Ovifat, Belgium · Saturday, May 16, 2026

Fixed Distance 50 mi

Grand Trail des Lacs et Châteaux 85km

Race completed

88 km Distance

3,369 m Climbing

9.5 Grit · Elite / extreme

50.4266° N, 6.2043° E © OpenFreeMap © OpenMapTiles Data from OpenStreetMap

What the course asks

Climbing rate 38 m / km Rolling. Moderate undulations. Requires consistent effort across varying grades.

Time limit 18 hours 12:16 min/km average. Generous. Walkable throughout for most of the field. More forgiving than 67% of 50 mi races. Measured against 445 races of the same distance. Cut-off calculator →

Field size ~270 Large. Rarely out of sight of another runner.

DUV results for the 2026 edition (88km) — finishers only. Starters are not published, so the field was at least this big and no finish rate can be given.

Typical conditions, May

Daytime high 16°C

Night low 7°C

Rainfall Mostly dry

Daylight 15 h 28 m of light

Regional 2001-2020 average for May — NASA POWER, grid elevation 424 m. Not a forecast.

The Aid Station

Course-specific beta from the community

⛰️ terrain

This is a rolling course. Expect fast, runnable sections where rhythm is key.

By UltraHub Expert

👟 gear

With trail terrain, choose a shoe with moderate cushioning for optimal performance.

By UltraHub Expert

Gear for this race

Chosen for 88 km of trail with 3,369 m of ascent.

Trail Running Shoes 38 m of climb per kilometre — grip and rock protection before cushioning.
Race Nutrition 88 km of self-supported fuelling between aid stations.
Hydration Vests Pole attachment and chest-strap stability on steep ground.
Trekking Poles 3,369 m of ascent to walk up.
Headlamps A 18 h limit puts you out there after dark.

Asics

Trabuco Max 3

★★★★★ 4.6

Brooks

Catamount 3

★★★★★ 4.5

Tailwind

Endurance Fuel

All-in-one calorie and electrolyte drink mix. 200 calories per serving.

$25 ★★★★★ 4.8

Nathan

VaporKrar 12L

12L race vest co-designed with ultra champion Rob Krar, with insulated bladder pocket.

$170 ★★★★★ 4.6

LEKI

Ultratrail FX.One

Ultra-light carbon folding poles (135g each) designed for mountain ultra racing.

$200 ★★★★★ 4.6

Nitecore

UT32

Dual-beam trail running headlamp (1100 lumens) with spot and flood beams.

$100 ★★★★★ 4.5

All gear guides →

Course Notes

The GT85, innovative with a UTMB Index of 100K. This highly varied ultra cross-country trail will take you through a magnificent region, at the gateway to the Hautes Fagnes nature reserve, a land of lakes and castles, sublimated by forests aptly name

Similar races

Other 50 mi trail ultras, closest in distance first.