Ruth Croft, fresh off her 2025 UTMB win, returns to defend her title. Her main rivals include three-time winner Courtney Dauwalter and past OCC and CCC winner Blandine L’Hirondel. Croft’s win last year came in challenging weather conditions.

The race covers 177 kilometers with over 9,900 meters of climbing. Prize money totals 119,000 Euro, split evenly between men and women. Croft’s win last year made her the first woman to win all three UTMB World Series Finals distances. Read more racing coverage.

Other contenders include Anna Carlsson, who improved her times significantly in recent races, and Lucy Bartholomew, who has consistently placed in the top 10. Dauwalter, despite her past successes, struggled in the 2025 UTMB and will need to recover from recent races to challenge Croft. Related: Georgia Hunter Bell wins European 1500m gold.

This original Runner World brief is based on reporting from iRunFar. Visit the source for its complete reporting, context and any later corrections.