For trail runners, lining up at the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc in Chamonix is the ultimate goal, but getting a bib takes strategy. The UTMB World Series Finals cap each year's circuit, and entry is granted through two distinct routes: a lottery that requires Running Stones, or a direct qualification earned via podium finishes or high race scores. Understanding these paths helps you plan your race calendar years in advance.
What are Running Stones and why do you need at least one?
Running Stones are virtual tokens awarded to runners who finish a UTMB World Series Event or Major. They serve as lottery entries for the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc, the annual finals held in Chamonix. As of the 2025 qualification cycle, every runner must have at least one Running Stone acquired within the past two years to enter the lottery—without one, you cannot even apply.
The rule is strict: you can only collect Running Stones by finishing a UTMB World Series Event or Major. Finishing what UTMB designates as a separate “UTMB Index race” does not earn a stone, even though it contributes to your runner profile. This distinction is worth checking on each event's page before you commit to travel and entry fees.
Which races award Running Stones: World Series Events and Majors
Running Stones are exclusive to the UTMB World Series circuit, which spans over 60 events across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, plus the higher-tier Majors. Each event offers races in categories such as 20K, 50K, 100K, and 100M, and finishing any of these qualifying races at an Event or Major awards at least one stone. The exact number can vary, so verify the details on the official event page before registering.
Because the World Series calendar changes from year to year, confirm which races are currently active by consulting the official UTMB World Series page. There, you can filter by region and date to find events near you. For example, a race in Asia might fall in a different season than one in Europe, affecting your training and travel plans.
How Running Stones improve your HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery odds
Each Running Stone you hold increases your chances in the lottery for the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc. The more stones you accumulate, the more entries you have, though the exact weighting is not published. The lottery is open to all runners who meet the one-stone minimum, making it the more accessible route for those who do not hit elite performance thresholds.
For those aiming to boost their odds, running multiple World Series events in the two-year window is the practical approach. However, plan your season carefully: stones are tied to the calendar year, and the requirement is to have at least one from the past two years when the lottery opens. Always check the official rules for the current cycle, as UTMB periodically updates the system.
Qualifying directly with the UTMB score: thresholds for 50K, 100K, and 100M
Runners who achieve a high UTMB Score in a single race on the World Series circuit can bypass the lottery entirely. The qualifying threshold depends on both gender and race distance: for 50K, women need a score of at least 690 and men 840; for 100K, the numbers are 675 for women and 820 for men; and for 100M, 615 for women and 780 for men. Meeting this score in a 50K automatically qualifies you for the 50K final, and similarly for the longer distances.
These UTMB Score thresholds are per race, not per season. One standout performance can earn you a slot, which is why many runners target flatter or faster courses to secure a high score. But note that scores achieved at the UTMB World Series Finals themselves do not count toward this automatic qualification—only scores from other Events and Majors do.
Podium qualification: top 3 at Events, top 10 at Majors
Another direct route is finishing on the podium at a qualifying race. At World Series Events, the top three male and top three female finishers in the 50K, 100K, and 100M categories earn automatic entry to the final. At Majors, the top ten in each category qualify, reflecting the higher level of competition.
Podium spots are rare for most runners, but for elite athletes they offer a reliable path. The qualification period is the calendar year before the finals, so a top finish in 2025 secures a spot for the 2026 finals. The UTMB World Series Finals themselves also reward the top five finishers in the UTMB, CCC, and OCC with entry to the following year's edition, provided they meet the Running Stone condition in the same calendar year.
Understanding UTMB Index vs. race score
A common point of confusion is the difference between the UTMB Score and the UTMB Index. The UTMB Score is the number awarded to each finisher of a World Series race based on their performance in that single event. The UTMB Index, by contrast, is an average of your five best race scores over a period, serving as a general indicator of your running level.
Direct qualification depends on the individual race score, not your Index. For example, a runner with a strong 797 score at the CCC might have an Index of 810, but it is the 797 that counts for qualifying purposes. Understanding this distinction helps you pick races where you can maximize your single-race score rather than spreading effort across many events.
Qualification deadlines: the calendar-year rule and exceptions
The standard qualification period for the UTMB World Series Finals is the calendar year before the finals: Events and Majors in 2025 qualify for the 2026 finals. This rule applies to both score-based and podium-based qualification, so plan your key races in that window.
There are exceptions for top elite athletes and injured runners. Starting in September 2025, a Top Elite status extends the qualification period for elite athletes, allowing them to qualify from January 2025 to June 2026 for the 2026 finals. Injured athletes who miss the standard window can apply to the Elites team by the end of November to qualify by June 30 of the following year, as detailed in the official policies on the UTMB site.
Tips for planning your qualification season
Start by deciding which final distance you aim for—UTMB (100M), CCC (100K), or OCC (50K)—and work backwards to choose qualifying races in the same category. Use the official World Series calendar to find events with open registration in your region, and factor in travel logistics and altitude.
For lottery hopefuls, ensure you have at least one Running Stone within the two-year window, and consider running additional Events to boost your odds. For those chasing direct qualification, focus on races where you can realistically hit the score threshold—understanding that course difficulty affects scores. Verify all dates and availability on the official UTMB World Series event pages, as registration statuses change.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you earn a direct entry or win the lottery, the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix are a life-changing event. Use the UTMB World Series page to find your qualifying race, and start planning your trip early, as accommodation and travel in the Alps fill up fast. For more details on the festival, see our
If you are not racing, you can still catch the action along the course. Check out our guide on where to watch the UTMB finish in Chamonix to find the best vantage points. And for a broader look at what to see in France, browse our festivals in France guide for other cultural events around your race dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many running stones do you need to qualify for UTMB?
To enter the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc lottery, you need at least one Running Stone acquired within the past two years. Having more than one stone gives you additional entries in the lottery, but a single stone is the minimum requirement.
What is an UTMB running stone?
A Running Stone is a virtual token that you collect by finishing a UTMB World Series Event or Major. It serves as your lottery entry for the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc finals. Only finishing such events awards Running Stones; other UTMB Index races do not.
How to collect UTMB running stones?
You collect Running Stones by registering for and finishing any race in a UTMB World Series Event or Major. These events are held worldwide, and each finisher receives at least one stone. Check the official UTMB World Series calendar to find events and confirm the number of stones awarded.
Which races are UTMB qualifying races?
UTMB qualifying races are those that are part of the UTMB World Series, including Events and Majors. Races in categories like 20K, 50K, 100K, and 100M qualify. Additionally, a separate set of UTMB Index races contribute to your runner profile but do not award Running Stones or qualify for the finals.
