Tchimbé Raid Trail Running Festival Martinique 2026: The Caribbean's Most Demanding Island Ultra

There is a word in Martinican Creole that says more in two syllables than most running manifestos manage in a thousand words. Tchimbé. It means tenir bon. Hold on. Hold strong. Keep going when your legs are done, when the tropical heat has taken everything, when the volcanic slope in front of you looks like it climbs to a sky you cannot see.

That word is the entire identity of one of the most extraordinary endurance events in the Caribbean, and in 2026, it comes back for its 27th edition.

The Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail de la Martinique (TRUT) takes place on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, 2026, starting in the northern Atlantic coast town of Basse-Pointe and finishing on the Caribbean coast in Schoelcher, the university town just north of Fort-de-France. Between those two points lies the full breadth of what Martinique actually is beneath its beach-destination surface: dense tropical forest, volcanic rivers, the cloud forest of the Montagne Pelée massif, steep volcanic ascents, technical single-track trails through banana plantations, and the particular relentless challenge of running in Caribbean heat and humidity across an island that was never designed with trail runners in mind, which is precisely what makes it extraordinary.

"The 2026 registration is already fully sold out across all four distances, which tells you two things: this event has a deeply loyal community of runners who register the moment registrations open, and if you are planning to run in 2027, the moment the registration window opens is the only moment that counts."

Caribbean Classic

The Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail de la Martinique is the oldest trail running event in Martinique, a title it has held through 27 editions of racing across the island's interior and volcanic landscapes. It is organised by the Club Tchimbé Raid and forms the headline event of the Martinique Trail Tour, the island's trail running season calendar.

In the landscape of Caribbean endurance sport, the Tchimbé Raid occupies a specific position: it is the event that runners from the French Caribbean, mainland France, and the broader international ultra trail community cite when they describe what makes Martinique worth running. It is not the longest ultra in the Caribbean. It is not the most technically complex route in the French overseas territories. But the combination of volcanic terrain, tropical climate, the specific cultural character of a race that moves through working communities and agricultural landscapes across the full width of an island, and the Creole spirit that gave it its name creates something genuinely compelling.

Race Details

Four Ways to Cross Martinique

The 27th edition (May 9-10, 2026) offers four race formats designed to give runners of different experience levels and ambitions access to the Martinique trail landscape:

• Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail (103 km):
  • Distance: 103 km, the signature race
  • Elevation gain: 5,500m D+
  • Route: Basse-Pointe to Schoelcher, crossing the island from the northern Atlantic coast to the northwestern Caribbean coast
  • Start: Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 05:00 (5:00 AM), Basse-Pointe
  • Character: The mythic race that defines the event, described on the WeRun platform as "l'épreuve mythique du Tchimbé Raid", covering tropical forest, riverbeds, the ascent of Montagne Pelée, and the descent through the rainforest and suburban trails of the Schoelcher finish
• Tchimbé de la Pelée (53 km):
  • Distance: 53 km
  • Route: Circuit around and over the Montagne Pelée volcano
  • Start: Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 18:30 (6:30 PM), for a night-into-morning running experience
  • Character: The volcano circuit that puts Montagne Pelée itself at the centre of the race, described as a race "autour du volcan de la Montagne Pelée" (around the Montagne Pelée volcano)
• Tchimbé Volcan (51 km):
  • Distance: 51 km
  • Route: Volcanic variant of the Pelée circuit
  • Character: A complementary distance to the 53 km, offering a slightly different approach to the volcanic terrain
• Tchimbé Volcan Court (28 km):
  • Distance: 28 km
  • Start: Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 06:00 (6:00 AM)
  • Character: The discovery format, designed to give participants their first experience of Martinique trail running in a manageable but genuinely demanding distance
• Trail 16 km:
  • Distance: 16 km
  • Start: Sunday, May 10, 2026 at 08:00 (8:00 AM)
  • Character: The shortest format, accessible to newer trail runners and those combining the event with a broader Martinique visit

Registration status for 2026: All distances are confirmed SOLD OUT (Complet) as of early 2026.

Island Terrain

From Atlantic to Caribbean

The full 103 km route of the Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail is the most complete physical encounter with Martinique's interior landscape that any single event offers.

