The best spots to cheer on the UTMB® runners

‍TheUTMB ® is much more than a race: it's a living legend that crosses the Mont-Blanc Massif and sets the valleys ablaze. Every summer, thousands of runners from all over the world set off on this extraordinary adventure, while tens of thousands of spectators gather along the route to cheer them on. Whether you're a trail enthusiast or just curious, watching the runners pass by is an unforgettable experience.

Here are the best places to feel this unique energy, from Chamonix to Saint-Gervais, via the mountains' most festive fan zones.

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Chamonix town center: the intensity of departure... and arrival

Every year, the Place du Triangle de l'Amitié in Chamonix becomes the beating heart of the UTMB ®. This is where it all begins, and more importantly, where it all ends. From Friday afternoon, just minutes before the start of the race, the town vibrates to the rhythm of the drums, the cheers and the applause. The announcer warms up the crowd, bells ring, flags wave: the emotion is palpable. People come to watch the elite start, but also to support the anonymous, all gathered to face one of the world's most mythical ultra-trails.

But it's at the finish that the magic really happens. After 170 km, the riders return to where it all began. Some in tears, others with their arms raised, sometimes carried by the shouts of the public, they cross the line at all hours of the day... or night. The most enthusiastic spectators sometimes camp out for several hours to make sure they don't miss the arrival of a loved one or a champion.

In Chamonix, the town center becomes a theater of raw emotion. And even if you don't know any of the racers, you'll come away shaken!

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Seeing the UTMB ® in Saint-Gervais: the first great moment of euphoriE

Less than thirty kilometers after the start, the runners arrive in Saint-Gervais... and they'll remember it. This is where the UTMB ® really begins for many: the first big refreshment station, the first dense crowd, the first slap in the face. The village center is transformed into a veritable festival stage, with music, applause and cheers shouted from balconies and barriers.

It's also one of the best places to see all the runners go by in a relatively short space of time: elite and amateur runners alike file past, still full of energy, buoyed by the adrenalin of the start. The atmosphere is family-friendly, festive and ultra-motivating, for athletes and spectators alike.

If you want to be part of this noisy, friendly crowd, set up early in the village, ideally near the bridge or the refreshment area, to enjoy the show to the full.  

Notre-dame de la GORGE: light in the night

It's one of the most magical places on the UTMB ®. In the middle of the night, in the heart of the forest and at the foot of the mountain, the church of Notre-Dame de la Gorge lights up and becomes a mythical passageway for runners. Here, the atmosphere changes completely: you enter another dimension.

The HOKA Flying Zone, installed for the occasion, transforms the area into a veritable tunnel of energy. Light shows, music, encouragement signs, shouts, smiles... Everything is done to boost the runners before their first night in the mountains. They often arrive here tired, already well on their way, but leave pumped up. Many say: this passage gives them a second life.

For spectators, it's a suspended moment. You come late in the evening, set up a headlamp, marvel at the ballet of lights and the flow of runners. And for just a moment, you're part of the incredible chain of human energy that makes the UTMB ® so beautiful.

See the UTMB ® in Vallorcine: cosmic atmosphere guaranteed

Saturday morning, it's all about the stars. Every year in Vallorcine, the passage of the runners takes on an offbeat, joyful and completely crazy twist. This year, the fan zone set up at the railway station has chosen the theme of space, and the whole valley is on board, with intergalactic costumes, sound entertainment, a galactic atmosphere... and plenty of good cheer.

Les Genoux dans le Gif, a well-known collective of trail enthusiasts, set the zone alight. Crazy cheering, lively music and visual surprises ensure that runners finish this section with a smile on their faces, even after more than 140 km in the legs.

For spectators, it's the perfect opportunity to experience the UTMB ® in a different way: with derision, creativity and celebration. Disguises are highly recommended if you really want to blend into the atmosphere. And don't forget to take photos: here, even the aliens come to applaud the finishers.

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La flégère: the last breath before chamonix

La Flégère is the last bastion before deliverance. Just eight kilometers from the finish, perched at an altitude of 1,877 meters, this mountain stage marks the last major effort for the UTMB ® racers. After more than 160 km, the climb up here can seem interminable. And yet, this is precisely where they need the most support.

For spectators, this is one of the most emotionally powerful spots. You'll come across exhausted runners, sometimes in tears, but still on their feet, still determined to finish. A bell ringing, a smile exchanged, a word shouted down the slope... every gesture counts. Here, encouragement becomes essential.

Accessible by gondola from Chamonix, La Flégère is also an ideal place to enjoy breathtaking views over the valley while experiencing the intensity of the trail up close.

Planb chamonix, your base camp during utmb ®.

During the UTMB ®, Chamonix becomes an anthill. Runners, families, followers, enthusiasts... everyone is looking for a landmark, a place to settle down, find themselves, recharge their batteries. PlanB Chamonix is exactly that: a lively base camp, just a stone's throw from the town center and the finish line.

Located just a few minutes' walk from the Triangle de l'Amitié square, the hotel puts you right in the heart of the action, while offering a quiet, warm space to take a breather between runners. Whether you're here to support a loved one or simply to experience the event, everything is designed to make your life easier: comfortable rooms, restaurant, lively bar, bowling alley, children's games, coworking facilities, and even secure lockers for your equipment.

The atmosphere is just like Chamonix: sporty, friendly, a little offbeat, but always authentic. And if you're coming with children or a tribe, it's the ideal place to alternate between festive moments and moments of relaxation. A real HQ to experience the UTMB ® in a different way.

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FAQ - Everything you need to know to follow the UTMB ®.

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When does the UTMB ® take place?

The UTMB ® takes place every year at the end of August in Chamonix. In 2025, the main race (UTMB ® - 170 km) will take place from Friday August 29, 2025 at 18:00 to Sunday August 31, 2025 at 16:30.

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Can I follow the riders live?

Yes, it's possible to track runners' progress in real time thanks to LiveTrail, which gives their position, ranking and estimated time of passage at each point.

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What other great spots are there to watch and cheer on the runners?

As well as Chamonix, Saint-Gervais, Notre-Dame de la Gorge, Vallorcine and La Flégère, you can also visit Courmayeur in Italy, Champex in Switzerland, or Les Contamines-Montjoie. Beware, however, of limited access and high visitor numbers.

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Can you get to La Flégère without walking?

Yes, the La Flégère gondola provides easy access to the fan zone, even if you're not a hiker. It leaves directly from Les Praz de Chamonix. Don't forget to check the timetable in advance.

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I want to see the runners. Is the UTMB ® a paying event for spectators?

No, access to the course is totally free for spectators. You can cheer on the riders freely along the route or in the official fan zones. Only certain forms of transport (shuttles, ski lifts) may be subject to a charge.

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