Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB
Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB (GEV 87K)
Malaucène
Race guide
Updated 1 July 2026
The Grand Raid Ventoux by UTMB (GEV 87K) is an 87-kilometre mountain race starting and finishing in Malaucène, looping through the dramatic landscapes of the Ventoux massif in Provence. With 4,120 m of climbing and a high point of 1,893 m — essentially the bare, wind-scoured summit of Mont Ventoux — this is not a gentle tour of lavender fields. The route threads through river valleys, forested ridgelines and exposed alpine terrain before delivering runners to one of the most iconic and unforgiving summits in all of cycling and running. It is a proper mountain race that rewards patience, smart fuelling and respect for the heat that the region is famous for.
Course & Terrain Overview
The route departs Malaucène at 310 m and immediately begins working through a varied landscape. The opening 35 kilometres to Entrechaux (280 m) involve a roller-coaster through valley floors and rising forest tracks, passing Bout du Moulin at 14.9 km (608 m) and Comte at 18 km (993 m) before dropping back down to the Entrechaux valley. From Entrechaux the course climbs away from civilisation through Veaux (46.8 km, 336 m) and then launches the sustained ascent to Mont Serein (56.8 km, 1,407 m), the last crew-access point before the summit. The final kilometres to the Mont Ventoux summit at 62 km (1,838 m) are exposed, rocky and relentless. After tagging the summit, the route descends to Le Seuil (72.4 km, 749 m) and Plan de la Lauzière (79.7 km, 373 m) before the closing kilometres back into Malaucène at 310 m. Terrain shifts from shaded forest trails in the early kilometres to open limestone and scree on the upper mountain, with technical rocky descents on the way back down.
The Decisive Climbs — Where the Race Is Won or Lost
There are two pivotal moments on this course. The first is the long drag from Veaux (46.8 km) to Mont Serein (56.8 km): after 47 kilometres already in the legs, this 10-kilometre climb of roughly 1,070 m is where optimistic early pacing begins to unravel. Runners who have burned matches in the valleys pay heavily here. The second — and defining — moment is the final push from Mont Serein (1,407 m) to the Mont Ventoux summit at 1,838 m. Above the treeline there is no shelter, the wind can be ferocious and the rocky terrain demands concentration when legs are already deep into fatigue. The summit at 62 km marks the true turning point; from here the race shifts to controlled descending on tired quads through Le Seuil and Plan de la Lauzière, where the terrain is technical enough to punish anyone who switches off. The closing kilometres back to Malaucène are runnable but should not be underestimated after 80-plus kilometres of accumulated climbing.
Pacing & Strategy
The most important tactical decision in this race is made in the first 35 kilometres. The valley sections to Entrechaux feel inviting — the gradients are manageable, the trails roll freely and the temptation to bank time is real. Resist it. A patient, almost social first half is the deposit that funds a strong finish; the runners who go 'too easy' early are rarely the ones who blow up on the Ventoux ascent. Save your legs through the valleys so that you arrive at Mont Serein with something left to climb on. From Mont Serein to the summit, shift to effort-based climbing rather than pace — power-hike where necessary and protect your quadriceps for the long descent ahead. On the descent from the summit to Le Seuil and beyond, break it into segments: checkpoint to checkpoint, ridge to treeline, landmark to landmark. Managed sections are far easier to execute than one intimidating 25-kilometre run-in. The only mandatory cut-off listed is at the finish (Day 02:10), so the pressure is on cumulative time management across the full route.
Fuelling & Hydration
With 87 km and 4,120 m of climbing in a Provençal summer environment, fuelling discipline is non-negotiable. Crew access is available at Malaucène (start), Entrechaux (34.3 km), Mont Serein (56.8 km) and the finish — use these points actively to replenish and recalibrate. The gap from Entrechaux to Mont Serein (22.5 km including the Veaux checkpoint at 46.8 km) is the longest stretch between crew-accessible aid and coincides with the hardest sustained climbing of the race, so carry sufficient calories and fluid to cover it independently. Prioritise liquid calories and easily digestible foods on the climb to the summit, when appetite can fade at altitude and in the heat. Salt intake matters enormously in this region; heat-driven sweat losses accumulate quickly. On the descent, begin reloading carbohydrates early enough to keep legs functional through the technical sections back to Plan de la Lauzière and the final run-in to Malaucène.
Conditions to Expect
Mont Ventoux earns its nickname 'the Giant of Provence' partly through its weather extremes. The lower valleys can be hot and sheltered, particularly in the warmer racing season, making the early kilometres deceptively comfortable. As the route climbs above the treeline toward the summit, temperatures drop and wind exposure increases sharply — the summit at 1,838 m is notoriously windy and the change from valley warmth to alpine chill can be significant within a single hour of climbing. Carry a packable wind layer regardless of how benign conditions feel at the start. Heat management is the dominant challenge in the lower sections: plan for it with proactive hydration, electrolytes and — if racing in full sun — head and neck protection. The descent from Ventoux back toward Malaucène can combine loose limestone, rocky technical sections and afternoon heat, demanding focus and controlled pace even as the finish draws close.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 310 m · —
14.9 km · 600 m · —
34.3 km · 278 m · Sat 13:45
46.9 km · 340 m · Sat 16:30
56.8 km · 1398 m · Sat 19:30
72.4 km · 733 m · —
79.8 km · 344 m · Sun 00:45
87.4 km · 310 m · Sun 02:30
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