mozart 100 by UTMB celebrates biggest international field, as UTMB World Series action continues with an exciting triple header weekend coming up

The eleventh edition of mozart 100 by UTMB® welcomed its largest and most international field to date with over 2,500 runners from 70 nations taking on one of six distances. British runners, Luke Grenfell Shaw (10:24:50 – UTMB Index 793) and Eve Moore (12:54:29 – UTMB Index 617) were first across the line in the queen race, featuring a staggering 5,400m+ elevation over the 105km course.

For Shaw, his victory in what was his first 100km race is all the more remarkable following a cancer diagnosis in 2018. “Five years ago today I was diagnosed with cancer and I am just so happy to be here and have a body that allows me to compete. My motto is to run hard and enjoy it. Salzburg is a beautiful place and I made sure to look up and take in all the mountains around me when running. This was my first 100km and I must say it gets really hard in the last 30-40 kilometres.”

He was joined on the podium by Baptiste Petitjean (FRA, 11:25:07 – UTMB Index 811) in second and a remarkable joint third for Hekmat Darwishi (AFG – UTMB Index 811) and Jack Chamberlain (GBR – UTMB Index 712) in 11:35:55.

Darwishi, a refugee from Afghanistan who has been living in Salzburg for five years, has enjoyed three podium finishes at this iconic race over the years, but described this finish as the best he has ever had.

Darwishi said, “For me, trail running can be described with the word ‘freedom’, you get a little distance from everyday life when you are just out on the trails. I think a lot while running and it is just fun for me run, and with a backdrop like today I can enjoy it even more!”

Eve Moore’s time of 12:54:29 also earned her 11th overall, with a significant gap on second-placed female Heidi-Annemarie Schwartz (GER, 13:33:03 – UTMB Index 614) and Katarzyna Orzechowska (CAN, 14:32:37 – UTMB Index 592).

With the mozart Ultra kicking off from Fuschl am See, Tobias Geiser (ITA,08:19:50 – UTMB Index 844) took a commanding win, followed by Morten Antonsen (NOR, 08:42:24 – UTMB Index 761) and Hans Mühlbauer (GER, 09:11:07). It was another international podium in the women’s race, with Michaela Portenkirchner (AUT, 10:17:18 – UTMB Index 635), Alice Mcgushin (AUS, 11:03:38 – UTMB Index 618) and Vanda Nováková (CZE, 11:39:22 – UTMB Index 587).

The mozart Marathon welcomed the most participants across the race distances, with 695 runners toeing the line in St Gilgen. Great Britain’s success continued over the weekend, with Kris Jones (GBR - UTMB Index 885) taking the win in 02:57:54. He was joined by Yoel De Paz (ESP, 03:02:39 – UTMB Index 893) and Michele Meridio (ITA, 03:11:30 – UTMB Index 819).

Katarina Lovrantova (SLO, 03:37:59) took a one-minute advantage to secure the win in the women’s race. She said, “I thought I was running for second place so was surprised to come first. I live in St Gilgen so I thought it was about time I participated. The trails were beautiful but demanding, and it was wonderful to experience mozart 100 by UTMB.”

Gisela Carrion Bertran (ESP, 03:38:59 – UTMB Index 728) had a storming race to finish second, just 11 months after becoming a mother, with Maria Purschke (GER, 03:43:09) rounding out the women’s podium.

In the mozart Light, Daniel Redondo Arroyo (ESP, 02:40:18 – UTMB Index 722), Mahdi Sareban (GER, 02:53:04) and Jacob Martinez (USA, 02:54:19) made up the men’s podium. The stand-out performance came from Isabell Speer (AUT) however, with her time of 02:49:42 securing her second place overall. Kate Avery (GBR, 02:56:42 – UTMB Index 725) and Marcela Vasinova (CZE, 02:58:53 – UTMB Index 766) rounded out a speedy women’s podium.

The mozart Half Marathon rounds out an incredible series of results from the weekend, with Jacob Adkin (GBR, 01:33:01 – UTMB Index 817), Roger Comellas Espelt (ESP, 01:34:45 – UTMB Index 823) and Mike Foelsner (AUT, 01:38:32) the first three across the line, while Nina Wieczorek (POL, 01:57:35 – UTMB Index 667), Neus Guinovart Vendrell (ESP, 02:04:20 – UTMB Index 605) and Selina Regenfelder (AUT, 02:08:10) made up the women’s podium.

View the full results here.

One of Europe’s most popular trail running events, La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®, will welcome over 5,000 runners from 89 nations to the stunning Italian Dolomites over 23-26 June.

With the symbolic three peaks of the Tre Cime di Lavaredo setting both a stunning and dramatic scene, runners set off to tackle one of five race distances and discover the UNESCO World Heritage Site.

It will be an atmospheric start to the queen race, which kicks off at 11pm as runners traverse the 120km course with 5,800m of elevation. Its unique atmosphere and beauty is something that keeps bringing Daniel Jung coming back for more.

“If you are an ultra-runner, you must run the Lavaredo trail at least once in your life because of the atmosphere, the warmth of the people and the beauty of the Dolomites, which are the best mountains in the world,” said Jung.

