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

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 calendar of 25 events across 16 countries in Asia, Oceania, Europe, and the Americas for 2022. With the addition of the 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 UTMB® World Series Event of 2022 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 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 amateur 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 previous 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.”

Two of Europe’s leading events - Transvulcania by UTMB® in Spain and Kullamannen by UTMB® in Sweden - will further bolster the UTMB® World Series 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 confirmation of a second event in the country: Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB®.

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 kilometer 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.

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.

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 25km 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 over 1,500 runners to experience Oceania’s newest, premium trail running event.

Discover The Race

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

• 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), 16-187 September 
• Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® (France), 22-25 September 
• Transvulcania by UTMB® (Spain), 27-30 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

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