Vert.run was the Official Online Coaching for the 2023 and 2024 UTMB Mont Blanc–so we know our stuff! Check out our training plans for the event here.
At this point, the UTMB festival of race finals in Chamonix, which happens every year at the end of August, shouldn’t need any introduction, right?
But what’s worth discussing is how to get into UTMB in 2025, especially since they seem to be on the dream list of every trail and ultra runner around the globe.
First, a quick reminder of the three races that have a lottery process:
- UTMB (aka “the full loop”) is 106 miles (170 km) with 32,940 feet (10,040 meters) elevation gain, looping around Mont Blanc from Chamonix, France, and crossing into Italy and Switzerland.
- CCC (Courmayeur-Champex-Chamonix) is 63 miles (101 km) with 20,000 feet (6,100 meters) of elevation gain, running point-to-point from Italy to France via Switzerland.
- OCC (Orsieres-Champex-Chamonix) is 34 miles (55 km) with 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) of elevation gain, running point-to-point from Switzerland to France.
TDS, MCC, and ETC don’t have a lottery process (yet, at least) so you can get a spot to those races just by signing up before the bibs sell out.
So, the big question is, how do I get into UTMB, CCC, or OCC in 2025?
First, understand that this may be a mid- to long-term project. It can take a couple of years before you actually get selected to run either UTMB, CCC, or OCC, which is why planning is critical here.
There are really just two things you need to have in order to enter the lottery:
- Running Stones.
- A UTMB Index.
That’s it!
Now, let’s talk about how to get those.
Team up with a Vert.Run coach to reach your UTMB goals.
Starting from just $25/month, you can get a personalized training plan and communication with you coach.
Running Stones
The simplest way to understand this is that one Running Stone equals one lottery ticket. So the more Running Stones you have, the more lottery tickets you get, and the more chances of being selected for one of the races.
How do you get Running Stones?
It’s pretty simple: by running “by UTMB” races.
This is one of the major changes implemented a few years ago, making it harder for people who don’t have a “by UTMB” race in their country.
Each “by UTMB” race you finish will award you Running Stones, depending on the distance category:
- 20k = 1 Stones
- 50k = 2 Stones
- 100k = 3 Stones
- 100m = 4 Stones.
If you’re wondering how to maximize your chances of collecting more Stones without over-racing, the answer is to run a UTMB Major. These races award double the Stones per finish:
- 20k UTMB Major = 2 Stones.
- 50k UTMB Major = 4 Stones
- 100k UTMB Major = 6 Stones
- 100m UTMB Major = 8 Stones
The catch?
There are only a few Majors during the year (usually three), and they sell out fast. So, once again, planning ahead is key.
Important things to know about Running Stones:
- You can accumulate as many as you want for the lottery.
- They last for two years. This means that if you want to enter the 2025 lottery, you must have collected Running Stones in 2023 and 2024.
Now you’re probably wondering: How many Running Stones do I need for a decent chance?
Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this. The lottery depends on how many people apply and how many Running Stones they have. But it’s safe to say that you’d have to be extremely lucky to get into UTMB, CCC, or OCC with only a few Running Stones.
See why this is a mid- to long-term project?
Planning your races carefully to maximize your chances while also staying fit and prepared is crucial.
Now that we’ve covered Running Stones, let’s discuss the other thing you need: the UTMB Index for the race you’re aiming for (UTMB, CCC, or OCC).
Team up with a Vert.Run coach to reach your UTMB goals.
Starting from just $25/month, you can get a personalized training plan and communication with you coach.
UTMB Index
This is simpler to understand than the Running Stones. To have a UTMB Index, you must have finished any UTMB-recognized races in the same distance category as the race you’re applying for.
For example, if you want to run the CCC (a 100k race), you need to have completed another race in that same 100k distance category.
The good news is that this doesn’t have to be a “by UTMB” race. So, you can likely find a local race that qualifies. However, remember that finishing a 20k won’t give you access to the OCC, CCC, or UTMB, regardless of how many Running Stones you’ve accumulated. This ensures that only those with experience in longer races have the chance to compete at these levels.
Does having a ‘higher’ Index help you in the lottery?
Not really.
For the lottery, you need to prove that you have one, not that it’s above a certain number, so finishing the races will be good enough.
Your UTMB Index lasts for two years, so if you want to apply for UTMB, CCC, or OCC in 2025, ensure you’ve completed a race that gives you the UTMB Index in 2023 or 2024.
There is one other way…
Feel like training hard to improve your chances?
There’s another way to get in: by placing in the top 3 of any “by UTMB” race in the previous year.
That’s right—if you think you can place high in a race, it might be worth the effort to push for a direct entry to UTMB this way.
Team up with a Vert.Run coach to reach your UTMB goals.
Starting from just $25/month, you can get a personalized training plan and communication with you coach.
