Independent practical race guide · 2026 edition

Nice 100M: what runners and crews need to know before the start

Where does the shuttle to Auron leave? Which aid station serves hot food? Where are the two drop-bag points? At which eight checkpoints may crew assist? This guide turns the official checkpoint table into practical decisions.

31official timing points
2drop-bag points in the table
8crew-assistance points
13official cut-offs

Updated 15 July 2026 · official data, checkpoint services and finisher experience clearly separated.

Why this page existsThe official website contains useful data, but spreads it across registration conditions, the French PPS system, an interactive table, icons, the programme and regulations. This guide adds the missing layer: what must be completed, what remains uncertain and what it means for transport, food, clothing, crew, drop bags and cut-off buffer.
Officially confirmedFinisher experienceStill to be confirmed in the final runner guide

The essentials

Six things to include in your race plan now

1h30

Nice to Auron

The 90 km drive normally takes about 1.5 hours. Allow extra time for boarding, traffic and arrival when using the official race shuttle.

2

Drop bags

The current checkpoint table lists one bag at Saint-Sauveur (63.7 km) and another at Levens (121.8 km).

8

Crew points

Personal assistance is permitted at Isola, Saint-Sauveur, Venanson, Utelle, Levens, Tourrette-Levens, Drap and Plateau Saint-Michel.

3

Hot meals

Explicitly listed at Saint-Sauveur, Levens and the finish. The exact menu is not published.

0 → 26°C

Temperature range

Previous editions combined snow, wind and near-freezing conditions above 2,000 m with summer heat towards Nice.

15 km

Busy finale

The final kilometres are shared with other races, bringing fresh and faster runners among tired 100M participants.

Entry requirements

A paid entry alone is not enough

Four separate gates must be open before you can actually start in Auron. The rules below explain what each requirement proves — and what it does not.

Officially confirmed

You meet the age requirement

For 2026, runners born in 2006 or earlier may enter. The classification age group is only a results category, not an extra qualification.

Officially confirmed

You hold a valid UTMB Index in 50K, 100K or 100M

No minimum Index score and no mandatory number of Running Stones are stated. Check that the correct category is shown as valid in My UTMB.

Officially confirmed

Your entry is personal and confirmed

There is no waiting list. The bib is personal, non-transferable and cannot automatically be deferred to another year.

Officially confirmed

You register a valid PPS number

PPS means Pass de Prévention Santé. It currently costs €5, remains valid for one year and is a French participation formality — not an individual sports medical examination.

The key distinction

A UTMB Index is not a medical certificate. A PPS is not a sports medical examination.

Start logistics

From Nice to the start in Auron

The current official transport page shows specific times but still uses 2025 calendar dates. Runner transport and separate crew transport are confirmed; the exact 2026 departure times are not.

Officially confirmed

The start is Friday at 13:00 in Auron

Bib collection is available Thursday in Nice from 16:00 to 21:00 and Friday in Auron from 09:00 to 13:00. The low-stress choice is to collect it in Nice on Thursday.

Conflicting official information

Published times are not yet confirmed for 2026

The public page shows departures at 08:30, 08:45 and 09:00, but labels the schedule “FRI 26.09” and uses 2025 weekend dates. Treat these times as indicative until they appear in MyUTMB or an updated 2026 guide.

Officially confirmed

The current boarding point is Port of Nice

The official stop page lists Port of Nice, Quai du Commerce / P2. The runner shuttle is booked via MyUTMB → My Dashboard → Edit my registration.

Officially confirmed

Crew transport is separate and paid

It requires a separate booking. Crew must arrange their own return to Auron after the finish. Children under three are not permitted; bicycles must be dismantled and bagged.

Still unpublished

What remains unclear

Final 2026 departure times, the crew-transport price after click-through, exact luggage rules and the missed-shuttle procedure are not stated consistently on the public pages.

Practical advice

Do not make the bus your first fuelling opportunity

Eat and drink according to your normal pre-race plan. Carry a simple snack and water for waiting, boarding and the journey.

