Unforgettable inaugural edition of Paraty Brazil by UTMB, while long-standing Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB crowns new champions, and attentions turn to Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB

The UTMB® World Series returned to the USA this weekend, as 800 registered runners took on one of the hardest courses on the East Coast at the Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB®. Mike McMonagle (USA, UTMB Index 800) and Alissa St Laurent (CAN, UTMB Index 706) were crowned champions of the 100-mile course, crossing the line first male and first female with respective times of 19:10:06 and 24:39:02 after a staggering 21,000ft of elevation.

_“It was a really hard race, but I think it was probably the best race of my life in terms of taking care of myself. My wife is really good at running 100-milers and I get to learn a lot from her. This is the best I have ever done at doing what she taught me_”, said McMonagle.

When asked why he chose Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB, he added:_ “This was the first 100-miler I ever knew about, when my friends at college were wearing the hoodies and got me into trail running so it has a lot of nostalgia. I also crewed my wife at the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix this year, and that gave me a whole new appreciation of how hard that race is but also how stunning and beautiful it is, so it also inspired me to give it a shot and return to Chamonix.” _

Grant Barnette (USA, UTMB Index 787) crossed the line in second, with Joey Millar (USA, UTMB Index 787) rounding out the podium in third.

Having suffered two DNF’s in 2023, it finally came together for Alissa St Laurent in the women’s race, crossing the line with a buffer of almost two hours on second placed Shelby Johnson (USA, UTMB Index 581) and third placed Serene Eley (USA).

In the events 100K debut, Caleb Olson (USA, UTMB Index 835) took the tape in the men’s race. Having missed the excitement of Chamonix this year, Olson secured his goal to return in 2024 for the UTMB World Series Final, while also qualifying for Western States endurance Run in the process and getting to hang the infamous Golden Ticket up in his home with pride.

Caleb Bowen (USA, UTMB Index 801) crossed the line less than five minutes behind in second placed, with Justin Grunewald (USA, UTMB Index 857) in third.

In the women’s race, it was another closely fought affair between first and second with Lotti Brinks (USA) victorious ahead of counterpart and friend, Devon Yanko (USA, UTMB Index 765). Anna Fisher (USA) rounded out the podium in third.

Brinks said:_ “When they announced it was going to be a UTMB race, I decided I had to do it. I ran a smart race, starting out conservatively then progressively picking it up until I took the lead at mile 45 and tightly held onto it until the very end.” _

In the 21K race, Brandt Boggs (USA) took the tape in another debut distance for the event. Hollyann Swann (USA, UTMB Index 723) had an incredible race to finish first female and second overall, just over six-minutes behind Boggs.

Full Grindstone Trail Running Festival by UTMB results available here.

Radiant sunshine lit up the technical trails and stunning coastline this weekend at Paraty Brazil by UTMB®, as runners, supporters and volunteers brought an abundance of energy to the newest and biggest trail running event in Brazil. Rogério Silvestrin (BRA, UTMB Index 853) and Giovanna Martins (BRA, UTMB Index 635) had even more reason to celebrate, crossing the line first male and first female in the UTSB 110 event, establishing benchmark times of 11:54:38 and 13:56:06 respectively.
Radiant sunshine lit up the technical trails and stunning coastline this weekend at Paraty Brazil by UTMB®, as runners, supporters and volunteers brought an abundance of energy to the newest and biggest trail running event in Brazil. Rogério Silvestrin (BRA, UTMB Index 853) and Giovanna Martins (BRA, UTMB Index 635) had even more reason to celebrate, crossing the line first male and first female in the UTSB 110 event, establishing benchmark times of 11:54:38 and 13:56:06 respectively.

Setting off by headtorch, it was Claudio Clasen Schlindwein (BRA, UTMB Index 709) who led from the outset in his debut 100km race. He eventually dropped down to third after losing the lead to Rogério Silvestrin who attacked to take a 37-minute buffer on Diego Silva (BRA, UTMB Index 752) who had also spent the race trading places within the top 5 before finishing strong.

“It is an incredible experience to run a UTMB race in Brazil and to see our community grow, it is a very important moment for our sport. I am very grateful and happy to be able to participate in this party,” said Silva.

In the women’s race, Giovanna Martins led from start to finish to take the tape in Paraty. She was put under pressure by a hunting Ivania Rambo (BRA, UTMB Index 681) however, who finished less than three minutes behind in her debut long-distance race. Susany Perardt (BRA, UTMB Index 665) also took on her debut 100km distance, rounding out the podium in third and claiming a spot in the CCC at the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix.

