The countdown is on. From May 14 to 17, 2026, Obernai and the Vosges massif welcome the fifth edition of the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB. With more than 8,000 runners from 61 nationalities, six races on the program and a brand new start village at the Lac Blanc resort for the 100 Miles, the French stop of the UTMB World Series promises a high-intensity weekend. Here is everything you need to know before the start.
Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers (100M): Spehler back on his home roads
On the queen race, the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers (160 km, 5,200 m D+), all eyes will be on Sébastien Spehler. The Alsatian, winner of the inaugural 100 Miles in 17h24'21" in 2024, returns to defend his crown on a course he knows by heart. He will face Swiss Kevin Meynard-Krause and Slovenian Ivan Hrastovec, two ultra-distance specialists capable of upsetting the script if the weather softens up the climbs.
Behind these top UTMB Index names, two outsiders carry serious credentials. Belgian Dylan Dame, runner-up on the 100 Miles in 2025, knows what it takes to reach the podium on this exact course. Baptiste Derouin, surprise winner of the 2025 edition after Spehler's late withdrawal, has already proved he can seize the moment when the leaders crack. If the early pace blows up the front of the race, both could move back into contention.
The women's field is equally dense. Local favorite Claire Bannwarth, queen of extreme ultra-distance, will battle compatriots Christine de Geloes and Salomé Schmitt. Bannwarth, returning after a tough recovery period, will look to capitalize on her familiarity with the Vosges ridges to seize the win.
Two more Alsatians come in with something to prove. Tiffany Prinz, winner of the 100K format in 2023, steps up to the queen distance for the first time and will try to convert her perfect knowledge of the local trails into a 100M podium.
Ultra-Trail des Païens (100K): a dense international plateau
The Ultra-Trail des Païens (109 km, 3,900 m D+) sees the French duo Arnaud Bonin and Corentin Play challenged by Polish Kamil Leśniak. Watch out as well for Maxime Rauner. The Alsatian, in good shape after his 5th place on the 50K in 2025, steps up to the longer format with serious ambitions on home roads.
The women's race promises one of the most open battles of the weekend. Chinese runners Lin Chen and Anna Li will square up to Polish Marta Wenta on the long climbs of the Donon and Champ du Feu. American Emily Schmitz, winner of the 50K in 2023, is a serious podium contender if she manages to carry her short-format speed onto the 100K. Swiss Jasmin Nunige brings rare experience to the table, with a 2nd place on the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers in 2023 and a 5th in 2025. Finally, Diane Rassineux, known for her solid race management (3rd in 2024 and 4th in 2025 on the Trail des Celtes), will patiently wait for the leaders to crack to climb back onto the podium.
Trail des Celtes (47K): Polin, the dark horse in ambush
This is the headline duel of the weekend. The Trail des Celtes (47 km, 1,600 m D+) gathers a stacked startlist led by American Christian Allen, French short trail champion 2026 Pierre Galbourdin, and Pierre Livache. But watch out for Benjamin Polin. In top form coming into the race, the Frenchman sits as the fourth favorite on paper, but his recent build-up could very well land him on the podium. A real outsider to follow on the path of wonders toward Mont Sainte-Odile.
On the women's side, Martyna Młynarczyk needs no introduction. The Polish runner is a regular face at the front of UTMB circuit races and arrives as the natural favorite. Who else can take down the 50K? Italian Camilla Magliano, who has already claimed two 50K victories in early 2026, will be determined to grab a third. French Eléa Kopf will clearly go for her chance too, alongside Tiphaine Bazile, who put together an impressive 2025 season.
Trail des Pèlerins (29K): a French stronghold
On the Trail des Pèlerins (29 km, 800 m D+), Kevin Vermeulen, Vincent Loustau and Grégory Basilico will defend the French colors. The women's race will see Italian Martina Bilora take on Australian Madison Reynolds and French Marie Genay on a punchy course linking seven fortified castles.
Ronde des Pages (18K): the festive opener
The Ronde des Pages (18 km, 250 m D+) closes the discovery format with Romain Champenois, Alexandre Aldebert and Thibaut Schwalm in men, and Dutch Renske Dickhout against French Alizée Minker and Candyce Billy in women.
Main course difficulties
The Vosges may not match the altitudes of the Alps, but the terrain is brutally technical. Three sticking points stand out across the longer formats:
- Rocky and root-laden singletracks in the upper forest, where pace management is essential to avoid wrecking the quads early.
- The "Sentier des Roches" and surrounding ridges, with exposed sections demanding constant focus, especially at night for 100M runners.
- The succession of medium climbs (300 to 600 m each) that pile up rather than offering long, steady efforts, a profile that punishes runners who go out too hard.
Capricious weather expected
Mid-May in the Vosges is rarely a quiet period. Forecasts for the weekend point to a typical springtime cocktail: valley temperatures between 9°C and 19°C, ridge values closer to 5°C, and a non-negligible chance of rain showers, particularly Friday night and Saturday. Runners should plan layering, a serious waterproof jacket and a backup buff. The ground is also expected to be damp on the technical descents, making the choice of grippy footwear critical for any podium ambition.
The verdict
Between Spehler's hometown advantage, Bannwarth's experience, Polin's hot form, Derouin's 2025 crown to defend and the international depth on every distance, the 2026 Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB has all the ingredients of a memorable edition. Tracking will be available on the UTMB Live platform, and finish lines converge once again at the ramparts of Obernai. May the best prepared win.
A personal word from the team
One last word, more personal this time. The person who builds TrailSight day after day will be on that start line too. Our founder will throw himself back into the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers, one year after crossing the same finish line, ready to dive again into the night, the rocks, the long ridges and the doubts that come with 160 kilometers. The TrailSight track on his watch, of course. And from us, behind the screens, we will be with him kilometer after kilometer, with our hearts pulling on every climb. Go live it to the full. We are all proud of you. Good luck, and bring it home.