Spanish storms, technical trails, and stunning Swiss mountains test runners at action-packed UTMB World Series weekend, with Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB to follow

Nature had the final say on Friday 7 July, as the hotly awaited Val d’Aran by UTMB® – which doubled up at the European UTMB® World Series Major - was forced to cancel its 100M and 100K races due to adverse weather conditions.

The organization wrote: “A thunderstorm, hail, strong wind gusts and low temperatures endangered the safety of participants, volunteers, and the organization. The evacuation was carried out as quickly as possible and we thank the collaboration of the volunteers and the runners, who remained calm at all times to allow the rescue to be carried out in an agile and orderly manner.”

At the time of the race cancellation, 47 runners had already crossed the line of the 100K Camins d’Hêr (CDH) with Raul Octaviu Butaci (ROM, UTMB Index 862) taking the tape after 12:45:46 and describing it as a dream come true. Azara Garcia de los Salmones (ESP, UTMB Index 781) was also first across the line in the women’s race, thanking the volunteers, fans, and organization for making it such an unforgettable race.

Six Running Stones – double the standard amount due to the events Major status - were awarded to all runners who were on the CDH course when the race was neutralised, while the first 10 classified athletes will obtain direct access to the CCC® 100K UTMB World Series Finals. Meanwhile, all 100M Val d’Aran (VDA) starters were awarded two Running Stones for compensation, alongside an invite to race the Experiéncia d’Aran (EXP) on Sunday.

The weather played ball for the rest of the weekend, with Raúl Criado (ESP, UTMB Index 851) ringing the iconic bell at the finish line and taking the tape after 05:41:08 in the 50K PDA race on Thursday. It was an all-Spanish podium with Marcos Ramos Gonzalez (UTMB Index 869) and Aritz Egea Caceres (UTMB Index 894) finishing in 05:45:29 and 05:46:54.

In the women’s race, Oihana Kortazar (ESP, UTMB Index 758) took the win, with Anna Comet Pascua (ESP, UTMB Index 752) and Mónica Vives Vila (ESP, UTMB Index 729) joining her on another all-Spanish podium.

The shorter but no less beautiful 20K races saw Antonio Martinez Perez (ESP, UTMB Index 903) take the tape in the SKY Master race. Less than three minutes back was Vincent Loustau (FRA, UTMB Index 822) followed shortly after by Roger Comellas Espelt (ESP, UTMB Index 826) to complete the podium.

In the women’s race, Onditz Iturbe Arginzoniz (ESP, 708) took the win ahead of Ana Tauste Galera (ESP, UTMB Index 616) and Robyn Lesh (USA, UTMB Index 641).

912 runners set off from Vielha to experience the last race of the weekend. As the first edition of the race, the spectacular 32km course crowned Pablo Bautista Rovira (ESP, UTMB Index 838) and Nuria Gil Clapera (ESP, UTMB Index 769) victorious as they took the chance to high-five the crowd and enjoying the atmosphere heading into the finish line.

In the men’s race, Jesús María Alegría (ESP) and Diego Ramon Simon (ARG, UTMB Index 809) rounded out the podium, with Maria Fuentes (ESP) and Mireia Pons (ESP, UTMB Index 737) closing an incredible weekend of racing with a podium finish in the women’s race.

View the full results for Val d’Aran by UTMB here.

The mountainous Mediterranean island of Corsica, otherwise known as the ‘Island of Beauty’, welcomed over 2,200 runners to the infamous GR20 trails for Restonica Trail by UTMB®.

Lambert Santelli (FRA, UTMB Index 845) and Eva Maria Sperger (GER, UTMB Index 690) came out victorious in the 100M Ultra-Trail® di Corsica. Having been crowned champion a staggering five times at this event, Santelli once again proved himself on the course, establishing a lead of almost ninety minutes on second-placed Jerome Vanderschaeghe (BEL, UTMB Index 839) and over two hours on third-placed Paul Zunino (FRA, UTMB Index 789).

