Ben Dhiman and Blandine L'Hirondel win 2026 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc titles

Dhiman breaks away in the men's race

American runner Ben Dhiman won the 2026 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc on Saturday, 29 August, completing the race in 18 hours, 16 minutes and 29 seconds. The 31-year-old Ohio native, who lives in the Hautes-Pyrénées, broke away from the field during the first quarter of the course after the Les Contamines checkpoint. He maintained his solo lead through the night to become the first competitor to complete the route in under 19 hours. The entire men's top 10 finished in under 20 hours, supported by mild weather conditions and modified trail sections. French competitor Baptiste Chassagne took second place with a time of 18 hours, 47 minutes and 38 seconds.

It was strange because after Les Contamines, I was all alone. I had the choice: either I slow down, or I do my thing. And I decided to do my thing.

Course modifications and competitive pace

Dhiman improved on his second-place finish from the 2025 edition, when he registered 19 hours and 52 minutes behind winner Tom Evans (19 hours and 19 minutes). Because race organizers modified segments of the route, Dhiman's winning time will not be ratified as an official course record. The circuit covered between 170 and 174 kilometres with roughly 9,700 to 10,000 metres of positive elevation gain around the Mont Blanc massif. Dhiman explained after the race that knowing Chassagne was pursuing him approximately 20 minutes behind kept his pace intense across the mountains. Equipment developments in running shoes and evolving training methods also contributed to the fast times recorded across the elite men's field.

L'Hirondel secures first French women's title since 2016

In the women's event, 35-year-old French runner Blandine L'Hirondel took victory with a time of 21 hours, 54 minutes and 49 seconds. Born in Caen and competing for the Alençon Running Club, L'Hirondel earned the first French victory in the women's race since Caroline Chaverot in 2016. L'Hirondel, a two-time trail world champion who won the Diagonale des Fous on Réunion Island in 2025, withstood several falls in the closing stages, including a heavy fall on the final descent into Chamonix. Australian runner Rachel Entrekin secured second place in 22 hours, 15 minutes and 54 seconds, while American competitor Emily Schmitz finished third in 22 hours, 17 minutes and 28 seconds.

It represents an Olympic gold medal for us in trail running.

Post-race medical care and runner reactions

L'Hirondel experienced faintness immediately after crossing the finish line in tears, remaining at the line to greet Entrekin and Schmitz before receiving assistance. She spent four hours with the medical team to recover from severe exhaustion before returning home to rest. Dhiman also described heavy physical fatigue the following day, noting that completing the circuit left his legs heavily damaged and required sleep before processing the accomplishment. Both runners spoke to reporters in Chamonix on Sunday, 30 August, outlining their race strategies and the physical toll of the final kilometres.