Overview
- Race directors moved the UTMB main race start from 17:45 to 19:45 on Friday to avoid two forecast waves of brief but heavy thunderstorms crossing the France‑Switzerland massif.
- Organizers said the two‑hour delay was chosen so competitors reach high, exposed sections once the main thunderstorm risk has passed and cited a June race neutralization as part of their caution.
- About 2,500 runners will still attempt the roughly 174–176 km loop with some 10,000 metres of climbing despite several high‑profile absences from the start list.
- Earlier in the week the OCC (60 km, 3,500 m D+) concluded with Frédéric Tranchand winning in 5:10:08 ahead of Nashon Kiplimo and Miguel Benitez, while the CCC (101 km) began as scheduled.
- Coverage during UTMB week has highlighted rapid growth, rising entry fees and lotteries, local strain in Chamonix, and warnings that wider media exposure can give underprepared runners a false sense of accessibility.