Swiss success at Wildstrubel by UTMB as weekend of firsts approaches with inaugural edition of Paraty Brazil by UTMB, plus brand-new race distances at long-standing Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB 

For its second edition, Wildstrubel by UTMB has confirmed its status as a premier trail running event in the Swiss Alps. 4,000 registered runners participated in one of the four main races offered during the weekend, with the event living up to its promise of "an extraordinary experience in breathtaking scenery." For runners, it has put a spotlight on the best Switzerland has to offer: Mountains over 4,000m, bisses, lakes, high Alpine passes, sheer cliffs, lush green pastures, waterfalls and dams, highlighting the varied landscapes that have delivered an extraordinary journey througohut the whole weekend to all the runners.  

Andy SYMONDS (GBR – UTMB Index 850) dominated this weekend's flagship race, which features a 113km course with 6,600m elevation gain encircling the entire Wildstrubel massif in the Swiss Alps in 12 hours, 51 minutes, and 27 seconds. His finish was closely followed by the Frenchman Baptiste CAOTANTIEC (UTMB Index 822) just 10 minutes later, with the Italian Gilles ROUX (UTMB Index 834) hot on his heels to complete the podium after  13 hours, 9 minutes, and 24 seconds of racing. 

However, far from watching the clock, all three of them are unanimous about the extraordinary adventure they experienced all throughout the day. It all began with an intimate nighttime start in the heart of Crans-Montana, followed by an increasingly magical journey as the landscapes unfolded before their eyes. 

Caotantiec exclaimed at the finish line, "I had a blast all day; the landscapes are exceptional, there are 35-meter waterfalls everywhere, it's amazing, truly an incredible day!" 

Swiss magic also worked its charm in the women's category, with the exceptional victory of the Swiss runner Sara ESCOBAR-CARRON (UTMB Index 696), trail champion in 2022 and the pre-race favorite on this course, becoming the first of the 78 women who started to cross the finish line. Leading throughout the race, she triumphed in 15 hours, 33 minutes, and 8 seconds. Switzerland also proudly claimed the 2nd spot on the podium with Kathrin GOTZ (UTMB Index 724), finishing in 16 hours and 59 seconds and Charlotte D’ALENCON (FRA – UTMB Index 677) rounding up the podium. 

The favorites delivered on the Wild70, with a duel at the summit between Frenchman Aurélien DUNAND-PALLAZ (UTMB Index 896) and Swiss racer Ramon MANETSCH (UTMB Index 873), that ended in Aurélien DUNAND-PALLAZ's victory after 07h36'03'' of racing, only 1'35'' before the Swiss runner. Jean Baptiste CURTET (FRA – UTMB Index 811) took third place.  

In the women's race, Frenchwoman Anne-Lise ROUSSET (UTMB Index 755) dominated and reached the line in Crans-Montana in 08h32'30, joining the Top 10 overall. She was followed 52 minutes later by Dioni GORLA (GER – UTMB Index 689) and Halldóra Huld INGVARSDÓTTIR (ISL – UTMB Index 685). 

Shorter but just as sublime and technical, Wild50 offered a close battle in the men's race between German runner Benedikt HOFFMANN (UTMB Index 889) and young Frenchman Clovis CHAVEROT (UTMB Index 873), before Hoffman finally won in 04h58'14''. Chaverot, second in the MCC at the Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc 15 days ago, crossed the line 6 minutes later, closely followed by Dylan RIBEIRO (FRA - UTMB Index 856). 

   _ "This second place has a special flavour, I've just come back from 3 long months of ordeal after a stress fracture, to come back like this is just too good. I didn't think it was going to be so hard, Benedikt pushed me right to the end, and on the climb up to the Wildstrubelhütte I tried to hang on, but he was just too strong, experience speaking for himself. For a comeback to the competition, I couldn't have dreamt of anything better,"_ commented Chaverot, with tears in his eyes at the finish line. 

Germany also shone in the women’s race, with Daniela OEMUS (UTMB Index 756) winning in 06h05’03’’ ahead of the Norwegian duo of Kirsten Hindhammer AMUNDSGARD (UTMB Index 720) and Mirjam SAARHEIM (UTMB Index 657). 

Finally, in the short format of the Wild20, the race was fast-paced before the victory of Swiss Cesar COSTA (UTMB Index 827), who completed the 26km and 1,195 m d+ course in 02h03'01''. It was a close finish, with Britain's Chris BROWN (UTMB Index 768) coming in just 2 minutes later, followed a further 2 minutes later by compatriot Robert WADDY (UTMB Index 784).   

The women's race was just as intense, with German Franziska ALTHAUS (UTMB Index 688) winning in 2h19'26'', followed by Magali VIONNET (CHE) and Nelly ARDITO (FRA) for a European podium. 

All results are available on this link. 

