hilltop villages, with Umag as its central hub. Now well established with its 5th edition within the UTMB® World Series circuit, the event will bring together nearly 3,200 runners, including 27% women, with a strong Croatian representation (81%).
Five race formats are on the programme: 168 km (100M), 110 km (100K), 69 km (50K), 42 km (50K) and 21 km (20K), connecting several of the region’s most iconic locations. The courses notably pass through Labin, a former mining town overlooking the Adriatic Sea, Buzet, renowned as the truffle capital, Motovun, a medieval hilltop village surrounded by forests, and Grožnjan, known for its artistic streets and unique atmosphere.
A Collective Legacy
Istria 100 by UTMB stands out through the richness of the stories it brings to light, going far beyond pure sporting performance by embodying each of its initiatives through real-life journeys. The enduring bond between the event and its participants is perhaps best illustrated by Peter Macuh, the only athlete to have started the 100M every year since the race’s inception. Female representation also finds a powerful expression in stories such as that of Geneviève Asselin-Demers, who balances athletic ambition, motherhood, and recovery following an epilepsy diagnosis. Comebacks from injury or illness are equally embodied by Eugen Kanjir, who, despite living with multiple sclerosis, will line up at the start of this 2026 edition, turning every step into an act of resilience. Loyalty and emotional connection are further reflected in journeys like that of Jurgen Brunner, whose first 100M so profoundly changed his life that he went on to build a community of over one hundred runners, extending the race’s legacy far beyond its trails. This collective dynamic is also echoed in stories such as Janko Bulovic, who has moved from behind the scenes of the organisation to the start line. Together, these stories give substance to the initiatives of Istria 100 by UTMB, helping to shape a living legacy, forged year after year by those who bring it to life.
Official website, follow along on: live.utmb.world
ULTRA-TRAIL MOGAN by UTMB®: A New UTMB World Series Experience in Asia
Ultra-Trail Mogan by UTMB® will make its debut in the UTMB World Series circuit with a first edition from 10 to 12 April 2026, in Deqing County, Huzhou, at the heart of Zhejiang province in China. This new event is set to bring together nearly 6,100 participants, including 29% women. It marks a key step in the circuit’s expansion in Asia, where China now stands as one of the most dynamic markets in the sport.
Four race formats will be offered: 112 km (100M), 78.5 km (100K), 46.4 km (50K) and 20.8 km (20K), with courses designed to be accessible to both newcomers and experienced runners. The routes will wind through bamboo forests, tea terraces, and ancient trails, in a region steeped in history and deeply rooted in Chinese culture. Between traditional villages and mist-covered summits, the event offers an immersion into a unique environment, at the crossroads of breathtaking natural landscapes and cultural heritage.
Safety, Innovation and Sustainability at the Core of the Event
Designed from its very first edition as a structured and forward-thinking event, Ultra-Trail Mogan by UTMB will implement several advanced measures: scientifically planned nutrition tailored to each distance, drone deployment in sensitive areas, weather stations for real-time monitoring of conditions, as well as enhanced supervision and coordination systems across the entire course. The event also embraces an ambitious sustainability approach, with comprehensive environmental monitoring, the use of biodegradable materials, rigorous waste sorting, and initiatives such as “bring your own utensils” aimed at reducing the race’s overall impact.
Driven by local communities, the event also seeks to showcase the region, integrating local products, traditions, and cultural narratives at the heart of the runner experience.
Official website, follow along on: live.utmb.world
PUERTO VALLARTA BY UTMB®: A return to the circuit, driven by strong local roots
With nearly 2,000 participants expected, Puerto Vallarta by UTMB® is set to host its 4th edition within the UTMB® World Series circuit, from 05 to 07 March 2026, with 77% local athletes registered for the event. The race also confirms its growth, with female participation reaching 34%. Absent from the calendar in 2025, the event makes its highly anticipated return in 2026. Now scheduled in March (postponed to April last year due to local conflicts), it aims to offer runners more favourable weather conditions and an optimal setting for both enjoyment and performance. The 2026 edition features four race formats: 95 km (100K), 52 km (50K), 37 km (50K), 19 km (20K), set in the heart of the ancestral heritage of the Wixárika people in Mexico.
