About the UTMB World Series

The UTMB® World Series is a premier global trail running circuit, uniting the world's top events in extraordinary, pristine natural locations. With over 50 trail-running events, the UTMB® World Series offers exclusive access to the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc. This race represents the origin of UTMB® and serves as the venue for the UTMB® World Series Finals.

The series comprises three levels of events:

• UTMB® World Series Finals

• UTMB® World Series Majors

• UTMB® World Series Events

UTMB® World Series Finals

The UTMB® World Series Finals are held annually, featuring three marquee distances: 50K, 100K, and 100M of UTMB® Mont-Blanc. The three races involved are the OCC, the CCC®, and the UTMB®. The UTMB® World Series titles for both women and men are awarded at these finals, across the three race categories.

UTMB® World Series Majors

Each year, three UTMB® World Series Events (one each in the Americas, Europe, and Asia/Oceania) are designated as "Majors." Each Major includes at least one race in each category: 50K, 100K, and 100M. The Majors enhance the exclusivity of access to the UTMB® World Series Finals by qualifying a larger number of athletes (e.g., top 10 female and male athletes instead of the top 3 from other UTMB® World Series Events), providing age group slots, and doubling the Running Stones earned by all finishers.

UTMB® World Series Events

The UTMB® World Series consists of over 50 events spanning all continents. Each UTMB® World Series Event includes at least one race of 50K, 100K, and/or 100M. Finishers of these races can gain exclusive access to the UTMB® World Series Finals via their performance, in addition to accumulating Running Stones and participating in the loyalty program or lottery.

This paragraph aims to define the terms used to describe the various components of the UTMB® World Series accurately.

Races

The term 'Races' refers to each distance within an event. For instance, the CCC® is a race within the UTMB® Mont-Blanc event, and the PDA is a race within the Val d’Aran by UTMB® event.

Events

The UTMB® World Series comprises several events. For example, Doi Inthanon by UTMB® is an event under the UTMB® World Series.

KM-effort

The UTMB® World Series uses a universally recognized formula for measuring trail running race distances by taking into account both the distance and elevation gain to calculate the perceived distance, also known as the ‘kilometers of effort’ (KM-effort).

KM-Effort = d + (h/100) Distance (d) plus Elevation in meters (h) divided by 100 equals KM-Effort.

For instance, a race with a 50km distance and 2,500m of elevation gain has a KM-effort of 75K, calculated as follows: d = 50; h = 2,500; h/100 = 25 Hence, 50 + 25 = 75 KM-Effort.

Race Category

There are four UTMB® race categories based on KM-effort, designed to classify races exceeding 20km-effort. These categories include 20K, 50K, 100K, and 100M.

Performance

The performance slots allocated for runners in the UTMB® World Series Finals are strictly reserved for:

• Runners who qualify by finishing in the top three overall male or female in each distance/race in a UTMB® World Series Event and top 10 overall male or female in a UTMB® World Series Major.

• Runners who obtain a UTMB® Score equal to or higher than the one mentioned in the provided table, in one of the races of the UTMB® World Series circuit in the 50K, 100K, or 100M categories.

• The top performers in each age group in a UTMB® World Series Major.

Running Stones

A Running Stone is an entry into the draw for participating in the UTMB® World Series Finals, the UTMB®, CCC®, and OCC races of the UTMB® Mont-Blanc. Runners can accumulate Running Stones by completing designated races at a UTMB® World Series Event or a UTMB® World Series Major. Running Stones are cumulative, and each one increases the chance of being drawn.

The number of Running Stones collected by completing an UTMB® World Series race is as follows:

UTMB® Score

The UTMB® score is a number assigned to each finisher of a UTMB® World Series Final, Major, or Event race in the 20K, 50K, 100K, and 100M categories. This score allows evaluation of a runner's speed.

UTMB® Index

The UTMB® Index is an official tool to assess and compare the performance level of every trail-runner. To earn a valid UTMB® Index, a runner must complete at least one UTMB® World Series Event race or UTMB® World Series Index race in a UTMB® World Series race category within the last 24 months.

The UTMB® Index is calculated using the individual UTMB® Score of a runner from each of the 4 UTMB® World Series race categories (20K, 50K, 100K, and 100M). A General UTMB® Index is provided to runners by combining results from all distances/categories. This General Index is available once a valid UTMB® Index is achieved in one category: 20K, 50K, 100K, or 100M.

