UTMB® World Series has confirmed the newest seven world-class events in Hong Kong, Andorra, Mexico, Italy, France, and the USA that will join the inaugural circuit in 2022, including a mix of established and brand-new races. The announcement is the first of many over the coming months that will see around 30 of the world’s leading international trail running events confirmed for the ultimate trail running series.
As part of the UTMB® World Series commitment to offer quality events across the globe and improve accessibility for all trail runners, leading events Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run, La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®, TransLantau™ by UTMB®, Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB®, Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® as well as brand new events Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® and Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB® have been added to the Series which debuts in 2022. Earlier this year, eight events were confirmed in Spain, France, Thailand, China, Australia, and New Zealand giving more runners the chance to live an extraordinary adventure.
UTMB® World Series Events are the first step for runners to begin their quest to the UTMB® World Series Finals in Chamonix, France and are the only races where athletes can collect Running Stones for use in the UTMB® Mont-Blanc registration lottery for 2023 onwards. The UTMB® World Series Events will also be the only races where elites can qualify for the UTMB® World Series Finals.
Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run and UTMB® World Series join forces to offer elites the chance for a double-race qualification
Taking place on 25-26 June, 2022, the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains is one of the most coveted events in trail running and has now been confirmed as the first of many races in the USA to join the UTMB® World Series.
The oldest 100-mile race in the world, the event is known for its relentless challenge through high mountains and deep canyons. With more than 18,000 feet of climbing and 23,000 feet of descent, Western States 100 is one of the undisputed crown jewels of human endurance.
The race has a unique qualifying system for elite runners where Western States Golden Ticket feeder races allow the top two male and female finishers to automatically qualify for entry. In an unprecedented evolution, elite athletes will now have the chance to double-qualify for UTMB® Mont-Blanc and Western States through the integration of select Western States Golden Ticket races into the UTMB® World Series. In 2022, Tarawera™ Ultramarathon by UTMB® in New Zealand and UTMB® Mont-Blanc will both offer qualification to Western States. Beginning in 2023, four or more Western States Golden Ticket Races are expected to also be part of the UTMB® World Series.
Registration for the general 2022 race lottery will be open from the 1st to the 21st of November on the race website.
Italy’s renowned race, La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®, invites runners to live the Dolomites experience in one of the world’s most beautiful mountain ranges
One of Europe’s most famed races, La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®, will in 2022 welcome runners from all over the world to Cortina d'Ampezzo, home of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Northern Italy, where the ever present and unique Dolomite mountains will provide a striking background.
Taking place from the 23-26 June 2022, with four distances including 20km, 48km, 80km, and 120km, approximately 5,000 runners from 70 countries are expected to traverse some of the most scenic parts of the Dolomites along mountain passes and forest tracks. Famed as some of the most beautiful mountains in the world the event begins with a spectacular night start.
Pre-registrations will be open for this sell-out event from the 15th to 25th of November on the official event website.
A brand-new event, Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® to become the biggest trail running event in the Mediterranean basin
Taking runners from the serenity of the high mountains to the shores of the legendary French Riviera, the newly created Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® will host its first edition in 2022.
Supported by Christian Estrosi, Mayor of the City of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis, the event will take place as the summer season comes to a close from the 22-25 September. Across four distances ranging from 20km to 100 miles, runners will have the chance to discover the varied landscapes of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis. From the Mercantour National Park – a renowned biodiversity hot spot with pristine glacial lakes dotting alpine valleys – to panoramic views of the French Riviera and a finish line at the heart of the City of Nice on the famous Promenade des Anglais, the event is set to enthral runners as it aims to quickly become the biggest trail running event in the Mediterranean basin.
Event details will be revealed during a press conference organized in Nice in the coming weeks. Entries will open in December 2021.
From the mountains to the ocean, the newly created event, Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB®, embraces an authentic Mexican spirit
Puerto Vallarta, located on Mexico’s Pacific coast, will host a brand-new event in October, 2022. A city defined by the natural charm of its beaches which are surrounded by the remarkable Sierra Madre mountains, Puerto Vallarta Mexico by UTMB® will highlight the best the region has to offer. Taking runners on a journey from the deep pine mountain forests through impressive jungle and ancient colonial towns, while following endless rivers to the beautiful bay of Puerto Vallarta, this new event will have an authentic Mexican spirit across 55km, 100km, and 100-mile distances.
Details of the courses will be revealed, and entries will open in December.