North American Elite Athletes Ready to Compete
The elite field for this 2026 edition looks particularly strong, with 19 North American athletes on the start line (9 from the United States and 10 from Mexico), out of a total of 24 elite runners entered. In the 95 km (100K) race, the battle will feature Tyler Green (USA, UTMB Index 870), a leading figure in North American ultra-trail, against Marcos Ramos (ESP, UTMB Index 867), winner of the Mallorca by UTMB 50K in 2025, and Jupiter Carrera (MEX, UTMB Index 844), winner of the Chihuahua by UTMB 100K in 2025.Mike McGonagle (USA, UTMB Index 796), winner of the 100M at the Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB 2025, and Germany’s Lotti Brinks (GER, UTMB Index 767), first woman in the Desert RATS by UTMB 100K in 2025, will also be ones to watch closely.
In the women’s field, the 52 km (50K) promises a competitive race with several leading contenders. Sarah Bergeron Larouche (CAN, UTMB Index 744), winner of the Grindstone Trail Running by UTMB 50K in 2025, arrives with strong credentials, alongside Careth Arnold (USA, UTMB Index 735), winner of the 2025 TDS. Also noteworthy is the presence of Rachel Drake (USA, UTMB Index 758), returning to the trails following the birth of her child.
An Edition Marked by New Initiatives for Inclusion, Communities, and Territories
For the first time, Puerto Vallarta by UTMB will introduce a female hygiene kit, available at aid stations, helping to make the event—and trail running more broadly—a space where women feel fully represented. The organisation will also continue its local engagement by supporting two associations: “CEMBAB” (Conservation of the Wonderful Species of Banderas Bay), dedicated to wildlife preservation, and “Angeles en Libertad”, which supports children in vulnerable situations through funds raised via recycling initiatives led by the event team.
Official website, follow along on: live.utmb.world
THE CANYONS ENDURANCE RUN BY UTMB®: A key event in the heart of the Californian canyons
The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB® will take place from 23 to 26 April 2026 in Auburn, California, the true cradle of ultra-endurance, known as “the Endurance Capital of the World”. For this 12th edition within the UTMB® World Series circuit, the event will bring together nearly 2,000 runners, including 89% Americans.Female participation reaches 29% overall, ranging from 16% in the 100M to 45% in the 20K. Four race formats are on offer: 161 km (100M), 100 km (100K), 50 km (50K) and 25 km (20K), allowing runners to tackle some of the most demanding sections of the iconic Western States Endurance Run, including legendary segments such as Rucky Chucky, Devil’s Thumb, and the Swinging Bridge, deep in the Californian canyons. The 100 km (100K) will be particularly worth following, as it holds “Super Golden Ticket Race” status, offering the top three men and women a direct qualification for the Western States Endurance Run 2026. A major stake that attracts an exceptionally strong elite field each year, on a course renowned for being as strategic as it is demanding.
A Dress Rehearsal for the Elites on the 100K
In the women’s race, several of the top favourites already qualified for the Western States Endurance Run will line up in the 100 km (100K) as part of their preparation, including Anne Flower (USA, UTMB Index 797), Martyna Mlynarczyk (POL, UTMB Index 786), recent winner of the CCC, and Tara Dower (USA, UTMB Index 780). In the men’s field, the same depth is evident, with Adam Peterman (USA, UTMB Index 906), Hayden Hawks (USA, UTMB Index 904), David Roche (USA, UTMB Index 901), Ji Duo (CHN, UTMB Index 906), and Zach Miller (USA, UTMB Index 887), who entered at the last minute.
