The world’s most well-known male path runner is returning to the game’s most iconic mountain race.
On Monday, Kilian Jornet and his model, NNormal, introduced his race schedule for the 2026 season. The Spaniard will contest three of path operating’s most prestigious occasions, together with Extremely-Path du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), a race he has gained 4 occasions.
The 38-year-old holds the joint (male) file for probably the most UTMB victories (2008, 2009, 2011 and 2022), tied with France’s François D’Haene. In 2026, Jornet may have the chance to interrupt the stalemate and win a fifth title.
Jornet final competed at UTMB in 2022, when he out-duelled Canadian-French ultratrail athlete Mathieu Blanchard to turn into the primary runner to finish the race’s 171-kilometre course in beneath 20 hours, ending in 19:49. The next yr, American ultrarunner Jim Walmsley joined him within the sub-20-hour membership, setting a brand new course file of 19:37.
Since his final look at UTMB, Jornet has been vital of the race’s route following its partnership with Ironman Group. Jornet and American path runner Zach Miller reportedly circulated an e mail encouraging athletes to boycott the occasion in 2024, citing issues concerning the race’s company future.
In a current interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP), Jornet stated his relationship with the race was optimistic. “Even when I differ on some factors, I nonetheless have lots in widespread with UTMB. It’s a race I’d love to do once more,” he stated.
Alongside UTMB on the finish of August, Jornet will race the Western States Endurance Run and the legendary Sierre-Zinal, which he has gained 9 occasions. All three races fall inside a two-month window.
No male path runner has ever gained each UTMB and Western States in the identical yr. Two girls have achieved the feat: Katie Schide in 2024 and Courtney Dauwalter in 2023.
Final yr, Jornet stepped away from racing to deal with a private endurance problem. From September to October, he summited all 72 accessible 14,000-foot peaks (4,200 metres) within the contiguous U.S. by operating or biking between them. He accomplished the problem in 31 days.
