UTMB Announces 2022 World Series Sites, Including California

The UTMB World Series will stage seven new global events in 2022, including the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. Other races in the inaugural series will be staged in Hong Kong, Andorra, Mexico, Italy and France, part of 15 races confirmed for the circuit that will feature a mix of established and new races.

Announcements of future sites are expected in the coming months for a total of 30 long-distance races that will make up the series.

The events will mark the first step for runners to begin their quest to the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, France, and are the only races where athletes can collect Running Stones for use in the UTMB Mont-Blanc registration lottery for 2023 onwards. The UTMB World Series Events will also be the only races where elites can qualify for the UTMB World Series Finals.

The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains will be held June 25–26 is considered one of the most coveted events in trail running. It is the oldest 100-mile race on the world and takes runners through high mountains and deep canyons with more than 18,000 feet of climbing and 23,000 feet of descent.

“The Western States Endurance Run is proud to be part of the UTMB World Series,” said Craig Thornley, race director for the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run. “For many years our sport has attempted to connect the most prestigious, challenging and historic events in a meaningful and transformative way — one that demonstrates how runners from across the globe can experience the highest levels of human endurance endeavor. The UTMB World Series promises to do this in a very unifying and welcoming way.”

UTMB is owned by Ironman Group, which has committed to launching the global ultra trail-running circuit starting in 2022.