The 2026 UTMB World Series season burst into life at the Chianti Ultra Trail in Italy, where France's Thomas Cardin and America's Courtney Dauwalter claimed the 120k titles in commanding fashion. Cardin's winning time of 9:58:38 set a new course record on the rolling Tuscan terrain, while Dauwalter's victory extended her remarkable streak of UTMB series podium finishes.
Cardin's race was a masterclass in ultra-distance pacing. The Frenchman sat behind the early leaders through the first 50km before gradually increasing the pace through the technical middle section of the course, where the trails wind through Chianti's famous vineyard-covered hills. By the 80km checkpoint, Cardin had established a lead that he would never relinquish, finishing nearly 20 minutes ahead of the next competitor. His sub-10-hour time on a course that features over 5,000 metres of elevation gain marks him as a serious contender for the main UTMB event in Chamonix later this year.
Dauwalter's women's victory was equally dominant, though her winning margin was narrower. Norway's Yngvild Kaspersen pushed Dauwalter hard through the second half of the race before fading in the final 20km, with American Rachel Entrekin completing the podium. Dauwalter, now 39, shows no signs of slowing down in a career that has redefined what is possible in women's ultra running.
The Chianti Ultra Trail is one of the early-season events in the UTMB World Series, which spans over 40 events across six continents. Results at these qualifying races feed into the UTMB Index, which determines starting positions and entry eligibility for the flagship event in Chamonix in August. The series format has transformed ultra trail running from a niche pursuit into a globally structured competitive circuit — and the quality of racing at Chianti suggests 2026 will be another year of progression for the sport.