UTMB World Series events in California, Italy and Andorra draw big fields and the world’s best trail runners

In California, final preparations are underway to welcome runners to the world’s oldest 100-mile trail race – the iconic Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run.

Starting near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics and finishing in Auburn, the iconic course crosses traditional lands of the Nisenan and Washoe Indigenous Peoples and features an exceptional journey through canyons and across rivers in the Sierra Nevada mountains, on a tough route that climbs more than 18,000 feet and descends nearly 23,000 feet. Each runner, of the 385 entered, who makes it to the finish line will receive a coveted handmade silver and bronze buckle award.

Race director Craig Thornley is expecting another classic in both the women’s and men’s races, to follow on from last year’s event when climatic conditions were at their toughest.

“We have incredible depth in both the men's and women's fields this year,” he said. “We are expecting our women's elite field, which features several notable international standouts as well as some of the most well-known figures in American trail running, to be highly competitive again this year.” “Our men's race should be fascinating as well,” Thornley added, “as we look to crown a new race champion following a succession of memorable runs by three-time champion Jim Walmsley.”

Among the favourites in the men’s field will be the current top-ranked runner in the UTMB Index, Adam Peterman from Missoula in Montana, who won the Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB earlier this year and will also be lining up at Speedgoat Mountain Races by UTMB at Snowbird in Utah in late July.

“It’s kind of wild to be leading the UTMB Index ranking,” said Peterman last week. “I haven't raced internationally yet, but I am excited to see how I stack up against the big names when the time comes. I'm taking part in the circuit because I feel like the UTMB World Series races are the most competitive ultra-marathons in the world right now.”

The Western States Endurance Run has always been a target for Peterman. “As an American, Western States is the big 100-mile race that all trail runners want to be a part of,” he said. “I have always wanted to run this race since I began trail running. I didn't think that I'd be running Western States so soon. But things are feeling good and I can't wait to give it my best shot.”

Peterman apart, the men’s field also includes several of last year’s top finishers with second-placed Tyler Green of Portland, Oregon and third-placed Drew Holmen of Boulder, Colorado returning. Also among the hot favourites will be Jared Hazen who ran the second fastest time in Western States’ 49-year history when finishing second to Jim Walmsley in 2019.

In the women’s category, no less than seven of the top-10 finishers are back from last year including second-placed finisher Ruth Croft of New Zealand. The 2021 champion Beth Pascall of England who ran the second fastest time in the event’s history despite scorching temperatures, will not be present in California but will be running at La Sportiva Laverado Ultra Trail in Italy instead.

Staged between 23-26 June, La Sportiva Laverado Ultra Trail by UTMB features four races – 20km (Cortina Sky Race), 48km (Cortina Trail), 80km (UltraDolomites) and 120km (Laverado Ultra Trail). It is one of Europe’s most well-known trail running weekends based at the beautiful resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, the home of the 2026 Winter Olympics, in the heart of the spectacular Italian Dolomites.

More than 5,000 runners from a record 76 countries are expected to take on the challenges of courses set in some of the most scenic parts of the Dolomite range along mountain passes and forest tracks in what is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As has become the tradition, the longest event begins with an atmospheric night-time start as the athletes make their way out of Cortina into the valleys beyond.

The queen 120km race features a highly competitive 1,600-strong field with an impressive contingent of elite runners taking on a route with 5,800 metres of ascent, among them last year’s winner and course record-holder, Hannes Namberger of Germany and the Italian trail running champion Andreas Reiterer. Notably at the start will also be Spanish runner Pau Capell, who won UTMB in 2019 and came third in the Patagonia Run in Argentina just a few weeks ago, and the British runner Thomas Evans. In the female category, Mimmi Kotka of Sweden who finished third at UTMB last year will start among the favourites.

In the Pyrenees, meanwhile, four courses – 7.5km, 21km, 50km and 105km – make up the Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB based in Ordino, offering something to suit everyone from elite athletes to newcomers to the sport of trail running.

Making its debut in the UTMB World Series, these races feature some of the most unspoilt mountainous scenery to be found anywhere in Europe and will see many top elites athletes take on the longest distance, including Spain’s Cristofer Clemente and Gerald Morales, as well as Zach Miller (USA), Beñat Marmisolle (FRA) and Sebastian Krogvig (Norway). In the women’s race, Italy’s Ildikó Wermescher and Sweden’s Kristan Berglund will be ones to watch.

“Imagine being able to go and explore a country, passing through all its sheltered refuges, its highest peaks, discovering its mountains, trails and landscapes that will surely make you fall in love”, enthuses race director Joan Turné.