From the rocky and wild shores of Sweden’s Kullaberg to the natural charm of Mexico’s Puerto Vallarta, exciting weekend incoming for UTMB World Series

Considered one of the toughest races on the UTMB® World Series calendar, Kullamannen by UTMB® will test the grit of over 2,500 runners as they battle the Scandinavian elements, dramatic coastline, and technical single tracks in Sweden on November 3-4.

Despite having one of the lowest elevation gains on the UTMB World Series calendar, the event has made a name for itself, claiming ‘Kullamannen is for the crazy ones, the unstoppable few who want to challenge body and soul in a true trail running adventure. To hell and back.’ As one of the last stops on the UTMB World Series calendar in Europe, runners will be digging deep to get to the finish line and secure Running Stones, alongside the iconic finisher signet ring.

While popular amongst Swedish runners who are accustomed to the exposed and testing elements of the region, the event has grown in popularity amongst runners from around the world, with the two defending French champions back for more in 2023.

In the Men’s 100M race, Alexandre Boucheix (FRA, UTMB Index 835) will return to see if he can become the only male to win the race twice, having taken the tape in 2022 with a course record of 15:15:50. He faces tough competition, with Juho Ylinen (FIN, UTMB Index 865) one of his top contesters.

Claire Bannwarth (FRA, UTMB Index 695) also returns for more in 2023 and looks to be fine form after an impressive victory at Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB® last month. Looking to defend her title from 2022, Bannwarth will have a true test on her hands, with two-time champions Anna Carlsson (SWE, UTMB Index 731) and Sofia Smedman (SWE, UTMB Index 668) also toeing the start line and looking to add a third win to their Kullamannen by UTMB resumé. Can anyone beat Carlsson’s course record in the process, which stands at 17:28:29 from 2021?

It will be a fast start for the 100K ‘Sprint’ Ultra Race, with the first 11km heading out along the flat before the trail makes its way up to the mythical Kullaberg mountain. The strong French line-up continues with Baptiste Chassagne (FRA, UTMB Index 874) heading into the race as one of the favourites, having finished in the top-ten at 2023 Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc.

In the Women’s Race, Martyna Mlynarczyk (POL, UTMB Index 745) was forced to call an early end to her season after suffering an infection, leaving Norwegian runner, Sylvia Nordskar (NOR, UTMB Index 741) one of the top favourites heading into the race. Having enjoyed a strong season over the shorter distance, her form over the longer distance is a bit of an unknown in 2023 and it will be interesting to see how the race plays out as she faces strong European competition.

With the 50K race also setting off into the night, it will be a battle between Spanish, French, Swedish and Norwegian runners in the Men Elite race with the podium spots potentially wide open. In the Women’s race, Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc CCC® winner, Yngvild Kaspersen (NOR, UTMB Index 789) will be one to watch but faces fiery competition, including Judith Wyder (SUI, UTMB Index 789) and Sara Alonso (ESP, UTMB Index 777).

With the typical Scandinavian weather adding to the adventure, runners will face a true physical and mental test as they face up to the ‘Lord of the Mountain’ and its accompanying beautiful but brutal nature reserves, dramatic ridges, and wild coastlines.

Follow the action live at live.utmb.world

A world away from the rocky and wild coastline of Kullaberg, Sweden, UTMB World Series continues the exciting weekend of racing at the stunning Sierra Madre Occidental Mountain Range for the second edition of Puerto Vallarta by UTMB®.

Around 2,000 runners will experience the vibrant culture and stunning beauty of this bucket-list race, with finishers across four of the five race distances (100K, 50K and two 20K courses) also earning Running Stones towards the UTMB World Series lottery.

Coming off the back of an incredible 5th place at the Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc 2023, Cristofer Clemente Mora (ESP) is set to be the one to watch in Mexico. The Spanish runner has enjoyed a strong season, claiming podium spots in KAT100 by UTMB® and Valhöll Argentina by UTMB® and is on the hunt for his first UTMB World Series victory.

He will be joined by runners from around the world, including Hector Fuentes Rivera (SLV, UTMB Index 689) who is looking to improve on his 7th position from 2022, Katherine Short (CAN, UTMB Index 750) who has a string of Fastest Known Times (FKT) to her name and Andrea Vanessa Eras Quirola (ECU, UTMB Index 639) who in 2022 was the only Latin American elite runner to participate in the OCC at Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc.

Whether it is award-winning conservation photographers (Kyle Overmann, USA), or those breaking barriers and smashing stereotypes as they campaign for more inclusion in running (Mirna Valerio, USA), runners are in for a treat as they discover the deep pine mountain forests, ancient colonial towns, and vibrant culture, all while making their way to an unforgettable finish line sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and Puerta Vallarta.

Lindsey Ulrich (USA, UTMB Index 614) is looking forward to conquering the course and is no stranger to resilience and hard work, having comeback from a stroke six years ago. She has gone on to be the first American woman home at the legendary 2022 Marathon Des Sables despite doctors telling her running was off the cards.

Crowned the World’s Friendliest City by Travel and Leisure magazine, the weekend is set to be bigger and better than ever, with the famous holiday ‘Dia de Muertos’ also taking place. It will be celebrations all round and a true festival atmosphere at the second edition of Puerto Vallarta by UTMB®.

Follow the action live at live.utmb.world