NEXT STOP…MOZART 100 BY UTMB
Next up on the UTMB World Series calendar is the mozart 100 by UTMB® on June 18. Over 2,200 athletes from 60 nations will take to the start line within the stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site of Salzburg ready for an unforgettable trail running experience filled with all the charm, beauty, and history that the region is famous for.
Not only will the event welcome a record number of athletes to the start line, but it will also stage the biggest field of elite athletes since its inception in 2012 as it celebrates its 10th edition. Amongst those are top athletes from both road running and triathlon who are set to make their trail running debut at mozart 100 by UTMB.
Race Director and founder, Josef Mayerhofer said, “We are looking forward to welcoming the likes of former Austrian road marathon champion, Karl Aumayr, and the professional German triathlete, Fabian Rahn to the start line. Both will be doing their first ultra and we can’t wait to see how they get on amongst the more experienced elites.”
“We are also celebrating our 10th anniversary, with 7 athletes taking to the start line to complete their tenth race with us. They have been part of the race every year and it is great to welcome them back again for another unforgettable edition,” added Josef.
Indeed, the return of runners year on year plus the strong calibre of international athletes is testament to the popularity and appeal of the event, which also famously includes the shooting location for the film ‘The Sound of Music”.
For elite athlete, Andreu Simon Aymerich (ESP) who is amongst the top ranked in the 105km according to his UTMB Index, it is this beauty that attracted him to the race. He said, “ Six years ago I took a road bike trip from Barcelona to Ingolstadt to see my girlfriend. During that trip I spent two days in Austria, and I loved it. I have never forgotten the lush green of the mountains, the atmosphere, and the kindness of the people. This is exactly what I am looking for in a race and mozart 100 by UTMB has everything you could wish for!”
As a runner with Type 1 diabetes, Aymerich is proof that you can overcome obstacles if you look after your body and mind. When asked about his thoughts going into this event, he said, “mozart 100 by UTMB is my first long race this year and it is normal to be unsure where your performance is at. With my diabetes, I just need to take good care of my body and pay attention to it in every moment. Yes, it is a disadvantage compared to other runners but I try to stay motivated and not let it affect my life.”
With 9 competition categories available, from 9km to 105km, the event has something for everyone as runners witness highlights such as the Glasenbach Gorge and the enchanting lakes of Fuschl and Wolfgang before crossing the line in the atmospheric Kapitelplatz Square next to Salzburg Cathedral.