Official website, follow along on: live.utmb.world
GRAND RAID VENTOUX BY UTMB®: Taking on the Giant of Provence
The Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB® returns in 2026 for its second edition within the UTMB® World Series circuit. Created in 2016, at the heart of the Mont Ventoux Regional Natural Park, the event will bring together nearly 5,000 participants, including 92% French runners and 18% women. The event features four race formats: 125 km (100M), 87 km (100K), 51 km (50K), 26 km (20K), offering a complete immersion through vineyards, garrigue landscapes, hilltop villages, and the exposed ridgelines of Mont Ventoux, across terrain that is as varied as it is demanding.
Inclusion, Female Participation and Accessibility: Concrete Commitments
The Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB fully aligns with the UTMB World Series strategy on inclusion, with concrete actions implemented on the ground. The event introduces a dedicated programme to enhance the experience of female runners before, during, and after the race: dedicated spaces on site, provision of hygiene products, increased visibility of women’s performances, and the promotion of athlete stories.
This approach aims to create a more welcoming environment and encourage participation, in a context where women remain underrepresented at the start line.
Disability and inclusion are also central to the event’s approach, with the presence of several athletes from Team Adaptive, including Fanny Barbara (left lung removal), Eva Cajan (right leg amputee), and Jonathan Naboulet (quadriplegic), competing in a Joëlette with Team Trail Sans Limite—as well as Lucas Liens (left leg amputee).
This extraordinary team, initiated during the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc 2024, was created with the ambition to inspire and raise awareness within communities, making disability something natural rather than exceptional. Fully integrating athletes with diverse backgrounds into the courses demonstrates that disability is not a barrier, but another way of experiencing and sharing a passion for trail running.
Learn more about Team Adaptive or adaptive athlete status
Community commitment also stands as a key pillar of the event, with €2 per bib donated to the Œuvre des Pupilles Orphelins des Sapeurs-Pompiers, making each participation part of a positive and collective initiative.
Elite athletes and standout figures for the 2026 edition
The event will bring together a wide range of profiles, from international elites to prominent figures in trail running. The short trail world champion Tove Alexanderson (SWE, UTMB Index 853) is shaping up to be one of the favourites in the 51 km (50K). In the men’s field, the world record holder for elevation gain, Rémi Bonnet (SUI, UTMB Index 938), will be at the start. He will go head-to-head with Simon Pacquard (FRA, UTMB Index 877), recent winner of the 20 km at the Eco-Trail de Paris, and Mathieu Delpeuche (FRA, UTMB Index 868). In the 87 km (100K), defending champion Laure Paradan (FRA, UTMB Index 720) will be putting her title on the line. The winner of the 2025 Diagonale des Fous, Baptiste Chassagne (FRA, UTMB Index 912), will also be on the start line, setting up a duel with Simon Gosselin (FRA, UTMB Index 857). The event will also welcome several personalities from other disciplines, such as swimmer Camille Lacourt and skipper Maxime Sorel.
Official website, follow along on: live.utmb.world
AMAZEAN JUNGLE THAILAND BY UTMB® 2026: Immersion in the heart of the Thai jungle
The 4th edition of Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB® will take place from April 30 to May 3, 2026, in Betong, in the Yala province, on the border between Thailand and Malaysia. As the second UTMB World Series event held in Thailand, the race offers six formats: 115 km (100M), 90 km (100K), 55 km (50K), 26 km (20K), 17 km (20K), and 4 km. The courses will take runners deep into dense tropical jungle, characterised by high humidity, elevated temperatures (feels like 30–40°C), and technical trails featuring roots, mud, and steep climbs.
Beyond the sporting challenge, the event is deeply rooted in its local environment, with the involvement of more than 40 community groups, engaged throughout the weekend as volunteers, artists, and contributors to the event atmosphere, helping to anchor the race within its territory.
Official website, follow on : live.utmb.world
