Trail running course through mixed terrain in Grand Est, FR
Trail Alsace by UTMB

Trail Alsace by UTMB 156K

156K·5,100m gain·Obernai, France
ultramountaintrailqualifier

AI-generated image

Distance156K
Gain5,100m
Date15 May 2026
Difficulty5/5

About This Race

The flagship 156-kilometer ultra presents the ultimate test with 5100 meters of elevation gain across the Alsace region. This formidable challenge rewards finishers with four Running Stones and represents one of the most demanding experiences in the UTMB World Series network.

The flagship 156-kilometer ultra presents the ultimate test with 5100 meters of elevation gain across the Alsace region. This formidable challenge rewards finishers with four Running Stones and represents one of the most demanding experiences in the UTMB World Series network.

Location

Notable Features

The race takes runners through a landscape rich with castles and vineyards, offering a distinctive cultural trail running experience in the historic Alsace region. As part of the UTMB World Series, finishers earn Running Stones that count toward qualification for the flagship UTMB races in Chamonix, making this both a destination race and a stepping stone in the global ultra-trail community.

Other Distances at This Event

10.5K

The course weaves through mixed terrain characteristic of the lower Alsace foothills. Runners encounter vineyard trails, forest paths, and occasional village sections that define the region's topography. Specific elevation details have not been published, but the route maintains the rolling character typical of wine country terrain rather than steep Alpine climbs.

18K

Starting in Obernai, the route heads into the vineyards that blanket the eastern slopes of the Vosges. The course follows a mixture of wide vineyard tracks and narrower forest trails, with the terrain varying throughout. Runners should expect both runnable sections through the vines and more technical passages where roots and rocks require attention. The route returns to Obernai after a tour through the surrounding countryside, finishing in the town center where UTMB World Series events traditionally create a festival atmosphere.

29K

47K

The course circles through the Alsatian wine country surrounding Obernai, alternating between vineyard paths, forest trails, and brief village passages. Expect sustained climbs through terraced vineyards where footing can be technical, with narrow dirt paths between vine rows. Forest sections provide shade and singletrack variety, typically on well-maintained trails through mixed deciduous woodland. The route includes several villages where cobblestone streets and stone steps interrupt the rhythm before returning to dirt.

109K

The route traverses the limestone and sandstone trails of the Northern Vosges, moving between dense forest sections and open vineyard country where runners pass beneath medieval castle ruins that mark territorial boundaries dating back centuries. Terrain varies from well-maintained forest roads to technical rocky sections requiring careful foot placement, particularly when conditions are wet. The course connects multiple villages where local support and cultural immersion add dimension to the physical challenge, with aid stations typically featuring regional specialties alongside standard ultra nutrition.