23km: an historic race
23km du Mont-Blanc
Created in 1979, the Cross du Mont-Blanc will celebrate its 47th edition in 2026.
This friendly race, whose course has remained virtually unchanged since its inception, will take you in the footsteps of the discipline's pioneers, all set against a panorama of dazzling beauty!
To take part in this race, you'll need to have previous mountain running experience, be comfortable on all types of terrain and be self-sufficient for several hours. We draw your attention to the fact that a runner with an UTMB performance index of less than 270 points has very little chance of completing the race, so it is recommended that you take part in another Mont Blanc Marathon event.
Race info
23km semi-autonomous trail run
1680m D+ / 870m D-
Open to "Espoirs" category and above
Limited to 2,000 runners
6 starting waves
Maximum time: 6 hours
2 full feed stations + 1 finish feed station
Number withdrawal
Pick-up of race numbers for the 23km will be by appointment only, at the Espace EMC2 on Place du Mont-Blanc (Chamonix):
- Thursday June 25, 2026 from 9am to 9pm,
- Friday June 26, 2026 from 9am to 9pm.
Runners must present photo ID and a race bag containing all compulsory equipment, to enable a timing chip to be fitted and equipment to be checked.
No bibs will be issued to runners without their compulsory equipment and identity papers.
Compulsory equipment
- Cell phone in working order.
- Minimum 0.50-liter water supply.
- Waterproof jacket with hood (gore-tex type) adapted to your size.
- Survival blanket (140cm x 200cm).
- Tumbler.
- Whistle.
- Cash.
Recommended equipment
- Cap.
- Tights.
- Gloves.
Time barriers
The time limits given below are for guidance only. In the event of bad weather conditions, and for safety reasons, the organization reserves the right to stop the event in progress or to modify the time limits. All decisions will be taken by the race jury.
- Montroc feed station (km 11.4): start time of last wave + 2h30.
- La Flégère feed station (km 18.4): start time for last wave + 4h30.
- Maximum race time - Chamonix Planpraz (23km) : Start time for each wave + 6h.
A runner arriving at a time barrier after the time barrier has been applied will be disqualified. The lower right-hand corner of the race number will be "cut out" by the station manager and the runner will be asked to return to Chamonix. Should the runner wish to continue on the course, his or her number will be collected by the station chief and the runner will no longer be considered a participant in the Mont Blanc 90km, and will therefore no longer be under the responsibility of the organizer. Anyone disrespecting the volunteers and members of the organization responsible for enforcing the time limits will be permanently banned from all Mont Blanc Marathon events.
Maximum race time
Runners crossing the finish line after the maximum race time will not be classified and will not be considered as finishers. This maximum time is calculated according to the start time of your wave.
23km du Mont-Blanc: maximum race time: 6h00
The organizers would like to draw runners' attention to the fact that, depending on the systems and settings used, GPX tracks may give different results for race distances and gradients.
Runner bags
