Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB®
Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB 100K
Roubion → Nice (Promenade des Anglais)
Race guide
Updated 19 July 2026
The Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB® 100K is a point-to-point mountain-to-sea journey of 109 km, dropping from the village of Roubion at 1341 m all the way to the iconic Promenade des Anglais in Nice at just 10 m above sea level. With 4608 m of cumulative climbing and a high point of 1850 m, the course threads through the rugged Alpes-Maritimes hinterland before spilling down into the Mediterranean heat of the Côte d'Azur. It is not a flat coastal cruise — the mountains demand respect long before the sea comes into view. What makes this race distinctive is the contrast embedded in its DNA: genuine alpine terrain in the first half, increasingly sun-baked descents and valley running in the second, and a dramatic urban finish that few ultras anywhere can match. The cut-off at Nice is Day 14:00, giving runners a generous but not infinite window. Crew access is available at Levens (80 km) and at the finish itself, making those two points pivotal for logistics and for mental resets on a long day — or night — in the mountains.
Course & Terrain
From Roubion the route immediately engages with the high ridgelines and forested flanks of the Alpes-Maritimes, climbing to a high point of 1850 m before the halfway checkpoint at Utelle (52 km, 980 m). The terrain in the opening 50 km is genuinely alpine — technical singletrack, rocky ridges, and exposed cols — so trekking poles are worth considering for the early climbing. The character of the course shifts after Utelle: the elevation profile trends downward overall toward Levens at 80 km (581 m), but the 4608 m total gain means there are still meaningful climbs scattered through the back half. From Levens the final 29 km descend and roll toward the coast, finishing on the flat stones of the Promenade des Anglais at 10 m. That final approach sounds like relief, but arriving on sun-exposed lower trails and urban paths after 80+ km in the mountains requires its own specific preparation.
Decisive Climbs & Where the Race Is Won or Lost
The high point of 1850 m — reached in the first half of the race — is the obvious crux on paper, but experienced runners know the real race is decided much later. The opening valleys and climbs out of Roubion feel manageable and even inviting; that openness is a trap for anyone who mistakes the early miles for an invitation to push. The climb to the high point rewards patience, not aggression. After Utelle at 52 km the course continues to undulate significantly — the gap between Utelle (980 m) and Levens (581 m) still contains enough climbing to crack legs that were spent too early. The final 29 km from Levens to Nice, while net downhill, play out in increasing heat and exposure. This is where the race is truly decided: runners who arrived at Levens with reserves left will move; those who raced the first half will suffer.
How to Pace & Fuel It
The proven formula here is a patient — even social — first half that acts as a deposit you cash in after Levens. Do not fear going out too easy in the first 52 km to Utelle; the effort you save is the exact effort that funds a strong close. The record-breaking approach to races like this is built on restraint early, not aggression. Once you reach Levens at 80 km, reassess, refuel, and allow yourself to shift gears. Break the remaining 29 km into manageable chunks — 'two more climbs and I'm done' — rather than confronting the full distance. For fueling, target consistent calorie intake from the start; the alpine terrain in the first half suppresses appetite, but bonking on the lower trails in heat is punishing. Use Levens (the only crew point before the finish) to refresh nutrition, change shoes if needed, and bank a mental reset. Carry enough fluid for long gaps between checkpoints, especially in warm conditions.
Conditions to Expect
Starting at 1341 m in Roubion, the early hours of the race can be genuinely cold, particularly at night or at the 1850 m high point — layers and gloves are sensible until you are certain of the weather. As the course descends through the second half and approaches the Mediterranean basin, temperature rises sharply. The lower valleys and the approach to Nice can be hot and sun-exposed with little shade, a stark contrast to the alpine start. Wind is possible on the exposed ridgelines near the high point. The sea-level finish at the Promenade des Anglais brings humidity and reflected heat from the urban environment. Runners should plan their kit accordingly: enough warmth for the mountain section, and heat management — salt, hydration, pacing resets — for the descent into Nice. Do not underestimate the thermal shock of moving from high alpine terrain to a Mediterranean coastal city within a single race.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-05) · official source
0 km · 1341 m · —
13.6 km · 1446 m · —
24.7 km · 825 m · Sat 14:15
38.3 km · 615 m · Sat 17:45
54 km · 789 m · Sat 22:30
66.8 km · 671 m · Sun 02:00
72.4 km · 1289 m · —
84.5 km · 408 m · Sun 07:30
91.5 km · 96 m · Sun 09:30
101.1 km · 371 m · Sun 12:30
111.3 km · 10 m · Sun 14:45
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