Speaking after the event, Martins said; _“This was the best trail event I've ever seen in Brazil. I was very moved from the first day as the entire organization was impeccable and this team proved they know how to do a trail race. It's a unique emotion to be the champion, I'm very excited to be part of this moment and the history of UTMB.”

_ Whether first or last, runners were treated to a spectacle throughout the course including an incredible party atmosphere at Taquari neighborhood as residents stayed up to cheer athletes on throughout the night.

With the race attracting runners from 29 countries, it was a Chilean 1-2 in the men’s PTR 55 with Nicolas Benavides (CHL, UTMB Index 768) taking the win ahead of Nicolas Palacios (CHL, UTMB Index 736).

“It was an amazing race, with very diverse landscapes and nature. I didn’t expect the route to be like this and I loved the mix between technical sections and runnable parts, as well as the river crossing. It was my first time in Brazil and competing in a UTMB event and I hope to be able to return to compete here again!” said Benavides.

Francieli Kiekow (BRA, UTMB Index 666) dominated the women’s race with an incredible home victory, which also saw her finish 13th overall. Ana Paula Silveira (BRA, UTMB Index 687) and Rovana Lampert (BRA, UTMB Index 575) took the final two spots on the podium, finishing second and third on one of the most challenging courses in Brazil.

In the PTR 35 course, Ayslan Miragaia (BRA, UTMB Index 768) took the win ahead of André Luiz Mapa (BRA, UTMB Index 681)) and Cesar Picinin (BRA. UTMB Index 746). In the women’s race, Mariana Scarpelli (BRA, UTMB Index 634) enjoyed a commanding win, with Ligia Silveira De Almeida (BRA, UTMB Index 577) and Maria Hillmann (BRA, UTMB Index 603) rounding out the podium.

Over 1,000 runners took on the PTR 25 course, with some participating in their first trail running event. Eduardo De Brito Ramos (BRA, UTMB Index 754) and Leticia Saltori (BRA, UTMB Index 698) stormed to victory in the men and women’s race respectively.

Full Paraty Brazil by UTMB results available here.

From the 28 September – 1 October, 5,000 runners from 101 different nationalities will take to the start line of the Mediterranean Basin’s biggest ever trail running event at the second edition of Nice Cote d’Azur by UTMB®. Starting in the heart of France’s Mercantour National Park, runners will experience the deep rock gorges and alpine forests of the Tinée and Vésubie valley, taking on hidden gems and infamous highlights before winding up at the French Riviera and the iconic Promenade des Anglais in Nice, France.  

With four exciting formats on offer - from 100M to 20K – there is something for everyone, while also attracting an incredible line-up of elites, including the 2023 Dacia UTMB® Mont-Blanc men’s champion, Jim Walmsley (USA, UTMB Index 940). 

Walmsley will face a strong European contingent in the 100K race, facing the likes of Thibaut Baronian (FRA, UTMB Index 911). The French National Short Trail Champion finished an impressive 4th at the World Mountain and Trail Running Championships in August (50km), before going on to take the tape at Restonica Trail by UTMB® 2023 (50K). Having suffered a DNF in his most recent race at the Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc CCC®, Baronian will be looking for redemption on home soil.  

The Women’s Elite also looks to be electric, with two previous winners returning for more in 2023. 50K winner, Yuri Yoshizumi (JPN, UTMB Index 749) and 100K winner, Ida-Sophie Hegemann (GER, UTMB Index 734) will both step-up to the 100M distance in 2023, ready to battle it out to try and claim another victory in the events second-year. It won’t be an easy task however, with a star-studded international field ready to challenge the two favorites, including Claire Bannwarth (FRA, UTMB Index 696) and Ildikó Wermescher (HUN, UTMB Index 669). 

Jules Pijourlet, UTMB France Project Manager, is excited to be welcoming such an international field of runners. He explains: _“A few days before the start of the second edition of Nice Côte d'Azur by UTMB, we are looking forward to runners experiencing the beauty of Nice and its metropole Nice Côte d’Azur with its famous Promenade des Anglais, the Mercantour and all the hidden wonders of the inland. This year, we are excited to welcome an exceptional elite lineup with the participation of many winners of the first edition including Ida-Sophie Hegemann, Hugo Deck, Yuri Yoshizumi as well as Jim Walmsley, UTMB 2023 winner, not to forget Thibaut Baronian and Sébastien Poesy. The show is going to be outstanding!”  _

As one of the last European UTMB World Series events of 2023, runners will be looking to secure Running Stones ahead of pre-registration for the UTMB World Series Finals 2024 opening on the 14 December, while soaking up the last of the summer sun in style on the French Riviera.  

Watch the event live here.