UTMB World Series heads to South America for the first time with two new events confirmed for 2023

(Chamonix, France) 4th October 2022 - UTMB® World Series organizers have confirmed the 2023 global circuit will give runners the chance to explore some of the most epic scenery in South America for the first time ever at Valhöll Argentina by UTMB and Paraty Brazil by UTMB.

The announcement comes hot on the heels of the confirmation of a brand-new event in France, Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB, and follows the launch of a new event in southern Thailand, Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB, which was confirmed earlier this year.

The UTMB World Series aims to give every runner, from elite to passionate amateurs, the chance to experience the UTMB adventure at the best running locations in the world. The addition of two new events in South America will be welcomed by the thousands of runners in the region as well as discerning travellers who want to explore new territories and trails as part of the quest for qualification for the UTMB World Series Finals.

UTMB Group Chairwoman and Co-Founder Catherine Poletti said: “U T M B are 4 letters that unite a large community of runners, friends, and volunteers around the world, bringing people together to connect with nature and share adventures. And so, we are thrilled that we can now confirm two events in South America in beautiful destinations, and we are excited to expand our offering to even more runners, giving them to chance to discover the UTMB adventure together.

The charming and welcoming town of Paraty, which lies along the coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo in southeastern Brazil will host the brand-new event, Paraty Brazil by UTMB from the 22-24 September 2023, supported by the Government of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the Prefeitura de Paraty (Paraty City Hall) and ICMBio (Federal agency responsible for the management of Brazilian protected areas).

Surrounded by steep, jungled mountains, Paraty guarantees a warm, local welcome for runners, with its exquisitely preserved Portuguese colonial center and cobbled streets which are home to many 17th and 18th century buildings, as well as over 50 scenic beaches that make it one of the most visited destinations in Brazil.

The town is flanked by the Serra da Bocaina National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that covers more than 106,000 hectares and is mostly composed of the native Atlantic Forest. Runners will discover the regions varied landscapes from the coastal beaches around Paraty to one of the most imposing mountain ranges in Brazil, with peaks up to 1,840m and trails connecting the coast, native forests, mountains and local villages.

Registration will open in December 2022, and runners can choose from 21km, 35km, 50km and 100km races for the first edition, as they explore one of the richest natural areas on the planet, filled with unique plant and animal species in an area of global conservation priority. Paraty Brazil by UTMB Race Director Rafael Miranda said: “Bringing the UTMB World Series to Brazil is a dream. The excitement of organizing this event is the same as I felt at the start line of my first CCC. Brazil is ready to host an extraordinary race. I'm sure Brazil will surprise even the most experienced athletes, with its hospitality, exuberant nature and challenging routes. In September 2023 let's make the dream come true!”

Villa General Belgrano, a mountain village in the Province of Córdoba in central Argentina, is host to Valhöll Argentina by UTMB, the country's fastest growing trail running event that will celebrate its fourth edition in 2023 as part of the UTMB World Series. The event is supported by the Municipality of Villa General Belgrano, Córdoba Sports Department and the Córdoba Tourism Agency. Giving runners ‘the flavours of the world in Argentina’, Villa General Belgrano will offer runners and their companions a warm welcome to the town which is uniquely characterized by its typically Bavarian style architecture. A ‘town of many cultures’, it welcomes some 600,000 visitors a year, who are drawn to its unique culture and connection to nature.

Located in the Calamuchita Valley and framed by two mountain ranges that include the rugged Cerro Champaqui, which rises to 2,790m and is the highest peak in the province, runners can discover trails that lead all the way to the summit. The journey up the mountain's summit will delight participants with waterfalls and scenic vistas.

The 2023 edition will take place from the 12-14 May, with registration due to open at the end of October when full course details will be announced. A new 128km race will be added to the existing 13km, 20km, 33km, 47km and 78km distances as well as a children's race. All the routes have steep ascents and dizzying descents through technical terrain, starting and finishing in the historic center of Villa General Belgrano, the ideal setting for a post-race party.

Gonzalo Castillo, Valhöll Argentina by UTMB Race Director, described the race as: “The toughest and most technical race in Argentina, a great challenge for the runners where they will experience the most diverse sensations mixed with the warmth of our people. Valhöll Argentina by UTMB runs almost exclusively along mountain trails that will allow runners to cross ridges and passes in contact with the most beautiful peaks, in a unique context. We are ready to welcome you and surprise you with an event in a place as diverse as it is charming.”

29 events are now confirmed for the 2023 UTMB World Series, with further new event announcements over the coming months to further bolster the Series global offering to runners.

UTMB World Series events are the only place where runners can collect Running Stones, which can be used to enter the lottery for the UTMB World Series Finals, which from 2023 will take place in the UTMB, CCC and OCC races of UTMB Mont-Blanc. The top athletes at each event are also rewarded with direct access to the Finals.