To maintain an active category, a runner must record a finish in a specific category every 24 months. However, once a category is activated, all races from the past 36 months are used to calculate their UTMB® Index.

NB: As categories are defined, two similar races may fall into different categories. Therefore, each category has a slight overlap, where races on the border of two categories contribute to the UTMB® Index in both categories. This overlap only applies once the category is activated by a race in that category.

UTMB® Index Races

Thousands of trail-running races worldwide are considered UTMB® Index races. These races, along with the UTMB® World Series Finals, Majors, or Events, provide each finisher with a valid UTMB® Index in the completed race category (20K, 50K, 100K, 100M) and/or update their current UTMB® Index.

UTMB® World Series Events are hosted in over 20 countries, each set within a natural environment. These events unite professional organizations, volunteers, and a diverse community of runners from various backgrounds. They are organized in locations where communities have thrived year-round for generations.

Given these factors, everyone involved is expected to uphold our core values.

As such, it is imperative that all athletes respect the environment they traverse; demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times; take responsibility for their own safety and the safety of others; familiarize themselves with, understand, and abide by all Competition Rules; and treat organizational members, volunteers, other athletes, locals, and spectators with respect and courtesy.

The classification of age groups is determined and based on the World Athletics standards, and are renamed as follows:

Athletes in all age groups are required to participate in the division that aligns with their age as of December 31st of the event year. This includes all possible age groups, encompassing those participating in youth races.

Upon completing a UTMB® Index race, a runner's UTMB® Index will be updated.

The UTMB® Index races serve as a gateway to the UTMB® World Series, with thousands of trail-running events worldwide. These races enable all runners to gain privileged access to the UTMB® World Series Events.

For safety reasons, the race organization may require runners to have a valid UTMB® Index for specific categories:

50K: A valid UTMB® Index in the 20K, 50K, 100K, or 100M categories is needed.

100K: A valid UTMB® Index in the 50K, 100K, or 100M categories is necessary.

100M: A valid UTMB® Index in the 100K or 100M categories is required.

The UTMB® World Series comprises over 50 trail running events, granting exclusive access to the Finals (OCC, CCC®, and UTMB®) for all interested runners. It is organized into three levels: UTMB® World Series Events, UTMB® World Series Majors, and UTMB® World Series Finals. Final qualification can be achieved through either performance or a lottery system.

UTMB® World Series Events

Each UTMB® World Series Event hosts at least one race across the 50K, 100K, or 100M categories, thereby enabling each finisher to potentially gain exclusive access to the UTMB® World Series Finals through performance or the collection of Running Stones (leading to a lottery entry).

Qualifying by performance:

For events featuring two or more races in the same category (e.g., a 70km and a 100km, both considered as 100K races), only one will be designated as the qualifying race for elite runners. For each qualifying race of 50K, 100K, or 100M, the top three male and female runners, as well as any runner who achieves a minimum UTMB® Score, will secure a slot for the next UTMB® World Series Finals race of the same category.

Access to the lottery:

All event finishers accumulate Running Stones, which determine the frequency of their name's appearance in the draw. The quantity of Running Stones collected depends on the race category.

The number of Running Stones collected depends on the race categories:

UTMB® World Series Majors

Annually, three UTMB® World Series Events (one each in the Americas, Europe, and Asia/Oceania) are chosen as 'Majors'. Each Major includes at least one race in each of the 50K, 100K, and 100M categories.

Qualifying by performance:

The criteria are similar to the UTMB® World Series Events, but the top ten male and female runners from each qualifying race, along with runners achieving a minimum UTMB® Score, secure a slot for the next UTMB® World Series Finals race in the same category. Additionally, a qualification system enables the qualification of 50 age group athletes per race.

Access to the lottery:

The process is identical to the UTMB® World Series Events, with all finishers collecting Running Stones based on their race category.

UTMB® World Series Finals

The UTMB® World Series Finals are held annually over the three flagship distances of 50K, 100K, and 100M at UTMB® Mont-Blanc: the OCC, the CCC®, and the UTMB®. Men's and women's UTMB® World Series titles are awarded in these race categories at the Finals.

