Press release of May 18, 2025
Marie Goncalves and Benjamin Roubiol triumph in the Trail des Celtes (50K), bringing the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB to a close
- 6,023 starters, of whom 23% were women
- 5,612 finishers (6.8% DNF)
- 64 nationalities represented, with 33% of runners from the local departments (67 and 68)
- 5 races held from Friday to Sunday, ranging from 100M to 20K
- 900 volunteers involved in the organisation
- Over €14,800 raised for three local associations through Charity Bibs and runner donations
- 2 departments crossed — Haut-Rhin and Bas-Rhin — with 15 castles and heritage sites along the route
The third edition of the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB came to a close on Sunday 18 May, following three exceptional days of sporting challenge, shared passion and community spirit on the iconic trails of Alsace.
“My heartfelt congratulations to all 6,023 starters of this 3rd edition. Each one of them rose to their own personal challenge with courage and determination, regardless of the outcome. Their effort, perseverance and passion over the past three days brought the Alsace trails to life and infused the event with an extraordinary energy,” said Isabelle Viseux-Poletti, UTMB® France Events Director.
Across five race formats, from the medieval ramparts of Turckheim to the forests of Mont Sainte-Odile and the terraced vineyards of Barr, the 6,023 runners explored the region’s extraordinary landscapes and cultural heritage, cheered on by loyal supporters and backed by the unwavering dedication of 900 volunteers.
“I discovered a stunning region with fantastic organisation and incredibly warm local hospitality. We’ve decided to stay a few extra days with the family to keep exploring– we can’t wait,” said Théo Le Boudec, winner of the Ultra-Trail des Païens (100K), on Friday.
A true celebration of trail running, the event brought together the international trail community for a weekend of stunning scenery, solidarity, shared experiences, sporting achievement and vibrant festivities — all centred around the lively Ultra-Trail Village in Obernai and bathed in the sunshine of an Alsatian spring.
“My sincere thanks go to the incredible volunteers. Their generosity, warmth and tireless dedication ensured every moment of this adventure ran seamlessly. The Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB is more than a race — it’s a collective experience, a tribute to the beauty of Alsace, and an amazing human journey,” said Mathieu Pettinotti, Technical Director of the event.
Marie Goncalves and Benjamin Roubiol were the stars of the final day
The spotlight on Sunday fell on the fiercely contested 50K – Trail des Celtes – and it was two prominent names in French trail running who emerged victorious. In the women’s race Marie Goncalves (FRA – UTMB Index 740) ran a masterful, steadily paced race to secure victory in Obernai in 4:22:20. The 2024 SaintéLyon winner and French national team runner finished ahead of Laura Hampel (GER UTMB Index 715) and Astrid Hochart (FRA – UTMB Index 681).
In the men’s race Benjamin Roubiol (FRA – UTMB Index 898) delivered a dominant performance, completing the 50km race with 2,031m of elevation gain in 3:35:09 at an average speed close to 14km/h! He was followed by Anthony Felber (FRA UTMB Index 879) in 3:40:58 and Augustin Kerhardy (FRA – UTMB Index 828) in 3:46:35.
“It’s a real pleasure to take the win here. It was a tough battle, and after a challenging start to the season, this result has given me a real lift. The terrain here in the Grand Est region is incredibly fun and technical. All in all, a brilliant day on the trails,” said Roubiol.
Highlights from the 20K – Trail des Pèlerins
Saturday evening saw the running of the 20K – Trail des Pèlerins, where Italy’s Riccardo Scalet (ITA – UTMB Index 829) claimed victory in 2:23:09, ahead of Léo Tuaz (FRA – UTMB Index 819) and Flo Winker (GER – UTMB Index 797).
In the women’s race Maëlle Beauvir (FRA – UTMB Index 717) delivered a standout performance, crossing the line in 2:49:44. She was followed by local favourite Charlène Kleitz (FRA – UTMB Index 658), who narrowly missed the podium in 2023, and Stéphanie Cappelle (BEL – UTMB Index 580)
Solidarity at the heart of the event
The Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB reaffirmed its commitment to supporting local causes once again making 20 Charity Bibs available to runners keen to support three associations rooted in the region: ELA, Les Châteaux Forts d’Alsace, and Club Vosgien.
Thanks to the generosity of those runners and additional donations from participants, more than €14,800 was raised in support of these causes.
On Sunday afternoon during the Solidarity Celebration on the Obernai stage attended by association representatives, local officials, and members of the event organisation – the three beneficiaries were presented with symbolic cheques.
Committed to reducing environmental impact
In line with UTMB® World Series commitments, Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB continues to strengthen its ambition to reduce its environmental impact while actively engaging its community.
In 2025, several initiatives were rolled out across the event:
Environmental ambassadors: a dedicated team was deployed throughout the event to raise awareness of trail etiquette and responsible waste management.
Enhanced sustainable transport: 60 shuttle buses carried more than 2,400 runners and supporters, with a new stop added at Klingenthal. To further reduce car traffic certain routes, including the access road to Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg, were reserved exclusively for UTMB® shuttles.
Biodiversity protection: the 100M and 100K routes were adjusted to avoid a sensitive peregrine falcon nesting area in collaboration with the Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux.
Zero single-use plastics: no plastic bottles were used at any Aid Station. The Bring Your Own Utensils (BYOU) initiative was applied across the event.
These measures reflect the event’s firm commitment to embedding environmental stewardship at the very heart of its DNA.
