World’s best trail runners rise to the top across the globe at action-packed triple-header weekend for UTMB World Series, while France gets set to host first ever Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB

• Josh Wade (GBR) sets the bar with new course record, 23:51:31.
• Oldest finisher celebrates his 72nd birthday in the Welsh mountains.
• Pure resilience from Yukihisa Nakamura (JPN) who closed out the event after 47h, 30m and 59s on the course.

It was a record-breaking fifth edition of Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB®, with the stunning weather a stark contrast to the wild weather of the 2022 edition. Josh Wade (GBR – UTMB Index 855) and Emma Stuart (GBR – UTMB Index 680) still made sure to kick up a storm, dominating the 100-mile race.

“ It was one of the best days ever, I will never forget this! The hills felt awesome, and I got into a good groove. Everything just came together, and I am so chuffed with a sub-24-hour time ” said Wade, who adds the 100-mile title to his accolades after winning the 100km race in 2022.

Gregoire Crumer (FRA – UTMB Index 859) finished second and David Hedges (USA – UTMB Index 877) third after tackling the tough 100-mile course, which features 10,000m of elevation.

In the Women’s race, Emma Stuart redefined the word domination as she finished almost three hours ahead of her opposition in 28:23:29. In doing so, she automatically qualified for the UTMB race at the UTMB World Series Finals, an achievement Stuart was thrilled about. “ It has been on the to-do list for a while and to be able to get the qualification here, at this incredible race in the UK is special. It is crazy because it is just such a small little town but a great opportunity to showcase the trails we have here to so many international runners. ”

Sabrina Stanley (USA – UTMB Index 720) and Claire Bannwarth (FRA – UTMB Index 696) rounded out the podium.

In the 100km race, it was a close battle between Jean-Philippe Tschumi (CHE, 13:27:28 – UTMB Index 893), Tom Owens (GBR, 13:31:10 – UTMB Index 822) and Keith Wigley (GBR, 13:33:18 – UTMB Index 785) all finishing within six minutes of each other. In the women’s race, it was an all-British podium with Lizzie Atkins (GBR, 16:44:09) taking the tape, followed by Robyn Cassidy (GBR, 16:59:19 – UTMB Index 612) and Rachel Fawcett (GBR, 17:46:04 – UTMB Index 640).

As the most competitive field ever seen in a UK trail running event, it was only fitting British trail running talent, Tom Evans (GBR – UTMB Index 540) was on the start line. After leading out the Eryri Mini Kids race, which saw future trail runners’ blitz around the 2km course, Evans turned his attention to the 50km race the following day. Evans, who finished third at UTMB Mont-Blanc in 2022, secured the win in Wales with a 24-minute buffer on second-placed Matthieu Delpeuch (FRA – UTMB Index 859) and Kristoffer Eftedal (NOR – UTMB Index 800).

Johanna Gelfgren (SWE – UTMB Index 688) took the title in the women’s field ahead of 2022 champion, Kirsteen Welch (GBR – UTMB Index 702) who settled for second. Fiona Pascall (GBR – UTMB Index 708) rounded out the podium in third.

The Eryri 25km saw British duo Kristian Jones and Holly Wootten (UTMB Index 666) take the win in their respective races. Dominik Tabor (POL) and Therese Arvik (NOR – UTMB Index 660) claimed silver while Gian Marchet Shicktanz (CHE – UTMB Index 885) and Charmaine Horsfall (GBR – UTMB Index 553) claimed bronze.

Full results can be found here.

• Dream races for champions Murray and Gilmour-Walsh.
• International field, including victory for Vietnamese runner Hau Ha in 50km race.
• Hometown glory for 15th edition of the race with all-Australia podiums in UTA22.

The largest trail running event in the Southern Hemisphere welcomed an electric atmosphere as New Zealand’s George Murray (NZL – UTMB Index 742) and Australia’s Emily Gilmour-Walsh (AUS – UTMB Index 685) claimed top honours in the 100km queen race at Ultra-Trail™ Australia by UTMB®.

Having finished 10th at Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB, Murray had the race of his life to finish on the top step in 09:32:59, ahead of Mike Carroll (AUS – UTMB Index 822) and Piotr Babis (POL – UTMB Index 848).

He said, “ Words cannot describe it, this is a dream come true. But what really made today was the support from strangers as they cheered everyone on. That is what makes this sport pretty damn cool! ”

Emily Gilmour-Walsh was as equally overwhelmed having claimed the women’s title ahead of former champion, Lucy Bartholomew (AUS – UTMB Index 716). She said, “ It is like a dream! I just tried to run my own race and hope for the best, I am so stoked. The support on the course was incredible, from the other athletes, crew and volunteers. It is always such a good feeling coming here, both spectating and competing! ”

Crossing the line in 11:33:28, Gilmour-Walsh finished 19 minutes clear of Bartholomew with Lou Clifton (UTMB Index 645) also rounding out the all-Australian podium.