Qualification by Performance:

Slots for elite runners at the UTMB® World Series Finals are reserved strictly for those who qualify by participating in a UTMB® World Series Event or Major in the preceding calendar year (for example, 2023 races qualify for the 2024 finals). Athletes must confirm their Finals participation no later than one week after qualification.

Access to the lottery:

Only runners who have earned at least one Running Stones in the past two years may enter the OCC, CCC®, or UTMB® lottery.

Partners (sponsors, charity, volunteers, organization, media):

All runners, including those linked with sponsors, charity organizations, volunteers, etc., must meet the criteria necessary to enter a Final. This means all runners securing a slot outside the lottery system must have earned at least one valid Running Stone at the time they register for UTMB® Mont-Blanc. Upon registration, their Running Stones count, regardless of its total, will be reset to zero.

Free access to UTMB® World Series Events & UTMB® World Series Majors

Elite runners can gain free entry to UTMB® World Series Events and UTMB® World Series Majors. To uphold fairness for elite athletes and to efficiently handle entry requests, access for elite runners is determined by their UTMB® Index within the chosen race category. There are 2 group of races with different UTMB® index requirements for gaining free access into the events, these are based on the demand and availability.

Women

Men

Group A events - All UTMB® World Series Events and UTMB® World Series Majors except those in Group B.
Group B events - Lavaredo Ultra-Trail by UTMB® and Eiger Trail by UTMB®.

Free Elite entries cannot be guaranteed in the following circumstances and are subject to the race directors' discretion:

• For races that are sold out
• For registrations that are closed
• Less than 30 days before the event

Other conditions

If an event has two races in the same category only the finals qualifier races gives free entries. Free registration criteria do not apply to 20K races.

Races with a lottery

Athletes with a UTMB® Index greater than those listed in the tables above can have free access and bypass the lottery based on their category UTMB® Index. Registration requests must be received before the close of the lottery application period. No bibs will be granted after the close of registrations.

Group A / Group B levels correspond the top 200 / 100 runners by UTMB® Index in each category.

Direct & paid access in case of lottery

For access to events with a lottery, athletes that do not qualify by the rules above can still have direct access and bypass the lottery based on their category UTMB® Index. These registrations must be paid for by the athlete and requests must be received before the close of pre-registrations.

UTMB® World Series Finals

Access to the UTMB® World Series Finals is strictly reserved for elite runners who have qualified by participating in a UTMB® World Series Event or Major during the calendar year preceding the finals (e.g., races in 2023 qualify for the 2024 finals). All elite entries for the UTMB® World Series Finals are to be paid by the runner.

To qualify:

• After a qualificative race of a UTMB® World Series Event. For each 50K, 100K, or 100M qualifying race, the top 3 male and top 3 female runners secure a slot* for the next year's UTMB® World Series Finals race in the same category.

• After a qualificative race of a UTMB® World Series Major. The top 10 male and top 10 female runners from each 50K, 100K, or 100M qualifying race will earn a slot* for the next year's UTMB® World Series Finals race in the same category.

• On top of the Top 3 for Events and Top 10 for Majors, all runners who achieve a UTMB® Score equal to or higher than the scores listed in the table below in one of the UTMB® World Series circuit races in the 50K, 100K, or 100M categories, will qualify for next year's UTMB® World Series Finals race in the same category.

(*) Bibs are not free.

Change of race category

Qualified elite runners may request to change their category for the UTMB® World Series Final under certain conditions:

• The change can only be one category up or down, excluding a 20K result from qualifying for the OCC.
• The request must be submitted in writing to the UTMB Team (at elites@utmb.world). The UTMB® World Series Sport Committee will evaluate the request based on the athlete's motivations, the general registration conditions (minimum age, valid UTMB® Index), and the availability of bibs for the requested race.
• Requests should be made immediately upon qualification.

Transfer of priority to the next edition in case of injury

If an athlete obtains a performance slot but subsequently becomes injured and cannot recover in time for the final, they may request a deferral of their priority by one year. They should send an email to the sport committee at elite@utmb.world, detailing their situation and providing a medical certificate attesting to their inability to compete.

For more details, please click here.

UTMB® World Series Events & UTMB® World Series Majors

Registration without a lottery:

Runners with a valid UTMB® Index can enjoy a pre-sale period before the event becomes available to the general public. This provides a minimum of a 48-hour window for privileged access.