TransLantau™ by UTMB® to give runners of all abilities the chance to escape the city and connect with nature on Hong Kong’s wildest island
TransLantau™ by UTMB® - a leading race in Hong Kong and hugely popular amongst international runners with 43 different nationalities represented at the last edition – has been confirmed as the latest event in Asia to join the UTMB® World Series.
Taking place in November 2022, the event will offer three races on Lantau Island including 25km, 50km and 100km distances, giving runners the chance to experience the wildest island of Hong Kong.
The demanding course is on trails for 80% of the race, covering two country parks. Participants get to connect with nature as they push their limits and immerse themselves in a landscape of undulating hills and long coastline, untouched by the urbanization of Hong Kong. The course takes runners on an authentic journey, past iconic locations including Tai O fishing village, Big Buddha and Po Lin Monastery.
Entries will open in March 2022 with event details available on the website here.
A unique adventure at Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® for runners to immerse themselves in the magnificence of the Pyrenees mountains
From 24-26 June, 2022, Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® will allow runners to completely immerse themselves in the beauty of the Pyrenees mountains. Situated between Spain and France, the event will offer runners a unique adventure on the canopy of Andorra - one of the smallest countries in the world that 2019 UTMB® winner Pau Capell described as, “a paradise to enjoy the mountain and its landscapes.”
Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® will have distances for everyone to experience the serenity of the ever-evolving Pyrenean terrain, with a shorter 7.5km race for those new to the sport, to complement the 21km, 50km, and 105km races which will be part of the UTMB® World Series.
Entries will open on the 10 November here.
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® to take runners on a cultural and spiritual journey through south-central France
The standard for beautiful terrain in European trail racing is incredibly high, and the stunning course of Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® is no exception. Held in Haute-Loire, a lush, green destination shaped by volcanoes and rivers in south-central France, Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® has deep roots in the history of its territory. Runners undertake an exceptional journey along the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route, before finishing at the foot of the famous Le Puy-en-Velay cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
An event that is well-known for its inclusivity, four races including 17km, 43km, 72km and 123km will take runners through magnificent, unspoilt landscapes on 11 June 2022.
Registrations open on November 26 here.
A revolution for the sport
The UTMB® World Series is a revolution that will bring the trail running community together through a new, integrated sports system that is open to all. Four race categories - 20K, 50K, 100K, and 100M – have been defined based on the km-effort standard and all UTMB® World Series Events must offer at least one race in one category.
Runners can enter UTMB® World Series Events directly, however those with a valid UTMB® Index will have privileged access to register.
The UTMB® Index is based on the sport’s first-ever ranking system and can be achieved by completing at least one UTMB® World Series Major, one UTMB® World Series Event, or taking part in one of thousands of UTMB® World Series Qualifier races across the world within the last 24 months.
Runners can now find their UTMB® Index at UTMB.World to evaluate and compare their performance level.
To date, 15 unique events have now been confirmed as part of the inaugural UTMB® World Series debuting in 2022, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. To receive the latest news, runners and those interested in the Series can sign up here.
UTMB® World Series 2022 confirmed Events (As of 4th November 2021)
• Tarawera™ Ultramarathon by UTMB® (New Zealand), 12 February
• Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB® (Australia), 12-15 May
• Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® (France), 11 June
• mozart 100 by UTMB® (Austria), 18 June
• La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB® (Italy), 23-26 June
• Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® (Andorra), 24-26 June
• Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run (USA), 25-26 June
• Val d'Aran by UTMB® (Spain), 7-10 July
• Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® (France), 22-25 September
• Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB® (Mexico), October
• Thailand by UTMB® (Thailand), 10-13 November
• TransLantau™ by UTMB® (Hong Kong), November
• Panda Trail by UTMB® (China), dates TBC
• Gaoligong by UTMB® (China), dates TBC
• UTMB® World Series Finals ; UTMB® Mont-Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland), 22-28 August.
Quotes:
Craig Thornley, Race Director Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run
"The Western States Endurance Run is proud to be part of the UTMB® World Series. For many years our sport has attempted to connect the most prestigious, challenging and historic events in a meaningful and transformative way - one that demonstrates how runners from across the globe can experience the highest levels of human endurance endeavor. The UTMB® World Series promises to do this in a very unifying and welcoming way. We are also excited to share a reciprocal agreement with UTMB® World Series in that the sport's finest athletes can qualify for both WSER and UTMB® World Series through the Western States Golden Ticket race series. We welcome the strong sense of collaboration and the promise for shared excellence for runners of all abilities that underpins this new and exciting development in our sport."
