UTMB® World Series ready to run into inaugural year, with addition of three events to confirmed 2022 calendar

February 2, 2022

-- Transvulcania by UTMB® in Spain, Kullamannen by UTMB® in Sweden, and Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® in Australia join previously announced events for 2022 racing calendar --

(Chamonix, France) 2 February 2022 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Just eight months after the concept was first launched, UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group, organizers of the UTMB World Series® have today confirmed a final calendar of 25 events across 16 different countries in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas for 2022. And, with the addition of three new events of Transvulcania by UTMB® in Spain, Kullamannen by UTMB® in Sweden, and Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® in Australia, the countdown to the first event of the year is officially on. Watch the video here.

The UTMB® World Series will officially get underway with Croatia’s biggest trail running race, Istria 100 by UTMB®, from the 7-10 April. Over 2,000 runners are expected to line up at the first ever UTMB® World Series Event, for what will also be the first chance to qualify for the UTMB® World Series Finals in the OCC, CCC® and UTMB® races at UTMB® Mont-Blanc 2023.

The top three male and female finishers in the 50K, 100K and 100M categories will win automatic entry into the corresponding final, while regular runners will be able to collect Running Stones which can be used as entries into the UTMB® Mont-Blanc lottery. UTMB® World Series Events are now the only place where participants can collect Running Stones in favour of the former points system and begin their journey to Chamonix, France. Find out more about registration for UTMB® Mont-Blanc 2023, here.

Marie Sammons, UTMB® World Series Sport and Regeneration Director, commented: “The calendar for 2022 is exceptional and we are really excited to be working with such dedicated race organizers around the world who share our vision for excellence, inclusivity, comradery and accessibility. With 25 events in 2022, both amateur and elite runners around the world will be able to find a UTMB® World Series Event closer to them, which for many will be the start of the journey to UTMB® Mont-Blanc and the Finals. We look forward to welcoming athletes from across the globe to an event soon, and to delivering an unforgettable experience at the best races and in the most striking locations.”

Three new events added, as calendar is revealed

Two of Europe’s leading events – Transvulcania by UTMB® in Spain and Kullamannen by UTMB® in Sweden – will further bolster the offering in the region with 16 events now confirmed across Europe. And runners in Australia will have more chances to live the UTMB® experience Down Under with the confirmation of a second event in Australia, Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB®.

Transvulcania by UTMB® prepares for a remarkable return to the trails

The 273-square-mile island of La Palma, the westernmost island of Spain’s Canary Islands, will host the renowned Transvulcania by UTMB® from 20-23 October 2022.

Celebrating its 12th edition in 2022 – the first since 2019 – the event is set to return stronger than ever for what is expected to be a particularly poignant edition following a significant volcano eruption on the island in 2021.

With around 2,500 participants and a deep elite field expected, the pinnacle 74km race starts from the south tip of the island at El Faro de Fuencaliente before runner’s race for the sky and the island’s highest point at 2,420-meters. Runners can expect a variety of dramatic volcanic landscapes interspersed with pine groves, before finishing with the infamous descent to city of Los Llanos de Aridane.

Distances of 44km, 22km and a 7.6km vertical challenge are also on offer. Registrations for this sell-out event will be open from the 1-28 March on the official website, with the results of the lottery announced on 4 April.

A technical test of true trail running grit at Kullamannen by UTMB®

Kullamannen by UTMB® is more than just a trail race. Described as ‘heaven, sea and hell’, it consists of several distances from 22km to 100-miles on the wild and beautiful peninsulas Bjäre and Kullaberg situated on the south of Sweden by the sea.

A technical test of true trail running grit, the course takes runners through fantastic nature reserves, before finishing at the magical Kullaberg. The adventurous track runs through narrow winding mountain trails, beautiful beech forests, and coastal paths, where runners can hear the waves crashing even under the darkness of night.

A pure Swedish trail adventure, the 2022 edition will take place on 4-6 November 2022. Entries open on 4 February on the event website.

A brand-new adventure at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB®

Runners will discover new heights Down Under at Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® – Australia’s newest trail running event that has the country’s highest peak at its centre.

