Historic Victory: Ben Dhiman Wins UTMB® 2026 in Chamonix

ASICS athlete Ben Dhiman has claimed the biggest victory of his career, delivering an exceptional performance to cross the finish line in the 2026 UTMB^® race in 18:16:29. Returning after his second-place finish in 2025, Dhiman showed remarkable resilience and composure throughout the demanding race. His performance marks another defining moment for the ASICS Trail Team and rounds off a successful week in Chamonix for the entire team.

A clear mind, all the way to the finish

Dhiman approached the race with the calm focus that has become a hallmark of his running. Supported throughout the week by his teammates and the wider trail community, he balanced physical effort with mental clarity across one of the sport’s most exacting courses.

Ben Dhiman, ASICS athlete, said: “I didn’t give the racecourse any respect today, I just gave it as much as I could. Staying patient, trusting the work and drawing strength from the team were the ingredients that got the job done. I’m beyond grateful to everyone who supported us and cheered us on. What a crowd, once again.”

The winner’s shoe

Developed and tested alongside elite ASICS trail athletes, including Tom Evans and Ben Dhiman, the METAFUJI™ TRAIL 2 shoe has already proven its credentials on one of the sport's biggest stages. Evans and Dhiman first wore an early prototype of the shoe to victory and second place respectively at UTMB® 2025. This year, Dhiman went one step further, claiming first place in the finished version of the shoe.

At the core of the shoe is an updated trail-specific carbon plate construction featuring a new x-shaped design engineered to enhance propulsion on climbs while maintaining confidence and control on descents. Positioned between responsive layers of foam, the plate works in harmony with the shoe’s cushioning system to create a fast, smooth and highly energized ride experience. 

The updated midsole features a top layer of FF LEAP™ foam, ASICS’ lightest and bounciest foam, paired with FF BLAST™ PLUS cushioning under the carbon plate to deliver lightweight comfort and responsiveness across demanding trail terrain. This works alongside an ASICSGRIP™ outsole with 3.5mm lugs for advanced traction and a SOLYTE™ sockliner for added step-in comfort, helping runners maintain speed and confidence across ultra-distance efforts. 

ASICS athletes continue to take body and mind to new heights

Across the week, 37 ASICS athletes competed in a variety of trail running shoes, recording 10 top-10 finishes, including multiple podium finishes and a historic victory, and underlining the depth and collective strength of the ASICS Trail Team.

• UTMB^® race, 174km, 9700m+ elevation: Ben Dhiman, US, delivered a strong performance from the start, leading for much of the race before completing the course in 18:16:29, claiming a historic win. Virgile Moriset, FR, also made his mark on his UTMB^® debut, finishing in an impressive fourth place in 19:00:23.
• CCC® race, 108km, 6200m+ elevation: Anna-Stiina Erkkilä, FI, delivered a strong sixth-place finish in 12:36:12, while Marie Goncalves, FR, joined her inside the top 10, finishing ninth in 12:51:08.
• OCC race, 60km, 3500m+ elevation: Miguel Benitez, ES, and Sara Alonso, SP, both secured third-place podium finishes, completing the course in 05:17:43 and 06:09:11 respectively. In the women’s race, Makena Morley, US, followed closely behind in fourth place in 06:16:37, with Ida Amelie Robsahm, NO, taking fifth in 06:27:34.
• ETC race, 15km, 1200m+ elevation: Romain Discher, FR, claimed second place with a commendable finishing time of 01:20:13.
• YCC 15km, 1200m+ elevation: Luna Beck, FR, secured third place with a notable performance, finishing in 01:52:23.

Beyond outstanding records and inividual triumphs, this week’s result stands as a testament to the momentum building within the ASICS Trail Team, whose athletes are united by a shared belief in the uplifting power of movement for both body and mind. Explore the latest ASICS trail running collections and get inspired!