UTMB World Series to increase its presence in the heart of Europe in 2023, with the creation of the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB
(Alsace, France) September 22, 2022 – With the inaugural UTMB World Series in full swing, the organizers today confirmed the creation of a new event in France, Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB®, which will become the fifth event on the global circuit to take place on French soil beginning in 2023.
Supported by the European Collectivity of Alsace and the Grand Est Region, Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB will take place during the height of spring from 18 – 21 May 2023 across the two departments of Alsace, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin, in northeastern France. Organized in line with the highest UTMB standards, the event will offer both local and international runners wishing to discover the region the opportunity to experience a unique journey through time as they explore castles and vineyards, which for many will be the start of their quest to the UTMB World Series Finals.
Frédéric Bierry, President of the European Collectivity of Alsace, commented: “Alsace is proud to host an event which is part of the UTMB World Series, a legendary circuit which brings together thousands of runners. Alsace will offer a marvellous setting combing nature and our heritage to this sporting event which is inspired by the world-renowned UTMB Mont-Blanc.”
Jean Rottner, President of the Grand Est Region, said: “From May 18 to 21, the Grand Est Region will be at the heart of global trail running news by hosting four races of the UTMB World Series. The Vosges massif and the string of castles in Alsace will not only offer an exceptional natural and heritage setting to all the competitors, but also the unique experience of discovering our region. By supporting this international event, the Grand Est Region intends to promote Alsatian culture and help people discover the attractions of the Vosges mountains.”
Entries will open in October and with four races on the event program ranging from 34km to 165km, all runners will be able to embark on an epic journey through the Vosges mountains and explore fortified castles and picturesque villages, on trails where nature is both wild and preserved before finishing their adventure on the ramparts of Obernai, one of the most beautiful towns in France. The four races will allow all finishers to collect Running Stones depending on the distance, which will give them access to the UTMB World Series Finals lottery.
The flagship race is the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers, which is 165km with 6,150 meters of elevation gain. Runners will set off from Colmar, the main city in Haut-Rhin, and will discover no less than 21 fortified castles, including the castles of Haut-Koenigsbourg and Hohlandsbourg, as well as the abbey of Mont St Odile and many villages on the Alsace wine route.
The 114km race, which has 4,350 meters of elevation, will start from the fortified town of Bergheim, voted the ‘favorite village’ of the French in 2022. Following the same route as the flagship race, runners will wind past the foot of numerous castles and through the vineyards while passing by the highest peak of the course, the Taennchel plateau.
Barr, a wine-growing town at the foothills of the Vosges massif, will host the starts of the 50km (1,950mD+) and 34km (1,300mD+) races, both of which will also immerse runners in the heritage of Alsace.
Race Director Mathieu Pettinotti commented on his delight at seeing this project come to life: “This event is first and foremost a story of friendship, passion, encounters, values and dreams. A passion for running but also for our region and our heritage. This project was born from a desire of a group of friends to run from Mont St Odile to the castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg, through both departments of Alsace and crossing as many fortified castles as possible. Our dream to become part of the UTMB World Series has now come true, ensuring runners from all over the world can discover our playground.”
Offering runners the opportunity to experience an extraordinary adventure, 27 events around the world have so far been confirmed for the UTMB World Series 2023, with several new event announcements to follow in the coming weeks. UTMB World Series events are the only place where runners can collect Running Stones, which can be usedare the only way to enter the lottery for the first-ever UTMB World Series Finals, which will take place in the UTMB, CCC and OCC races of the UTMB Mont-Blanc in 2023.
UTMB World Series 2023 confirmed events as of 22nd September 2022:
- Tarawera™ Ultramarathon by UTMB® (New Zealand), 11-12 February
- Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB (Thailand), 17-19 February
- Istria 100 by UTMB® (Croatia), 13-16 April
- Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB® (USA), 28-29 April
- Transvulcania by UTMB® (Spain), 4-6 May
- Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB® (Wales), 12-14 May
- Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB® (France), 18-21 May
- Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB® (Australia), 20-21 May
- Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® (France), 3-4 June
- mozart 100™ by UTMB® (Austria), 17-18 June
- La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra-Trail® by UTMB® (Italy), 22-25 June
- Trail 100 Andorra™ by UTMB® (Andorra), 24-25 June
- Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run (USA), 24-25 June
- Val d'Aran by UTMB® (Spain), 6-9 July
- Restonica Trail by UTMB® (France), 6-8 July
- Trail Verbier Saint-Bernard by UTMB® (Switzerland), 7-9 July
- Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB® (Switzerland), 12-16 July
- Speedgoat Mountain Races by UTMB® (USA), 21-22 July
- UTMB® World Series Finals; UTMB® Mont-Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland), 28 August – 3 September
- Wildstrubel by UTMB® (Switzerland), September
- Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB® (Slovenia), September
- Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® (France), September
- Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB® (Mexico), October
- Kullamannen by UTMB®, (Sweden) November
- TransLantau™ by UTMB® (Hong Kong), November
- Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB® (Thailand), December
- Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® (Australia), December
UTMB® World Series
UTMB® World Series is the world’s ultimate trail-running circuit that unites the sport’s biggest stars and passionate runners through the best, leading international events in the most stunning locations. Built on a passion for the mountains with sustainability at its heart, UTMB® World Series gives all trail runners the chance to experience the UTMB® adventure across the world, with events taking place across Asia, Oceania, Europe and the Americas in 2022. It is the only place where runners can begin their quest to UTMB® Mont-Blanc, France, where the prestigious UTMB® World Series Finals will be held. For more information, visit www.utmb.world.
About UTMB Group
Over the last 18 years, and since the creation of UTMB® Mont-Blanc in 2003 by a group of passionate friends, UTMB Group has been the driving force behind the development of trail running. The UTMB® Mont-Blanc is the sports pinnacle event, and every year, 10,000 runners earn their place on the start line. UTMB Group also pioneered the LiveTrail® technology, an innovative digital service that supports the management of endurance races. Revered by hundreds of thousands of athletes, UTMB® has become a global, premium, and leading brand. In May 2021, UTMB Group partnered with The IRONMAN Group to launch the UTMB® World Series, which brings together many of the best international events on the planet to provide exclusive access to the sport’s pinnacle event, UTMB® Mont-Blanc. The UTMB® World Series is built on the founding principles of UTMB® Mont-Blanc: surpassing oneself; fair-play; respect for people and the environment; and solidarity. Find out more at www.utmb.world.
About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® Virtual Racing™ (VR™) Series, 5150™ Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll Virtual Running™ Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon™ and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series events including Tarawera Ultra and Ultra-Trail Australia™, Epic Series™ mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events including Haute Route®, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world and provides more than a million participants annually the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
