HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® returns from July 1 to 5, 2026, with a new distance

HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® returns, once again as a UTMB® World Series Major, the European Final of the UTMB® World Series circuit. From July 1 to 5, 2026, the magic of trail running will once again fill the Val d’Aran, which in its last edition brought together more than 6,000 runners from 83 different countries.

Registration for all distances (VDA, CDH, TDL, PDA, EXP, SKY, SKY PROMESAS, and VIELHA 10K) will open on Wednesday, September 24 at 11:00 a.m. (CET) with a 48-hour priority registration period for runners with a valid UTMB® Index. From Friday, September 26, registration will open to the general public, provided they meet the corresponding entry requirements.

TDL, the big new addition for 2026

For its sixth edition, HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® introduces a highly anticipated innovation: a brand-new distance positioned between the PDA and the CDH. The TDL, Termières dera Libertat (Borders of Freedom), is a 75-kilometer, 100K-category race with 5,100 meters of positive elevation gain. It is inspired by the hidden paths that, for decades, served as escape routes for those fleeing war, persecution, and repression. This distance pays tribute to all those who crossed these mountains in search of freedom — a route that connects history with the epic spirit of trail running, traversing border passes that once bore silent witness to movements of resistance and hope. Starting in Bossòst and finishing in Vielha, the TDL will begin on Wednesday, July 1 at 8:00 a.m. It will grant 6 Running Stones but will not provide direct entry to the CCC® of HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc — that remains the role of the CDH.

“The TDL was born out of demand from the runners themselves, who were asking for a distance between the PDA and the CDH. Its course is technical, varied, and spectacular all the way to Vielha, largely following the reverse route of the VDA up to Bassa d’Oles. From there, it ventures into stunning alpine terrain, passing through iconic spots such as Montcorbison, Pomaròla, Val de Horno, Sarrahera, Cauva, and Santet-Escunhau,” explains Xavier Pocino, CEO of UTMB® Iberia.

UTMB® World Series Major: the great European final

HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® returns once again as a UTMB® World Series Major, the European final of the UTMB® World Series circuit, meaning that all finishers of its races will receive double the Running Stones — increasing their chances of gaining access to the UTMB® World Series Finals 2026 (UTMB®, CCC®, and OCC®) in Chamonix. In addition, the top 10 men and women overall in the VDA, CDH, and PDA will earn direct entry into the UTMB® Finals in their corresponding category. Direct entries will also be awarded by age group in these same distances.

Val d’Aran, a key destination for trail running

HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® has firmly established itself as one of the world’s benchmark trail running events. The uniqueness of its courses — combining technical sections and spectacular landscapes — along with the organizational expertise, have turned the Val d’Aran into a must-visit destination for runners from across the globe. The sixth edition strengthens this reputation with a sporting offer that continues to grow, adding new races and options for every profile. Beyond its sporting impact, the event remains a driving force for the local economy and a showcase for the region’s natural and cultural wealth — a summer gathering that transforms the Val d’Aran into a true international meeting point for the trail running community.