To be classified as a finisher, every UTMB® runner must navigate two inseparable concepts: the overall time limit for their race, and the cut-off times that punctuate the course. Here is everything you need to know for the 2026 edition.
Maximum time limits by race at the UTMB® 2026
Every race on the UTMB® programme sets a maximum time for each runner to complete the course. This time naturally includes any stops for resupply, sleep and rest. It has been calculated on the basis of minimum average speeds and should, in normal circumstances, allow every participant in good shape to finish within the allotted time.
- The UTMB®: approximately 174 km in a maximum of 46h45, meaning a finish before Sunday 30 August at 16:30.
- The CCC®: approximately 101 km with a maximum time limit of 26h30.
- The TDS®: approximately 145 km with a maximum time limit of 44h55.
- The OCC®: approximately 60 km with a maximum time limit of 14h30.
- The MCC®: approximately 40 km with a maximum time limit of 10 hours.
What is a cut-off time?
A cut-off time is a deadline set at certain checkpoints along the course (aid stations or rescue points). It has been put in place by the organisation for three reasons: safety (to prevent isolated runners from finding themselves alone on the mountain at night, far behind the main field), logistics (to avoid keeping volunteers mobilised indefinitely) and sporting fairness (to ensure every participant maintains a pace consistent with the spirit of the race).
How do the UTMB® cut-off times work?
A cut-off time is the deadline by which a runner must have left a checkpoint in order to be allowed to continue the race, regardless of when they arrived. Rest time does not extend the cut-off: the faster you refuel, the better. Cut-offs are calculated to allow every participant to reach the finish within the maximum time allowed, while still permitting a few stops (rest, food, medical care). A runner who misses a checkpoint cut-off is pulled from the race: their bib is removed and they are transported back to Chamonix by the organisation.
Where can I find the exact cut-off times for each checkpoint?
The exact cut-off times for each checkpoint are published by the organisation in the Runner's Guide and on the official race website, usually in the weeks leading up to the event, and may vary slightly depending on the start time chosen for that edition. Find them on the official HOKA UTMB Mont-White website.
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