31/08/2026
HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc 2026 - The Verdict: Ben Dhiman’s 18:16:29 (2026) vs. Jim Walmsley’ 19:37:43 (2023). Adjusted for the course changes, Dhiman’s time still projects to 18:54:51 on Walmsley’s original route — 42:52 faster still. An absolute best UTMB ever.
Overall Course Comparison Strava data from each year’s top 10 finishers confirms it independently: the 2026 course averaged 4.4 km shorter and 269 m less climbing than 2023.
Pyramides Calcaires The one change that matters most. Walmsley’s technical climb and downhill vs. Dhiman’s direct skip on the runnable TMB track — a 28:03 swing.
Start The only section where the 2026 course was harder: Dhiman’s opening miles added a proper 200m climb Walmsley didn’t have.
Les Contamines Both routes pass through the village, but Dhiman’s line was shorter and flatter — worth 3:28.
Val Ferret 🇨🇭 - Walmsley stayed on the balcony trail; Dhiman dropped to the valley road — a 6:34 difference.
Vallorcine - Dhiman’s 2026 route took the wide 4x4 track on the descent instead of the more technical 2023 forest trail — 6:24 saved.
Follow I run, film, and analyse the most iconic trail running routes in the world. Follow Trail With Ben (Benjamin Nicolas) for more content.