From Mediterranean islands to wild Pyrenean mountains and the iconic Swiss Alps, the UTMB World Series heats up with another triple-header weekender

The UTMB® World Series heads to the heart of the Spanish Pyrenees, with 5,400 participants from 80 nations lining up for the third edition of Val d’Aran by UTMB®, 5-9 July. As the only 2023 European UTMB® World Series Major, it will be full focus for athletes looking for the opportunity to ring the iconic bell located under the finish arch in Vielha.

As a UTMB World Series Major, the Top 10 male and female runners in the 100M, 100K and 50K categories will automatically qualify for the corresponding race at the UTMB World Series Finals. That combined with Age Group Qualifications will see 225 runners granted direct access to the UTMB World Series Finals. All finishers will be rewarded with double Running Stones, making it all to play for in the stunning but unforgiving Pyrenees Mountain range.

With Val d’Aran considered the ‘Essence of the Pyrenees’, the VDA 100-mile course promises to showcase the very best of the area as runners leave Vielha, Spain to tackle two 2,000m+ peaks early in the race before sharing the unmissable features of the 100km CDH course, including the largest glacial lake cirque in the Pyrenees which boasts more than 50 majestic lakes.

Both courses welcome talented professional runners from around the world, including Tobias Dahl Fenre (NOR, UTMB Index 860) and Alyssa Clark (USA, UTMB Index 708) who will be on the hunt for the top spot in the queen race.

“The combination of very high-level athletes, a professional organisation and a majestic natural landscape is what motivated me to sign-up for the challenge of Val d’Aran by UTMB. It is the perfect race to help me prepare ahead of my main objective of the season, the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix. I am also looking forward to going with my wife, who will be running the CDH 100K race. What better way to spend a romantic trip than taking part in a great-long distance race?” said Dahl Fenre.

Maite Maiora (ESP, UTMB Index 760) has celebrated a string of strong results so far this season, including 1st at Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB®, and could come out on top in the women’s CDH race. Aritz Egea (ESP, UTMB Index 894) will be looking to retain his title in the men’s race after winning the first edition in 2021 but faces tough opposition, including Peter Frano (SVK, UTMB Index 881) who recently finished third at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in Austria.

The 55km PDA races promises more fast and furious racing across the wild and authentic landscape with Manuel Marillas (ESP, UTMB Index 924), currently ranked 9th in the world and second highest-ranked Spanish runner behind Kilian Jornet, toeing the start line.

A recent second place at La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB® (20km) for Anna Comet Pascua (ESP, UTMB Index 752) suggests she has good form and speed coming into this bucket-list race.

With three 20K race category distances on offer, including a race for the future stars of mountain running (16–19-year-olds), Val d’Aran by UTMB offers a distance for everyone with the opportunity to enjoy views across the entire valley.

Live tracking and live streaming of the VDA, CDH and PDA races is available for Val d’Aran by UTMB here.

From glacial lakes and dense pine forests to stone villages and shepherd huts that cling to the wild mountains, Restonica Trail by UTMB® promises the ultimate destination race as 2,200 runners’ line-up for the 15th anniversary edition of the race in Corsica, France.

With four distances on offer – from 110K to 17K – the event features one of most famous hiking trails in the world, the GR20 and promises wild landscapes, jagged mountains, and beautiful valleys. With an incredible atmosphere, Restonica Trail by UTMB guarantees weekend-long celebrations and the opportunity to discover a stunning destination.

Restonica Trail by UTMB Event Project Manager, Jules Pijourlet said, “Restonica Trail by UTMB is not just a simple trail running event but is above all an opportunity to discover a territory, a terrain, and the beautiful island. As has happened every year for 15 years now, thousands of French and international runners will be able to marvel at the breath-taking landscapes and enjoy the exceptional atmosphere of Corsica, all while going above and beyond their limits.”

Athletes from around the globe will head to the fourth-largest Mediterranean Island to experience the race for the first time, while some will return to experience the magic once again, including Anthony Quilici (FRA, UTMB Index 810) who will be back to try and defend his title in the 50K Restonica Trail race.

As a UTMB World Series event, Restonica Trail by UTMB has also attracted an impressive start list, with many coming off the back of a strong result at the 2023 World Mountain and Trail Running Championship. In the 110k Ultra-Trail Corsica women’s field, Eva Maria Sperger (GER, UTMB Index 698) will be aiming high after finishing 20th at the World Championships, alongside Benjamin Roubiol (FRA, UTMB Index 890) who took the crown and will be looking to go two wins from two this weekend. He will face tough opposition however, including 2019 Restonica Trail by UTMB champion, Lambert Santelli (FRA, UTMB Index 845).

Benjamin Roubiol said: “I feel really proud and confident for my next races. I want to experience a second long trail run a short time after the WMTRC that makes me very tired. Furthermore this race event is a good opportunity to travel and spend nice time in the Corsica area. I have already been in Corte. It's a place where all mountaineers dream to explore and practice themself outdoor activities.”

The 69km course with 4,000m of elevation in the Restonica Trail will challenge athletes but Elie Besson-Pithon (FRA, UTMB Index 844) and Théo Detienne (FRA, UTMB Index 884) will be ready to tackle the course, alongside a flying Sylvaine Cussot (FRA, UTMB Index 670) in the women’s race.

Another runner that showed his form at the recent World Mountain and Trail Running Championship is Thibaut Baronian (FRA, UTMB Index 909), who finished fourth in the 50K category. This weekend he will be taking on the Tavignanu Trail, covering 33km over 2,500m and will be looking for a podium spot. Two previous winners will also grace the start line, including Arnaud Bonin (FRA, UTMB Index 895) who returns after his win here in 2019 and Jean-Francois Hautin (FRA, UTMB Index 799) who won in 2021.

It will be all to play for in the women’s race in the Tavignanu Trail, with Amandine Ferrato (FRA, UTMB Index 684) coming off the back of 20K victory at the recent Marathon du Mont Blanc alongside Candice Fertin (FRA, UTMB Index 740) who will be no doubt flying up the hills after finishing second in the Vertical Kilometre at the same event.

Follow all the action live here.

• 4 races ranging from 140km to 26km from 7-9 July 2023
• 1 new start in Bruson for the Verbier Marathon (50K)
• 4,750 entries (a record year)
• 72 nationalities represented
• More than 400 volunteers

The 14th edition of the Trail Verbier St Bernard by UTMB promises to be a record-breaker. More than 4,700 runners are expected over the 4 formats on offer from 7 to 9 July 2023, and all the races are already fully booked. Set in the heart of the Valais, Switzerland's oldest ultra-trail promises a unique experience over the region's most beautiful passes and trails.

To read the event’s whole press release, click here.