The UTMB World Series heads to South America next weekend ahead of the brand-new Paraty Brazil by UTMB®, which has already made a name for itself as the biggest trail running event in Brazil. Flanked by Serra da Bocaina National Park and sandwiched between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, this iconic event promises a wild mix of steeped jungles, scenic coastal beaches, and imposing mountain ranges.  

Setting off from the historical colonial centre of Paraty via its cobbled streets and elegant white buildings, runners will discover the region via one of four distances on offer. Those taking on the 100km challenge will conquer one of the highest mountains in the region, Pedra de Marcela, which stands at almost 2,000m but promises spectacular views across the coast and the biodiverse Atlantic Forest.  

The shorter but no less brutal 50km distance is described as one of the most challenging courses in Brazil, with technical trails that will keep runners on their toes from start to finish. With two shorter 20km distances also on offer, the event promises something for everyone – from local runners discovering trail running and the UTMB World Series for the first time or experienced runners looking to discover new locations and secure their Running Stones for 2024.  

Elite Brazilian runner, Fernanda Maciel (UTMB Index 586) will return to Brazil to race in her country for the first time in ten years.  

“I broke my shoulder in Alaska this spring and couldn’t be ready for the 110km race but luckily, I had time to recover for the 57km distance. It will be an amazing race in the Brazilian mountains and Atlantic Forest. As an ultra-runner that loves mountain, I am looking for the high quality that comes with a UTMB race; well-marked trails, antidoping, environmental sustainability measures at the event, high level of athletes and beautiful landscapes with technical terrain. I am excited!” said Maciel. 

Elite Brazilian runner, Fernanda Maciel (UTMB Index 586) will return to Brazil to race in her country for the first time in ten years, while also marking and celebrating her remarkable recovery having suffered a serious brain injury in a climbing incident over two years ago. Taking on the technical 50km course, she will join many other South American elite runners looking to grab the opportunity to race on home soil, including Ivania Rambo (BRA, UTMB Index 678), Susany Perardt (BRA, UTMB Index 665) in the women’s 100-mile elite field and Rogerio Silvestrin (BRA, UTMB Index 851) and Cleverson Luis Del Secchi (BRA, UTMB Index 816) in the men’s 100-mile elite field.  

Amateur runners are also celebrating their own comeback stories, with Erica Nathair also looking to mark a line in the sand as part of her incredible recovery from heart surgery at the end of 2022. With a passion for trail running, Nathair had marked Paraty Brazil by UTMB in her calendar as a goal and will look forward to enjoying every second on the course next weekend. 

Follow the action live at https://live.utmb.world/  

From one brand new event to one steeped in history, Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB® will welcome runners to Virginia, USA over 22-24 September. As a triple qualifier for Western States™ 100 Endurance Run, the Hardrock Hundred Mile Endurance Run and Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc, entrants will need to work hard to get to the finish line via technical trails, challenging ascents and demanding ridges which have earned the event its namesake as one of the hardest courses on the East Coast. With the Blue Ridge Mountains to the East and the Alleghenies to the West, runners will be rewarded for their efforts with one of the most scenic routes on offer.  

New for 2023, Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB will also celebrate two additional races, with the 100km and 21km race joining the iconic 100-miler and offering more runners from around the world the chance to experience the beauty of the Shenandoah Valley and enjoy running miles through the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest.  

Race Director, Clark Zealand said: “We are super excited to host the first ever North American East Coast UTMB World Series event! The courses are looking great, and with the arrival of fall weather, the Blue Ridge & Alleghany mountains are showcasing their natural beauty.  

“This year’s event is also the first on the planet to be a triple UTMB, a Hardrock and Western States qualifier, and the 100k is a Golden Ticket event so we have an amazing event with an amazing field of runners. That said, there's something for everyone to appreciate where the grind meets the sublime,” he added.  

In the 100-mile race, Ihor Verys (CAN, UTMB Index 813), Sam Kirk (USA, UTMB Index 811) and Michael McMonagle (USA, UTMB Index 800) are highest ranked competitors, while Alissa St-Laurent (CAN, UTMB Index 709) will be looking for a good race after two DNF’s this summer. She will be joined by a strong contingent of USA runners, including Heather Dougherty (UTMB Index 624), Veronica Leeds (UTMB Index 599) and Whitney Richman (UTMB Index 598).  

The inaugural 100km event has also attracted a stellar elite field, looking to tackle the shorter distance which features much of the most scenic and challenging sections of the 100-mile course. Jeff Mogavero (USA, UTMB Index 881) and Justin Grunewald (USA, UTMB Index 857) will both be looking for redemption in the men's elite field after suffering unfortunate DNF’s at Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc last month, while Devon Yanko (USA, UTMB Index 765), Lisa Roberts (USA, UTMB Index 733) and Lottie Brinks (USA, UTMB Index 725) are entering the race as the top-ranked in the women's elite field.  

Follow the action live at https://live.utmb.world/