With one of the pre-race favorites and recent World Mountain and Trail Running Champion, Benjamin Roubiol (FRA, UTMB Index 890), suffering a DNF on the course, Santelli gave us insight into how the race played out and what it meant to him. He said, “For the first five hours, Benjamin and I ran together at a fairly high pace, but he unfortunately suffered a broken toe on the course. For me, I know the course well and still train here which made a difference. I am not a professional, I have a restaurant with my family and work is my passion but winning here is a bit like winning at Chamonix and brings huge emotions.”

In the women’s race, Eva Maria Sperger took the tape in a time of 20:59:42. The German runner had to rely on friends within the trail running community when her suitcase failed to arrive ahead of the event and prevent her from starting. She was joined by Aline Coquard (FRA, UTMB Index 661) and Sandrine Beranger (FRA, UTMB Index 654) on the podium.

Having suffered a DNF here in 2022, Elie Besson-Pithon (FRA, UTMB Index 855) returned to Corsica ready for redemption and did so in style, taking the win in the 100K Restonica Trail.

He said, “Wow, what an adventure! The Restonica Trail by UTMB inspires me, with three words to describe it: passion, love and sharing. Last year left me with a bitter taste and I am very happy to win today!”

It was an all-French podium with Thibaud Le Coguic (FRA, UTMB Index 775) and Kevin Raymond (FRA, UTMB Index 775) finishing in second and third. In the women’s race, Natalia Mastrota (ITA, UTMB Index 663) was first across the line, but it was a sprint finish for Sabrina Maurette (FRA, UTMB Index 622) and Gaëlle Loridat (FRA, UTMB Index 637) with just one second separating them in second and third.

Thibaut Baronian (FRA, UTMB Index 909) built on his fourth-place finish at the recent World and Mountain Trail Running Championships, taking the top spot in the 50K Tavignanu Trail. Loïc Robert (FRA, UTMB Index 904) and Noel Giordano (FRA, UTMB Index 850) joined him on the podium, finishing within 10 minutes of the champion.

Louise Serban-Penhoat (FRA, UTMB Index 745) dipped just under four hours to take the win in 03:59:29 in the women’s race, claiming this was the most technical trails she had ever experienced. Juliane Rössler (GER, UTMB Index 654) was over the moon to take an unexpected second, with Mathilde Coulon (FRA, UTMB Index 639) joining her on the podium.

In the 20K Giru di Tumbone, Adrien Alix (FRA, UTMB Index 752) took the win in the men’s race, joined by Daniel Mejia (COL, UTMB Index 767) and Stefane Costa (FRA, UTMB Index 609). It was an all-French podium in the women’s race with Najwa Laajail (FRA) taking the win ahead of Maëlys Devos (FRA, UTMB Index 599) and Victoire Alzon (FRA, UTMB Index 588).

View the full results for Restonica Trail by UTMB here.

• 3,918 runners representing 76 nations on the start line.
• More than 400 volunteers come together for the event.
• Swiss podium for the X-Alpine (140KM).

The 14th edition of Trail Verbier St-Bernard by UTMB® took place last weekend - the oldest Swiss ultra-trail race, famous for its alpine, technical and aerial character. With breathtaking views and exceptional performances throughout the weekend, the 2023 edition has more than lived up to its reputation, much to the pleasure of the 3,918 athletes (25% of which were female), who took the start (4,600 people registered). Let’s come back on a sunny weekend filled with emotions.

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

• The queen E101 race will see Katherina Harmuth fight to defend her title in the women’s race, while Hannes Namberger amongst favourites in men’s race.
• A family affair for Emelie Forsberg and Kilian Jornet as they take on the 50km and 20km races respectively.
• Unique Eiger limestone medal awaits all finishers, alongside UTMB Running Stones to enter the lottery for UTMB World Series Finals.

