Mountain trail running comes with inherent risks tied to the terrain, darkness, and fatigue. Here is what you need to know about accidents that have occurred on the UTMB® races and during training, and how to minimise the risks.
Accidents during the race
Considering the tens of thousands of runners who have taken part since 2003, serious accidents during the UTMB® week remain rare. However, it must be acknowledged: the event has experienced several fatalities in recent years.
In 2021, a Czech runner suffered a fatal fall on the TDS® during a descent in the early morning hours. In 2022, a Brazilian runner died during the following edition. In 2023, a 59-year-old Swiss runner who fell ill during the early stages of the PTL passed away in hospital after several days of care.
These incidents remain rare given the number of participants, but they serve as a reminder that high-altitude ultra-trail running carries real risks, even within such a tightly managed race environment.
To address this, the organisation deploys a massive rescue infrastructure: first-aid stations along the course, round-the-clock medical staff, mandatory safety equipment required for every runner, and cut-off times that limit time spent in the mountains at night or in an advanced state of exhaustion. A medical committee of doctors can also pull a participant from the race on medical grounds.
Training accidents
In reality, it is during the preparation phase, outside of any organised setting, that the risk is highest. Some runners tackle demanding routes without the proper gear or sufficient preparation, sometimes driven by the desire to copy the training runs of elite athletes on social media.
Without support, course markings, and often without witnesses, a fall or sudden exhaustion in the mountains carries far more serious consequences than in a race, where rescue teams and marshals are everywhere.
How to minimise the risks?
Thorough preparation remains the best defence. A few basic rules:
- Tailor your training to the actual difficulty of the terrain, rather than what you wish you could tackle.
- Never head out without mandatory basic safety kit: headtorch and spare batteries, emergency foil blanket, charged phone, windproof jacket or waterproof.
- Inform a friend or family member of your route and estimated return time on every solo long run.
- Turn back when conditions deteriorate. A thunderstorm, fog, or unexpected snow warrants turning around, even during training.
- Respect your own limits rather than others', especially when dealing with accumulated fatigue or lack of sleep.
Finally, an often-overlooked point: regular medical check-ups, including a stress test for runners over 35 or those with cardiovascular risk factors, remain the most sensible precaution before taking on this kind of distance. Speak to your doctor.
