New Zealand elite trail runners Ruth Croft, Daniel Jones and Scotty Hawker will tackle the sport’s most prestigious and challenging race, the UTMB in Chamonix, France, this weekend.

The 2023 UTMB Mont-Blanc will feature arguably the best start list in the race’s 20-year history, with Kiwis Croft, ranked second in the women’s field, Jones, and Hawker among those in contention for the coveted title of UTMB champion.

UTMB is one of the world’s best known endurance running races. It is the centrepiece of the Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc, a week-long event based in Chamonix, France, which sees 10,000 runners compete in seven different races.

The unrivalled UTMB race (100M category) sees runners take on a mountainous 171km route featuring 10km of ascent across France, Switzerland, and Italy. This year’s UTMB race takes place from Friday, September 1, to Sunday, September 3.

Ruth Croft is undeniably one of the best trail runners in the world. She has won the Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB 60km and 102km, winning the latter outright in a course record time in 2021, and last year took out the famous Western States 100-Mile Endurance Race after finishing second the year before.

Ruth Croft made history in 2021 as the first female athlete to claim the TUM102 title outright. Photo: Graeme Murray.

Croft has also tasted success in Chamonix, having claimed victory twice in the 50km OCC race (2018 & 2019) and the 100km CCC race (2015). Though familiar with the event, Croft will be making her UTMB debut.

“I'm excited, and I have been told that it is just like one big hike with lots of picnics along the way, so what's not to love? I came over to Europe at the end of April and I have done a few low-key races in the build-up,” says Croft.

“I competed in Europe for the first time at CCC in 2015 and from then I always knew I wanted to do UTMB, but it has been an eight-year journey to get here. Earlier on in my career I felt I needed to get more experience on the sub ultra plus I really enjoyed those distances. It has only been the last few years that I have been intrigued and motivated by 100 milers. UTMB is going into the unknown for me but that's what is exciting.”

Croft will line up on Friday knowing that if she races to the best of her ability a shot at the title is within her grasp, though she’ll have to overcome the formidable American and number one ranked runner Courtney Dauwalter who holds three of the most prestigious 100-mile titles in the sport – UTMB, Western States, and the Hardrock 100.

“They say UTMB is the Superbowl for trail runners. UTMB always brings together a really competitive field,” she said. “I'd be stoked (to win) but in saying that I'm not going into the race even thinking about that. I think if you start mentally focusing on solely winning then you become outcome dependent.

“Success to me is executing my game plan as best as possible, which means managing myself well and not getting caught up in what any other women are doing. It's very different to shorter races where you always want to maintain contact with the leaders. I believe doing well at UTMB comes down to pacing. My goal is to execute my race plan as best as possible, and I hope that can put me up the top of the field.”

Daniel Jones’ rise in trail running has been meteoric.

In February he won New Zealand’s premier trail race, the Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB 102km and in June he claimed fifth at his Western States debut.

This weekend’s UTMB however will be by far his biggest test to date.

“UTMB is pretty much a gathering of the most passionate outdoors people in the world. There are multiple events covering distances from 15km to 300km. With 2,500 athletes per race, the town of Chamonix is jam packed for a week-long festival where there is a race starting and finishing most days. The atmosphere is electric where everyone is celebrated whether an elite finisher or someone ticking off their own goals,” says Jones.

“For me this is amazing. I've really had the best year of running in my life, with a win at TUM102, fifth at Western States and now getting to be here and experience the mecca of ultrarunning.”

Jones will be making his UTMB debut but says he’s feeling good after a top-five performance at Western States.

The Whakatane-raised athlete has spent the past month in France getting used to UTMB terrain and how best to tackle a course with so much elevation.

New Zealand's Daniel Jones wins the 2023 TUM102 title on his Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB debut. Photo: Graeme Murray.

“Western States gave me confidence. It solidified my thinking that I can mix it with the best in the world and as long as my body has recovered, I will be up there on race day,” he said. “A successful race would be starting at a comfortable, conservative effort. Hopefully, this will allow me to finish strong, where I can push through to a top 10 performance.

“UTMB is a completely different ultra than Western States. Learning how to use poles, getting used to the massive ascents and descents have all been part of a big learning curve. That being said, all these differences combine to being something that's a bit out of my wheelhouse, but this is the biggest ultra in the world and I look forward to the challenge.”

Another Kiwi, Scotty Hawker, will line up alongside countryman Jones in the UTMB race. Hawker’s results over the past couple of years have been a mixed bag, including a DNF at last year’s UTMB, but his class is irrefutable. The Christchurch runner has previously placed third in the UTMB race in 2019 and second in the CCC race in 2021.

The UTMB race begins on Friday afternoon local time, 4am NZT on Saturday morning, with the first runner across the line expected a day later, estimated around 12:45am NZT on Sunday morning.

Live coverage of the men’s and women’s UTMB races will air on UTMB LIVE.

For more information on the UTMB Mont-Blanc and UTMB World Series Finals visit https://montblanc.utmb.world