UPCOMING EVENTS IN JUNE
June is set to be a particularly busy month on the UTMB® World Series circuit, with seven events on the schedule. The highlight of this sequence will be the Western States, which will feature an exceptionally strong elite field for the 2026 edition. June will also mark the arrival of a new event on the circuit with the Salomon Zugspitz Ultra-Trail by UTMB®. All of these races can be followed live on live.utmb.world.
Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB®: Set Against the Stunning Backdrop of the Andorran Pyrenees
From 11 to 14 June, Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® will welcome 3,800 participants for its sixth edition, and its fifth as part of the UTMB World Series circuit. Female participation continues to grow, with 23% of registered runners being women, compared with 19.7% in 2025 and 19.4% in 2024. Held in the Principality of Andorra, the event has steadily established itself as one of the Pyrenees’ premier trail-running events on the European calendar, thanks to its highly technical alpine courses and the territory’s strong mountain identity.
Based in Ordino, Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® offers five race formats: the 100M (105 km), 100K (79 km), 50K (50 km), 20K (25 km), and a 10 km race. Each course provides a unique experience: completing a full loop around an entire country. Despite the principality’s small size, runners compete in an exceptionally mountainous environment, shaped by more than 62 peaks rising above 2,500 metres. The routes notably pass through the Ordino Biosphere Reserve, recognised by UNESCO, before returning to the village of Ordino, the true heart of the event.
The 100M, despite being “only” 105 kilometres long, is among the most demanding courses on the circuit, featuring nearly 7,000 metres of elevation gain. It takes runners to several of Andorra’s most iconic summits, including Comapedrosa, the country’s highest peak at 2,942 metres above sea level. In a principality where mountains dominate the landscape, every trail tells part of the story of the territory and its Pyrenean heritage.
Trail of the Kings – Lake Toba by UTMB®: Racing Through the Volcanic Heart of Indonesia
For its second edition as part of the UTMB® World Series circuit, Trail of the Kings – Lake Toba by UTMB® continues its development from 11 to 14 June, in the heart of one of Indonesia’s most spectacular natural settings. The event is expected to welcome 850 participants and already demonstrates a strong local presence, with 62% of runners coming from Indonesia. Female participation stands at 27%.
Held around Lake Toba, the largest volcanic lake in the world, Trail of the Kings – Lake Toba by UTMB® offers five race formats: the 100K (100 km), 50K (60 km), 20K (28 km), 10 km, and 5 km. The courses wind through the steep terrain and technical trails of Samosir Island. In a region that remains relatively undiscovered on the international trail-running scene, the event aims to showcase a destination that is both wild and culturally rich, shaped by a unique volcanic heritage.
An Event Rooted in Its Community and Environment
Trail of the Kings – Lake Toba by UTMB® also seeks to support the development of the local trail-running community. A former road-running and ultramarathon specialist, Bimo discovered trail running almost by chance while exploring the winding paths surrounding Lake Toba. Drawn by the direct connection with nature and the sport’s more introspective dimension, he gradually moved away from the roads and embraced the volcanic terrain of northern Sumatra. His journey reflects the emergence of a new generation of Indonesian trail runners, shaping their practice far from the traditional strongholds of the sport. Having taken part in the inaugural edition of Trail of the Kings, Bimo describes an experience where physical challenge blends with the discovery of breathtaking landscapes and a deep connection to the surrounding environment.
The event also continues to expand its environmental initiatives aimed at preserving the Lake Toba region. This year, the organisation is supporting a fish restocking programme on Samosir Island to help restore the local aquatic ecosystem. The initiative is designed to contribute to the long-term health of the lake’s waters while raising awareness among local communities and participants about the environmental challenges facing this iconic region of Indonesia.
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB®: A Journey of Discovery Along the Pilgrimage Routes
From 12 to 14 June, the Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® will welcome nearly 7,000 participants for its 14th edition. A true benchmark of French trail running, the event continues to demonstrate its strong national appeal, with 94% of runners coming from France. Female participation stands at 22%.
Since 2012, the Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® has offered a unique immersion along the historic routes of the Camino de Santiago. With six race formats — the 100M (139 km), 100K (86 km), 50K (55 km), 20K (28 km), 12 km race, and a 28 km hike — participants follow the legendary GR65 trail in reverse, retracing the famous pilgrimage route. Along the way, runners pass through landscapes steeped in history, from volcanic plateaus and picturesque villages to unspoilt natural trails. The finish line, set at the foot of Le Puy-en-Velay Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the highlights of the event, reinforcing its unique cultural and spiritual dimension.
