Elite runner’s qualification for UTMB World Series Finals

Held annually at the renowned UTMB Mont-Blanc, the UTMB World Series Finals are the pinnacle of trail running. The slots allocated to elite runners on the UTMB World Series Finals are strictly reserved for those who qualify by participating in a UTMB® World Series Event or UTMB World Series Major.

Qualification with the UTMB Score (New rule)

In addition to the Top 3 qualifications for Events and Top 10 for Majors, all runners who obtain a UTMB Score (*) higher or equal to the one mentioned in this table, on one of the races of the UTMB World Series circuit in the 50K, 100K or 100M categories, will be qualified for the final of the same category. If one event has two different races in the same category, only one can qualify elite runners for the finals

UTMB Score Explained

The UTMB score is the number awarded to each finisher of a UTMB World Series Final, Major, Event race or UTMB Index race in the 20K, 50K, 100K and 100M categories depending on performance (boxed in blue in the image on the right). The UTMB Index is established by taking into account the 5 best scores (boxed in blue in the image on the right).

Example: For example, Blandine L'Hirondel got a UTMb Score of 797 when she won the CCC in 2022. Her overall UTMB Index is 810.

The aim of developing this system is to allow you to know at the end of your race if you are qualified for the UTMB World Series Finals. This system replaces the current "second chance" selection: https://utmb.world/second-chance

Qualification period for the UTMB World Series finals (New rule)

The qualification period is now the calendar year prior to the finals and no longer a 15 month period prior to the finals. For example, races in 2023 qualify for the corresponding 2024 finals, races in 2024 for the 2025 finals.

AN ADVANTAGEOUS TRANSITION PERIOD FOR ELITES

To facilitate the application of these new rules (new qualification period and introduction of the qualification with the UTMB Score), a transition period is set up from January 2023 to August 2023. During this period, runners will accumulate the benefits of both qualification systems. Thus, all races qualifying runners for the Finals that take place during this period will qualify for the 2023 Finals (under the rules announced in 2022) AND the 2024 Finals (under the new rule). Example: The first woman (overall ranking) in the 100M race of the Istria 100 by UTMB 2023 or the third man in the 100M race of The Canyons Endurance Run by UTMB will benefit from a guaranteed access to the UTMB 2023 but also to the UTMB 2024. Similarly, the "second chance selection" and the qualification by score are cumulative in 2023:

If a runner does not get a direct selection by score but is in the top 50 runners in the "second chance" list, he/she will receive direct access for the corresponding Final.
If a runner does not appear in the "second chance" list but qualifies by score, he/she will receive direct access to the corresponding Final.

Change of category

Any runner can request a change of category, one category above or below. The exception to this is a 20K result cannot qualify for the OCC. The request will be evaluated by the UTMB World Series Sport Committee, and will depend on the reason given by the runner and the availability of bibs in the requested race. Requests should be made as soon as qualification is obtained.

Age groups

The Age groups are based on those of World Athletics. All possible age-groups are presented here, including those we need for youth races. All age-group athletes must participate and compete in the age-group division corresponding to the athlete’s age as of December 31 of the year of the Event.

Age groups

The Age groups are based on those of World Athletics.

All age-group athletes must participate and compete in the age-group division corresponding to the athlete’s age as of December 31 of the year of the Event.

All possible age-groups are presented here, including those we need for youth races.

Performance slots available for age group athletes

For each Major, the number of available slots is 55 for each final

QUALIFICATION FOR THE FINALS IS ALSO POSSIBLE THANKS TO THE CLASSIFICATION IN THE AGE CATEGORY FOR FINISHERS OF THE UTMB WORLD SERIES MAJORS

The rule is as follows:

Overall allocation of approximately 55 bibs for age category per race
At least one bib is assigned for each age category represented
Other bibs are awarded in proportion to the number of runners present in each age category

Minimum Age to register for the UTMB World Series

The rule here under applies in the absence of National regulation in place from National Federation of Athletics.

UTMB WORLD SERIES – ELITE SUPPORT PROGRAM

The UTMB World Series Elite support program aims to support 100 athletes (50 men and 50 women) to participate in one of the UTMB World Series events. We are sensitvive to helping athletes who need it the most, for example young athletes and/or athletes whose economic situation makes it difficult to participate in major events.

If you have any question regarding the UTMB World Series elite support program please contact our team : elites@utmb.world