VIBRAM and UTMB World Series announce a global partnership

March 28, 2023

Vibram becomes Official Soles Technology Supplier of the UTMB World Series

Albizzate (Varese, Italy) / Chamonix (France), March 28th, 2023 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – UTMB® World Series and Vibram SpA, the global leader in the production of high-performance rubber soles, are proud to announce a new global partnership that will extend across all 35 UTMB World Series events including the most iconic trail running event in the world, the UTMB World Series Finals at UTMB Mont-Blanc. This exclusive partnership will see Vibram become the Official Soles Technology Supplier of the UTMB World Series for the 2023-2025 seasons.

Paolo Manuzzi, General Manager of Vibram, said: ” The world of trail running is highly strategic for Vibram. The collaboration between Vibram and UTMB World Series stems from Vibram’s long-standing tradition of being close to outdoor sports enthusiasts.”

UTMB Group CEO Frédéric Lénart said: ” We are delighted to welcome Vibram as Official Supplier of the UTMB World Series, building on our successful partnership since 2008 with our pinnacle event, the UTMB Mont-Blanc. A brand renowned among the trail running community for the high quality of their trail running soles, Vibram will allow participants of the UTMB World Series to access top-of-the-range gear and perform better on the trails around the world.”

The partnership between Vibram and UTMB World Series is based on shared values and ethics for the environment, passion for sports, and commitment to the community. Vibram was founded on a revolutionary technological innovation, the CARRARMATO sole, which redefined how athletes relate to the ground. Today, with over 85 years of experience, Vibram continues to lead innovation in the sole sector, creating products that meet the needs of the most technical terrains and the most demanding consumers.

UTMB World Series runners are among the most passionate and committed people in the world, and now thanks to Vibram, the community will have the opportunity to increase confidence in their shoes during their race. The Vibram Sole Factor Mobile Lab will be present at numerous UTMB World Series events, giving runners the chance to re-sole their trail shoes with Vibram soles for free, to help optimize performance and best understand the difference compared to other soles.

Jérôme Bernard, Sport Innovation Marketing Global Director of Vibram said: “In this way our motto, ‘Ordinary People Being Extraordinary’, comes to life. The Vibram and UTMB World Series collaboration will help athletes and outdoor enthusiasts alike run with best Vibram soles featuring high performance technologies such like Vibram Megagrip, Vibram Litebase and Vibram Traction Lug, specially designed for trail running and inspired by the performances of UTMB World Series runners.”

Next up on the UTMB World Series global calendar is a triple-header weekend from the 14-16 April, with Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB in the USA, Ultra-Trail Ninghai by UTMB in China, and Istria 100 by UTMB in Croatia, where runners will be able to benefit from The Vibram Sole Factor Mobile Lab.

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Editor’s Notes

ABOUT VIBRAM

Vibram is the world leader in the development and manufacturing of high-performance rubber soles for outdoor and leisure activities, workwear, fashion, orthopaedics and correction. For more than 80 years the yellow octagon that symbolises Vibram has been synonymous worldwide with quality, performance, safety and innovation in the footwear industry. With its international headquarters in Albizzate (Varese) Italy, Vibram produces over 40 million soles every year, dedicates over one million kilometres to testing, is present in 120 countries and has manufacturing, research and representation bases in the USA, China, Japan, Brazil and Italy. For more information, visit www.vibram.com.

UTMB® World Series

UTMB® World Series is the world’s ultimate trail-running circuit that unites the sport’s biggest stars and passionate runners through the best, leading international events in the most stunning locations.  Built on a passion for the mountains with sustainability at its heart, UTMB® World Series gives all trail runners the chance to experience the UTMB® adventure across the world, with events taking place across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas. It is the only place where runners can begin their quest to UTMB® Mont-Blanc, France, where the prestigious UTMB® World Series Finals will be held. For more information, visit www.utmb.world.

About UTMB Group

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 now in its second year, brings 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.

About The IRONMAN Group

The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series events including the Canyons Endurance Runs™ by UTMB®, Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB® and Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB®, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events including Haute Route®, 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. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. 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.

CONTACTS

UTMB World Series media enquiries:

presse@utmb.world
Mélanie Godefroy – UTMB World Series PR and Media Manager

UTMB World Series international media enquiries:

presse@utmb.world
Sabina Mollart Rogerson – International press Officer

t: +44 7922 140148

Vibram Press Office – Green Media Lab Srl SB:

Via Tertulliano 68/70 – 20137 Milano

alice.diotti@greenmedialab.com

sebastiano.vichi@greenmedialab.com

+39 02 91320415

www.greenmedialab.com