UTMB Cares
Uniting trail running communities to contribute to the well-being of people and the regeneration of our planet.
UTMB Cares Mission
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.
‘Race for More’
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.
Four programs and numerous non-profit associations supported
In 2023, UTMB Cares will launch four main programs that support mountain preservation, women in trail running, transport in the mountains, as well as directly supporting race communities by working with local non-profit associations.
Mountain Preservation
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.
Women in trail running
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.
Transport in the Mountains
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.
Supporting local associations
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.
Limited edition Care Bib
To support the UTMB Cares initiative, runners are invited to sign-up for a limited edition ‘Care Bib’ by making a minimum donation, and then choosing their 2023 race. Bibs are available at sell-out events, including the 50K, 100K and 100M categories at Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB, La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB, and the UTMB World Series Finals held across the UTMB, CCC and OCC races at UTMB Mont-Blanc.
HOW TO BENEFIT FROM A ‘CARE BIB’?
1. Choose your race
- Choose your event: Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB, La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB or UTMB Mont-Blanc
- Choose your distance: 50K, 100K or 100M category
2. Make your donation to UTMB Cares
- 2000€ minimum if you want to participate in UTMB Mont-Blanc
- 1000€ minimum if you want to participate in Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB or La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra-Trail by UTMB
3. Sign up to your chosen race
- Click on the registration link received by email
- Fill in the form and pay the standard registration fees
4. Be part of the UTMB Cares family and run proudly
FAQs
Find the answers to the most common questions about UTMB Cares.
Donations will be centralized by UTMB Cares and will be invested to launch the 4 programs. We invite runners to let us know which program they prefer, but donations will be made to each program aiming to fulfil the mission and thus will be allocated accordingly.
100% of donations made go towards supporting UTMB Cares.
After the donation is made, to obtain a Care Bib, runners will have to pay the full registration fee.
Anyone is welcome to donate for Care Bibs. However, we strongly advise runners to check they meet the race requirements (Running Stones, UTMB Index…) before making their donation.
You can choose to raise the money for the donation. You will receive information to sign up, once you have made the minimum donation.
Yes, you will be able to make your donation directly on the UTMB Cares page from April 2023.
UTMB Cares is registered in France, so only taxpayers in France are eligible for tax benefits. Tax receipts will be sent out to runners who are eligible.
You can contact cares@utmb.world to submit a project. It must be a non-profit organization and please mention the country in which it is based. Projects will be reviewed by the board of UTMB Cares.
Need more information or want to tell us about your project? Contact cares@utmb.world