Kitz Alps Trail in Austria joins the UTMB World Series in 2023
- KAT100 by UTMB offers eight routes in the famous Kitzbühel Alps from 3-5 August 2023.
- 31 events currently confirmed for 2023 UTMB World Series, including new events in Europe, South America, and Africa, with further expansion across Asia and the USA still to be announced.
- Entries due to open at 3pm CET, 24 November at kat100.at
(Tyrol, Austria/Chamonix, France/Tampa, USA.) 17 November 2022 – Austria’s KAT100 by UTMB®, has been confirmed as the latest event to join the 2023 UTMB® World Series, giving runners the chance to explore the famous Kitzbühel Alps during what will be the event’s fourth edition. Runners will have the option of eight different routes of varying distances, including relay formats, all taking place from the 3-5 August 2023.
All races begin and end at the center of Fieberbrunn, a market town in the West-Austrian state of Tyrol that is known for its year-round mountain sports. The 100-mile KAT100 is set to become the longest trail running race in Austria in 2023, and with 9,996 meters of elevation gain, is as tough as it is beautiful. The course passes through nine villages in the Kitzbühel Alps, allowing runners to experience a mixture of gentle grassy mountains and magnificent ridge landscapes in the PillerseeTal, including the fantastic summits of Wildseeloder, Kitzbüheler Horn, and Jakobskreuz. Winner of the 2022 KAT100 and Austrian native, Michael Deng, described the race as, _“walking from highlight to highlight through a grandiose landscape – just fantastic.” _
As well as the 100-miler, runners can test their limits on seven other routes of varying distances, with Running Stones - which can be used to enter the lottery for the UTMB World Series Finals - rewarded to all finishers of races in the 100M, 100K, 50K and 20K race categories. An additional 8km and a kid’s race ensures that the event is open to everyone, new or experienced in the sport.
Finishers of the Endurance Trail (91.5km / 5,100m+ elevation) and the Ekiden Trail two-person relay (91.5km / 5,100m+ & 82.7km / 4,870m+) will each get three Running Stones; the Marathon Trail (48.2km / 3,220m+) will award two Running Stones; the Ekiden Trail four-person relay will award one or two Running Stones depending on the leg distance; with the KAT100 Speed Trail (24.2km / 1,640m+) awarding one.
Race Director Thomas Bosnjak said: _“We are very happy to be part of the UTMB World Series with the KAT100 by UTMB and are convinced that we fit perfectly into the race calendar with our fantastic trail offer in the Kitzbühel Alps. So, we are already looking forward to many visitors and athletes at next year's event.” _
Armin Kuen, Managing Director of the PillerseeTal Tourism Association commented: “The PillerseeTal is proud to be a partner of a strong global event brand with the KAT100 by UTMB. The KAT100 by UTMB is the perfect platform to present our region and its most beautiful places. We are looking forward to numerous international participants.”
KAT100 by UTMB joins mozart 100 by UTMB as the second UTMB World Series event in Austria, both offering runners their own unique experience through the country’s wildest regions. The UTMB World Series has now confirmed 31 events in 2023, including new events in Europe, South America, and Africa, with further expansion across Asia and the USA still to be announced.