As one of the highest ranked athletes on the Elite Men list, a podium spot could certainly be in Jung’s sights as he lines up against a stacked field including Andreas Reiterer (ITA, UTMB Index 912), Andreu Simon Aymerich (ESP, UTMB Index 905) and Lluis Ruiz Oller (ESP, UTMB Index 879).

In the Women’s race, Maryline Nakache (FRA, UTMB Index 740) kicked off her season with an impressive first at Marathon Des Sables and will face strong international competition including Emma Stuart (GBR, UTMB Index 731), Kelly Wolf (USA, UTMB Index 728) and home-favorite Alessandra Boifava (ITA, UTMB Index 724).

With the 80km race kicking off from San Vito di Cadore for 2023, there will be new opportunities to set course records, while the 50K, 20K and 10K will all kick off from the beautiful mountain resort of Cortina d’Ampezzo, proud hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

Lino Cianciotto (ITA – UTMB Index 346), an amputee athlete from Italy is looking forward discovering the course. He said, “Participating in Lavaredo has always been a dream for me as I have an artificial leg. Running the 50km together with many other able-bodied athletes represents the greatest expression of inclusiveness and will be an unforgettable experience that I will carry with me for life."

Follow all the action live here.

From one stunning mountain range to another, the unspoiled wild scenery of the Pyrenees will set the stage for Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB®. With every trail telling a story, the course promises something for everyone with four race distances on offer (7.5km, 21km, 50km and 105km) and the opportunity to discover Andorra’s highest peaks, the unique refuges and the forests, lakes, and waterfalls of the Coma Pedrosa Nature Park.

Despite being one of the shortest European races with the largest amount of Running Stones, competitors taking on the Ultra 105km will have a unique opportunity to traverse the entire country in one race, including the famous Tibetan bridge at 603 meters long.

Meanwhile the 50km will enjoy a 360-degree view of Andorra as they climb up to the Casamanya peak, with the 21km course enjoying similar unparalleled views via the Casamanya crossing. The panoramic balcony of Creu del Noral is the highlight of the 7.5km course, squeezing a lot of beauty into a shorter race.

Having spent the last few weeks in Andorra checking out the course, Pau Capell (ESP, UTMB Index 888) will be looking for a top position in the 105km race. Having won UTMB®) in 2019, Capell will be looking for redemption having suffered a DNF in 2022.

South-African athlete, Meg Mackenzie (UTMB Index 716) will also have her sights set on another top position, having kicked off her season with a strong third at Transvulcania by UTMB® (100K).

Follow all the action live here.

The iconic Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run will see 381 registered athletes take on the legendary point-to-point race in California as it celebrates its 50th year. Starting near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics at Olympic Valley, runners will climb over 18,000 feet and descend nearly 23,000 feet over the 100.2-mile course.

“We are thrilled to welcome runners to Auburn for the 50th year of the Western States Endurance Run. It will be a challenging year on the course with snow still very present at higher altitudes. The challenging conditions only serve to reinforce the races reputation as one of the ultimate endurance tests in the world. This year we are looking forward to seeing an elite field that is more international than ever,” said Race Director, Craig Thornley.

From the canyons and rivers of the Sierra Nevada mountains to the traditional lands of the Nisenan and Washoe Indigenous Peoples, Western States is a race like no other. The runners that make it to the finish line will also receive a coveted handmade silver and bronze buckle award, Running Stones and bragging rights having completed one of the most historic and renowned races.

Great Britain’s Tom Evans (UTMB Index 911) has made no secret of targeting the top spot in 2023. Having finished third at UTMB Mont-Blanc in 2022 and kicking off the 2023 season with a second place at Black Canyons Ultras (100K) and first at Snowdonia by UTMB® (50K), he heads into the race as one of the favorites.

“These big races are more than just races and I wanted to be part of the history of Western States and fully immerse myself in the journey of this race. This race started out as a horse race and is the original 100-mile foot race! I did it in 2019 and while I was happy with the race at the time as my first 100-miler, I know I made a lot of mistakes in the training and in the race. For me, this is the peak of my season!”

A strong international field will be looking to challenge Evans to the top spot, including 2022 UTMB Mont-Blanc TDS winner Ludovic Pommeret (FRA, UTMB Index 871) who also finished sixth at Western States in 2022, and fellow runner Mathieu Blanchard (FRA, UTMB Index 912) who finished second at UTMB in 2022 under 20 hours of racing Having finished second last year, local runner Hayden Hawks (USA, UTMB Index 921) will aim to claim the first place. With just 50 minutes separating the top ten in 2022, it could be an exciting finish in Auburn for the 50th edition of the race.

In the Women’s race, all eyes are on UTMB 2021 winner, Courtney Dauwalter (USA - UTMB Index 834). With a string of impressive results, including a recent first place finish at Transgrancanaria (100M), the American runner will want to do well here. Having previously won here in 2018, before suffered a DNF in 2019, Dauwalter is back for more but will have to hold off the likes of Camille Herron (USA, UTMB Index 811), Katie Schide (USA, UTMB Index 788) and Emily Hawgood (ZWE, UTMB Index 740).

Follow all the action live here.