UTMB® World Series welcomes Näak as Official On Course Sports Nutrition and Sports Hydration Supplier

March 27, 2023

Näak and UTMB World Series join forces to offer a more sustainable sports nutrition experience at all event aid stations

Chamonix (France) March 2023 /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – UTMB ® World Series has partnered with Näak, the performance nutrition and hydration brand made for trail and ultra-runners, to bring sustainable fuel to the global trail running community.

As Official On Course Sports Nutrition and Sports Hydration Supplier of the UTMB World Series, Näak will provide energy bars, waffles and drink mixes at aid stations across all 35 UTMB World Series Events globally, including at the pinnacle event of the year, the UTMB World Series Finals at UTMB Mont-Blanc. Thanks to Näak’s expanding product portfolio, gels and purees will also be available later in the year. The products deliver long-lasting energy powered by high quality and sustainable ingredients, helping runners go longer and farther. Näak will also provide nutrition plans through their app to all runners to aid their preparation.

UTMB Group CEO Frédéric Lénart said: “With Näak becoming a global supplier of the UTMB World Series, we want to bring a new nutrition and hydration experience to our trail running community throughout the world. Näak’s expertise in sports nutrition will help us to provide a diverse range of nutrition products across all distances to our runners. We are very proud to welcome a second brand to our ecosystem with a B Corp Certification.”

MADE FOR TRAIL AND ULTRA-RUNNERS

Näak is a pioneer in the development of performance nutrition and hydration for trail and ultra-distance runners. Developed to meet the specific needs of ultra-distance athletes, Näak Ultra Energy™ products were created with the insights of elite runners such as Mathieu Blanchard and Marianne Hogan, who came second in the male and female UTMB race in 2022.

Näak was created in 2016 by passionate athletes Minh-Anh Pham and William Walcker, who understood that nutrition was key to perform. The pair also shared a deep passion for environmental issues, and so created a solution using sustainable proteins to fuel their sport.

Näak CEO William Walcker said: “UTMB is the ultimate trail running adventure. From local events to the prestigious UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, running hours upon hours on our feet requires us to fuel properly. Athletes know that nutrition is key to perform and over the years, Näak has developed an expertise in sports nutrition for ultra-distance athletes. Our nutrition products will help thousands of determined athletes achieve their dream of completing the UTMB World Series races – whatever the conditions.”

PRESERVE YOUR PLAYGROUND

Näak’s tagline, ‘Fuel your ultra, preserve your playground’ perfectly embodies the brands approach to nutrition. From choosing sustainable protein and responsible sourcing, to the companies B Corp Certification, Näak always acts with the preservation of the mountain playgrounds in mind, creating a positive impact for generations to come. All products are made with sustainable proteins and non-GMOs ingredients.

UTMB World Series events take place in the most beautiful places on the planet and aim to preserve our playgrounds to allow trail runners and the wider community to enjoy the mountains. Respect for the environment and people is one of the founding principles of UTMB World Series, and together Näak and UTMB World Series aim to offer a more sustainable sports nutrition experience to runners of all abilities who will take part in UTMB World Series events across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas in 2023.

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About Näak

Näak was born in Canada with one mission: build the most efficient and sustainable fuel for ultra distance athletes. Since 2016, Näak has developed a range of innovative sports nutrition products that help trail and ultra runners perform with no gastro-intestinal discomfort. Made with sustainable and non gmo ingredients, its products cover all the nutritional needs of ultra distance athletes: energy, hydration and recovery. In 2021, Näak received the B Corp certification, meaning the company has been verified as meeting the highest standards for social and environmental impact. From choosing sustainable protein and responsible sourcing to giving back to communities, everything Näak does is designed to help trail runners achieve their full potential while preserving their playground. Find out more on www.naak.com.

About Näak Ultra Energy™

Developed in close collaboration with elite athletes in the Näak Lab, the brand’s Ultra Energy™ bars, waffles and drink mixes provide a complete nutrition to ultra distance runners. In addition to providing carbohydrates and electrolytes, Näak performance nutrition and hydration products supply the ideal balance of complete proteins (EAAs and BCAAs) to reduce muscle fatigue during long-term efforts. Today, thousands of elite and amateur athletes around the world use Näak to explore new playgrounds and redefine what is physically possible. Näak is distributed in +300 stores in North America, Europe and Asia. For the latest updates on Näak, follow us on Instagram.

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.

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