Official timing and service table

All 31 points, cut-offs and services in one overview

The main race page states 165 km and 8,900 m+. The detailed checkpoint table finishes at 167.2 km, 8,549 m+ and 10,129 m−. The detailed table is used below for logistics and cut-offs.

167.2 kmdistance in checkpoint table
8,549 m+cumulative ascent
10,129 m−cumulative descent
Sun 15:15final official finish
All 31 Nice 100M timing points, cut-offs and services
PointLocationTotalFrom previousCumulative D+Cumulative D−Fastest scheduleSlowest scheduleCut-offServices
StartAuron1592 m0 km0 km0 m+0 m−Fri 13:00Fri 13:15
Emergency supportToiletOrganisation transportDrop-bag hand-in
N1Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée1133 m8,1 km8,1 km216 m+673 m−Fri 13:38Fri 14:45
Drink stationNäak productsEmergency supportToiletOrganisation transport
N2Cabane des Chasseurs2464 m16,5 km8,3 km1.579 m+709 m−Fri 14:51Fri 17:42Fri 17:45
Aid stationNäak productsEmergency supportToilet
Refuge de Rabuons2505 m17,1 km0,6 km1.622 m+709 m−Fri 14:56Fri 17:51
Colle Longue2554 m28,9 km11,7 km2.209 m+1.248 m−Fri 16:07Fri 20:37
N4Isola Village829 m38 km9 km2.290 m+3.055 m−Fri 17:03Fri 22:59Fri 23:15
Aid stationNäak productsEmergency supportToiletOrganisation transportPowerCrew assistance permitted
N5Pont de Paule662 m50,1 km12,1 km3.007 m+3.937 m−Fri 18:31Sat 02:38Sat 03:00
Aid stationNäak productsEmergency supportToiletOrganisation transport
Roure1096 m58,5 km8,4 km3.755 m+4.250 m−Fri 19:49Sat 05:24
N6Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée478 m63,7 km5,1 km3.770 m+4.886 m−Fri 20:22Sat 06:35Sat 07:15
Hot mealNäak productsEmergency supportRest areaToiletOrganisation transportDrop bagPowerCrew assistance permitted
N7Rimplas1018 m68,4 km4,6 km4.312 m+4.886 m−Fri 21:11Sat 08:27Sat 09:00
Aid stationEmergency support
Valdeblore / La Colmiane990 m71,9 km3,4 km4.495 m+5.097 m−Fri 21:38Sat 09:33
N8Venanson1149 m83,5 km11,6 km5.251 m+5.693 m−Fri 23:17Sat 13:35Sat 14:00
Näak productsEmergency supportToiletPowerCrew assistance permitted
N9Granges de la Brasque1693 m93,8 km10,3 km6.126 m+6.024 m−Sat 00:52Sat 17:30Sat 18:00
Aid stationNäak productsEmergency supportToilet
Bouche des Fournès1363 m99,5 km5,6 km6.135 m+6.364 m−Sat 01:23Sat 18:51
Brec d’Utelle1531 m104,1 km4,5 km6.311 m+6.382 m−Sat 01:53Sat 20:07
N10Utelle784 m109,8 km5,7 km6.311 m+7.127 m−Sat 02:30Sat 21:41Sat 22:00
Aid stationNäak productsEmergency supportToiletOrganisation transportCrew assistance permitted
Pont du Cros d’Utelle330 m117,3 km7,4 km6.348 m+7.610 m−Sat 03:13Sat 23:30
N11Levens525 m121,8 km4,4 km6.692 m+7.758 m−Sat 03:53Sun 01:12Sun 01:30
Hot mealNäak productsEmergency supportRest areaToiletOrganisation transportDrop bagPowerCrew assistance permitted
Mont Férion1415 m127,2 km5,3 km7.580 m+7.758 m−Sat 05:04Sun 04:10
N12Chapelle Saint-Michel1259 m128,3 km1 km7.580 m+7.913 m−Sat 05:12Sun 04:31
Drink stationNäak productsEmergency supportToiletOrganisation transport
N13Tourrette-Levens400 m140,4 km12 km7.701 m+8.895 m−Sat 06:29Sun 07:38Sun 08:00
Aid stationNäak productsEmergency supportToiletOrganisation transportCrew assistance permitted
Baisse de Bordinas488 m143,6 km3,2 km7.938 m+9.043 m−Sat 07:00Sun 08:49
N14Drap94 m147,4 km3,8 km7.938 m+9.434 m−Sat 07:25Sun 09:48Sun 10:00
Aid stationNäak productsEmergency supportToiletOrganisation transportPowerCrew assistance permitted
La Trinité95 m149,1 km1,6 km7.948 m+9.446 m−Sat 07:35Sun 10:11
Plateau de la Justice563 m153,6 km4,4 km8.417 m+9.446 m−Sat 08:21Sun 12:01
Mont Leuze553 m154,9 km1,2 km8.423 m+9.461 m−Sat 08:29Sun 12:19
N15Plateau Saint-Michel / Villefranche-sur-Mer376 m156,5 km1,6 km8.423 m+9.637 m−Sat 08:38Sun 12:41Sun 13:00
Aid stationNäak productsEmergency supportToiletOrganisation transportCrew assistance permitted
Mont Vinaigrier358 m158,3 km1,8 km8.470 m+9.706 m−Sat 08:50Sun 13:12
Col de Villefranche131 m160,1 km1,7 km8.473 m+9.933 m−Sat 09:02Sun 13:41
Mont Boron159 m162 km1,8 km8.525 m+9.956 m−Sat 09:14Sun 14:11
FinishNice – Promenade des Anglais12 m167,2 km5,1 km8.549 m+10.129 m−Sat 09:44Sun 15:14Sun 15:15
Hot mealNäak productsEmergency supportRest areaToiletOrganisation transportDrop-bag collectionShowersPower

