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Here, the 2025 edition of the UTMB Mont-Blanc has just concluded with unexpected rankings and increasingly intense emotions. Amid surprises, disappointments, triumphs, and fickle weather, the world summit of trail has never failed to keep us on edge. Let's revisit the highlights of this unique event.
UTMB 2025 (UTMB, CCC and OCC): rankings and podiums
The three giants of international trail running, the OCC, CCC, and UTMB delivered a show worthy of their reputations.
🏆 UTMB 2025: the crowning of Tom Evans and Ruth Croft
The two stars of the 2025 edition of the UTMB are named Ruth Croft and Tom Evans.
Tom Evans: Resilience and Comeback
At 33 years old, Tom Evans has maintained a complex relationship with Europe's roof for several years. He discovered the UTMB in 2018 when he won the CCC and its 100 km. Next, he finished 3rd in the legendary Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in 2022. But the following two years proved to be much less successful for the British trail runner. Despite strong performances on the international stage, he had to withdraw from the UTMB in 2023 and 2024.
It is therefore with a spirit of revenge, tinged with an indispensable humility on ultra-trail, that he lined up at the starting line of the 2025 edition. Having stayed in the lead group for a good part of the night, Tom Evans eventually broke away and won the UTMB alone, leaving no room for his rivals, especially the American Ben Dhiman, who would never be able to catch up to him despite all his efforts.
At the finish line, in tears with his wife and baby in his arms, he declares:
« I’ve had two DNFs in the last two years, and then to take the victory today… hoping it proves to everyone that if you put your mind to it, then anything is achievable. »
Tom Evans
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Ruth Croft: Unbeatable in hostile terrain
Ruth Croft is a New Zealand trail runner who is not accustomed to the cold and snow. That is to say, she was not on her home turf for this edition, but we will return to that. Finishing second in the UTMB 2024, she was just one step away from reaching the top podium. Still, quite a significant step. She crossed it, even surpassing it during the 2025 edition, leading the race from start to finish with disconcerting ease. Crowned queen, she also becomes the first woman to win the three flagship formats: the OCC, the CCC, and the UTMB.
The podiums
💥 CCC: Italy and Poland in the spotlight
On the CCC side, the Italian Francesco Puppi didn't make it easy for his opponents. Second in last year's OCC, winner of the same format in 2023, he has rarely tackled the 100-kilometer distance. It was not until April 2025 that he took the plunge, successfully winning The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB - 100K. This time, he confirmed his attempt in Chamonix by winning the famous CCC. The cherry on top? He sets the new event record in 10 hours, 6 minutes, and 2 seconds.
In the women's category, it's the Polish Martyna Młynarczyk who triumphs in 11 hours, 41 minutes, and 55 seconds, after a fierce duel against Sylvia Nordskar. Only 18 seconds separate these two champions who have pushed themselves to the limit. The Polish runner, second in 2024, managed to climb onto the top podium step by significantly improving her time, proof of constant and solid progress.
The Podiums
🔥 OCC: Jim Walmsley at the top of his game
This year, the OCC was the site of a sensational show. American Jim Walmsley, initially competing in the UTMB format, switched to this race due to an injury, to secure his spot in the upcoming world championships. Known for his inhuman stride and his ability to speed up at the right moment, Jim was still caught up in the final kilometers by Cristian Minoggio before overtaking him on the flat with a little tap on the back that ignited social media. Despite a slip in the last turn, he wins the race and delights us with some iconic images.
But let us not forget the undisputed victory of the Kenyan Joyline Chepngeno. She arrives, by the way, only 33 minutes after Jim, reducing the gap between men and women over the distance.
⚠️ UPDATE: Following a confirmed doping case, Kenyan athlete Joyline Chepngeno has been officially suspended by the AIU (Athletics Integrity Unit) and disqualified from all races in which she participated. The official ranking has therefore been modified, crowning China's Miao Yao.
The Podiums
UTMB 2025: an edition rich in emotions and twists from start to finish
It's well known: in the UTMB, nothing ever goes as planned! 2025 was no exception to the rule.
🤯 Courtney Dauwalter and François D’Haene: Legends in Difficulty
The 2025 edition of the UTMB was marked by two major events: the grand return of our national François D’Haene and the presence of the queen Courtney Dauwalter. Favorites, despite a fairly open field in the men's category, these two legendary trail runners experienced a grueling race far from what they had hoped for.
First, François was forced to abandon due to leg pain. Before the UTMB, he had to stop for a long time due to various injuries. He chose to not take the risk of continuing and joined his staff in Courmayeur. Of his own admission, this abandonment is “hard, very hard”, as he explains in a dedicated post on Instagram.
On her side, Courtney Dauwalter experienced a nightmarish race. The athlete, who likes to mention the “pain cave” that she finds during ultra-trail events, was in great difficulty and decided to continue anyway. She finishes the race in 10th position, thanks to her mental strength.
“While my legs gave out and left the party early, there were a million reasons to keep taking another step forward. Family and friends. Love and high fives and hugs. Pain Cave expansion. Finishing what we start. Adventure. Trying hard. All of you. Thank you thank you thank you. Getting to this finish line might be one of my most treasured memories."
Courtney Dauwalter
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The champion moved thousands of people thanks to her resilience and that smile that never stopped making her shine, even when she was at her worst. A lesson for everyone.
But that's not all! We could not mention trail legends without talking about Ludovic Pommeret! The two-time winner of the Hardrock 100 finishes in 6th position in this edition of the UTMB. The tears that made his eyes shine at the finish line are proof of how much he still cares about this race, won in 2016, almost 10 years ago.
🌨️ Unpredictable weather during the UTMB 2025 races: time to adapt!
If there is one element that keeps us on the edge of our seats until the last minute during what we like to call “UTMB week”, it's the weather. If 2024 was marked by extreme heat and a mandatory hot weather kit, this year, it's time for cold, rain, and snow.
Difficult conditions that led to course changes on the OCC and the UTMB. The OCC was forced to abandon the ascent of La Flégère, while the runners of the UTMB did not conquer the dreaded limestone pyramids.
Many participants admitted suffering from the cold and particularly from the nighttime conditions. Théo D’Étienne was forced to abandon after two falls in the snow during downhill. The runner known for his punchlines, his joie de vivre, and his bit of madness has already expressed his desire to try his luck again next year. One thing is certain, “he will not be here to be here”.
🚀 A fiery atmosphere in Vallorcine
Another element marked the UTMB 2025. ... Indeed, Lesgenouxdanslegif had organized a cheer zone in Vallorcine to encourage trail runners in a totally unique and crazy atmosphere. The bet is more than successful: hundreds of spectators gathered along the course. Costumes, signs, flags, and megaphones were present to leave an indelible mark in the hearts of the participants. The least we can say is that the mission was accomplished!
There you go, the Ultra Trail du Mont-Blanc is over for this year. No matter the results, the joys, or the disappointed hopes, let's keep only the best to fill up with memories while waiting for the next edition… So, see you in 2026!
Nolwenn
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