The 21st edition of the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc has come to a close. Let’s take a look back at this extraordinary week, which once again delivered a spectacular and unforgettable show for fans and athletes alike.
The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc 2024 brought together trail running enthusiasts and lovers of great sporting moments for a week that captured worldwide attention. The event, which included the prestigious UTMB® World Series Finals (UTMB®, CCC®, OCC), was once again marked by athletic feats and deep emotions on the alpine trails, culminating under the iconic finish line arch in Chamonix.
A Unifying Edition Focused on Inclusion
The event was particularly highlighted by several key moments that delighted spectators, allowing them to discover or rediscover the true spirit of trail running.
Diversity with the Adaptive Team – The creation of this exceptional team – composed of 12 athletes participating in the MCC, OCC, and UTMB – opened a new chapter in the history of HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc, and trail running more broadly. This initiative, born from collaboration with Boris Ghirardi, an amputee athlete and passionate trail runner, inspired the public by showing that every obstacle can lead to great achievements. It is an example of adaptability and resilience that paves the way for overcoming obstacles.
Reflecting on a week full of emotions and sporting moments, Boris Ghirardi shared: “This team was incredible! It goes beyond simply representing athletes with different disabilities; it will leave a mark on the event’s history and that of trail running. I hope it inspires many, including those who have faced life’s challenges, to see that there is always hope and that one can still participate in sports and run. I hope this opens the door to greater diversity in trail running races. A big thank you to HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc for not just inviting us to the party but inviting us to dance!”
A New Face at the UTMB
Vincent Bouillard – A true revelation of this 21st edition, the engineer by profession delivered an emotional conclusion to the week’s main event with a victory he could never have imagined in his wildest dreams. At 31 years old, he demonstrated that nothing is impossible when you put in the effort.
The entire region united around a shared passion and values
Driven by the same love for the mountains, sport, and the desire to continue showcasing their region, everyone involved (residents, officials, volunteers, and associations from the 18 communes of the Pays du Mont-Blanc) came together to make the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc a unique week. Beyond being a sporting event, the iconic “neighbourhood race” is an unforgettable human adventure that delights enthusiasts worldwide, whether they are runners, supporters, or fans.
A look back at a memorable week of sport, marked by various race formats and highlights
Monday: A day that kicked off the festivities and launched the HOKA UTMB Mont- Blanc 2024. Three races began (PTL, MCC, TDS), and the first athletes were crowned.
The PTL® (305 km / 24,765 m D+), the Petite Trotte à Léon, is a team adventure that demands mental commitment, team spirit, and mountain values. On Friday, the first finishers, Candide Gabioud and Jules-Henri Gabioud (AlpsXperience team), completed this grand tour of Mont-Blanc.
The MCC (40 km / 2,366 m D+), a festive race primarily for locals, volunteers, and partners saw 1,000 runners take on the course between Martigny-Combe in Switzerland and Chamonix in France. After a closely contested race, two 100% French victories were secured by Kevin Vermeulen and Iris Pessey.
The TDS® (148 km / 9,306 m D+), a wild and demanding race starting from
Courmayeur on Monday night with 1,600 runners at the starting line, saw French athletes Marie Dohin and Thibault Marquet triumph on Tuesday.
Tuesday and Wednesday: Focus on youth and short formats.
The ETC (15 km / 1,267 m D+), a short but intense race hosted on Tuesday in Courmayeur, saw more than 1,500 runners pursuing their goals, showcasing their talents, and fulfilling their ambitions. The 2024 edition was won by Germany’s Lukas Ehrle and France’s Anaelle Bondoux.
The YCC and the various Mini UTMB events highlighted the achievements of young runners discovering the spirit of trail running under the sunshine of Martigny-Combe, Trient, Les Contamines-Montjoie, Vallorcine, Courmayeur, and Chamonix. Enthusiasm, camaraderie and good spirits were in abundance.
Thursday: The kick-off of the UTMB World Series Finals, plus more finishers.
The OCC (57 km / 3,498 m D+) set off from Orsières on Thursday morning on an authentic course linking the Valais villages and crossing exceptional landscapes. A fierce race won by China’s Miao Yao and American Eli Hemming, who dug deep in a hard-fought battle with the chasers.
Friday and Saturday: The highlight and grand finale after a week of racing and emotions that captivated young and old alike.
The CCC (101 km / 6,062 m D+), one of the most anticipated races starting from Courmayeur at the end of the week, remained uncertain until the final kilometres. American Hayden Hawks secured the victory without using poles – a notable achievement given the length and difficulty of the course. On the women’s side, South African Toni McCann crossed the finish line first, a remarkable example of race strategy and management.
The UTMB (176.4 km / 9,915 m D+), the very essence of ultra-running. Full of twists and turns, the main event surprised as much as it confirmed talents, including those of American Katie Schide and Frenchman Vincent Bouillard.
The victory of this HOKA engineer, defying all predictions, brought back fond memories for fans, reminiscent of the unexpected early successes of Marco Olmo in 2006 and Kilian Jornet Burgada in 2008, both of whom were also relatively unknown at the time and pioneers in their field.
Key Figures from August 26 to September 1, 2024
Global
21st Anniversary Edition
10,000 runners
118 nationalities
2,500 volunteers
Press/Content Creators
458 journalists and 62 accredited content creators from 33 countries representing the Americas (North and South), Europe, Africa, Oceania, and Asia
Nearly 1,000 articles and reports (TV, radio, print, online, podcasts) published in just one week
Partners
169 representatives from partner brands, non-partners, and accredited athlete agents and media representatives
Live Tracking System
Over 2 million people were able to follow their favourite runners participating in the 8 races of the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc thanks to the LiveTracking system provided by LiveTrail, available at live.utmb.world They were also able to see the runners in action on the course, through the 33 LiveCam points, which were viewed more than 500,000 times
UTMB Live set another record, with a 20% increase in views of the live commentary in six different languages.
New features for 2024 included the integration of the new 3D interface broadcasting the GPS positions of elite runners live, plus the use of Starlink (satellite internet provider) for unmatched course coverage, enhanced night tracking and an equal split of coverage over the women’s and men’s races.
Fan/Community Engagement
Increased interaction and engagement from fans on the official HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc platforms.
50,000 direct interactions between fans and speakers through the LiveChat available on live.utmb.world
Three times more engagement (likes and comments) across all the events official social media channels (1 million fans),including this video of Julien Veysseyre, a member of Team Adaptive, finishing the MCC on his blade, which has over 4 million views (TikTok, Instagram, Facebook).