One of the most demanding but spectacular races on the UTMB® World Series awaits elite and amateur runners alike this weekend as they head to the Swiss Alps to take on Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB®. Over 4,000 participants from 85 nations will take to the start line at the world-famous mountain village of Grindelwald, with the Eiger North Face setting the scene for an unforgettable alpine adventure as it towers above at 3,970m.

Race Director, Ralph Naf is proud to welcome runners from around the globe, including a star-studded elite line-up. He said, “We can’t wait to welcome runners to Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB and for them to experience the beauty and charm of Grindelwald, and the Eiger’s legendary north face. We have a strong elite field this year, with Hannes Namberger and Petter Engdahl taking to the start of the 100km and 50km course, while Kilian Jornet (ESP, UTMB Index 945) will be testing out the 20km format,” said Race Direct, Ralph Naf.

With over 6,700m of ascent over the 100km course, it is no wonder that the E101 attracts some of the best elite runners looking for a tough and attritional day out in the mountains. Alongside Hannes Namberger (GER, UTMB Index 913), Ramon Manetsch (SUI, UTMB Index 873), Phillip Ausserhofer (ITA, UTMB Index 864) and Josh Wade (GBR, UTMB Index 869) could be amongst those vying for the podium.

Namberger said, “The Eiger Ultra-Trail by UTMB is a race that has been on my bucket list for a long time and this year it is finally here. I have never been to Grindelwald before, so I am really looking forward to walking past the north face of the Eiger. It will be a difficult race with so much elevation and altitude difference over the 100km, but I am really looking forward to this challenge.”

“The preparation was good, although sometimes difficult because I had to recover from the World Championships in early June. Nevertheless, I was able to run a few important sessions that give me security for this race and my goal is to give everything that my body allows and get the best possible performance. We will see what comes out in the end.”

In the women’s E101 race, Katherina Hartmuth (GER, UTMB Index 755) returns to defend her title after an incredible race in 2022. She will be joined by Kathrin Goetz (SUI, UTMB Index 728) who recently finished second at Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® and will be looking for redemption on this course after suffering an early DNF in the last edition of the race due to a calf injury.

With the E51 course also known as the Panorama Trail, runners will be spoiled by breath-taking views, including the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site of Jungfrau-Aletsch – the longest glacier in the Alps. The views must be earned however, including a demanding ascent up Faulhourn at 2,680m.

Andreas Reiterer (ITA, UTMB Index 912) heads into the race as one of the favourites despite June being a mixed bag of results for the Italian professional, with an impressive second place at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships preceded by a DNF at Lavaredo Ultra Trail by UTMB® 100M. He will also face tough competition, including Petter Engdahl (SWE, UTMB Index 920), Martin Anthamatten (CHE, UTMB Index 899) and Daniel Osanz (ESP, UTMB Index 902) to name but a few.

In the women’s race, it is all to play for with Julia Kessler (ITA, UTMB Index 761), Eleanor Davis (GBR, UTMB Index 755), Ruth Croft (NZL, UTMB Index 786) and Emelie Forsberg (SWE, UTMB Index 736) amongst the star-studded line-up who will be fighting for a podium position.

Eleanor Davis said, “The 35km race was my first mountain trail race back in 2021 where I was surprised to win it. At that race I fell in love with the sport, Grindelwald, and the surrounding mountains. It is a magical place, and I am excited to return. My goal this year is for a top 3 finish so I can qualify for the OCC at UTMB World Series Finals this year.”

Whether elite or amateur, all runners will be dreaming of crossing the finish line. The Eiger Finisher Stone - a unique medal collected and prepared by a local mountain guide and matching the mythic of the race – also providing an extra incentive, alongside Running Stones to enter the lottery for the UTMB World Series Finals. It will be an unforgettable race for those that take on the spectacular mountainous scenery featuring rustic valleys and the majestic north face of the Eiger.

Live tracking and live streaming are available for Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB here