Photo: Daniel J. Schwarz / UnsplashTrail race calendar in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes 2026
Also known as French Alps
The world epicentre of high-mountain trail: Chamonix, at the foot of Mont Blanc, is the birthplace of the UTMB; Annecy, by its turquoise lake, hosts the Maxi-Race. Brutal elevation gain, glaciers, and some of the most photographed alpine landscapes in Europe.
Calendar updated September 2026
View on map2026 calendar: every race by date
| Date | Race | Town | Distances |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 May 2026 | Maxi-Race Annecy | Annecy | 101K · 56K · 20K · 40K |
| 25 Jun 2026 | Marathon du Mont-Blanc | Chamonix-Mont-Blanc | 88K · 42K · 23K · 10K |
“Mont Blanc and Lake Annecy: the birthplace of alpine trail”
4.809 m
Mont Blanc, roof of the Alps
UTMB
Birthplace of the UTMB World Series
Jun – Sep
High mountain window
2003
First edition of the UTMB
2
Races
10 – 101 km
Distance range
500 – 5,500 D+
Elevation range
May – Jun
Race months
Difficulty
Terrain
Chamonix is the starting point of the Tour du Mont Blanc, the route that gave rise to the UTMB, and offers the most demanding alpine trail in France: elevation gains of over 2,000 m per stage, technical high mountain terrain, and direct views of the Mont Blanc massif. Annecy, 130 km to the north, combines mountains with a glacial lake of turquoise waters, allowing routes that alternate alpine ridges and lakeshore, with slightly less extreme but equally spectacular profiles.
Key areas
Climate & best season
The safe high-mountain window runs from June to September, when passes and ridges are free of snow. July and August concentrate the bulk of the calendar, with UTMB in late August and Maxi-Race and Marathon du Mont-Blanc in June-July. Outside that window, snow can close the highest sections even in midsummer during years with late thaw.
Trail culture
Chamonix is ground zero for world trail running: the UTMB was born here in 2003, and every August the UTMB World Series final is held here, with tens of thousands of spectators in the village centre. Annecy, less than two hours away by car, has built its own trail identity around the Maxi-Race and the Marathon du Mont-Blanc, leveraging a lake that is already one of France's most visited tourist destinations. The region has Europe's highest density of technical mountain gear shops, with Chamonix as the undisputed capital of alpine equipment.
Iconic races in the region
Race map
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Race calendar
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Races in Haute Savoie
Races in Otras
Gear up for the mountains
The right gear makes the difference on race day. Our comparison guides to choose well.
Related guides
Gear buying guides
Essential gear for trails in this area
The gear most used by runners in this region
Black Diamond
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Ultralight carbon Z-pole foldable trekking poles. 137 g per pole in 110 cm length, 33 cm folded. EVA grip and adjustable strap. The trail running reference.
Hoka
Hoka Speedgoat 7
The best-selling trail shoe in the US and an absolute ultra-trail classic. Max Hoka cushioning, a Vibram Megagrip outsole with 5 mm lugs for grip in mud and technical terrain, and a snug Matryx upper. Built to eat up kilometres without punishing your legs in long races.
Icebreaker
Icebreaker Merino 200 Oasis LS Crewe
Long-sleeve thermal top in 100% merino wool (200g). Natural temperature regulation, genuine multi-day odor resistance and a soft, non-itch handfeel from the fine merino yarn.
Altra
Altra Lone Peak 9
Trail running shoe with zero drop and wide FootShape toe box that allows natural toe splay. 25 mm stack with EGO foam for balanced cushioning without losing ground contact. MaxTrac outsole with 3.5 mm lugs, ideal for non-technical trails, forest tracks and long-distance paths.
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