Wild Glacier Marathon Lenk Launches For The Fifth Edition Of Wildstrubel By UTMB

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.

• 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.

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

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.

A 42 km course with 2,700 m of elevation gain for a unique Alpine adventure between Lenk and Crans-Montana. The start in the heart of Lenk immediately immerses you in the majestic landscapes of the Simmental, with peaceful alpine meadows and the Simmenfälle, spectacular glacial waterfalls that mark the beginning of the route. The first kilometers offer a journey into local heritage, with alpine pastures such as Langermatte, where artisanal products accompany your effort, and Iffigenalp, the site of the first aid station.

The climb to the ridges leads to the summit of Iffighorn (2,378 m) and the Wildhorn hut (2,303 m) at the foot of the glacier, offering breathtaking views of the seracs and high mountains. The Wildhorn hut also serves as a liquid refreshment point. Crossing the Schnidejoch (2,756 m), a millenary pass and archaeological site, allows you to admire the iconic glaciers Wildhorngletscher, Turnengletscher, and the Schnidejoch pass itself.

The descent into Valais passes Lake Ténéhet and Lake Tseuzier, which serves as the last aid station and the only point where assistance is allowed, before following the Bisse du Ro, a suspended trail above the Rhône Valley, to reach the finish in Crans-Montana. The variety of landscapes encountered - glaciers, lakes, ridges, alpine pastures, and historic sites - makes this Alpine marathon a truly unique and unforgettable experience.

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.

“The marathon format embodies the open spirit of Wildstrubel by UTMB,” adds Baumann. “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". 

The 2025 edition demonstrated strong momentum, with increased participation, excellent feedback and positive impact across all five partner destinations.

“The collaboration between municipalities and destinations is the strength of the event,” says Baumann. “The new marathon reinforces this direction.”

The Wildstrubel by UTMB takes place from September 10 to 13, 2026. For more information, visit: wildstrubel.utmb.world