Question 1

How hard is Val d'Aran by UTMB?

Accepted Answer

Extremely hard. The VDA 163K has approximately 50% DNF rate historically (2021: 475 finishers from 941 starters). The race has been cancelled or modified due to extreme weather in 3 out of 5 editions (2023, 2024, 2025). The terrain combines sustained steep climbs averaging 13% grade, technical rocky descents, boulder fields, loose scree, and exposed ridges above 2,600m. The 48-hour cutoff is tight for mid-to-back-of-pack runners.

Question 2

What is the elevation gain of Val d'Aran by UTMB?

Accepted Answer

The VDA 163K has 10,000m of elevation gain — more than climbing Mount Everest from sea level. The CDH 110K has 6,400m, the TDL 75K has 5,100m, and the PDA 55K has 3,300m (with 3,700m of descent). The course reaches a maximum altitude of approximately 2,900m in the Colomers area.

Question 3

How do I qualify for Val d'Aran by UTMB?

Accepted Answer

For the VDA and CDH, you need a valid UTMB Index in the corresponding race category (100M for VDA, 50K/100K/100M for CDH). The organisation recommends a minimum UTMB Index of 400 — runners below 400 are "very likely" to miss cut-off barriers. The PDA, EXP and SKY races have no specific index requirement. Registration is first-come, first-served (no lottery), opening in September the year before.

Question 4

What time does Val d'Aran by UTMB start?

Accepted Answer

The VDA 163K starts at 16:00 (4pm) on Friday from Vielha. The CDH 110K starts at 06:00 from the town of Les on the same Friday. The VDA involves two consecutive nights of running. Mid-pack runners finish in 38-42 hours, meaning they face hallucinations and extreme fatigue during the second night on the most technical terrain.

Question 5

How long does Val d'Aran by UTMB take to finish?

Accepted Answer

Elite men finish the VDA in approximately 23-24 hours (Grangier 2022: 23:24:54). Elite women around 30 hours (Ginouves 2022: 30:17:22). Mid-pack runners: 38-42 hours. Back-of-pack: 44-48 hours. The maximum allowed time is 48 hours. For the CDH 110K, the winner finished in 12:05:03 (2024) with a 28-hour cutoff.

Question 6

What gear do I need for Val d'Aran by UTMB?

Accepted Answer

Mandatory gear includes: waterproof jacket with hood (min 10,000mm water column), survival bivvy bag (min 2.0m x 0.9m — foil blankets are NOT acceptable), two headlamps with spare batteries (200+ lumens recommended), 1.5L water reserve, 800 kcal food minimum, whistle, mobile phone with Livetrail app, and waterproof pants (for VDA/CDH). Trekking poles are strongly recommended. No poles allowed in drop bags — if you carry them, you carry them start to finish.

Question 7

Where are the drop bag locations for Val d'Aran?

Accepted Answer

VDA runners receive three 30-litre drop bags, distributed to Bossost, Beret and Arties. CDH runners receive two bags, going to Salardu and Arties. Crew assistance is only allowed at these same locations. Assistance is forbidden at all other aid stations. No poles are allowed in drop bags.

Question 8

What is the weather like during Val d'Aran by UTMB?

Accepted Answer

July in the Pyrenees is highly unpredictable. Valley temperatures can exceed 30°C, while summits above 2,600m bring wind, cold, fog, rain and sometimes snow. Sudden thunderstorms with hail are the biggest threat — they have forced race cancellations in 2023, 2024 and course modifications in 2025. Carry your waterproof layers at all times.

Name	Distance	Elevation	Category	Date
Torn dera Val d'Aran - VDA	163km	10,000m+	Ultra	Jul 2, 2026
Camins d'Hèr - CDH	110km	6,400m+	Ultra	Jul 2, 2026
Termières dera Libertat - TDL	75km	5,100m+	Ultra	Jun 30, 2026
Peades d'Aigua - PDA	55km	3,300m+	Ultra	Jul 1, 2026
Experiència d'Aran - EXP	32km	2,100m+	Sub Ultra	Jul 4, 2026
SKY 18K PROMESAS	18km	900m+	Sub Ultra	Jul 3, 2026
SKY - Baqueira Beret	18km	900m+	Sub Ultra	Jul 3, 2026
VIELHA 10K	10km	500m+	Sub Ultra	Jun 30, 2026

HOKA Val D'Aran by UTMB®

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