LET’S WORK TOGETHER TO REDUCE OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT
For over 20 years, HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc has been acting to limit its impact on the environment. Since the very first editions, we have implemented numerous initiatives and have never stopped working to improve.
Over the years, we have also become direct witnesses to the effects of climate change in the Mont-Blanc valleys. These changes have only strengthened our convictions: our event must adapt to these realities and contribute to the transition by reducing its impact.
That is why, in 2025, we are taking a new step with a clear commitment: to reduce our carbon emissions by 20% by 2030, using the 2024 carbon footprint as a reference point.
Our approach is inspired by the Paris Agreement, an international accord that sets a common goal: to limit the increase in average temperature to well below 2°C.
RESPONSIBLE MOBILITY POLICY – KEY TAKEAWAYS
Your travel to and from the Mont-Blanc valleys accounts for nearly 86% of the event's total carbon footprint. Discover our 2024 carbon footprint.
To accelerate our transition, and as part of our work with Protect Our Winters (POW) on transport issues, we are committing to an ambitious and accessible responsible mobility policy.
Starting in 2026, we are taking a new step with a system designed to support you in your transport choices, without excluding anyone.
The goal is simple: to help you reduce your impact at your own scale, through a fair, realistic system adapted to different situations. Two concrete new features will come into effect:
- A 30% boost on your lottery chances if you commit to choosing a lower-carbon itinerary and avoiding car use to reach the Mont-Blanc valleys (detailed rules defined by the organization) - applicable to UTMB World Series Finals (UTMB, CCC, OCC) and the ETC.
- A collective carbon contribution in which all participants will take part, proportional to the emissions linked to their round trip from home to the event.
In 2026, we are taking a new step forward with a fair system, tailored to every journey.
From the 2026 edition, how you travel to the Mont-Blanc valleys can make a difference in your chances of participating. During pre-registration, commit to choosing one of the lowest-carbon, car-free itineraries and benefit from a 30% bonus in the lottery. This bonus applies to the three UTMB World Series Finals (UTMB, CCC, OCC) and the ETC.
Note: The boost does not apply to the MCC lottery as it is reserved for locals, volunteers, and partners. The lottery advantage will be automatically granted to locals participating in the UTMB, CCC, OCC, or ETC. Find the list of municipalities concerned.
How does it work?
When registering for the lottery via your My UTMB account, you can commit to respecting the transport rules defined by the organization. These rules are designed to be fair and realistic, adapting to existing infrastructure and combining all options—train, bus, shared transfers—to help you choose the most responsible solution.
If you commit to a lower-carbon, car-free itinerary, you will automatically receive the 30% lottery bonus. To keep this system fair, you will simply be asked to upload your proof of residency and transport (train, bus, plane ticket, etc.) after the lottery and your registration.
Warning: Failure to validate your transport or residency proof will result in the cancellation of your registration, without a monetary refund (Running Stones will be returned where applicable).
CARBON CONTRIBUTION FOR ALL STAKEHOLDERS
Even with the best transport choices, every trip has an impact. The goal is not to "offset to forget," but to reduce emissions as much as possible first, then take responsibility for our impact and collectively invest in the climate transition.
From 2026
Every event stakeholder—runners, partners, volunteers, contractors, and the organization—will participate in a collective carbon contribution program.
- Runners: Mandatory contribution based on their round-trip emissions. Proof of residency will be required.
- Partners: Contribution based on their travel emissions.
- UTMB Group: Will fund all emissions related to event organization and travel for employees, guests, volunteers, and contractors.
Any proven fraud will be penalized by the cancellation of registration.
Starting with the 2026 edition, during the lottery pre-registration (UTMB, CCC, OCC, ETC), each participant can commit to following the rules defined by the organization by opting for a lower-carbon itinerary and arriving in the Mont-Blanc valleys without a car.
The rules are as follows:
- In Europe: Travel by train or bus. If no journey under 12 hours exists, a single flight is permitted.
- Outside Europe: Travel by train, bus, or plane without short-haul flights (under 2 hours).
- In all cases: Arrival in the Mont-Blanc valleys must be car-free. Those who commit to following these rules will benefit from 30% extra chances of being selected in the lottery for the UTMB World Series Finals (UTMB, CCC, OCC) and the ETC (which joins the lottery system in 2026).
The 30% lottery boost applies to the following races: UTMB, CCC, OCC, and ETC.
Let’s take two runners, A and B, each with 10 Running Stones.
- Runner A commits to the responsible mobility rules: a coefficient of 13 is applied to their base number of Running Stones.
- Runner B does not commit: a coefficient of 10 is applied to their base number.
These coefficients are chosen to avoid potential decimals.
Runner A enters the draw with 130 random entries, and Runner B with 100 entries. We then keep the highest draw. Consequently, Runner A effectively has 30% more chances of being selected.