• The northern Atlantic coast at Basse-Pointe: the start town of Basse-Pointe sits on the northernmost point of Martinique's Atlantic coast, in the heart of the island's banana and sugarcane plantation country, with the rugged Atlantic coastline and the early slopes of the Montagne Pelée massif defining the landscape at the start line
• The tropical rainforest and riverbed trails: the early sections of the 103 km race move through dense tropical forest and cross and re-cross the rivers that drain the volcanic highlands, with the humidity and canopy providing the specific atmosphere of running through intact Caribbean rainforest
• The ascent of Montagne Pelée: the 1,397-metre volcano is the centrepiece of the race, and the ascent, described in the official race materials as "superbe mais difficile" (spectacular but difficult), climbs through progressively more exposed volcanic terrain from the treeline through cloud forest to the ridge
• The descent and transition to Caribbean terrain: after the Pelée summit sections, the route descends through the western and northwestern rainforest, transitioning from Atlantic climate vegetation to the more arid Caribbean coast terrain as the race approaches Schoelcher
• Schoelcher finish: the finish line at Schoelcher, the university and residential town immediately north of Fort-de-France, brings runners from one coast to the other, from the Atlantic north to the Caribbean west, in a crossing that covers the full east-west and north-south range of the island in a single race

"The specific challenge of the Caribbean conditions: Temperatures during the May race days average 27 to 31°C at lower elevations, with humidity regularly exceeding 80%."

• The combination of heat and humidity creates a cardiovascular and hydration challenge that runners experienced in temperate or alpine trail races describe as a significant adjustment
• The volcanic terrain of the Montagne Pelée sections introduces technical rocky trail sections that contrast with the softer forest and riverbed trails of the lower sections
• May falls at the very beginning of the rainy season in Martinique, which can introduce wet trail conditions, particularly in the forest sections, adding to the technical challenge

Cultural Tapestry

More Than a Race

What distinguishes the Tchimbé Raid from purely competitive trail running events is the degree to which it is embedded in the communities of Martinique that its route passes through.

The word Tchimbé itself sets the tone. In Martinican Creole, it is a word of encouragement and collective solidarity: the shout you give someone who is struggling, the instruction to keep going that the communities along the route have offered to runners for 27 editions.

• Runners pass through working towns and villages of northern and central Martinique, including the banana plantation communities around Basse-Pointe, the mountain communities of the Pelée foothills, and the urban and peri-urban areas around Schoelcher
• Aid stations are supported by local volunteers from the communities along the route, creating genuine human connections between the running community and the island's residents
• The race's 27-edition history means that many Martinican families have been involved in the event for multiple generations, either as runners, volunteers, or spectators
• The Martinique Trail Tour, of which the Tchimbé Raid is the headline event, builds a full season of trail running events across the island, developing a local running community that extends far beyond Fort-de-France and the coastal areas most tourists see

Year-Round Trails

Beyond the Tchimbé Raid

The Tchimbé Raid takes place within a broader trail running ecosystem in Martinique that has developed significantly over the past decade.

• Multiple trail events throughout the year, from shorter discovery formats to multi-stage races
• The Zwel' a Bawoudê, scheduled for October 4, 2026 at La Trinité, a later-season ultra for runners who missed the May dates
• Solidarity trail events including the Woulib 113 Xtrem and the "Chimen Lavi" series, which combine trail running with cancer charity awareness campaigns
• Regional races at various locations across the island, built on the extraordinary trail network that Martinique's volcanic and forested interior provides

• The Route de la Trace (N3), the historic road that crosses the interior rainforest from Fort-de-France to the north, provides the access spine for the northern interior trail areas
• The volcanic geology creates a diverse terrain within a compact area: from sea-level beach trails to 1,400-metre alpine-equivalent conditions within a few kilometres of horizontal distance
• The Caribbean climate makes trail running possible year-round, with the dry season (December to May) providing the firmest trail conditions, which is why the Tchimbé Raid's May timing sits at the optimal end of that window

Plan Your Adventure

2026 and 2027 Logistics

2026 registration status: Fully sold out across all distances. Do not attempt to purchase 2026 registrations through unofficial channels; the only legitimate registration has been through the official Club Tchimbé Raid channels.

For the 2027 edition:

• Monitor the Club Tchimbé Raid Facebook page (facebook.com/clubtchimberaid) for registration opening announcements
• The registration window historically opens several months before the May race date; in 2026, all distances sold out before February, confirming that registration opens and closes quickly
• Entry fees (based on previous editions) range from approximately €30 to €80 depending on distance and registration timing

Getting to the start (Basse-Pointe):

• From Fort-de-France by car: Approximately 50 to 60 minutes north via the Atlantic coast road (N1/N6) or the Route de la Trace interior route (N3)
• From Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF): Approximately 55 to 65 minutes north by car
• The Club Tchimbé Raid organises logistics coordination for the point-to-point 103 km race (transport from Schoelcher finish back to Basse-Pointe or vice versa); details are published through official channels pre-race

Accommodation for the race:

