UTMB World Series heads Down Under for first Oceania event
The stunning Blue Mountains of New South Wales, Australia will play host to the first ever UTMB World Series event in Oceania from 27-30 October. As the largest trail running event in the Southern Hemisphere and the third largest globally, Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB showcases the famous World Heritage National Park in all its glory as runners take on epic ridgelines and thrilling mountain trails to uncover lush valleys and breathtaking views.
While unprecedented weather in the region has resulted in necessary alterations to the course, the race organizers have been working tirelessly to ensure a safe and supported race can go ahead, while doing everything possible to protect nature’s playground.
And for the first time since 2019, the race will welcome runners from outside Australia and New Zealand. Race Director Nick Christopher said, “_We can’t wait to welcome nearly 7,000 runners to the Blue Mountains for the 2022 Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB. We know our athletes have been training for this event for the past 12 months or more and are excited to hit the trails and put all their hard training to work._”
One of those athletes who is ready is hit the trails is elite runner Sam McCutcheon who has already asserted his prominence in Oceania this season. Having finished in a strong second place at the New Zealand Trail Running Championship earlier this month, McCutcheon is looking forward to jumping ‘across the ditch’ to take on the UTA100.
He said, "Being one of the largest and most competitive trail races in the world, I can’t wait to test myself on the course and against the other athletes. Being from New Zealand, there is always a bit more incentive to perform well close to home.”
Alongside the elite runners looking for glory are many passionate amateur runners, each with their own reason for taking on one of the most extraordinary journeys of their life. Amongst them is Pia Storey, who will tackle the event with an important aim to raise funds and awareness of Lifeline, a charity close to her heart. She said, “_I took up running when my younger brother died in 2019, to process my loss and grief. Being able to run through the Blue Mountains daily is a grounding experience, being in nature, feeling the stillness and vastness of the world around me._”
With four race distances on offer, the event has something for everyone and features iconic sections that makes Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB a race like no other. The stunning views of the World Heritage Listed Blue Mountains are at the top of that list, with plenty of cliff top trails and lookouts for runners to stop and take in the breathtaking cliffs and mountains.
At 100km long and with 2,884m+ of elevation, the UTA100 will reward all its finishers with 3 Running Stones. UTA50 finishers (50.3km / 1,624m+) will take home 2, while those who cross the tape of UTA22 (19.4km / 672m+) will pick up 1 Running Stone. The UTA11 provides a stunning first step for those new to trail running.
