- The Wild Glacier Marathon now starts in Lenk and finishes in Crans-Montana, linking the two regions.
- After crossing the Schnidejoch, runners descend toward Lake Tseuzier and then follow the Bisse du Ro balcony path, leading into Crans-Montana.
- Bruno Huggler, Director of Crans-Montana Tourism and Congress, highlights that the new start from Lenk completes the circle of five destinations, enhancing cohesion and offering runners diverse landscapes.
- Crans-Montana offers a full range of accommodation, from camping to 5-star hotels; official partnerships and sustainable transport plans will be announced.
- Crans-Montana hosts the race finish and is part of the Wildstrubel by UTMB route, contributing to the event’s growing appeal and regional collaboration.
Wildstrubel by UTMB marks its fifth edition with the introduction of a brand-new race: the Wild Glacier Marathon Lenk, a 42 km route with 2,700 m of elevation gain linking the Bernese Oberland to Valais through the Wildhorn massif.
For the first time, Lenk becomes a race start, completing the circle of five destinations involved in the event, including Crans-Montana where the race ends.
Starting in Lenk, the marathon leads runners from traditional alpine pastures and the Simmenfälle waterfalls up through the Hohberg and Iffighorn, before heading to the Wildhorn Hut and the glacial terrain around the Chilchiglacier. The route crosses the historic Schnidejoch pass (2,756 m), an ancient link between the regions, before descending toward Lake Tseuzier and finishing in Crans-Montana via the Bisse du Ro.
Ryan Baumann, Race Director, said:
“This new format offers a varied and spectacular route, including rare proximity to a glacier. It brings Lenk into the heart of the event and strengthens the connection between the Bernese Oberland and Valais”.
The marathon format adds an intermediate challenge to the Wildstrubel by UTMB programme, sitting between shorter races and the longer high-mountain formats. It opens the door to more runners, without losing the technical character and emotion of the terrain.
Baumann adds:
“The marathon format embodies the open spirit of Wildstrubel by UTMB. It keeps the experience authentic while making it accessible to more people”.
The name Wild Glacier Marathon Lenk reflects both the Wildstrubel and Wildhorn peaks and the glacier environment that defines much of the course. From the trail toward the Schnidejoch, runners will see three glaciers: the Chilchiglacier, Turnengletscher and Wildhorngletscher.
Helena Galanakis, Director of Lenk-Simmental Tourismus AG, notes:
“With this new route between Lenk and Crans-Montana, the loop of five partner destinations around the Wildstrubel massif is complete. It’s a true collective project.”
Bruno Huggler, Director of Crans-Montana Tourism and Congress, said:
“The diversity of landscapes between the two regions is what makes the event so attractive. This new start point strengthens cohesion across all destinations”.
Key Details
- New race added for the 5th edition
- 42 km / 2,700 m elevation gain
- UTMB 50K category
- 2 Running Stones
- Start: Lenk / Finish: Crans-Montana
- Includes the crossing of the historic Schnidejoch
- Features Chilchiglacier, Turnengletscher and Wildhorngletscher
The 2025 edition demonstrated strong momentum, with increased participation, excellent feedback and positive impact across all five partner destinations.
Baumann said:
“The collaboration between municipalities and destinations is the strength of the event. The new marathon reinforces this direction.”
The Wildstrubel by UTMB takes place from September 10 to 13, 2026.
About the UTMB® World Series
The UTMB® World Series is the ultimate trail running circuit, bringing together the sport’s best athletes and amateur runners through premier international events held in some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. Rooted in a passion for the mountains and a respect for the environment, the UTMB® World Series offers all trail runners the chance to experience the UTMB® adventure around the world, with events taking place in Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It’s the only place where runners can begin their quest for the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc, home to the prestigious UTMB® World Series finals. Launched in May 2021 through a collaboration between UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group, the UTMB® World Series brings together the best international events on the planet.
UTMB Group
Since the creation of the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc in 2003 by a group of passionate friends, UTMB Group has been a major player in the development of trail running. The HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc is the benchmark trail running event, and every year, 10,000 runners line up at the starting line. UTMB Group is also the creator of LiveTrail® technology, an innovative digital service that simplifies the management of endurance races. Recognized by hundreds of thousands of athletes, UTMB® has become a global, premium, and leading brand. In May 2021, UTMB Group partnered with The IRONMAN Group to launch the UTMB® World Series, which brings together the best international events on the planet to offer exclusive access to the sport’s flagship event, the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc. The UTMB® World Series is based on the founding principles of the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc: pushing your limits, fair play, respect for people and the environment, and solidarity.