“Organisation transport” does not automatically mean a crew shuttle. Treat it as an organiser service for participants until the final guide specifies its purpose.

Food and drink at aid stations

An icon is not a menu

The table distinguishes drink stations, aid stations, Näak products and hot meals, but does not state flavours, quantities, allergens or availability throughout the night.

Officially confirmed

Hot meals at Saint-Sauveur, Levens and the finish

These are the only three points explicitly labelled with a hot meal.

Finisher experience

“Real food” may be simpler than expected

Previous runners mention broth, simple soup, cola, water, watermelon and basic snacks.

Still unknown

What has not been published

Exact menus, Näak product variants, allergens, vegetarian options and late-night availability.

Plan as though the aid station supplements your race, not saves it. Carry enough tested food to reach the next major point.

Two controlled restarts

Drop bag 1 at Saint-Sauveur and drop bag 2 at Levens

The interactive table lists a spare bag at N6 and N11. The short race-page text mentions only Saint-Sauveur. I am preparing for two bags and will re-check the final runner guide.

N6 · 63.7 km

Saint-Sauveur-sur-Tinée

Reset after the first night: dry base layer and socks, warm layer, tested food, battery, cable, foot care and anti-chafe.

N11 · 121.8 km

Levens

Reset for the final 45 km: dry socks and shirt, light warm layer, sun protection, late-race food, lighting backup and foot-care supplies.

Crew and supporters

Eight permitted points do not mean your crew should visit all eight

A crew constantly chasing the runner can become tired and create extra stress through driving, parking and timing.

N4 · 38 km

Isola Village

First major recovery point after the high-alpine opening.

N6 · 63.7 km

Saint-Sauveur

Hot meal, rest area, power and first drop bag.

N8 · 83.5 km

Venanson

Crew permitted, but no full aid-station label in the table.

N10 · 109.8 km

Utelle

Full aid station and logical check before Levens.

N11 · 121.8 km

Levens

Second major reset with hot meal and drop bag.

N13 · 140.4 km

Tourrette-Levens

Short mental and nutritional reset after the last major climb.

N14 · 147.4 km

Drap

Urban transition, aid station and power.

N15 · 156.5 km

Plateau Saint-Michel

Final crew point before the finish.