Group registrations follow the same rules as registrations for individual regular runners. The odds of being selected in the draw are calculated on an individual basis, then the minimum is applied to the group. The odds of runners in a group being selected in the draw are therefore always equal to the lowest individual odds of the group members. Not all members of the group need to commit to the rules, but their individual choices may influence the group's overall chances of being selected.
Example: If runner A has 6 Running Stones and commits to following the mobility rules, a coefficient of 13 will be applied to their base number of Running Stones. If runner B has 8 Running Stones and does not commit to the mobility rules, a coefficient of 10 will be applied to their number of Running Stones. As a result, the lowest random draw number in the group is 78, and runners A & B will participate in the draw with 78 random draws.
The organization will verify the commitments of runners selected in the lottery via their train, bus, or plane tickets. Proof must be uploaded to a dedicated platform.
For runners who used the boost: The organization will check transport and residency proofs. If cheating is identified (non-compliance with rules, fake tickets, unauthorized transport mode, fake identity, etc.) or falsification of residency proof, the registration will be cancelled without refund, but Running Stones will be returned.
For runners who did not use the boost: The organization will perform residency proof checks related to the carbon contribution payment. Any proven fraud will result in registration cancellation without refund, but Running Stones will be returned.
For a runner who benefited from the boost, in cases of force majeure (such as transport cancellation), the registration will not be automatically cancelled. We will review alternatives together.
No. The rules are designed so that all runners have the opportunity to respect them and access the boost. For runners coming from other continents, flying is not prohibited, but they are asked to avoid short-haul flights and arrive in the Mont-Blanc valleys without a car. Once on the European continent, train and/or bus must be used to reach the valleys.
Yes. During pre-registration, committing to the lower-carbon itinerary rules is optional. You can enter the lottery without the commitment and participate without the 30% boost.
To benefit from the 30% boost, I commit to:
- Taking a train/bus for at least 70% of the total distance AND arriving at my accommodation and the race start without a car (using train, bus, or shared transfers).
To assist you, a dedicated module for identifying low-carbon itineraries is available - (UTMB GO) - during the registration process. However, please note that only the official rules will prevail during the verification process.
If I am selected in the lottery, I must provide the organization with proof of residency and transport to demonstrate that I am complying with the rules I committed to follow.
To benefit from the 30% boost, I commit to:
- Either taking a train/bus for at least 70% of the distance AND arriving in the Mont-Blanc valleys car-free.
- Or taking a single flight AND Arriving at my accommodation and the race start car-free.
To assist you, a dedicated module for identifying low-carbon itineraries is available - (UTMB GO) - during the registration process. However, please note that only the official rules will prevail during the verification process.
If I am selected in the lottery, I must provide the organization with proof of residency and transport to demonstrate that I am complying with the rules I committed to follow.
To benefit from the 30% boost, I commit to:
- Following a journey with no short-haul flights (under 2 hours).
- Arriving at my accommodation and the race start car-free.
To assist you, a dedicated module for identifying low-carbon itineraries is available - (UTMB GO) - during the registration process. However, please note that only the official rules will prevail during the verification process. Accessing the UTMB GO website from certain countries may require the use of a VPN.
If I am selected in the lottery, I must provide the organization with proof of residency and transport to demonstrate that I am complying with the rules I committed to follow.
I automatically benefit from the 30% lottery boost and can travel to the event by train, bus, or car. We encourage you to prioritize carpooling if you choose to come by car.
To assist you, a dedicated module for identifying low-carbon itineraries is available - (UTMB GO) - during the registration process. However, please note that only the official rules will prevail during the verification process.
If I am selected in the lottery, I must provide the organization with proof of residency to demonstrate that I am a local resident.
List of 29 priority localities
- Chamonix (74400)
- Courmayeur (11013)
- Orsières (1937 ; 1938 ; 1943 ; 1944)
- Bourg St Maurice (73700)
- Les Houches (74310)
- Saint Gervais Mont-Blanc (74170)
- Servoz (74310)
- Vallorcine (74660)
- Hauteluce (73620)
- Beaufort (73270)
- Séez (73700)
- Les Contamines-Montjoie (74170)
- La Thuile (11016)
- Pré Saint Didier (11010)
- Morgex (11017)
- La Salle (11015)
- Saint Rhemy en Bosses (11010)
- Martigny-Combe (1920 ; 1921 ; 1928)
- Martigny Ville (1920)
- Trient (1921 ; 1928)
- Bovernier (1927 ; 1932)
- Passy (74190 ; 74480)
- Sallanches (74700)
- Combloux (74920)
- Cordon (74700)
- Demi-Quartier (74120)
- Domancy (74700)
- Megève (74120)
- Praz-sur-Arly (74120)
We have to address two issues: carbon emissions linked to transportation and problems related to the number of cars in the Mont Blanc valleys (congestion, parking). Carpooling to get to the event and your accommodation is not permitted under our rules for obtaining the boost.
