UTMB 2026: Ben Dhiman Makes History with a Sub-19 Hour Finish

Saturday 29 August 2026 - 13:10

American Ben Dhiman won the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc in Chamonix on Saturday, completing a race he controlled from start to finish. After finishing second last year, the 33-year-old trail runner took a significant step forward by completing the 173 kilometers in 18h16'29'', becoming the first to finish under 19 hours on this course.

He came to win. A year after finishing second, Ben Dhiman turned his ambition into a stunning victory at UTMB 2026. Starting from Chamonix on Friday, the American quickly positioned himself at the front before taking full control of the race.

The race, held around Mont Blanc, presents an extraordinary challenge: approximately 173 kilometers and nearly 10,000 meters of positive elevation gain. This year, the weather conditions provided particularly favorable terrain for competitors, allowing Dhiman to maintain an exceptional pace.

A Lead Established Early

The future winner began to widen the gap right after leaving Les Contamines, around the 35th kilometer. From there, the American runner gradually distanced himself to lead a long solo race.

His lead continued to grow over the kilometers. At the checkpoint in Champex-Lac, after about 127 kilometers of effort, Dhiman already had nearly a half-hour margin over his closest competitor, Frenchman Baptiste Chassagne.

This lead was never really allowed to diminish until his return to Chamonix.

An Exceptional Time, But Not a Record

Ben Dhiman finally crossed the finish line after 18 hours, 16 minutes, and 29 seconds of racing. This performance allows him to enter the history of UTMB as the first to finish under the symbolic threshold of 19 hours on this course.

However, the time achieved cannot be considered a record for the event. The course was shortened compared to the usual route, as was the case in the previous edition. Therefore, comparisons with historical performances should be made with caution.

This does not diminish the significance of the American's victory, who left his main rivals over an hour behind.

A Comeback After Last Year's Second Place

This performance takes on special significance considering his result from the previous year. In 2025, Ben Dhiman finished second in 19h51'37'', behind British runner Tom Evans, who won in 19h18'58'' on the same course.

In one year, the American improved his time by more than an hour and a half.

Originally from Ohio, Dhiman has lived in France since 2021 and settled in Bagnères-de-Bigorre, in the Pyrenees. His French environment has notably allowed him to continue his development in a world particularly marked by trail culture.

Chassagne in Second, L’Hirondel Well Placed Among Women

Behind the untouchable American leader, Baptiste Chassagne was expected to finish in second place. The Frenchman still held this position in the latest available updates after trying for a long time to limit his deficit to Dhiman.

Among the women, French runner Blandine L’Hirondel was temporarily in the lead. Her arrival in Chamonix was expected around 5:15 PM.

With this victory, Ben Dhiman confirms that he must now be counted among the major figures in the global ultra-trail scene. After a successful first experience in 2025, the American took command of the UTMB this time and held it until the end.