Old Eastbournian, Tom Evans, Makes History with UTMB Victory

We couldn’t be more proud to share the news that Tom Evans (Wargrave House, 2005–10) has claimed a place in ultrarunning history, winning the 2025 Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (UTMB) in spectacular style.

Tom spoke to the BBC after the race about the “incredible challenge” of the UTMB and how proud he felt crossing the finish line. You can watch the interview here.

UTMB is the ultimate test of endurance: 174 km, through the Alps, starting and finishing in Chamonix and passing through Italy and Switzerland with more than 9,900m elevation, battling rain, sleet and snow in a strong field of international runners. Tom crossed the line in 19 hours, 18 minutes and 58 seconds, becoming the first British man to win UTMB since 2010. It’s hard to overstate how significant this achievement is in the sport.

This victory was the result of immense physical strength and resilience. Tom endured two years in a row of DNFs (Did Not Finish) at UTMB 2023 and 2024 but pulled together a masterclass of patience and strategy this year.

Tom is no stranger to iconic ultrarunning success having achieved:

• Third place at the Marathon des Sables in 2017
• Victory in the UTMB’s CCC race in 2018
• Victory in the famous Western States 100-mile in 2023

Tom’s path to running began at Eastbourne College. He spoke to Runner’s World early in his career about how quickly the sport took hold of him, and how it was at Eastbourne where he learned the values of discipline, teamwork and mental grit that would later define his approach to ultrarunning.

Tom’s UTMB victory now stands as one of the greatest British ultrarunning achievements in memory.

From all of us at Eastbourne College, a massive congratulations, Tom. You’ve shown what’s possible with resilience, strategy and heart—and you’ve inspired everyone here.

Read more about Tom’s rise to success and what it takes to be a ultrarunner in Harry Bullmore’s piece in The Independent, written two months before his great victory.

Tom joins an ever-growing list of Old Eastbournians who enjoy national and international sporting recognition, including Tawanda Muyeye (Kent CCC, Oval Invincibles), Piers O’Conor (England XV, Bristol, Connacht, Edinburgh RFC), Hamish O’Reilly (Team GB Triathlon), Brad Evans (Zimbabwe Test, ODI & WCT20 cricket) and Emmanuel Bawa (Zimbabwe Cricket Emerging XI)