Wildstrubel by UTMB and HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB become UTMB World Series Majors
Chamonix, France, November 4th, 2026 – Two iconic events on the UTMB® World Series circuit are taking the next step in their history. Switzerland’s Wildstrubel by UTMB® and HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB® in the United States both become UTMB® World Series Majors in 2027.
The two events join HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB®, HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB®, HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB® and HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB®, bringing the number of UTMB World Series Majors to six.
Two new Majors embodying the UTMB World Series vision of excellence and commitment
From the Swiss Alps to California’s Sierra Nevada, Wildstrubel by UTMB and HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB share the characteristics that define the UTMB World Series Majors: a high level of competition, challenging and iconic courses, and first-rate organization. Beyond the sporting aspect, these two new Majors are clear examples of the circuit’s commitment to leaving a positive and lasting impact on each event’s host region. Their strong local roots are one of their greatest strengths: both are supported by engaged communities of runners, volunteers, local businesses and institutional stakeholders. They help to raise the profile of regions where trail running has a long history and continues to grow.
In just five editions, Wildstrubel by UTMB has established itself as a flagship event in alpine trail running. Year after year, the race has grown around a unifying project: looping the Wildstrubel massif to connect five tourist destinations, Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Adelboden, Lenk, and Kandersteg, across two cantons, Valais and Bern, and two linguistic regions. Each location hosts the start of one of the five races, with all routes converging at a shared finish line in Crans-Montana, symbolizing the event’s unifying spirit against the spectacular backdrop of the Valais 4,000-meter peaks.
Deeply rooted in the regions it crosses, the event relies on close collaboration with local destinations and stakeholders, particularly to help protect surrounding nature reserves. It is also committed to making trail running accessible to all, offering free races for kids from age 4, the Wild NextGen format for ages 10 to 17, and support for the NextGen Camp, a summer camp for youth aged 12 to 18 organized in partnership with the Académie Trail Running Valais (ATRV). This spirit of inclusion goes hand in hand with a strong community focus, featuring 100 charity bibs and the option for every runner to donate during registration to support non-profits driving local impact projects.
Local representatives and UTMB World Series united behind the Major project, with the Wildstrubel massif in the background, at the heart of the five destination partners and two host cantons. From left to right: Jean-Yves Rey (Crans-Montana), Ryan Baumann (Race director), Patrick Jost (Kandersteg-Adelboden-Lenk), Catherine Poletti (UTMB Group President), Yves-Roger Rey (Crans-Montana), Fredel Zumbach (Adelboden), Florian Lamblin (UTMB International director) et Jens Grichting (Loèche-les-Bains/Leukerbad)
« We are very proud to become a UTMB World Series Major after only five editions. This recognition belongs above all to our local committee, station chiefs, volunteers, and institutional partners, who carried this project together from the very beginning. It rewards an adventure deeply rooted in its region and gives us the energy to keep growing Wildstrubel by UTMB while remaining true to its identity » - Ryan Baumann, Race Director, Wildstrubel by UTMB
« Wildstrubel by UTMB is an impressive success story bridging the cantons of Bern and Valais. We are thrilled and proud to see it achieve Major status next year. A huge thank you to UTMB World Series for their commitment and trust, which gives this shared adventure an ever-growing reach. » - Bruno Huggler, Director of Crans-Montana Tourism & Congress
HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB: the heritage of American ultra running
Held in Auburn, California, for the past 12 years, the event takes place in one of the birthplaces of ultra-distance running in the United States. The course through the Sierra Nevada landscape is rooted in this heritage and in a longstanding community of runners and volunteers.
« We are delighted to be designated a UTMB World Series Major. With twice as many Running Stones available to all participants aiming for the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, the unique energy and majestic trails of the Alps are more accessible than ever. With international live coverage, 2027 is set to be a historic year for the event. As the last race on the calendar to offer a Super Golden Ticket for the Western States 100, HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB promises an edition full of high stakes and suspense. Whether you are on the start line or watching from behind a screen, don’t miss it!” - Chaz Sheya, Race Director, HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB
Each year, the event attracts a top-level field and is also an annual celebration of the local endurance-running culture. Its commitment extends beyond the race itself: at each edition the organisation supports local charities through the Charity Bib initiative, while runners are also involved in trail maintenance and conservation projects in collaboration with the forest authorities.
« Auburn is delighted to welcome runners and visitors from around the world, coming to experience our exceptional trails and the unique charm of our town." - Kelley Davis, Mayor of Auburn, California
A new status with major benefits
More opportunities to reach the UTMB World Series Finals
With their new status, the two events will give runners more opportunities to take part in a leading event close to home and to continue their journey towards the UTMB World Series Finals.
Participants will collect twice as many Running Stones, while the top 10 women and top 10 men competing in the 50K, 100K and 100M categories will earn automatic qualification for one of the three UTMB World Series Finals at HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc: OCC, CCC® or UTMB®.
This development will also increase the sporting appeal of both events for elite athletes, who will have the opportunity to compete in top-level fields and race against some of the world’s best trail runners.
« Major status is awarded to leading events in their region, both because they offer extraordinary experiences to runners and because they showcase the local communities, including the elected representatives who support them. We are delighted with this development, which strengthens the trail running offering in two regions where the sport is experiencing significant growth.” - Julien Chorier, Sports Director, UTMB Group.
Common standards for responsible performance
UTMB World Series Major status brings with it a set of common measures reflecting UTMB Group’s commitment to making the sport more responsible, equitable and accessible.
Wildstrubel by UTMB and HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB will therefore have enhanced anti-doping checks to ensure fair competition and help protect athletes’ health. Additionally, equal prize money will be awarded to women and men, recognizing outstanding performances by athletes, whatever distance they have raced. Both events will also benefit from increased visibility through live coverage on UTMB® Live, allowing fans around the world to follow the athletes performances and experience the intensity of the races up close.
Registrations for Wildstrubel by UTMB open on November 17th, 2026, for priority access for UTMB Index holders, followed by general registration on November 19th, 2026. For more information, visit https://wildstrubel.utmb.world/
Registrations for HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB are still open, with bibs available for all race distances. For more information, visit https://canyons.utmb.world/runners/registration
Find out more about the 2027 UTMB World Series Majors: https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series-majors
