Restonica Trail by UTMB
Restonica Trail by UTMB – TT50K
Cours Paoli, Corte, Corse → Corte
Race guide
Updated 18 July 2026
The Restonica Trail TT50K by UTMB is a 33 km mountain loop from Corte, in the centre of Corsica, packing 2236 m of climbing into a compact but seriously steep course. From a valley start at 426 m it climbs to a high point of 1816 m, making it a true mountain race despite its relatively short distance. This is the middle sibling in the Restonica family, and it shares the event's defining feature: a massive climb out of Corte followed by a high traverse over technical Corsican granite before the drop back to town. It suits runners who love steep, rocky terrain and want a big vertical day without committing to the full ultra distance.
The course: a steep loop out of Corte and back
The TT50K covers 33 km with 2236 m of ascent, starting and finishing in Corte (426 m at the start, 427 m at the finish). The route climbs hard from the gun to E Padule at 7.2 km (1648 m), then holds high ground through Aleri (13.1 km, 1578 m) and Alzu (20.5 km, 1588 m) before descending back to Corte. The high point of the day is 1816 m, reached on the exposed upper sections between the aid stations. With only 33 km on the clock but well over 2000 m of climbing, this is a course where vertical gain, not distance, sets the pace. Expect the granite slabs, boulders and technical footing that characterise Corsican mountain trails, particularly on the descents where the terrain is rough and unforgiving. The loop keeps you close to the Restonica high country throughout before delivering you back down to the valley for the finish.
Where the race is decided: the climb to E Padule
The single decisive feature of the TT50K is the opening climb. Going from 426 m in Corte to 1648 m at E Padule in just 7.2 km means gaining more than 1200 m in the first stretch of the race, one of the steepest sustained ascents you will find in a race this length. How you manage this climb effectively determines your whole day: attack it and your legs will be hollow for the traverse; hike it steadily and efficiently and you arrive at the top ready to run. After the summit region and the 1816 m high point, the challenge shifts to the descent back toward Corte from Alzu (20.5 km, 1588 m). Dropping roughly 1160 m to the finish over Corsican rock demands strong, controlled quads and confident footwork. Runners who climb within themselves early and descend cleanly late will move up the field over the closing kilometres.
Pacing and fuelling: one early cut-off, wide aid gaps
The key time barrier is at Aleri (13.1 km), which closes at Sat 11:10. Because the field must clear the huge early climb before this point, the opening ascent is effectively the cut-off filter of the race, so give yourself margin by pacing it conservatively rather than emptying the tank. Aleri and Alzu both serve as crew points, giving you two staffed opportunities to refuel and swap gear on the loop. Mind the spacing between those points: from Aleri at 13.1 km you cover roughly 7 km of high, exposed terrain to Alzu at 20.5 km, and from Alzu it is another 12.5 km down to the finish in Corte. Carry enough food and fluid to cover those gaps comfortably, and fuel steadily from the start given how much climbing is front-loaded. Use Alzu as your final top-up before committing to the long descent home.
Conditions to expect: high, exposed and rocky
The TT50K spends its middle third high on the Corsican mountainside, above 1500 m from E Padule through Aleri and Alzu and topping out at 1816 m. These sections are exposed, with limited shelter, so conditions can range from strong sun to cold wind depending on the day. Prepare for a real temperature swing between the valley start in Corte and the higher, cooler ground of the traverse. Underfoot, this is granite country: rocky, technical and slow in places, especially on the steep descents. Comfort on loose and rocky ground matters far more than flat-out speed here. Review the checkpoint altitudes before the race so you know exactly how much climbing sits in that first 7.2 km and where the descent back to Corte begins, and pace the whole 2236 m of ascent accordingly rather than reacting to the early climb.
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Checkpoints & cut-offs
✓ Course data verified against the official source (2026-07-17) · official source
0 km · 426 m · —
7.2 km · 1648 m · —
13.1 km · 1578 m · Sat 11:10
20.5 km · 1588 m · —
33 km · 427 m · —
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