It’s not hyperbole to say that the entire trail running world stops what its doing and turns it’s attention toward Chamonix, France, for one week each fall. Whether it’s due to the competitive field, the high stakes surrounding the elite athletes, or because of the dramatic terrain and challenging conditions, Chamonix becomes the center of the trail-running universe, and it’s impossible to turn away from the main attraction: UTMB.
Ironically, the reason so many people pay attention to UTMB is also the reason it’s so incredibly hard to cover (well). The sheer number of athletes, supporters, spectators, and industry folk make it a challenge in and of itself to move around in this otherwise-sleepy burg wedged into a small pocket of the French Alps. Oftentimes, this means fans following remotely only get an aggregated, over generalized report or, even worse, a narrow view from one athlete’s brand-focused feed.
The terrain, too, makes reporting on the race a physical and logistical test. Sure, the images are captivating, but to actually capture them requires a master’s degree in race IQ.
Last week, Blandine L’Hirondel and Ben Dhiman each put on a master’s class of their own, running the fastest times ever on the UTMB course. Both built substantial leads over the second half of the race and both proved an undoubtable dominance during those 18-plus hours of racing.
But there was more to UTMB week than the flashes firing on the main event’s winners, and fortunately veteran war photographer Jacob Zocherman was on location in and around Chamonix with Trail Runner to capture the most impactful images of a historic week in trail running. Here, he presents his 19 favorite moments from UTMB 2026.
One of the most grueling events of UTMB week is the 300-kilometer PTL. Boasting an unmarked course with almost no logistical support, pairs of racers must work together to tackle an unpredictable and dynamic event. Here, dropbags for the PTL runners sit stacked in the foreground, only a few minutes before the start.
Despite beginning days before any of the “headlining” events, the start of the 2026 PTL was stacked with throngs of spectators—in terms of the crowds, it would be a sign of the times in Chamonix this year.
En route to one of the most remote sections of the entire UTMB race week during the 95-mile TDS, we get a look at the types of roads braved by those who choose to cover this brutal event.
A runner approaches the TDS course.
During the relatively short (and extremely exciting) 35-mile OCC one of Judith Wyder’s supporters awaits her athlete at Col de Forclaz.
Anton Gustafsson finishes sixth place in the OCC event and crashes into the throng of photographers at the finish line.
Proving the special bond between competitors, third-place finisher Sara Alonso looks after fifth-place finisher Ida Robsahm moments after the OCC race.
Agnes Josefsson has given it all during OCC.
Athletes rest and bide time in the early morning hours before the start of the CCC in Courmayeur.
Ninety-two-year-old Robert Etellin is always a part of the UTMB start and finish. Etellin was one of the many workers digging the Mont Blanc tunnel in the 1960s.
A runner is comforted by her daughter just before the start of the CCC.
The rain is pouring down, minutes before the start of the CCC.
Three-time UTMB winner Courtney Dauwalter greets fans before the 2026 UTMB start. Sadly, Dauwalter would not complete the loop and withdrew at Lac Combal 68K into the race.
A crowd controller at Saint Gervais, just before the first runners arrive in the relatively early stages of the main UTMB event.
Fans line the streets waiting for UTMB to pass through their town.
A crowd-pleaser takes a drink from a bottle of wine during the night at the UTMB race.
People cheer on runners through the night at the UTMB race.
Virgile Moriset is overwhelmed with emotion after finishing fourth at the UTMB.
Joaquin Lopez is done after arriving in Chamonix in fifth place during the UTMB event.