Courtney Dauwalter has once again demonstrated why she is considered the greatest ultra-trail runner of her generation, producing a masterclass in patient racing to win the 2026 Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB 120k through the rolling vineyards of Tuscany. The American, who found herself nearly four minutes adrift of race leader Yngvild Kaspersen with just 15 kilometres remaining, dug deep over the closing stages to overturn the deficit and cross the line in a winning time of 11 hours 31 minutes 55 seconds. The victory reinforced Dauwalter's remarkable ability to run the latter stages of ultra-distance races at a pace her rivals simply cannot match.
The race itself had an unusual genesis for Dauwalter, who was not originally entered in the Chianti event at all. She had been registered for the Tenerife Bluetrail race, but a severe storm system threatening heavy rain, powerful winds, and even snow forced organisers to cancel all five Tenerife-Bluetrail events in the days before competition was due to begin. Dauwalter managed to extricate herself from the island and make her way to the Tuscan countryside, securing a late entry to the Chianti 120k and lining up with little time to recalibrate her preparation. That she was able to produce such a commanding performance under those circumstances speaks volumes about her competitive resilience and physical conditioning.
Norway's Yngvild Kaspersen had run an outstanding race through the majority of the course and looked set for a landmark victory as the field entered the final quarter. With Dauwalter apparently struggling to close the gap, Kaspersen appeared to have the result within her grasp. But the closing kilometres told a very different story, with Dauwalter's famously relentless late-race surge gradually eating into the lead before she swept past Kaspersen and pulled away decisively. Kaspersen held on for a well-deserved second place in 11:33:34, with American Rachel Entrekin rounding out the women's podium in 11:38:13 — a result that underlines the depth of competition at the sharp end of women's ultra running.
In the men's race, Frenchman Thomas Cardin confirmed his status as one of the most consistent performers on the UTMB circuit by claiming victory in 9:58:38 — his fourth win at longer-distance UTMB events and a result that further cements his reputation as a specialist at the ultra-distance. Cardin's controlled and measured approach throughout the 120-kilometre course, which winds through historic Chianti Classico wine country between Florence and Siena, proved the decisive factor, and he crossed the line with a comfortable margin over his nearest rivals. The men's race was contested in warm, sunny conditions that added an additional physiological challenge to an already demanding course profile.
The 2026 Chianti Ultra Trail result carries significant implications for the wider UTMB season. Dauwalter, who has won the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc itself on multiple occasions, will be a formidable presence at this summer's marquee events, and her ability to perform at the highest level following a disrupted preparation will have her rivals concerned. For Kaspersen, second place is by no means a disappointment — the Norwegian is building consistently towards the peak of her career. With the Canyons Endurance Runs and Western States 100 approaching later in the year, the ultramarathon landscape is shaping up for another compelling season of elite competition across both sides of the Atlantic.