An Event Committed to Inclusion
On the occasion of this year’s edition, the organisation is launching Team Vellave, an all-female team bringing together eight runners from the Velay region. Created with the support of several local companies, the initiative aims to highlight inspiring personal journeys while promoting an accessible and purpose-driven approach to trail running.
Competing across the various race formats, the members of Team Vellave represent a diverse range of backgrounds: Amélie Borie and Mathilde Bethe will take on the 100M, Angélique Carminati and Charlotte Gouteyron the 100K, Marine Couston the 55K, Virginie Grangeon and Marion Drito the 20K, and Laurie Maleysson the 12 km race. Business owners, nurses, engineers, physiotherapists and elite athletes, they collectively embody a vision of trail running built on sharing, solidarity and collective achievement.
The Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® is also introducing an adaptive team composed of athletes with disabilities, further demonstrating the event’s commitment to broadening access to trail running and promoting a more inclusive sport.
France Leads the Way
The Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® will also feature a particularly strong elite field across its different race formats.
In the 100M, China’s Lin Chen (CHN, UTMB Index 783), fresh from her victory at the 2026 100K d’Alsace by UTMB®, will face Sweden’s Anna Carlsson (SWE, UTMB Index 751), winner of the 2025 100M d’Alsace by UTMB®, as well as France’s Claire Bannwarth (FRA, UTMB Index 704). In the men’s race, French athletes will dominate the elite field, with 16 French runners among the 18 elite competitors, including Antoine Lamboy (FRA, UTMB Index 848) and Clément Chrétien (FRA, UTMB Index 803), who finished sixth in the event last year.
The 100K will feature an all-French women’s elite field, led by Laure Paradan (FRA, UTMB Index 722), Anaïs Dachet (FRA, UTMB Index 713), winner of the race in 2024, and Katia Le Cornec (FRA, UTMB Index 602).
In the 50K, Clémentine Geoffray (FRA, UTMB Index 802), winner of the 2025 Bourbon race on Réunion Island and the 2024 OCC, will notably face Britain’s Gemma Hillier-Moses (GBR, UTMB Index 777), a HOKA athlete and recent winner of the 2026 Arc of Attrition by UTMB® 100K. In the men’s race, the competition looks particularly open, with five leading contenders expected on the start line: Tibère Debizet (FRA, UTMB Index 893), runner-up at the 2025 Templiers 50K; Tiago Vieira (FRA, UTMB Index 875); Damiano Lenzi (ITA, UTMB Index 884), runner-up at the 2025 Monte Rosa WalserWaeg 50K; Anthonin Iragne (FRA, UTMB Index 842); and Paul Iratzoquy (FRA, UTMB Index 829), who finished third in that same race in 2025.
Salomon Zugspitz Ultra Trail by UTMB®: Germany Joins the UTMB World Series Circuit !
From 18 to 20 June 2026, the Salomon Zugspitz Ultra Trail by UTMB® will mark Germany’s arrival on the UTMB World Series circuit. Founded in 2011 by Heini and Uta Albrecht, the event has steadily established itself as one of the most iconic fixtures in German trail running. Held in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, at the foot of the Zugspitze, Germany’s highest peak at 2,962 metres, the event brings together a community deeply connected to the alpine spirit and Bavarian heritage. This year, 5,169 participants are expected on the start line, including 84% German runners. Female participation stands at 32%.
As the largest trail running event in Germany, the Salomon Zugspitz Ultra Trail by UTMB® offers seven race formats: the 100M (166 km), 100K (107 km), 100K (86 km), 50K (69 km), 50K (44 km), 20K (29 km), and 20K (16 km). The courses wind through the Bavarian Alps, crossing glacial valleys, high-altitude forests, traditional mountain villages and alpine passes, offering a fully immersive experience in one of Europe’s most spectacular mountain ranges.
A New Alpine Event on the Circuit
The event stands out for its accessibility while retaining a distinctly alpine character. Runners traverse an extensive network of trails linking several valleys and crossing the region’s natural borders, with the Zugspitze massif serving as a constant backdrop throughout the courses. From wide valley paths and technical mountain trails to spectacular views of the surrounding peaks, the routes offer a diverse exploration of Bavaria’s landscapes. In a region where culture, mountains and local traditions converge, every trail tells a story and contributes to the event’s unique identity.
This first edition under the UTMB World Series banner marks an important milestone for the development of trail running in Germany, a country that boasts one of the most dynamic trail-running communities in Europe. At the same time, the event retains its historic local organisation, whose deep knowledge of the terrain and strong regional roots have played a key role in establishing the Zugspitz Ultra Trail as one of the most popular races on the German calendar. As German athlete Ida-Sophie Hegemann explains: “It was only natural for Germany, with its large and passionate trail-running community, to join the UTMB World Series. The Salomon Zugspitz Ultra Trail by UTMB is the biggest and most beautiful event we have in Germany.”
