UTLAC Ultra Trail del Lago di Como

The Ultra Trail del Lago di Como (UTLAC) is a 254-kilometre alpine trail race held in early May, circumnavigating the entirety of Lake Como from its start in Lecco, Lombardy, Italy.

The course covers 254km with 12,430m of elevation gain — approximately 49m per kilometre — making it one of the most serious ultra-distance adventures in Europe. Entry for the 2026 edition was €535, or €2.11 per kilometre.

The course is run entirely in self-navigation mode: no route-marking, GPS required. Terrain is sharp alpine limestone across the high Lario and Larian Triangle, significantly more technical and unforgiving than most European ultras, particularly in wet conditions. The biggest climb arrives at km 110: 8.16km averaging 19.5% gradient with a peak of 32.6%. A challenging near-finish descent — approximately 1000 meters descending in 5.4km — will kill your heels with just 12km remaining.

Milan airports (MXP, LIN, BGY) are each approximately 60–70 minutes from Lecco. Founded in 2022, UTLAC completed its 2026 edition with 68 finishers on the 254km distance, drawn from 47 nations. It suits highly experienced ultra runners comfortable with self-navigation, extreme mountain terrain, and multi-day conditions.

Q: What is the course route and format for UTLAC 254km? A: A circumnavigation of Lake Como starting and finishing in Lecco, traversing the trails of the High Lario and Larian Triangle — the mountain ranges surrounding Lake Como on the east and west. The route passes through Como lakeshore villages (Menaggio, Bellagio, Varenna, and others), ascending to mountain ridges via Italian jagged limestone/rock terrain. The course is officially described as covering "the most spectacular trails of the High Lario and the Larian Triangle." Key structural points: opening climbing begins early; the km 110–130 crux (Climb 1 + Descent 1 together — the database's top 21 + top 14) is the race's physical and psychological pivot; late-race Descent 2 at km 242 is the most technically savage section by gradient. 2026 winner: Aleš Frlic, 43:34:11. Women's: Lisa Borzani, 49:34:39. Event also offers 120km, 62.5km, 30km distances.

Q: What is self-navigation mode in UTLAC 254km? A: The 254km distance is run in self-navigation mode — runners are responsible for their own route-finding and are not simply following a fully-marked course. This is a significant distinguishing feature vs. most European ultra-trail races where marking is comprehensive. Paradoxically, runner accounts from the 2023 edition describe UTLAC's course marking with bright blue ribbons as "among the best-marked trails" they had encountered — and the race director has proactively rerouted certain sections for safety. Whether self-navigation applies strictly to GPS navigation (requiring runners to carry a loaded device and navigate by track) or whether it refers to the absence of comprehensive physical marking, or both, is unclear from available sources. For the 120km and 62.5km distances, whether self-nav applies has not been confirmed in research.

Q: What does UTLAC 254km cost and who typically finishes it? A: €535 standard registration fee (~€2.11/km). Price increased after April 1, 2026 — confirm current price at wedosport.net. No service fees charged on top. Not sold out. 68 finishers in both 2025 and 2026; 60 in 2024 (Airtable) — small specialist field in a ~1,800-runner festival event. UTMB Index 2024 lists 78 classified finishers (discrepancy vs Airtable 60 unresolved). The 254km attracts a specialist field: 47 nations represented in 2026; international podiums featuring top Italian runners (Daniele Nava, 2024), Slovenians (Aleš Frlic, 2026), and Spanish women (Silvia Trigueros Garrote, 2024). The race has grown from 2022 inaugural with an improving competitive field and growing international participation each year.