UTMB World Series welcomes PIENINY by UTMB, celebrating Poland’s rich trail running culture and heritage

Mountain adventure, spectacular landscapes, authentic highlander culture and a passionate local community, UTMB® World Series is thrilled to welcome PIENINY by UTMB® to the circuit. The 2027 edition, and first in the circuit, will take place from April 22 to 25, 2027.

Rooted in southern Poland and hosted in Szczawnica, a historic mountain spa town renowned for its spa tradition and mountain tourism, the event will feature eight courses ranging from 6.8km to 137km, across the four race categories** 20K, 50K, 100K, 100M**. Runners will explore the diverse landscapes of the Pieniny, Beskid Sądecki and Gorce Mountains, from limestone peaks and forest trails to open mountain meadows, experiencing the natural beauty and authentic mountain culture that make this region of Poland so special.

“Having our races join the UTMB World Series opens an exciting new chapter for us, filled with opportunities, inspiration and challenges. This is a truly special moment that brings a sense of excitement, as well as humility and respect, for what lies ahead. While becoming part of a global trail running community, we will stay true to what has always mattered most to us: genuine connections, a unique atmosphere and our passion for creating this event. We believe that this is the beginning of a wonderful journey that will allow us to grow, evolve and share many unforgettable moments together.” said PIENINY by UTMB Race Director, Jakub Wolski.

Over the past 15 years, local families, businesses and volunteers have played a vital role in organising the event. Some of the people now heading up the event office first joined as volunteers before the age of ten, growing alongside the race and taking on greater responsibilities over the years. The existing local organising team will remain in place as they join the UTMB World Series, preserving the traditions and spirit that make the event so special.

Bogdan Szewczyk, Mayor of the Town and Municipality of Szczawnica - "Our homegrown running festival joining the UTMB World Series marks a truly special milestone for Pieniny by UTMB, the town of Szczawnica, and the entire Pieniny region, which we are proud to call home. For the past 15 years, Szczawnica has been the proud host of this exceptional event. Today, together with the organisers, we have an exciting opportunity to share the beauty of our region, its unique character and its great potential with the international community. We believe that the true strength of this event lies not only in the sporting competition itself, but also in the people who make it special: the spirit of our local community, our renowned hospitality, and the unique atmosphere that we create together."

With 84,517 Polish runners holding a UTMB Index in 2026, Poland has a passionate and committed trail running community. Joining the UTMB World Series will allow runners the opportunity to earn Running Stones on home soil and work towards qualification for the UTMB® World Series Finals (OCC, CCC®, UTMB®).

Beyond the competition, runners will also experience the UTMB World Series commitment to welcoming participants from all backgrounds and abilities, delivering extraordinary trail running experiences, protecting natural landscapes and leaving a positive legacy in host communities.

PIENINY by UTMB has a proud history of putting such values in practice through different efforts and initiatives. The Queen Runner initiative promotes women in trail running through practical measures such as providing menstrual products at aid stations and dedicated changing facilities, while promoting and supporting greater female representation throughout. The Forest Worth a Medal initiative allows participants to choose a tree instead of a traditional finisher’s medal, with approximately 900 runners opting for this in 2026.

The event has also maintained a long-standing partnership with Rak’n’Roll Foundation, bringing people affected by cancer together through participation in races, while the Empaton Award, introduced in 2022, celebrates acts of kindness and compassion on the trails.

“The Polish trail running community is a truly remarkable one, with a strong culture of trail running, a deep passion for the sport and a genuine sense of community. PIENINY by UTMB is an event deeply rooted in its local community, with a clear identity and rich history to be proud of. Its longstanding initiatives reflect our shared belief in the power of trail running to bring people together and make a positive difference beyond the finish line. We are delighted to welcome them to the UTMB World Series and look forward to building on this strong foundation and sharing our passion for trail running with runners and communities from around the world.” said Florian Lamblin, Executive director of UTMB International.

Entries for PIENINY by UTMB will open on November 3, 2026. For more information, visit pieniny.utmb.world