A Sporting and Educational Project Focused on Inclusion
The Salomon Zugspitz Ultra Trail by UTMB® also highlights several initiatives aimed at promoting accessibility and inclusion. This year, nine students with intellectual disabilities from Sankt Martin Schule, a specialised school based in Lindenberg im Allgäu, will take part in the Grainau Trail (16 km) alongside their teachers. More than just a sporting challenge, the project seeks to foster independence, self-confidence and social inclusion through trail running.
For several months, the students have been following a dedicated preparation programme combining physical training, effort management, nutrition, climbing and descending techniques, as well as learning how to become more autonomous during a race. The initiative is built around a powerful principle: taking the start line under the same conditions as all other participants, with no separate courses or classifications. Through this project, the organisers aim to demonstrate that trail running can be a powerful tool for inclusion, personal development and active participation in community life, while strengthening the connections between sport, education and the local community.
Kaga Spa Trail Endurance 100 by UTMB®: A Blend of Japanese Heritage and Wild Mountain Landscapes
For its second edition, Kaga Spa Trail Endurance 100 by UTMB® continues to establish itself from 18 to 21 June in the heart of the mountains surrounding Yamanaka Onsen, in Japan’s Ishikawa Prefecture. The event is expected to welcome 2,257 participants, with a strong local presence as 65% of runners come from Japan. Female participation stands at 21%.
Kaga Spa Trail Endurance 100 by UTMB® offers three race formats: the 100K (97 km), 50K (56 km), and 20K (20 km). Set around the Kanan Sanzan mountains, the courses traverse quintessentially Japanese terrain, combining centuries-old beech forests, historic trails, long forest tracks and panoramic ridgelines. The event also draws its unique identity from the history of Yamanaka Onsen, a hot spring town with more than 1,300 years of history. All races finish in the town’s traditional streets before reaching the finish line at the renowned Kikunoyu public bathhouse.
A Strong Local Community at the Heart of the Event
Kaga Spa by UTMB® is deeply rooted in the involvement of the local community in Yamanaka Onsen. Among the event’s most remarkable initiatives is the daily work carried out by a group of men in their eighties, all from the region, who voluntarily maintain the race trails. Led by Mr Azechi, whose childhood home now lies beneath the waters of the Kutani Dam crossed by the course, the group is driven by a desire to pass on their love of these mountains and to make trail running a catalyst for local vitality and development.
The event also actively engages younger generations. Children from Yamanaka Onsen are preparing to welcome runners from 55 countries by hand-colouring the flags of every participating nation. On race day, they will gather along Yuge Street, between Yamanaka-za and the start area, to cheer on the athletes with their creations. The initiative perfectly illustrates Kaga Spa by UTMB®’s strong community roots and its ambition to make trail running a unifying event for the entire town.
La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB®: The Iconic Dolomites Experience
From 24 to 28 June, the La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB® will welcome 6,400 runners to the heart of Italy’s Dolomites for its fourth edition as part of the UTMB World Series circuit. Among the participants, 40% are Italian and 30% are women. Founded in 2007, the event has gradually established itself as one of Europe’s most iconic trail races, set against the spectacular backdrop of Cortina d’Ampezzo, host city of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games.
The event offers five race formats: the 100K (120 km), 100K (80 km), 50K (50 km), 20K (20 km), and 10 km. The Lavaredo 120K, the event’s flagship race, features 5,800 metres of elevation gain and passes through some of the most iconic landscapes in the Dolomites. Participants tackle technical alpine trails, cross high mountain passes, and follow historic routes through a mountain range recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Torrencial Chile by UTMB®: A Winter Immersion in the Heart of the Valdivian Rainforest
For its tenth edition, and its second as part of the UTMB® World Series circuit, Torrencial Chile by UTMB® has established itself as one of the most distinctive events on the international trail-running calendar. Held in Valdivia, in southern Chile, the event will welcome nearly 2,750 participants, with a strong national presence as 90% of runners come from Chile. Female participation has reached a record 36%, reflecting the continued success of initiatives designed to promote inclusion and encourage women’s participation in trail running.
As Chile’s only winter trail race, Torrencial Chile by UTMB® immerses participants in the raw and captivating atmosphere of the Valdivian Rainforest, one of the oldest temperate rainforests in the world. Held during the Southern Hemisphere winter solstice, on the longest night of the year in South America, the event takes place in particularly demanding conditions, where rain, mud, humidity, darkness and highly technical terrain accompany runners throughout the courses.
