HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB Designated as UTMB World Series Major for 2025

April 25, 2024

– 2025 HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB to serve as the UTMB World Series Americas Major in 2025, giving all finishers more opportunities to qualify for the iconic UTMB World Series Finals at HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc

– 2024 UTMB World Series Americas Major takes place at HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB this weekend, April 26-27

– 2024 edition of Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB is set to take place from the Oct. 11-12, in Big Bear Lake, Calif. with registration still available at https://kodiak.utmb.world/

CHAMONIX, France / BIG BEAR LAKE, Calif. (April 25, 2024) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – UTMB^® World Series announced today that Kodiak Ultra Marathons™ by UTMB^® will be designated as the UTMB World Series Americas Major in 2025 – providing all finishers of that event additional opportunities to qualify for the UTMB World Series Finals held at the world’s biggest trail running event, HOKA UTMB^® Mont-Blanc. The 2024 edition of Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB is set to take place on Oct. 11-12, registration is open with limited spots in select distances available at https://kodiak.utmb.world/ for those who want to gain experience on the course before it debuts as a Major in 2025. The dates for the 2025 UTMB World Series Americas Major, HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB, are not yet confirmed. The 2024 UTMB World Series Americas Major takes place at HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB this weekend, April 26-27.

UTMB World Series Majors are held each year and these pinnacle regional events award double the amount of Running Stones to all finishers that can be used in the UTMB World Series Finals lottery. The Majors events provide direct qualification to the UTMB World Series Finals in 2025 for the top ten men and top ten women in the 100M, 100K, and 50K categories, as well as for the winners of their respective age categories in OCC, CCC®, or UTMB®. In total 210 runners are granted automatic qualification for the UTMB World Series Finals through each Major.

Sitting at 7,000ft in the San Bernardino Mountains, the charming Big Bear village will host the start and finish for all five races, each offering their own unique running experience through high desert, sub alpine and semi-arid climates. Offering a 100M, 100K, 50K, 21K, or 10K distance, 2024 Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB takes place in close proximity to Los Angeles, in the enchanting resort town of Big Bear Lake.

For the 2025 UTMB World Series Americas Major at HOKA Kodia Ultra Marathons by UTMB, the 100M, with over 17,000ft (5,181 meters) of elevation gain will award 8 Running Stones; the 100K race, with over 10,200ft (3,108 meters) of elevation gain, will earn 6 Running Stones; while those who complete the 50K race (5,000ft or 1,500m+ of elevation gain) will earn 4 Running Stones. Finishers of the 21K distance, (2,250ft or 680m+ of elevation gain) will be rewarded with 2 Running Stones.

In 2024, the Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB will offer the standard Running Stones for each distance: 100M will earn 4 Running Stones, 100K will earn 3 Running Stones, 50K will earn 2 Running Stones, and the 21K will earn 1 Running Stone. Runners eager to prepare for the 2025 UTMB World Series Americas Major Event are encouraged to sign up for one of the five races offered at the 2024 Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB and experience the course and Big Bear Lake in advance.

HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc is the pinnacle event of the trail running year that takes runners on an extraordinary journey through the trails of the Mont-Blanc region between France, Italy and Switzerland.

To date there are over 43 Events across the Americas, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and Asia currently confirmed for the UTMB World Series, to view a full calendar of Events, visit https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series-events.

For more information about Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB visit https://kodiak.utmb.world/. For more information about UTMB^® World Series visit https://utmb.world/.

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About 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 HOKA UTMB^® Mont-Blanc, France, where the prestigious UTMB^® World Series Finals will be held. Launched in May 2021 through the collaboration between the UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group, the UTMB World Series circuit brings together many of the best international trail-running events on the planet. For more information, visit https://utmb.world.

About UTMB Group

Since the creation of HOKA 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 HOKA 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 brings together many of the best international events on the planet to provide exclusive access to the sport’s pinnacle event, HOKA UTMB^® Mont-Blanc. The UTMB^® World Series is built on the founding principles of HOKA UTMB^® Mont-Blanc: surpassing oneself; fair-play; respect for people and the environment; and solidarity. Find out more at https://utmb.world.

UTMB Group media enquiries

presse@utmb.world

French enquiries: Mélanie Godefroy – UTMB World Series PR and Media Manager – T: +33 7 89 260 148

International enquiries: Sabina Mollart Rogerson – International press Officer – T: +44 7922 140148