Ultra Trail La Mayenne

UTLM: 85 km along the Mayenne

The Ultra Trail La Mayenne (UTLM) is a unique ultra-trail event that takes place almost entirely on the towpath of the Mayenne river. The course connects Daon, in the south of the department, to the town of Mayenne in the north, covering 85 kilometers along one of the most beautiful waterways in Western France. With only 210 meters of positive elevation gain, the UTLM is an atypical ultra-trail, where endurance takes precedence over elevation.

Three formats for all runners

The UTLM offers three formats adapted to different levels and ambitions:

Solo — 85 km

The premier format of the UTLM: a single runner covers the entire 85 km from Daon to Mayenne. This event is for experienced ultra-trailers, capable of maintaining prolonged effort over a long distance.

Two-person Relay — 48 km + 37 km

A duo shares the distance: the first runner covers 48 km from Daon to the relay point, and the second runner takes over for the remaining 37 km to Mayenne. An ideal format for runners who want to experience the UTLM adventure as a pair.

Five-person Relay

A team of five runners relays over the 85 km, with checkpoints at:

• Château-Gontier
• Origné (La Benatre)
• La Pignerie
• Montflours

This friendly format allows runners of all levels to participate in the adventure, with each relay runner covering approximately 15 to 20 km.

A course along the towpath

The UTLM route follows the Mayenne towpath, a flat and bucolic path that runs along the river for its entire length. Runners will cross varied landscapes:

• The locks and lock-keeper's houses that punctuate the course
• The hedgerows and meadows bordering the river
• The villages and towns crossed: Château-Gontier, Laval, Changé
• The flora and fauna of the Mayenne riverbanks

A biennial organization

The UTLM is organized every two years by the association Le Son de Vie, based in Mayenne. This biennial rhythm allows organizers to prepare each edition carefully and alternate with another sporting event, À la conquête des Avaloirs, a trail organized in the hills east of the department. The first edition of the UTLM took place in March 2024.

A sporting and solidarity event

Beyond the sporting challenge, the UTLM embodies values of solidarity and sharing. The association Le Son de Vie uses sport as a vector for social connection and mutual aid, bringing together runners, volunteers, and spectators around a common goal: to connect Daon to Mayenne through the strength of their legs and the beauty of the path.