The event offers six race formats: the 100K (108 km), 50K (62 km), 50K (44 km), 20K (20 km), 12 km, and 6 km. The routes traverse the technical trails of the Coastal Range, run alongside the Pacific Ocean, and venture deep into the dense forests of southern Chile. Torrencial Chile by UTMB® is also distinguished by the constant connection between wilderness and urban life, with the city of Valdivia playing a central role in the experience through its local culture, gastronomy and strong community involvement.
An Event Promoting Inclusion and Intergenerational Connections
Torrencial Chile by UTMB® continues to expand through a range of social and community-focused initiatives. Among them is the strengthening of its Women Support programme, which provides dedicated spaces and services designed to support women before and throughout the race experience, both in the event village and on course. These initiatives have contributed to the steady growth in female participation, which reaches a record high this year with 36% women registered.
The event will also host the largest Kids Race in Chile, bringing together more than 600 children from 21 schools. Through this initiative, Torrencial Chile by UTMB® aims to strengthen the family and community roots of trail running in the Valdivia region. In addition, a Senior Walk will be organised to encourage outdoor activity and foster a connection with nature among older adults, an initiative that remains relatively uncommon across the UTMB World Series circuit.
Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run: The First Major Event of the Season
On 27–28 June, the 53rd edition of the Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run will bring together 370 runners at the start line in Olympic Valley, California, for the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race. Exceptionally, an additional bib number was allocated this year to allow Jim Walmsley to compete, bringing the total field to 370 participants. Among them, 77% are American, including 35% from California, while women will represent 23% of the field, with 86 female participants.
Founded in 1974, Western States has become one of the most iconic endurance challenges in global trail running. Between Olympic Valley and Auburn, runners will cover 100.2 miles (161 km), with more than 5,500 metres of elevation gain and nearly 7,000 metres of descent through California’s rugged mountain landscapes. The course passes through Emigrant Pass, the Granite Chief Wilderness, the famous Gold Rush canyons, and the Middle Fork of the American River, before reaching its historic finish on the track at Placer High School in Auburn.
The race also crosses the ancestral lands of the Nisenan, Washoe and other Indigenous communities of the region. In recognition of this history, a ceremony honouring Native American peoples will be held before the start of the race to acknowledge and celebrate the lands on which the event takes place.
The Biggest Elite Field of the Season Outside HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc
Widely regarded as the most prestigious race on the North American trail-running calendar, the Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run will once again feature the strongest elite field of the season outside HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc. The men’s race will notably include Jim Walmsley (USA, UTMB Index 967), winner of the 2025 OCC and four-time Western States champion; Vincent Bouillard (FRA, UTMB Index 932); Francesco Puppi (ITA, UTMB Index 949), winner of the 2025 CCC; Daniel Jones (NZL, UTMB Index 942), recent winner of the 50K at HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB®; Thomas Cardin (FRA, UTMB Index 934), winner of the 100M at the 2026 Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB®; and many more. Kilian Jornet (ESP, UTMB Index 951), who finished third at Western States 2025, remains doubtful after sustaining a left knee injury during Zegama-Aizkorri 2026.
The women’s field will be equally competitive, with a highly anticipated rematch between Abby Hall (USA, UTMB Index 810), winner of the 2025 edition, Fuzhao Xiang (CHN, UTMB Index 824), runner-up last year, and Marianne Hogan (CAN, UTMB Index 800), who completed the podium in 2025. They will be joined by Fiona Pascall (GBR, UTMB Index 779), winner of the 2025 Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB® 100M; Hau Ha Thi (VNM, UTMB Index 789), winner of the 2025 CCC; Martina Mlynarczyk (POL, UTMB Index 806); and many other world-class athletes.
Discover the full start list here: 2026 Entrants List – WSER
A Strong Commitment to Trail Preservation
The Western States Endurance Run continues to strengthen its environmental commitment through a major trail restoration project carried out in partnership with the American River Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service and the Western States Trail Foundation. The initiative includes the construction and rehabilitation of more than 11 kilometres of trail within the Granite Chief Wilderness, targeting sections that have historically been fragile and poorly suited to sustained use.
Supported in part through funding from the Great American Outdoors Act, as well as direct contributions from the WSER and the Western States Trail Foundation, the project, launched in 2023, aims to improve trail sustainability, protect sensitive habitats and enhance runner safety, while also creating new viewpoints across the region. A significant portion of the new trail sections is expected to be open by 2026, with full completion of the project scheduled for 2028.
