Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB

Q: How much elevation gain does Chianti Ultra Trail UTCC 120km have? A: Official D+ is 5,200m, confirmed by an exact match between the published figure and the GPX-derived data – one of the highest-confidence elevation records in this database. At 43.3m of D+ per kilometre the race ranks 255th most vertically dense out of 390 European ultras. The 5,200m is distributed across the full 120km loop through Chianti Classico. Course structure: the first 40km cross the rolling vineyards of Sienese Chianti on runnable terrain; the second half climbs to Monte Luco and Monte San Michele before returning to Radda in Chianti. The course traces 25 castles of the Ancient League of Chianti on a loop starting and finishing in Radda.

Q: Does Chianti Ultra Trail UTCC 120km award Western States Golden Tickets? A: Yes. The official UTMB race page confirms that the top two male and top two female finishers of the UTCC 120km each receive a Golden Ticket granting direct entry to the Western States Endurance Run. Golden Tickets are among the rarest awards in trail running; very few races worldwide offer them. The UTCC 120km is simultaneously a UTMB World Series event carrying 4 Running Stones (the maximum in the series), earning direct entry access to the UTMB 100M finals. It is one of a handful of races qualifying runners for both the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run and the UTMB World Series finals.

Q: Is Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB harder than it looks? A: Yes – the data confirms significant terrain deception. The percent-flat ranking is 115th most mountainous out of 390 European ultras, placing the course in the top 30% most mountainous of the database. Despite vineyard and Tuscany hills branding, the course has almost no flat sections: the estimated flat percentage is approximately 37.6% and the trail grade is relentlessly rolling. The 5,200m D+ over 120km (43.3 m/km) is comparable to many races with explicit Alpine branding. Average uphill gradient ranks 253rd steepest – the individual climbs are not extreme in pitch, but they accumulate continuously. Runners expecting a gentle Tuscan sightseeing run should recalibrate significantly.

Q: When is Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB 2027 and how do I get there? A: The 2027 edition is scheduled for March in Radda in Chianti, Tuscany, with the UTCC 120km starting at 04:00 (4am night start). Nearest airports: Florence FLR (approximately 60 minutes by car) or Pisa PSA as an alternative. A car is strongly recommended – public transport to Chianti is limited. Accommodation in Chianti villages is available but books early, especially around race weekend. Registration for UTMB World Series events opens via the UTMB platform, typically in July for the following March edition.