Calm basic plan

Isola → Saint-Sauveur → Levens → finish. Four meetings with high recovery value and enough time for safe travel and rest.

Extended plan

Isola → Saint-Sauveur → Utelle → Levens → Tourrette-Levens → finish. Only sensible with two rested supporters and realistic travel planning.

Weather, clothing and chafing

Do not start too warm, but keep your warm layer accessible

Finishers describe near-freezing temperatures, fresh snow, strong wind and rain above 2,000 m, followed by heat towards Nice.

Finisher experience

The first climb can mislead you

Do not put on every warm layer at the start. Keep insulation accessible and add it when wind, precipitation and temperature require it.

Finisher experience

Do not tuck your rain jacket into your waistband

A previous finisher developed severe chafing this way. Stow it in the vest or use a method tested in training.

What the elevation profile does not tell you

Six practical course lessons from previous finishers

1. Rougher than the UTMB label may suggest

Narrow singletrack, steep descents, rocks and less-travelled terrain.

2. Busy opening hours

Congestion and poles around you can occur on the descent and first major climb.

3. High-alpine terrain after Rabuons

A boulder field requires patience; early time gains are not worth a bad step.

4. Extremely steep descent towards Pont de Paule

Control matters more than pace. Some finishers used trees for support.

5. High steps after Valdeblore

Repeated knee lifts towards hip height make weighted step-ups and single-leg strength highly relevant.

6. The finale is shared

Fresh runners from other races may descend quickly among exhausted 100M participants.

Questions that reduce uncertainty

What runners and crews still need to resolve before September

When should I arrange my PPS?

Well before the document deadline. Register the number in your race dashboard and ensure it remains valid beyond 25 September 2026.

Does my UTMB Index need a minimum score?

The Nice conditions state no minimum score. A valid 50K, 100K or 100M Index category is required.

Is PPS a sports medical examination?

No. It is a French participation formality with online prevention steps, not an individual test or medical clearance for this ultra.

Do I need Running Stones?

No Running Stones are listed as an entry requirement for the Nice 100M.

Which shuttle should I take?

The final 2026 times are not yet confirmed. Once confirmed, choose the earliest practical bus to preserve buffer for drop bags, toilets, equipment checks, food and rest.

Can my supporter use the runner shuttle?

No. Runner and crew transport are separate bookings.

Are there really two drop bags?

The checkpoint table lists N6 and N11; the short race-page text mentions only N6. Plan for two, but verify the final runner guide and the official bags issued at bib collection.

May crew help wherever organisation transport is shown?

No. Assistance is limited to the eight explicitly designated crew points.

Must crew visit all eight points?

No. Four or five well-chosen meetings are usually calmer and more reliable.

Where can I expect hot food?

Explicitly at Saint-Sauveur, Levens and the finish. The exact dishes are not published.

What does “Näak products” mean at each station?

The table names the brand, not the product, flavour or quantity. Do not assume a specific gel, waffle or drink is available everywhere.

Can I charge my phone and headlamp?

Power is listed at several major points, but carry your own power bank and cable because access and waiting times are not guaranteed.

How technical is the first half?

Finishers describe rocky switchbacks, boulder fields, narrow trails and very steep descents — more technical than many expected.

Why do official distance figures differ?

The race is marketed as 165 km and 8,900 m+, while the checkpoint table totals 167.2 km and 8,549 m+. Use headline numbers for general communication and table figures for logistics.

Sources and transparency

What is official, what comes from experience and where official sources conflict

The organiser may still change the route, services, cut-offs and transport. The final runner guide remains decisive.

Two official inconsistencies to remember1. The headline figures are 165 km and 8,900 m+, while the checkpoint table totals 167.2 km and 8,549 m+. 2. The checkpoint table lists bags at Saint-Sauveur and Levens, while the short race-page text only mentions Saint-Sauveur.

From preparation to impact

My fatigue will pass after the finish. Dementia will not.

My parents-in-law live with dementia. That is why I am running these 100 miles for Alzheimer Nederland.

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