Ultra-Trail des Païens
From crossing the Taennchel massif with its rocks and enigmatic and mysterious inscriptions to climbing the majestic Mount St. Odile, live a mystical experience between mountains, vineyards, picturesque villages and castles.
Race Category
Running Stones
Finals Access
Distance
109 KM
Elevation Gain
3900 M+
Start Date
Friday 15th May 2026
Race Start
Orschwiller - 07:00
Max Allowed Race Time
24 Hours
Presentation Ultra-Trail des Païens
A mystic experience
This 100 kilometer format will start from Orschwiller, home of the famous Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, symbolically located at a hundred meters from the "border" between the two departments. After a passage in the wine paths, you will quickly reach the small fortified town of Saint-Hippolyte. From there, you will attack the ascent towards the manor of Schaentzel. You will then leave the department of Haut-Rhin at the moment of entering the enclosure of Haut-Koenigsbourg which will mark the beginning of your ride through the castles. You will then alternate between typical villages with half-timbered houses, the Alsatian vineyards and the wooded massifs sheltering the castles of the Middle Ages. The end of the tour follows the same paths as the 50K, making you discover the Mont Sainte-Odile and its pagan wall as well as the Celtic atmosphere of the Heidenkopf area. In the last kilometers, you will cross the Romanesque town of Rosheim before crossing the finish line on the ramparts of Obernai.
Practical Info
BEFORE THE EVENT
Runners and supporters shuttles are available from Obernai (parking du stade) and Barr, find all the information on this page.
A shuttle system has been set up to facilitate travel for supporters to designated aid stations where assistance is permitted. The shuttles operate in a loop between Obernai and various life bases, with stops adapted to the progress of the runners.
Find all the information on the supporters shuttle page.
Obernai, parking des remparts
- Thursday, 14th from 11:00am to 19:00pm
To collect your bib you need to present:
- your ID
- QR code (you will receive it by e-mail a few weeks before the event)
- your race bag (need to be marked)
To ensure runners' safety, no bib may be collected by anyone other than the runner.
Find out the full list of mandatory equipment HERE.
DURING THE EVENT
Friday, May 15, 07:00
Orschwiller
To avoid congestion, you will be assigned a start wave based on your overall UTMB ranking. It's possible to start in a later wave, but not in an earlier one. Note: There are 4 waves of departures!
When collecting the bib, each participant receives a 30-litre bag.
After having filled it with the items of their choice and closed it, they can deposit it at the start.
It will then be available at the Barr checkpoint (Km 63) and then returned to Obernai upon arrival.
The assistance zone begins 500m before and ends 500m after the aid station, and there is only one assistant allowed per runner.
Supporters may still access the aid stations and encourage their runner, but no assistance may be provided at the points identified as "without assistance".
Check out the page for accompanying shuttle buses HERE.
All checkpoints are authorized for assistance.
The organisation will provide shuttles to bring the runners back to Obernai in case of withdrawal or if the time limits are exceeded.
For logistical or traffic reasons, bus schedules may be subject to delays.
Withdrawals can be made at the following points:
Ch. Haut-Koenigsbourg
Chatenois
Dambach-la-ville
Andlau
Barr
Outside these points, no shuttle service can be guaranteed.
AFTER THE EVENT
For each race, there is an overall ranking - men and women - and an age category ranking - men and women - (see below further details for each category).
UTMB® World Series Events The first five men and the first five women in the general ranking, as well as the first runner man and woman in each category receive a trophy.
Awards and trophies are only distributed at the prize giving ceremony. It's mandatory to be present in order to receive them.
For more information, see the regulations HERE.
All the following post-race services are available in Obernai, just a few metres from the finish arch:
Men's and women's showers/changing rooms
Rest room
Finisher's prizes
Runners' bags
Doctor, samaritans
Massage service
Post-race meals, refreshment stands
Awards ceremony
Entertainment
Men's and women's WC
Around the race
Plan your stay and check out all the tourist activities and experiences around Alsace Grand Est.
A new adventure is calling!
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