However, we are aware of the complex reality of transportation infrastructure. Therefore, if there is no train/bus journey of less than 12 hours for a European citizen, in order to discourage short-haul flights, carpooling may be authorized. The runner must contact the organization between March and June and submit proof of carpooling in order to obtain an exemption.
The closest airports with train/bus links are Geneva, Lyon, Zurich, Milan, and Paris.
Chamonix is accessible by train and bus. As an international event organizer, our responsibility is to limit our footprint. 86% of the event's emissions come from transport. Reducing this impact must be a collective effort.
We understand that family constraints can make public transport difficult. If committing to the car-free/low-carbon rules is impossible, you must waive the boost. You can still pre-register for the lottery under the standard conditions.
The choice of a transport mode has always depended on cost, travel time, convenience, and available options. We want the carbon footprint to also become a central factor in choosing how to travel.
It is essential to commit to reducing carbon emissions related to transport, but we are aware that choosing a lower-carbon journey can sometimes require more advanced planning, longer travel times, and/or higher costs. This is why we provide a tool to help easily identify possible routes, a mobility plan during the event that ensures a car is not necessary once on-site, and a reward system for runners who make the effort to respect the rules and follow a lower-carbon itinerary.
In collaboration with You.Smart.Things., we have designed UTMB GO, a travel platform for responsible mobility. This decision-making tool allows you to instantly visualize the best transport options from your home. By highlighting the carbon emissions associated with each itinerary, you can quickly identify which ones are the lowest-carbon and meet the rules defined by the organization.
The UTMB GO tool analyzes your entire itinerary, taking multi-modality into account. For each segment of your journey, emissions are accurately calculated by combining the distance traveled, the transport mode used, and official emission factors from the ADEME database.
Specific detail for car journey calculations: By default, we apply a carpooling rule of 2 people. The displayed emissions therefore correspond to half of the vehicle's total footprint. If you travel with more than two people, your actual individual impact will naturally be even lower (divided by the exact number of occupants).
The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc must address two environmental and regional issues: carbon emissions linked to the event, mainly from runners' round trips, AND congestion in the valley during the event, which causes increased air pollution and incivility in the region. Therefore, electric cars are not considered in the low-carbon travel rules and do not qualify for the boost in the lottery.
The carbon contribution is designed to fund projects that increase carbon sinks or avoid carbon emissions, contributing to the global effort in the fight against climate change. We work with an independent intermediary organization (EcoAct in 2025) to whom we transfer 100% of the contribution amounts, ensuring that projects are selected with the utmost care. A portion of these projects will have a local impact in the departments hosting the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc, and all of them will benefit from the highest level of certification.
Despite all our efforts to reduce the event's impact, a portion of the emissions remains unavoidable. This is why we are implementing this carbon contribution program to support sustainable development by funding concrete projects for carbon sequestration or emission avoidance. Each participant must contribute in proportion to the emissions related to their travel. Since 2024, the organization has been contributing for emissions related to the travel of staff, volunteers, and guests, as well as on-site transport and event-related emissions such as aid stations, energy, digital services, etc.
100% of the amounts collected are transferred through an organization responsible for auditing projects and guaranteeing their quality. This organization is then responsible for funding the identified projects.
In 2025, €8,000 was collected from voluntary runners. UTMB Group contributed in proportion to the organization's own emissions. The total reached approximately €25,000. This sum supported projects in Haute-Savoie and Brazil through the organization EcoAct.
The cost varies depending on the transport mode used and the distance traveled between the runner's address and Chamonix. The price per ton has been set at €25/ton of CO2eq. Here are some concrete examples for a round trip from the most represented regions: • France: between <€1 and max €10 (depending on your departure city and whether you travel by train or car) • Italy, Spain, United Kingdom: maximum €20 • United States: between €45 and €70 • Asia: between €65 and €80 • South America: approximately €85 • Australia: between €100 and €130
During your registration, a carbon contribution module will be integrated into the standard registration platform. You will need to enter your departure address and your transport mode; the carbon contribution amount will be automatically calculated for your round trip.
All runners must upload proof of residency to a dedicated platform. The organization will conduct checks, and any proven fraud will be penalized by the cancellation of the registration without a refund of the registration fee, though Running Stones will be returned.
No. The proof of residency must be for your primary residence.
If you are staying somewhere other than your home for more than 6 weeks (including the week of the event) before traveling to the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc, and this residence is your starting point for coming to the event, then you can indicate this location as your starting point for calculating your carbon footprint.
There are two possible scenarios.
- If you cancel in accordance with the cancellation conditions set out in the regulations, the carbon contribution amount will be refunded to you.
- If your registration is canceled due to your failure to comply with your commitment to follow the rules for lower-carbon travel, the carbon contribution amount will not be refunded to you (nor will your registration fee).
