UTMB and local Spanish event organizer InAran Sports, have announced the inaugural edition of Val d’Aran by UTMB. This is the newest international event created by UTMB, and will be held in the heart of the Pyrenees from 3-5 July 2020.
Announced at ‘the world summit of trail running’, UTMB Mont Blanc, which this week welcomes 10,000 runners and thousands more supporters to Chamonix, Val d’Aran by UTMB will be organized in collaboration with the Conselh Generau d’Aran.
The new event is in line with UTMB International’s growth plan. It becomes the fifth event of the UTMB family, joining other destinations seen to be particularly appealing for trail runners – UTMB Mont-Blanc, Gaoligong by UTMB, Oman by UTMB and Ushuaia by UTMB.
4,000 places are available across the three different distances on offer at Val d’Aran by UTMB, which all take in the unique scenery of Val d’Aran. The main race is the VDA; and at 160km, it will take runners all the way around Val d’Aran, passing through mountains, valleys and all the sites of the region. A course that will leave a mark on all runners, the quickest are expected to finish in around 22 hours.
Runners taking part in the 101km CDH (Camins de hèr – Iron tracks) will take on the final 101km of the VDA course, with the 55km PDA (Peades d’Aigua – Water footsteps) providing a ‘speedy race’ that will test runners through the last part of the course.
As with all other ‘by UTMB’ events, finishers of Val d’Aran by UTMB courses will be able to collect their ‘Running Stones’ and ITRA points, providing them with a direct entry for UTMB Mont-Blanc courses without having to go through the lottery. The Running Stones accumulated are valid for a four-year period.
Registration will open on 7 October with special early bird prices for the first batch of registrations.
Catherine Poletti UTMB Group Co-Director, said “We are excited to reveal the courses for Val d’Aran by UTMB. This new trail running event will allow us to further enrich what UTMB offer in term of terrain diversification. It will provide a real test for trail runners who want to explore the Pyrenees and discover a new stunning mountainous course with a strong characterization, differing from the Alpine one.
“This year at UTMB, Spanish runners represent the second largest contingent of foreign participants, a clear indication of the enthusiasm for the sport that we expect to see at Val d’Aran by UTMB next year. We expect this to be a hugely popular event, so encourage people to sign up early.”
Upcoming UTMB events
UTMB Mont Blanc: 26 August-1 September
Oman by UTMB: 28-30 November
Gaoligong by UTMB: 21-23 March
Val d’Aran by UTMB: 3-5 July
Ushuaia by UTMB: details to follow