Hosted by the ski resort of Thredbo in New South Wales, the event will showcase the very best of the Snowy Mountains, as runners traverse through the scenic Kosciuszko National Park across 100-mile, 100km, 50km and 20km distances. Alpine meadows, snow gum forests and crystal-clear streams will showcase local nature at its best while runners ascend to the highest point in Australia.

Developed by the team behind Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB® and New Zealand’s Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB®, the inaugural Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® will take place from 15-18 December 2022 and is expected to welcome 1,500 runners to experience Oceania’s newest, premium trail running event. Visit the official website here for more information.

Runners can plan their season and choose their next UTMB® World Series adventure here.

UTMB® World Series 2022 calendar of events*

• Istria 100 by UTMB® (Croatia), 7-10 April
• Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB®, (USA) 23 April
• 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
• Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB®, (Wales), 1-3 July
• Restonica Trail by UTMB® (France) 7-9 July
• Val d’Aran by UTMB® (Spain), 7-10 July (MAJOR)
• Trail Verbier Saint-Bernard by UTMB®, (Switzerland), 8-10 July
• Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB®, (Switzerland), 15-17 July
• Speedgoat Mountain Races by UTMB® (USA), 22-23 July
• Wildstrubel by UTMB®, (Switzerland), 8-11 September
• Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB®, (Slovenia), 16-18 September
• Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® (France), 22-25 September
• Transvulcania by UTMB® (Spain), 20-23 October
• Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB® (Mexico), 28-30 October
• TransLantau™ by UTMB® (Hong Kong), 4-6 November (MAJOR)
• Kullamannen by UTMB® (Sweden) 4-6 November
• Thailand by UTMB® (Thailand), 10-13 December
• Kosciusko by UTMB® (Australia), 15-18 December
• Panda Trail by UTMB® (China), dates TBC*
• UTMB® Mont-Blanc (France, Switzerland, Italy) 22-28 August (FINALS FROM 2023)

*Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB® (NZ) and Gaoligong by UTMB® (China) cancelled in 2022

QUOTES:

Xavier Pocino Mogo, CEO UTMB® Iberia, Transvulcania by UTMB®

“We didn’t have any doubts that Transvulcania by UTMB® had to become part of the UTMB® World Series. It’s a high standard race that has its own magic thanks to its volcanic terrain from sea level to 2,500-metre-high peaks and thanks to its people. Transvulcania by UTMB® is an exciting race and runners from all over the world highlight the passion that the local people project into this great event.”

Per Sjögren, Co-founder, Kullamannen by UTMB®

“The spirit of Kullamannen is rooted in adventure, this is not just a trail run – it’s a challenge that will push your soul and body to your limits. We are adventure-loving runners. Kullaberg on the west coast of southern Sweden has been our playground for training and adventure since we came here the first time on a school excursion in third grade. We are thrilled to be able to showcase the incredible location and race to the world as part of the UTMB® World Series in 2022.”

Geoff Meyer, Managing Director of Oceania for The IRONMAN Group, Ultra-Trail Kosciusko by UTMB®

” The UTMB® World Series is the pinnacle of global trail running and we’re thrilled that Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® has been selected to be a part of the inaugural series. Only the world’s best trail running events are a part of the UTMB® World Series and we look forward to being a part of the series. Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® has been designed with our entire trail running community in mind, with unrivalled support crew access, unique spectator points, and of course an unmistakeable trail running vibe. At the core of an event like this is providing the best possible running experience for participants and to ensure that we’ve left no stone unturned, the courses have been expertly crafted by Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB® founder Tom Landon-Smith, who is not only the country’s trail running expert but also lives in the region.”

UTMB® World Series

UTMB® World Series is the world’s ultimate trail-running circuit that unites the sport’s biggest stars and amateur 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 and the Americas in 2022. 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.

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.

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, 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 Ultramarathon 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

CONTACT

UTMB World Series French & Swiss media enquiries:

presse@utmb.world
Hugo Joyeux – UTMB® World Series Press Officer
+33 4 50 53 47 51

UTMB World Series international media enquiries:

presse@utmb.world
Sabina Mollart Rogerson – International Press Officer
t: +44 7922 140148

nicola.dawson@utmb.world
Nicola Dawson – UTMB® World Series Media & PR Manager
T: +44 7919051417

The IRONMAN Group media enquiries:

press@ironman.com
Dan Berglund