• Basse-Pointe (start area): Limited local accommodation; book early or consider staying in Sainte-Marie (25 minutes south), which has more options
• Schoelcher (finish area): Within the greater Fort-de-France urban area, with the full range of island accommodation within 10 to 15 minutes of the finish
• Fort-de-France: The most practical base for runners doing the 28 km or 16 km Sunday distances, with all amenities and easy access to the Schoelcher start area

Weather in Martinique for trail running in May 2026:

• Early May sits at the transition from dry to rainy season
• Temperatures at sea level: 27 to 31°C
• Humidity: 75 to 85%
• Montagne Pelée summit: cloud cover frequent from mid-morning, temperatures 10 to 15°C cooler than coastal areas
• Rainfall: increasing frequency of afternoon and evening showers compared to March/April; trail conditions can vary significantly

FAQs

When is the Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail Martinique 2026?
The 27th edition of the Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail de la Martinique takes place on Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, 2026. The 103 km ultra trail starts at 05:00 on Saturday, May 9 in Basse-Pointe. The 53 km starts at 18:30 on Saturday. The 28 km and 16 km both start on Sunday, May 10 at 06:00 and 08:00 respectively.

What are the race distances at the Tchimbé Raid 2026?
The 2026 edition offers four main distances: 103 km (the signature ultra, Basse-Pointe to Schoelcher, 5,500m D+), 53 km (Tchimbé de la Pelée, around Montagne Pelée), 51 km (Tchimbé Volcan, volcanic variant), 28 km (Tchimbé Volcan Court, discovery format), and 16 km (shorter trail). All distances are confirmed sold out for 2026.

What does "Tchimbé" mean?
Tchimbé is a word in Martinican Creole that means tenir bon in French, or "hold on / hold strong" in English. It is the word of encouragement shouted to runners from the communities along the route and the philosophical foundation of a race built on the idea that the most important quality in trail running, and in Caribbean life, is the determination to keep going.

Where does the Tchimbé Raid ultra trail start and finish?
The 103 km Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail starts in Basse-Pointe, on Martinique's northern Atlantic coast, and finishes in Schoelcher, on the Caribbean coast just north of Fort-de-France. The route crosses the island from north to south and west, including the ascent of Montagne Pelée (1,397 metres), crossing tropical rainforest, rivers, volcanic terrain, banana plantations, and coastal areas.

How do I register for the Tchimbé Raid in 2027?
Registration for 2026 is sold out. For the 2027 edition, follow the Club Tchimbé Raid on Facebook (facebook.com/clubtchimberaid) and monitor the official event listings at werun.world, kerrun.com, and ahotu.com. Based on 2026 patterns, registration opens several months before the May race date and fills extremely quickly. Register as soon as the window opens. Entry fees for previous editions ranged from approximately €30 to €80 depending on distance.

The Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail de la Martinique is what happens when you take the full complexity of a Caribbean island and ask runners to cross it on foot.

The 2026 edition on May 9-10 in Martinique is sold out, which means 2027 is the goal. The mountain will still be there. The trails through the forest will still be there. And the word Tchimbé will still be waiting on the lips of every volunteer, every spectator, and every runner who makes it to the slopes of Montagne Pelée and needs to hear it most.

Start following the Club Tchimbé Raid now. When the registration opens, you will be ready.

Verified Information

• Event Name: Tchimbé Raid Ultra Trail de la Martinique (TRUT)
• 2026 Edition: 27th edition
• Event Category: Ultra Trail Running / Endurance Sport
• Dates: Saturday, May 9 and Sunday, May 10, 2026
• Start Location: Basse-Pointe, Martinique (northern Atlantic coast)
• Finish Location: Schoelcher, Martinique (Caribbean coast, north of Fort-de-France)
• Race Distances:
  • 103 km Ultra Trail (start: Saturday May 9, 05:00)
  • 53 km Tchimbé de la Pelée (start: Saturday May 9, 18:30)
  • 51 km Tchimbé Volcan
  • 28 km Tchimbé Volcan Court (start: Sunday May 10, 06:00)
  • 16 km Trail (start: Sunday May 10, 08:00)
• Elevation Gain (103 km): 5,500m D+
• 2026 Registration Status: SOLD OUT (all distances)
• Organiser: Club Tchimbé Raid
• Part of: Martinique Trail Tour calendar
• Official Facebook: facebook.com/clubtchimberaid
• Third-party listings: werun.world, kerrun.com, ahotu.com, ultraracecalendar.com
• Nearest Airport: Martinique Aimé Césaire International Airport (FDF), Le Lamentin (55-65 min from Basse-Pointe)
• "Tchimbé" meaning: "Tenir bon" (Hold strong / Hold on) in Martinican Creole