The Diagonale des Fous 2026 is changing its route, abandoning Cilaos and offering a course of 180 km with 10,200 m of positive elevation gain. Obtaining a bib for this 34th edition remains an administrative obstacle course where every detail matters, from the validation of ITRA points to the exact wording of the medical certificate.
ITRA Overhaul and Historical Points: What is Holding Up Applications in 2026
The overhaul of the ITRA rating system initiated during the 2023-2024 season has a direct impact on applications for the Grand Raid 2026. Historical ITRA points are no longer taken into account: only results that have been officially recalculated in the new system are accepted.
Related reading : The Rise of Illegal Download Sites: Analysis and Perspectives
In practice, a runner who still shows ITRA points from an ultra run several years ago on their profile may find their application incomplete. These results remain visible online, which creates frequent confusion. Before starting a registration, verification must go through the ITRA website itself, ensuring that each result carries the mention of the new rating.
To find all the prerequisites detailed by the organization, it is possible to consult the practical information on So Sports before starting the procedure.
Further reading : How to Easily and Legally Check Marriage Dates Online?
Two Distinct Races to Validate Diagonale des Fous Points
The Grand Raid applies a rule that distinguishes it from most other ultras: points must come from two distinct races. A single event, even if very long and highly rated, is not enough. Runners who completed a reference ultra have seen their applications rejected for this reason during the 2025-2026 registrations.
This requirement aims to verify that the candidate has repeated experience in long-distance competition, not just an isolated achievement. Two results from two different events, each reaching the required threshold, form the foundation of the application.
UTMB Index and Qualifying Races: Two Distinct Systems
A recurring trap concerns the confusion between the UTMB Index and qualifying races for the Diagonale. An ultra counting for the UTMB World Series is not automatically qualifying for the Grand Raid. The organization relies on a list validated by ITRA, which does not systematically overlap with the UTMB calendar.
Before choosing a qualifying race, it is better to cross-reference the official Grand Raid list with the recalculated ITRA calendar. Relying solely on the UTMB Index exposes one to a rejection of the application, even with points that are more than sufficient on paper.
Medical Certificate for the Diagonale des Fous: The Wording That Makes the Difference
The medical certificate represents another underestimated bottleneck. A document attesting to general fitness for sport does not always pass the Grand Raid’s administrative check. The certificate must mention the ability to compete in running or ultra-trail.
Feedback from applicants rejected on this criterion during the 2025-2026 sessions confirms that the organization applies this requirement strictly. Other French ultras are more flexible on this point, leading some runners to reuse a generic certificate without checking its compliance with Grand Raid rules.
What the Doctor Must Write
- The explicit mention “fit for competitive running” or “fit for ultra-trail” must appear on the document, not just “fit for sport”
- The date of the certificate complies with the deadline set by the organization (generally less than a year before the race)
- The document is signed and stamped by a doctor, with the practitioner’s identification clearly legible
Lottery and Waiting List for Grand Raid 2026
The number of spots for the Diagonale des Fous remains limited, and the allocation of bibs is done through a lottery. Unselected candidates are placed on a waiting list and may be called up if any withdrawals occur.
The process is broken down into several steps:
- Submission of the complete application (valid ITRA points, compliant medical certificate, package or insurance according to the chosen option)
- Lottery among eligible applications, with notification of results
- Waiting list registration for those not selected, with automatic call-up in case of a freed spot
- Finalization of the application within the allotted time to avoid losing the spot
The registration package generally includes access to the race, specific insurance, and logistical services related to the organization on the island. The exact terms vary from one edition to another.
New 2026 Route Without Cilaos: A Factor to Consider in Preparation
The announced change for 2026 eliminates the passage through Cilaos. The course now runs from Mare à Boue via Kerveguen to the Caverne Dufour lodge, then Cap Anglais, Bélouve, and Hell-Bourg, before entering Mafate through the Plaine des Merles and the Scout trail.
180 km and 10,200 m of positive elevation gain on a route that regulars of the Diagonale do not know in this configuration. Runners who had calibrated their training on the Cilaos profile will need to adapt their benchmarks, especially on the sections between Mare à Boue and Bélouve, known to be technical.
The finish remains at the Redoute stadium in Saint-Denis. The route retains the crossing of Mafate via Grand Place, Roche Ancrée, Roche Plate, and Maïdo, followed by the classic descent to the coast. The overall difficulty does not decrease with the removal of Cilaos, with field reports suggesting rather a relocation of the most demanding sections.
A complete application, points recalculated in the correct system, a certificate written with the correct wording, and a bit of luck in the lottery: the Diagonale des Fous 2026 is earned even before the starting line.