VIBRAM and UTMB World Series announce a global partnership
UTMB® World Series and Vibram SpA, the global leader in the production of high-performance rubber soles, are proud to announce a new global partnership that will extend across all 35 UTMB World Series events including the most iconic trail running event in the world, the UTMB World Series Finals at UTMB Mont-Blanc. This exclusive partnership will see Vibram become the Official Soles Technology Supplier of the UTMB World Series for the 2023-2025 seasons.
Paolo Manuzzi, General Manager of Vibram, said: “The world of trail running is highly strategic for Vibram. The collaboration between Vibram and UTMB World Series stems from Vibram's long-standing tradition of being close to outdoor sports enthusiasts.”
UTMB Group CEO Frédéric Lénart said: “We are delighted to welcome Vibram as Official Supplier of the UTMB World Series, building on our successful partnership since 2008 with our pinnacle event, the UTMB Mont-Blanc. A brand renowned among the trail running community for the high quality of their trail running soles, Vibram will allow participants of the UTMB World Series to access top-of-the-range gear and perform better on the trails around the world.”
The partnership between Vibram and UTMB World Series is based on shared values and ethics for the environment, passion for sports, and commitment to the community. Vibram was founded on a revolutionary technological innovation, the CARRARMATO sole, which redefined how athletes relate to the ground. Today, with over 85 years of experience, Vibram continues to lead innovation in the sole sector, creating products that meet the needs of the most technical terrains and the most demanding consumers.
UTMB World Series runners are among the most passionate and committed people in the world, and now thanks to Vibram, the community will have the opportunity to increase confidence in their shoes during their race. The Vibram Sole Factor Mobile Lab will be present at numerous UTMB World Series events, giving runners the chance to re-sole their trail shoes with Vibram soles for free, to help optimize performance and best understand the difference compared to other soles.
Jérôme Bernard, Sport Innovation Marketing Global Director of Vibram said: “In this way our motto, ‘Ordinary People Being Extraordinary’, comes to life. The Vibram and UTMB World Series collaboration will help athletes and outdoor enthusiasts alike run with best Vibram soles featuring high performance technologies such like Vibram Megagrip, Vibram Litebase and Vibram Traction Lug, specially designed for trail running and inspired by the performances of UTMB World Series runners”.
Next up on the UTMB World Series global calendar is a triple-header weekend from the 14-16 April, with Desert RATS Trail Running Festival by UTMB in the USA, Ultra-Trail Ninghai by UTMB in China, and Istria 100 by UTMB in Croatia, where runners will be able to benefit from The Vibram Sole Factor Mobile Lab.