For safety reasons, if deemed necessary by the race organization, runners must possess a valid UTMB® Index per category:

50K: valid UTMB® Index in the categories 20K, 50K, 100K, or 100M

100K: valid UTMB® Index in the categories 50K, 100K, or 100M

100M: valid UTMB® Index in the categories 100K or 100M

Registration with a lottery:

Unless demanded by the race organization for safety purposes, a UTMB® Index is not mandatory for 20K and 50K races.
However, only runners with a valid UTMB® Index in the corresponding category are eligible for the lottery:

100K: valid UTMB® Index in the categories 50K, 100K, or 100M

100M: valid UTMB® Index in the categories 100K or 100M

UTMB® World Series Finals
Runners aiming to participate in the UTMB® World Series Finals (UTMB®, CCC®, OCC) must enter via the lottery. To qualify for the lottery, runners must have:

• At least one Running Stones collected in the two years leading up to the lottery's closing date.

• A valid UTMB® Index in the required race distance category corresponding to the Final:

OCC: valid UTMB® Index in the categories 20K, 50K, 100K, or 100M

CCC®: valid UTMB® Index in the categories 50K, 100K, or 100M

UTMB®: valid UTMB® Index in the categories 100K or 100M

Runners can apply their Running Stones to only one race per edition of the UTMB World Series Finals.
Runners must enter the lottery with ALL the Running Stones they possess on the day of the lottery (except for groups, see below).

Groups

Runners have the option to register as a group (such as local clubs or a group of friends).

The rule is as follows: each runner enters the finals with the number of stones equal to the smallest number of Running Stones owned by any runner in the group.

If the group gains entry to the final, only the number of stones used for the lottery will be deducted. For example, if 3 runners want to enter as a group and the first runner has 3 Runnning Stones (RS), the second 4 RS, and the third 2 RS, the group will enter the lottery with 2 chances. If the group is drawn, only 2 RS will be deducted from each runner.

Validity period of Running Stones

If a runner has Running Stones but has not completed a race in the circuit during the last 2 years, their Running Stones are not lost: the runner will be able to use them for the next lottery, provided they acquire at least 1 additional Running Stone before entering the lottery.

Running Stones do not expire until the runner succeeds in the lottery. At this point, the count reduces to zero.
If a runner cancels their participation in the final, they will be re-credited 50% of the Running Stones, or 100% if they have opted for cancellation insurance.

Participants must be at least 16 years old on December 31st of the race year to enter a 20K race. For 50K, 100K, or 100M races, the minimum age requirement is 18 on December 31st of the race year.

However, if local laws impose stricter age restrictions, they take precedence. For example, to participate in any event in France, including the finals, a runner must be at least 20 years old by December 31st.

During each UTMB® World Series Major Event, a total of 210 spots are available for the UTMB® World Series Finals. These spots are evenly distributed among three race categories: UTMB®, CCC®, and OCC, with 70 spots for each. This allocation includes both elite and age group runners, and it's divided equally between men and women.

Race Categories

Runners are categorized based on the race distance they participate in:

• 50K runners will win access to the OCC
• 100K runners will win access to the CCC®
• 100M runners will win access to the UTMB®

Runners who receive an age category priority (runners who finish outside the top 10 overall by gender) qualify only for the corresponding distance at the UTMB® World Series Finals and cannot request to change to a different race distance.

Qualification and Prioritization

The top 10 male and female runners overall, as well as the first runner in each age category, will always receive a priority spot in their corresponding final. This can total between 15-20 of the 35 available spots, depending on the number of age groups represented in the race.

Additional Spots

The remaining bibs, out of the initial 35, are awarded to the next best-placed runners within their age groups. The exact allocation is determined by comparing the number of participants in each age category to the total number of runners in the race for each gender. This means some age groups may receive extra spots, while others may not receive any.

Additional Notes

Runners who place in the top 10 overall will be considered part of the allocation for their respective age category. For instance, if an age category is allocated 5 bibs, and 2 of them have already been given to runners in the top 10, there will be 3 bibs remaining for the next best-placed runners in that age category. Similarly, if an age category should have 3 bibs, but 4 runners from that category are in the top 10, those 4 runners will receive a spot.
All participants are required to purchase their bibs for the UTMB® World Series Finals.