UTMB Cares is an endowment fund and global initiative to unite trail running communities and create positive change by supporting local social and environmental causes in race destinations.

Built on the values of solidarity, respect, inclusivity, authenticity, and humility, UTMB Cares will utilize the global platform of the UTMB World Series to influence positive local change, focused on three main pillars: people, the environment, and communities.

Since 2004, UTMB Group has proactively supported numerous solidarity and environmental projects, raising over 3million Euros for charitable causes to date. With the launch of UTMB Cares in 2023, runners from across the world are invited to ‘Race for More’ to support and showcase positive impact projects in race communities. 

Limited edition charitable ‘Care Bibs’ are available at sell-out events, including UTMB Mont-Blanc, Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB and La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB to support the UTMB Cares initiative.

Through the Mountain Preservation program, UTMB Cares will support numerous environmental projects in host communities around the world to preserve and restore the natural world, allowing trail runners and the wider community to enjoy the mountains throughout the seasons. 

Projects will focus on reforestation, preservation of biodiversity, trail path creation and rehabilitation to preserve trail running playgrounds around the world. 

In 2022, only 9.2% of those who toed the startline of UTMB were women, and so, as part of a commitment to increase the number of women in the sport, UTMB have undertaken a study into the barriers for women in trail running. The findings show that 29% saw the main barrier being the amount of training required, with 25% struggling to balance the time commitment with family life, while 12% of those surveyed felt the races were too difficult.  

To start to address some of these issues, in 2023 UTMB Cares will launch a mentor program between elite athletes and women who are new to trail running, with the aim of increasing participation across the sport and breaking down these barriers. 

The women’s mentor program will create and nurture a community of women in trail running, acting as a platform to inspire and share success stories through organized conferences and events. 

Reducing carbon emissions in mountain areas is key as outdoor sports and tourism play a major role in valleys and global pollution. With 80%* of the events carbon footprint (*UTMB Mont-Blanc 2019) directly caused by transport, addressing how people travel to and from the event, as well as during the event, is a priority.

The Transport in the Mountains program aims to support a transport-focused carbon-reduction project that reaches all UTMB World Series race destinations and communities and leave a legacy beyond the UTMB World Series events.

Working with Race Organizers, this will be done through the measurement and reduction of the number of vehicles on events; implementing new transport solutions within local territories, while raising awareness and educating trail running communities on alternative transport solutions. 

Leaving a UTMB legacy long after race day, UTMB Cares will provide charitable support to a number of local non-profit initiatives that have a volunteer component, directly benefiting the race communities where UTMB World Series events are held. By supporting local initiatives, UTMB Cares will enhance the well-being of those in our host communities, creating a positive and tangible change. 

UTMB World Series is present in over 30 communities worldwide, and UTMB Cares will identify and support associations centered around education, sports, culture and more.