Despite a tough day on the trails following recent illness, Bartholomew felt like a winner on crossing the line. With the Australian runner now turning her attention to two of the biggest challenges in the world of sport, UTMB® Mont-Blanc in August and the VinFast Ironman World Championships in October, finishing this race against all odds added extra armour to her mental resilience toolbox.

In the 50km race, Blake Turner (AUS, 4:20:13 – UTMB Index 812) delivered a masterclass in patience in the 50km race, before eventually reeling runners back in to take victory. Charles Hamilton (AUS – UTMB Index 848) and Ben Duffus (AUS, 04:37:20) rounded out the podium.

Vietnamese runner, Hau Hu enjoyed her first experience of racing in Australia, earning a win and a coveted spot in the UTMB World Series Finals. Stephanie Auston (AUS, 4:54:07 – UTMB Index 720) and Renee Cardinaals (NED, 4:54:55 – UTMB Index 715) rounded out the podium with less than 50 seconds separating the runners.

Australian domination ensued in the UTA22, with all six podium places being awarded to hometown runners with Brodie Nankervis (AUS, 1:47:49 – UTMB Index 788) and Lara Hamilton (AUS, 02:05:25 – UTMB Index 653) clinching top honours.

Full results can be found here.

• Argentina go 1-2-3 in Women’s 125km race, with Veronica Remirez taking honors.
• Americans dominate 80km race, with female winner Helen Mino Faukner also finishing second overall behind a flying Cody Lind.

The heart of Central Argentina welcomed UTMB World Series to Valhöll Argentina by UTMB®, with runners discovering some of the most epic scenery in South America and its incredible atmosphere. Miguel Heras (ESP – UTMB Index 905) and Veronica Ramirez (ARG – UTMB Index 671) soaked it all in at the finish line, after establishing dominant victories in the 125km.

Heras was joined by Cristofer Clemente Mora (ESP) and Gonzalo Calisto (ECU) on the men’s podium. In the women’s field it was an all-Argentinean podium with Mariela Vigiliocco second and Loreno Saravia third.

Stand-out performances were also on display in the 80km race, with Cody Lind (USA – UTMB Index 848) winning the race by over 47 minutes. At the finish line he said, “ What a day! It is such an incredible feeling to be able to put all the pieces together for an overall first place. Running through Argentina was something else and required a lot of different tools from the toolbox from start to finish .”

“ Beautiful mountains, super technical off trail sections, big climbs, steep descents, rock trails and heat. But also some of the most supportive and energetic people from start to finish. Thank you for such an incredible race experience here in Argentina ”, he added.

His closest counterpart was that of Helen Mino Faukner (USA, 08:30:52 – UTMB Index 724) who took the win in the women’s race after an exciting battle between second-placed Emily Hawgood (ZIM, 08:39:46 – UTMB Index 740). Faukner was a class above the rest, finishing almost two hours ahead of third-place Zoe Rom (USA).

In the men’s race, Alex Xavier Lozano Espinosa (ECU – UTMB Index 755) finished second, with a time of 08:34:58 earning him third place overall. TJ David (USA – UTMB Index 767) was third across the line after experiencing the technical trails and magical mountains of Argentina.

Full results can be found here.

A race with a difference awaits this weekend in France at the inaugural Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB®. Filled with medieval stories and legends, runners will pass no fewer than 22 castles along the trails while discovering the forests, vineyards, and ancient Celtic paths of the region.

“ From an idea between friends, here we are today ready for the first edition of the Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB where 4,600 runners will set off for an extraordinary adventure off the beaten track. We look forward to showcasing the historical, cultural and folklore heritage of Alsace and the Grand Est region, alongside its wild nature and the mesmerizing Massif de Vosges ”, said Technical Director, Mathieu Pettinotti.

With four distances on offer, from 100mile to 20km, this race has caught the attention of top elites, including Andy Symonds (GBR, UTMB Index 848) in the 100-mile race who will be looking to secure his slot at the UTMB® World Series Finals, after finishing 11th in the prestigious UTMB race in 2022. In the Women’s race, Maite Maiora (ESP, UTMB Index 761) could also be one to watch after finishing 4th place amongst a stacked field at Istria 100 by UTMB just last month.

Alongside international runners, the event will also see many local trailblazers taking on the course, including former Miss France, Laetitia Bléger (FRA, UTMB Index 475) who enjoys many childhood memories on the trails near Colmar. She will also be joined by France’s 2010 Karate World Champion, and Strasbourg-born, Christelle Sturtz (FRA, UTMB Index 522).

Speaking about the event, Sturtz said, “ I am passionate about running and long-distance races so I am delighted that a race like this can take place on our Alsatian lands. For me, running is a moment of total disconnection from everything, and I cannot wait to immerse myself into this new event. Knowing the beauty of our trails well, runners will love the formats on offer, and it promises to bring to life strong sporting moments and rare emotion. ”