Simone Brogioni and Cristina Murgia, Race Directors La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®
“We are proud to be part of the UTMB® World Series in 2022. It's an important step and a great recognition for the La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®, which after 15 years of hard work has become one of the most important races on the international scene. The beauty of the running in the heart of the Dolomites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, draws athletes from around the world each year and we look forward to continuing our efforts to bring the best of trail running in Italy to the global community.”
Christian Estrosi, Mayor of the City of Nice and President of the Nice Côte d’Azur metropolis
"It is with great pride that we welcome a stage of the UTMB® World Series to Nice in 2022. For thirteen years, Nice has been building an ambitious sports policy in which outdoor sports have found their place, through events like IRONMAN, the Nice-Cannes Marathon, and the many trails it hosts. The landscapes, the distances, the climate - everything is such that Nice, green city of the Mediterranean and a mountain territory that just a year ago was marked by the storm Alex, can welcome an internationally renowned trail running event of such a large scale, which will be an extraordinary opportunity to shine internationally thanks to the hosting of this event with a strong impact.
The confidence shown in us by the organizers of the UTMB® World Series in giving us the organization of this new milestone is a real recognition for all the work accomplished over more than a decade. Everything is in place to make the Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® event a great success from its first edition."
Clément Dumont, Race Director TransLantau™ by UTMB®
“UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group have joined forces to continue developing the sport of trail running. UTMB® World Series brings an elevated race experience to trail runners around the world. We are thrilled to have TransLantau™ by UTMB® as part of the UTMB® World Series to let runners discover the unique environment of Hong Kong, a combination of a fast-paced city and remote country parks. TransLantau™ by UTMB® team is now eager to put all their efforts to deliver an event inspired by the high-quality standards from the pinnacle event of UTMB® Mont-Blanc. A dream that becomes reality for the Hong Kong trail running community.”
Agustí Pérez, Regional Director, Southern EMEA for The IRONMAN Group
“We are delighted that Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® will be joining the 2022 UTMB® World Series. Offering runners an unforgettable trail running experience that allows them to explore the mountains, scenery and culture of Andorra is at the heart of our event values. Joining the UTMB® World Series is an important milestone and we are excited to showcase Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® on the global stage alongside the world’s greatest trail running races.”
Alejandro Ochoa, Director of Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB®
“The first edition of Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB® will take place at one of the most representative areas encompassing the Mexican soul and land at its purest. Runners will find all kinds of terrain and weather, from steep technical climbs and downhills to the complex single tracks of the jungle mud and agave plantations, open dirt trail and so many different ecosystems. We are looking forward to welcoming runners from all parts of the globe to the world-renowned destination for tourism of Puerto Vallarta, where the jungle meets the Pacific Ocean and the mountains of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Runners will have the opportunity to immerse themselves into the root of ancient Mexican and Wixárika heritage.”
Patrick Dufour, Race Director Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB®
“We know and appreciate the work done by UTMB Group for many years. The integration of Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB®, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2021, into the new UTMB® World Series was a natural fit. The worldwide renowned Saint-Jacques brand, linked to the beauty of the mountain courses, is full of history, and the organization and hospitality of the territory will position this French event as a solid asset of the Series.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
UTMB® World Series
The UTMB® World Series is a revolution for the sport, that will bring the trail running community together through a new, integrated sports system that is open to all. Inspired by the high standards of UTMB®, runners will be able to take part in the most beautiful events on the planet, and the UTMB® World Series will be the only place where runners can begin their quest to Mont-Blanc, France, where the prestigious UTMB® World Series Finals will be held. In-line with the rapid growth of the sport, events will be held across six continents, giving all runners more opportunities to live the UTMB® experience on a global scale. For more information, visit www.utmb.world.
UTMB Group
Over the last 18 years, and since the creation of UTMB® Mont-Blanc in 2003 by a group of passionate friends, UTMB Group has been the driving force behind the development of trail running. The UTMB® Mont-Blanc is the sports pinnacle event, and every year, 10,000 runners earn their place on the start line. UTMB Group also pioneered the LiveTrail® technology, an innovative digital service that supports the management of endurance races. Revered by hundreds of thousands of athletes, UTMB® has become a global, premium, and leading brand. In May 2021, UTMB Group partnered with The IRONMAN Group to launch the UTMB® World Series, which from 2022, will bring together many of the best international events on the planet to provide exclusive access to the sport’s pinnacle event, UTMB® Mont-Blanc. The UTMB® World Series is built on the founding principles of UTMB® Mont-Blanc: surpassing oneself; fair-play; respect for people and the environment; and solidarity. Find out more at www.utmb.world
The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and The Sun-Herald City2Surf®, UTMB World Series events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events including Haute Route®, and gravel racing like Gravel Epic®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
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