Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026: information, live, favorites, and results
Sébastien Spehler back on his home turf, TV broadcast, live UTMB, and a huge trail weekend in Alsace
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The Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026 begins this weekend in Bas-Rhin with several days of racing between Lac Blanc, Barr, Orschwiller, and Obernai.
In just a few years, the Alsatian event has become one of the most popular stops on the UTMB World Series circuit in France.
This 2026 edition promises another huge spectacle between vineyards, Alsatian castles, long Vosges ridges, and a unique atmosphere around Obernai, the finish city for all races.
And inevitably, one name garners a lot of attention: Sébastien Spehler.
The Alsatian returns to the flagship format as a top favorite, eager to reclaim his place after several seasons marked by ups and downs.
How to follow the Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026 live
LiveTrail Like other events in the UTMB World Series circuit, the Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026 can be followed live through the official UTMB live tracking, with aid station updates, real-time rankings, and tracking of the main favorites.
The official live can be accessed here: Live Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026
Television and radio This year, media coverage will be particularly significant.
The regional channel ICI Alsace TV will offer several special programs and live broadcasts from Obernai, Barr, or Lac Blanc, with reports dedicated to favorites, behind-the-scenes of the organization, and race conditions.
The broadcasts will also be available for free on france.tv.
Special editions will be aired daily in the ICI 12/13 and ICI 19/20 programs throughout the weekend.
Social media To follow the on-ground atmosphere, videos, and images of the Alsatian trails, also monitor the organization’s official social media channels: Instagram Trail Alsace by UTMB
From a French perspective, many will closely follow Sébastien Spehler, very active on his social media before this major Alsatian event. [CONTEXT: The article discusses the Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026 event, Sébastien Spehler’s participation, how to follow the event live, and media coverage.]
The main races of the Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026
The 2026 program offers several formats spread throughout the weekend.
The main race remains the 100M, covering 158 km with over 5,100 meters of positive elevation gain. The start will be on Friday from Lac Blanc with an expected finish in Obernai after crossing the Alsatian Vosges.
The 100K will start from Orschwiller for 108 km and approximately 3,900 meters of positive elevation gain, with spectacular passages by Haut-Koenigsbourg and Mont Sainte-Odile.
The weekend also includes the Trail des Pèlerins, a 29 km format, the Trail des Celtes over 47 km, and a race for young participants, the Trail des Écuyers. [FACT-CHECK: The event offers various race formats including 100M, 100K, and other shorter races.]
Sébastien Spehler, the overwhelming favorite at home
Sportingly, all of Alsace awaits Sébastien Spehler’s return to his home turf.
The Alsatian knows almost every part of the course between Lac Blanc and Obernai. On these Vosges trails, he enjoys popular support that few runners can hope to find elsewhere in the trail running world.
The last two years, Spehler has experienced a contrasting period.
In 2024, he impressed by winning the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers with total domination. But the rest of his season was much more complicated, with physical problems, a painful second place on the 6000D, and a DNF on the UTMB after over 100 kilometers.
The year 2025 then resembled a progressive rebuilding, with several victories over shorter formats, but also a new DNF on the UTMB Alsace where he was a top favorite.
This 2026 edition looks like a return to his roots. [CONTEXT: Sébastien Spehler is a well-known trail runner in Alsace, with a strong local support base and a mix of successes and challenges in recent years.]
A very different race from the big Alpine ultras The Trail Alsace by UTMB may not have the huge Alpine climbs of Chamonix or Zegama, but it offers a different form of challenge.
The Vosges trails alternate long forest sections, constant relaunches, sometimes very rolling terrain, and then rough sections where fatigue becomes immense after several hours of running.
And above all, the Alsatian atmosphere gives a unique identity to this event. Between villages, castles, dense crowds, and vineyard passages, the Trail Alsace by UTMB has become much more than a simple UTMB qualification race. [CONTEXT: The trail’s course features unique challenges and a distinctive Alsatian atmosphere.]
Results, ranking, and podium of the Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026
The results of the Trail Alsace by UTMB 2026 will be updated throughout the weekend with the standings of the different races and the performances of the favorites.
On the 100M, the first finishers could cross the finish line in Obernai on Friday night or Saturday morning depending on race conditions.
And of course, many dream of a perfect scenario: seeing Sébastien Spehler finally win at home in front of the Alsace crowd. [FACT-CHECK: The article discusses the expected results and audience anticipation for the event.]
