The results for the 2017 UTMB were announced on January 12th 2017 at 10.00 (Paris time) and what a draw! The list of persons registered and runners files can be viewed at http://www.ultratrailmb.com, all those entered will be confirmed by email.

Those runners lucky in the draw then have a period of 14 days, January 12th to 25th 2017, to definitively finalise their registration by paying, by credit-card, the balance of the registration price and sending in all the required supporting documents.

It’s a big day for many, dreams are made and broken with the opening of an email.

From a global perspective, a look at the elite start list provides an opportunity to whet ones appetite and imagine the race that will unfold for the UTMB and the races that also that happen in and around the main event, the CCC, TDS and OCC.

In 2016, many considered that the line up in the UTMB was the best ever, well, 2017 may have topped it?

The Top Men for 2017

• Francois D’haene – Two time UTMB winner and countless other 100 victories.
• Gediminas Grinius – 2nd at UTMB in 2016.
• Julien Chorier – 8th at UTMB in 2016 but super solid at the distance.
• Miguel Heras – Looking for 2013 form when he placed 2nd.
• Luis Alberto Hernando – Hw wants this! 2nd in 2015.
• Xavier Thevenard – Champ in 2013 and 2015 the winner of ‘all’ UTMB races – CCC, TDS and OCC.
• Tofol Castanyer – 2nd in 2014.
• Pau Capell –  TDS winner stepping up to the big dance.
• Yeray Duran – Stepping up but 2nd at TDS in 2016.
• Diego Pazoz – Mont-Blanc 80km winner – an intersting prospect!
• Andy Symonds – Tried in 2016 but pulled out, he has a big race in him.
• Carlos Sa – 8th in 2014 and an ever-present.
• Kim Collison – Arguably the UK’s best hope for a top result.
• Francesc Sole – 7th at UTMB in 2015.
• Didrik Hermansen – 2nd at Western States in 2016 and winner at Transgrancanaria

And then look at the talent that will join from the USA:

• Tim Tollefson – 3rd at UTMB last  year
• Andrew Miller – Western States winner 2016
• Sage Canaday – Unfinished business at UTMB
• Jeff Browning – 2016 double with 3rd and 4th at Western States and Hardrock
• Dylan Bowman – 4th at Lake Sonoma in 2016
• David Laney – Placed 3rd and 4th at UTMB
• Jim Walmsley – Unstoppable in 2016, UTMB is going to be a seriously exciting outing for him and us!

But it doesn’t stop there, there other names to consider, the list goes on!

The Top Women for 2017

• Caroline Chaverot – Defending champ and un-stoppable in 2016.
• Nuria Picas – 2nd twice, she wants the top slot.
• Andrea Huser – Relentless, races week-in and week-out, 2nd in 2016.
• Emelie Lecomte – Tor des Geants champ.
• Beth Pascall – Lakeland 100 winner and course record could excel on this big loop.
• Sophie Grant – Has had two top UTMB placings.
• Gemma Arenas – Excelled in the Skyrunning ranks in 2016, Ultra SWS champ.
• Juliette Blanchet – 4th last year.

And then look at the talent that will join from the USA:

• Kaci Lickteig – Western States champ, Bear 100 champ and ultra-runner of the year – exciting!
• Magdalena Boulet – 5th at UTMB last year.
• Stephanie Howe – Western States 2014 champ who looks to be back after 2016 full of injury. Previously 8th at UTMB.
• Sally McRae – 11th at the 2016 Western States.
• Meredith Edwards – 2nd at TDS.
• Aliza Lapierre – Solid performer recently raced MDS in 2015 4th at Western States.

Ones to watch:

Kaori Niwa, Christina Bes, Laia Diez, Joelle Vaught, Alissa St Laurent and many more…

CCC and TDS has always felt like a side show to the UTMB but Zach Miller in many ways changed all that with a show boat victory and we are now seeing the CCC as real stepping stone to UTMB with a highly competitive field.

Notably for 2016, Megan Kimmel, Hilary Allen, Nathalie Mauclair, Maite Maiora and Anna Comet amongst others will go head-to-head in the ladies’ race.

For the men, the prospect of what Hayden Hawks is exciting, especially when one considers Tom Owens and Ryan Sandes will toe the line. Add to the mix Erik Clavery, Ludovic Pommeret, Jorge Maravilla, Ben Duffus, Michael Borst, Marcin Swierc and Aurelien Collet and you have a very exciting race.

TDS will see Rory Bosio head up a quality ladies’ field that includes Lucy Bartholomew and, Dong Li and Lizzie Wraith. For the men, Paul Giblin and Michel Lanne are followed by Samir Tamang, Arnaud Lejeune and many more.

The 2017 UTMB week of races, look set to be a very exciting prospect.

Now, get training!