At the UTMB Mont Blanc 2026 festival, the Kailas FUGA team announces the presence of 30 members taking part in the races. The collective supports 60 athletes from 19 countries, and Kailas FUGA runners would represent 14 nationalities during the event. For the brand, these headcount lines form the basis for a week that features sporting results and a clear commitment to diversity.
The team’s approach is also presented as broader than just performance. Ecuadorian Joaquín López, fifth at the UTMB, explains that the team’s diversity inspires him to run beyond results. He describes the group as “underdogs” and cites origins ranging from Ecuador to Nepal, Ukraine or even Thailand, with the idea of potential being amplified by the right support.
Joaquín López’s route to the UTMB is linked to his shoe choice. Before the 2026 edition, he looks for a model able to handle the varied terrain of the 107-mile tour around the Mont Blanc massif, while remaining comfortable for nearly 20 hours. He turns to the Kailas FUGA EX 330, which he says he used throughout the entire race, with the same pair from start to finish.
Alongside the elites, the report also includes results from the FUGA Mountain Club (FMC) on the 145-kilometre TDS. Paul Creuzet takes 4th place, Davide Rivero 6th and Jules Creuzet 8th. The programme, presented as comprehensive and launched in 2017, has more than 500 members and says it offers coaching, equipment, entries, training camps and training plans.
