Ben Dhiman claimed his first UTMB title, while Blandine L'Hirondel captured the biggest victory of her career. Read our full recap of UTMB 2026, including Rachel Entrekin's runner-up finish, Caleb Olson's podium and Anne-Sofie Pollestad's top-10 result.

The biggest race in trail running rarely follows the script.

This year's UTMB certainly didn't. By the time the runners reached Switzerland, several of the names most people had expected to shape the race were already gone. Yet what followed wasn't a race left without favourites. Instead, it became a showcase for athletes who have spent years building towards this moment.

Ben Dhiman and Blandine L'Hirondel both arrived in Chamonix with genuine podium ambitions. By Saturday evening, they had gone one step further.

Ben Dhiman backs up last year's breakthrough

Twelve months ago, Ben Dhiman announced himself as one of the world's best 100-mile runners with a runner-up finish at UTMB.

This year, he returned looking even stronger.

The American remained close to the front throughout the opening half before taking control after the race crossed into Switzerland. Rather than attacking early, Dhiman gradually increased his advantage across the long climbs towards Champex-Lac and Trient, never allowing the chasing group back into contention.

He reached Chamonix in 18:16:29, securing the biggest victory of his career and confirming that last year's second place was no coincidence.

Behind him, France's Baptiste Chassagne once again showed why he has become one of Europe's most reliable mountain ultra runners. His second-place finish rewarded another composed race, while Caleb Olson completed the podium after yet another outstanding performance in a major ultra.

Olson's result continues a remarkable run of consistency following last year's Western States victory. While others faded during the second half, the American once again managed his effort perfectly over the final climbs.

L'Hirondel finally gets her UTMB moment

For years, Blandine L'Hirondel has been one of the strongest mountain runners in the world.

A two-time world mountain running champion, she has built her reputation on technical terrain and long climbs, but UTMB had remained the one major title missing from her résumé.

That changed on Saturday.

The Kiprun athlete gradually moved to the front before opening a decisive gap during the second half of the race. Once in control, she never looked under pressure and crossed the finish line in 21:54:49.

Behind her, Rachel Entrekin continued what has become one of the strongest seasons in trail running.

After finishing runner-up at Chianti Ultra Trail, winning Western States and arriving in Chamonix as one of the favourites, the American added another major podium with second place. It may not have been the victory she was chasing, but it further established her as one of the sport's defining athletes in 2026.

American Emily Schmitz completed the podium with an outstanding third-place finish, while Canada's Jazmine Lowther finished fifth on her UTMB debut.

Further back, Australia's Lucy Bartholomew crossed the line in seventh after another composed performance over 173 kilometres. After several injury-interrupted seasons, it marked another encouraging step back towards the front of the sport.

A changing landscape

The week in Chamonix highlighted just how deep elite trail running has become.

While several household names never reached the finish, the podiums were filled by runners who have consistently been delivering results throughout the past two seasons.

Dhiman had already shown he belonged at the very top after last year's runner-up finish.

L'Hirondel has spent years among the world's best mountain athletes.

Entrekin continues to build one of the most impressive résumés in the sport, while Olson has followed his Western States breakthrough with another world-class performance.

Rather than producing surprise winners, UTMB 2026 confirmed that a new generation of championship contenders has fully arrived.

Norwegian performance

Norway also had reason to celebrate.

Anne-Sofie Pollestad delivered one of the strongest performances of her career, finishing 10th woman overall in 24:04:56. Her top-ten finish rounded off an excellent UTMB Finals week for Norwegian trail running, following Yngvild Kaspersen's victory at CCC the previous day.

Men's podium

Ben Dhiman (USA) – 18:16:29
Baptiste Chassagne (France) – 18:47:38
Caleb Olson (USA) – 18:48:24

Women's podium

Blandine L'Hirondel (France) – 21:54:49
Rachel Entrekin (USA) – 22:15:54
Emily Schmitz (USA) – 22:17:28

Ben Dhiman and Blandine L'Hirondel deliver career-defining victories at UTMB 2026