🎧 49 seconds to understand why Snowdonia by UTMB 2026 is so talked about
Listen to the article summary
Â
BUY A GPS WATCH ON I-RUN
ON PROMOTION DURING RUNNING WEEKS
affiliate link without partnership with Garmin or Aurélien Sanchez
montre Garmin Forerunner 165
-21%
Â
Â
The Welsh trail of the UTMB circuit returns this weekend in a tense atmosphere, with the highly anticipated return of Beñat Marmissolle
The Snowdonia by UTMB 2026 begins this Friday in the Eryri massif, Wales. The start of the main races will be given in cool and humid conditions, true to the reputation of this British event which has become one of the most demanding on the UTMB World Series circuit.
But this 2026 edition is not starting calmly. For several weeks, the race has been at the heart of a controversy after significant modifications to the 100 km route, with a reduced altitude difference and several emblematic sections removed. Some of the trail runners believe that the event has lost part of its mountainous identity.
Despite this turbulent context and a slightly less dense elite field than last year, the Snowdonia by UTMB 2026 remains a race that the trail world will follow with great attention. And one main reason explains this: the return of Beñat Marmissolle.
How to follow Snowdonia by UTMB 2026 live
The start of Snowdonia by UTMB 2026 will be at 2 p.m. local time in Wales, or 3 p.m. in France. Like every year, the race can be followed live via the official UTMB live tracking, with real-time rankings, passages at checkpoints and GPS tracking of the main favorites.
Live Trail
💉 The official live stream is available here: Live Snowdonia by UTMB 2026
The first leaders of the 100 km are expected during the night from Friday to Saturday. Depending on the weather conditions and the state of the terrain, the best runners could cross the finish line between approximately 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. French time.
Because the weather could quickly play an important role in this 2026 edition. The organizers even reminded runners in the 80 km format this morning that “cold weather” equipment remained mandatory, with a warm, long-sleeved layer and protective glasses.
In the Eryri massif, conditions can become extremely difficult in a matter of minutes: cold rain, fog, strong wind and slippery terrain are an integral part of the identity of Snowdonia by UTMB.
Organizers
Â
💉 To follow the race atmosphere, the field images and the reactions of the athletes, you will also need to monitor the official social networks of the organization: Instagram Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB
Elite social networks
💉 On the French side, many enthusiasts will particularly follow the return of Beñat Marmissolle, who will probably share content before and after the race on her account: Instagram Beñat Marmissolle
Snowdonia by UTMB 2026 favorites
The 2026 plateau appears a little less impressive than that of 2025, where we notably found Jonathan Albon and Mathieu Blanchard in the 100 km.
But there remain several solid names at the start, particularly in the 80 km format.
The big favorite announced is the Ecuadorian Joaquin Lopez with a UTMB Index above 900. Behind him, several experienced runners will try to take advantage of the very technical Welsh terrain: Dan Lawson, Franco Collé, Renaud Anselme and Samuel Skinner.
But on the French side, all the attention is focused mainly on Beñat Marmissolle.
Why the return of Beñat Marmissolle is eagerly awaited
For several months, Beñat Marmissolle had been much more discreet in the world of trail running. However, the Basque remains one of the most respected French trail runners of his generation.
His return to Snowdonia is not insignificant.
The Welsh terrain is renowned for being extremely demanding: long rocky sections, scree, wet trails and often hostile weather. This is not the type of race chosen to calmly regain confidence.
And this is precisely what makes this return particularly interesting to follow.
In recent months, Marmissolle had publicly spoken about a psychologically complicated period, speaking in particular of mental fatigue, pressure linked to performance and a relationship that had become difficult with training. In a sport where many athletes keep these subjects private, his words had marked part of the trail community.
His return this weekend therefore goes beyond a simple sporting result.
Even if the 2026 field seems less dense than the previous year, many enthusiasts will follow this edition above all to see where Beñat Marmissolle really stands on such harsh terrain.
Snowdonia by UTMB results, look back at the 2025 edition won by Jonathan Albon
Last year, Snowdonia by UTMB offered a huge show in the 100 km format.
The Briton Jonathan Albon established himself as a boss on his land in 11:34:51 after an impressive demonstration in the Welsh mountains.
Behind him, Mathieu Blanchard had taken a solid second place on an extremely difficult course of more than 100 kilometers and around 6,400 meters of elevation gain.
This 2025 edition also helped to strengthen Snowdonia’s reputation as one of the most technical trails on the UTMB World Series circuit.
It is precisely this very mountainous identity which finds itself today at the heart of the debates after the modifications to the 2026 route.
Results, podium and ranking Snowdonia by UTMB 2026
The Snowdonia by UTMB 2026 results will be updated throughout the weekend with the rankings of the different races and the performances of the favorites.
Between complicated weather, Welsh terrain as demanding as ever and the highly anticipated return of Beñat Marmissolle, this 2026 edition could ultimately reserve much more spectacle than expected despite the controversy.
In summary, why Snowdonia by UTMB 2026 is so talked about
For several weeks, some trail runners have criticized the route changes announced by the organization.
According to several comparisons published online, the new route would have lost around 2,000 meters of positive altitude difference. Certain emblematic sections in the high mountains would also have disappeared.
The organization explains these adaptations by environmental constraints and discussions with nature protection stakeholders in the Eryri National Park.
But for some riders, these changes were announced much too late.
This controversy also relaunches a broader debate around the UTMB World Series circuit. Some trail runners fear that certain races will gradually lose their original character once integrated into a major international circuit.
