Fellhofer and Stern on the hunt for hometown glory in Kitzbühel Alps as KAT100 by UTMB makes UTMB World Series debut
KAT100 by UTMB® will make its debut on the UTMB® World Series from the 3-5 August, with the famous Kitzbühel Alps in Tyrol, Austria taking centre stage and stunning runners with its mix of grassy mountains and ridged landscapes via flowing trails and rocky passages.
With the 100-mile event the longest ultra-trail race in Austria, runners will be quick to learn what makes this mountain range so special as the course covers some of the most iconic summits, including the world’s largest accessible cross - Jakobskreuz – atop Buchensteinwand, the stunning mountain lake at Wildseeloder and an unforgettable sunrise view at Kitzbüheler Horn.
With Christian Stern (AUT, UTMB Index 822) and Esther Fellhofer (AUT, UTMB Index 719) considered the best trail runners in their country, it could be an Austrian double crown at the events UTMB World Series debut.
“After two failed attempts, I finally want to finish an 100-mile race and I am really looking forward to getting to know the Kitzbühel Alps better. My preparation going into this race was satisfactory and my goal is to get a fixed starting place for the UTMB World Series Finals in 2024,” said Stern.
Stern will face tough competition in the men’s race however, with Alexander Rabensteiner (ITA, UTMB Index 787) looking to defend the title he earned at the third edition of the race in 2022.
“I am looking forward to returning and competing in the KAT100 again after four years. I hope to have a great day and to also enjoy the scenery around the course. My preparation went very well, but as ever with the 100-mile distance there can be a minor or major crisis. My goal is to reach the finish line healthy and in a good mood,” said Rabensteiner.
Fellhofer also has course experience in her armoury, having finished first female and second overall in the KAT100 92km Endurance Trail in 2022. And having won Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB® in June this year, she looks to be the one to beat next weekend over the flagship distance.
“The main reason I chose to race between Andorra and the UTMB World Series Finals was because these are my home mountains where I used to train, and I really like this region for trail running. This event has been part of my race calendar for three years and I am really looking forward to the first uphill to Wildseeloder and the sunrise on Kitzbühler Horn. The main goal is to finish, and it would be even better if I can finish faster than I did in 2021,” said Fellhofer.
In the KAT100 by UTMB Endurance Trail race, runners will tackle the course throughout the night, and the goal will be to finish at Kitzbüheler Horn before sunrise to enjoy the most majestic finish line feeling. A strong elite field of international runners will be setting the pace, including pre-race favourite, Jiasheng Shen (CHN, UTMB Index 907).
Shen turned heads recently at Western States 100 Endurance Run, finishing fourth in his 100-mile debut amongst a stacked field. Having finished fourth at Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc CCC® in 2022, it will be exciting to see how the race unfolds for the Chinese athlete but with Anders Kjaerevik (NOR, UTMB Index 898), Riccardo Montani (ITA, UTMB Index 867) and Cristofer Clemente Mora (ESP, UTMB Index 862) also toeing the start line it will be all to play for.
Ida-Sophie Hegemann (GER, UTMB Index 734) could claim the top step in the women’s category, building on a strong third-place at Istria 100 by UTMB® earlier in the year.
Stunning trails and beautiful views are guaranteed over the Marathon Trail, with the route featuring the Wildseeloder summit and Wildseelodersee lake at its heart. Lungs and legs will still be burning however, with Bartlomiej Przedwojewski (POL, UTMB Index 920) predicted to be one of the front-runners to set a furious pace over the 48km course, alongside CCC 2019 winner, Ragna Debats (NED, UTMB Index 783) in the women’s category.
With 8 races on offer, including 6 UTMB category races, it will be an unforgettable debut on the UTMB World Series stage, as over 1,110 runners – 84% from outside of Austria - line up at PillerseeTal. Whether checking their form ahead of the UTMB World Series Finals, experiencing their first trail race or looking to earn prestigious Running Stones to enter the lottery for the 2024 UTMB World Series Finals, the impressive backdrop of the Kitzbühel Alps promises to be the perfect race destination as the action unfolds.
Follow all the action live here.
