mozart 100 by UTMB celebrates biggest ever field as runners from around the globe head to the stunning Sound of Music region in Austria
The city of Salzburg, Austria will welcome runners from around the world on the June 17th for the 11th edition of mozart 100 by UTMB®. Celebrating its biggest ever field, almost 3,000 runners from 74 nations will discover the beautiful mountain backdrop and breathtaking landscape of the Salzburger Land, crowned with a unique finish in Salzburg's old town.
With six race distances on offer ranging from 105-9 kilometers, there will be plenty of opportunity for runners to take on a unique adventure in the area famed for ‘The Sound of Music’. Those who cross the iconic finish line in the heart of the UNESCO-listed baroque city center of Salzburg will secure Running Stones to enter the UTMB® World Series Finals lottery.
The event also offers a unique relay over the mozart 100 and mozart Ultra distance, bringing an extra element of team spirit and camaraderie to the Austrian trails.
The mozart 100 queen race offers an out-and-back course taking in a staggering 5,399m of elevation over 105km, via the Zwölferhorn and Schafberg mountains, and an adventure that promises to be as challenging as it is stunning. The beauty of Lake Wolfgang, a jewel of a centrepiece across the various courses, will serve as the ultimate distraction.
Hekmatullah Darwishi (AFG – UTMB Index 811) is no stranger to the event, completing the race in 2022, 2021 and 2019. Having previously secured third place in both the mozart 100 and mozart Ultra, the Afghan refugee who lives in Salzburg will be hoping to use his experience over the course to take the top spot in 2023.
The mozart Marathon distance also looks to be a hotly contested affair as runners leave the gorgeous lakeside town of St Gilgen. In the women’s race, one of Spain’s bright young talents Sara Alonso (ESP – UTMB Index 779) will make a return to the trails for the first time since last year following injury. She’ll be looking to secure her place at the UTMB World Series Finals – an area she knows well having won the Marathon du Mont-Blanc 2022.
In the men’s race, Yoel de Paz (ESP – UTMB Index 893) will be one to watch, having finished 3rd over the marathon distance at Transvulcania by UTMB® 2023 earlier this year, backing up his victory at the race in 2022.
“I have only previously participated in races in Spain, but this time UTMB World Series gave me the opportunity to race abroad, and I had to take advantage of it. I always wanted to travel and what better way to get to know Austria than by doing what I like to do the most which is running through the mountains.”
“I have recovered well from Transvulcania but have not been able to train as much as I have recently become a father. I would love to be able to get on the podium at mozart Marathon but above all would like to finish happy and healthy,” said de Paz.
The Spanish runner will be joined on the start line by an array of respected international runners, including Michele Meridio (ITA – UTMB Index 814) who finished 2nd at Julian Alps by UTMB® 2022 and 3rd at Istria 100 by UTMB® 2022. Having already raced The Canyons Endurance Run by UTMB® earlier this year, and recently enjoying a training camp in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy, the runner could do well over the 1,649 metres of ascent.
“The idea to race mozart 100 by UTMB was born when some friends and my coach told me how beautiful the race is. After watching various videos of the race, I convinced myself that this should be my ‘stage’ for the 2023 season. I can’t wait until race day where I will try to do my best but above all, to have fun,” said Meridio.
He added, “This year I am focussing on this distance as I feel I can perform well here. It is a distance where you can run hard but at the same time you must use your head and understand when it is time to pull back and when it is time to attack. I feel good physically and mentally and just hope to finish the race knowing that I have given everything. I can’t wait!”
Follow the race LIVE here.
