The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (also known as UTMB) is one of the most challenging ultra-marathon races in Europe each year.

The UTMB was first held in 2003 and is a 166km ultra-marathon race, with the route starting in Chamonix, France and essentially follows the Tour du Mont Blanc hike path, which hikers usually complete in 7 to 9 days. It involves a loop around Mont Blanc traversing through 3 countries – France, Italy and Switzerland with a total elevation gain of 9600m.

It is seen as one of the must do races in Europe with the event attracting over two thousand runners each year. As a Mountain race, with multiple passes over high altitude (>2500m), in potentially difficult climate conditions (night, wind, cold, rain or snow), it is an event you need to be well prepared, with strong training in the lead up.

The overall popularity of the event has seen its race schedule expand and now offers a variety of races as follows;

• UTMB: Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (166 km +9,600 m)

• CCC: Courmayeur - Champex - Chamonix (101 km +6,100 m)

• TDS: Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie (119 km +7,250 m)

• OCC: Orsières - Champex - Chamonix (53 km +3,300 m)

• PTL: La Petite Trotte à Léon (approx. 300 km +28,000 m)

The UTMB top runners are estimated to finish in around 20 hours, with a maximum race time limit of 46 hours. There is no prize money awarded.

The 2014 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc is set for some exciting racing in both the men’s and women’s races.

In the men’s field while we don’t see the 2013 champ, France’s Xavier Thevenard racing to defend his title, he is racing the TDS event instead. However, France’s François D’Haene looks like the one to beat. His form has been strong this year including winning the Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji. Spain’s Luis Alberto Hernando is making his debut at this distance, so is a bit of an unknown but he ran an unbelievable race to win Transvulcania in May, beating Kilian Jornet in the process. Other challengers include 2-time Western States winner, Timothy Olson, 2010 UTMB winner Jez Bragg and past UTMB podium finishers, Mike Foote and Javier Dominguez plus Anton Krupicka, Dakota Jones and Carlos Sa could also take out the title.

The women’s race has a quite a few contenders but all eyes will be on USA’s Rory Bosio to see if she had defend her 2013 title. In winning the women’s race last year, Rory ran an incredible 7th overall. Spain’s Nuria Picas, last year’s UTMB runner up will be hoping to take a step higher on the podium this year. Nuria has good form this year including winning the The North Face 100km in Australia in May. Another podium competitor is France’s Nathalie Mauclair, who finished 3rd at this year’s Western States plus Brazil’s Fernanda Maciel who has had a number of podium finishes this year.

Who’s your pick for the UTMB title in 2014?

A great video showcasing the beauty and challenges from the 2013 UTMB.