For the first time ever, the UTMB World Series will head to Africa in 2023, with the confirmation that Mountain Ultra-Trail (MUT) by UTMB in the Western Cape of South Africa will join the international ultra-running circuit.
There are now 30 events across Africa, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Asia confirmed for the 2023 UTMB World Series, with further event announcements to come in the following weeks.
The series organizers UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group adds that they are looking to expand the offering to runners from all over the world and support their quest to the UTMB World Series Finals.
Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB (MUT by UTMB)
At the heart of the Garden Route National Park is the city of George and a 200km stretch along the southern coast of South Africa, providing the backdrop for the MUT by UTMB… ‘with true wild mountains that boast some of the country’s best trails right on the urban edge.’
Runners at MUT by UTMB will have the chance to traverse the Outeniqua Mountain Range which towers high above the garden city of George. The race will take place on May 26-28, 2023, and entries will open here on November 16, 2022.
For the first time the event will host a 100-mile race, alongside the established MUT 100km which has 4,500m+ of elevation gain, and the MUT 60km (3,054m+) – both of which offer runners big climbs, rocky trails, technical downhills, and views of the Outeniqua Mountain Range.
The MUT Marathon 42km offers many of the highlights of the longer distances without some of the bigger climbs. However runners can still expect this course to be a challenge, and straight from the start runners will take on the biggest climb of the route, the Cradock Pass.
The MUT Challenge 25km (910m+) and the MUT Lite 10km (475m+) are also on the menu – giving runners the chance to take part in the fifth edition of the event, one of the country’s fastest growing races.
Race Director Zane Schmahl said “We are excited to be joining the biggest series in trail running and to be the first event on the African continent to form part of the UTMB World Series.
“It is a dream come true for our event; and we are hard at work for the MUT by UTMB to live up to the expectations of one of the most premiere events in the world.”
In 2022, 52 South African runners toed the startline of the UTMB Mont-Blanc, and now more runners will have the chance to qualify for the UTMB World Series Finals on their home turf. All finishers of races in the 100M, 100K, 50K and 20K categories at MUT by UTMB will be awarded Running Stones which can be used to enter the lottery for the UTMB World Series Finals in 2023.
Those who complete the MUT 100 Miler will be awarded four Running Stones; three are on offer for the MUT 100km; two for both the MUT 60km and the MUT Marathon 42km; and one for the MUT Challenge 25km.
UTMB World Series 2023 (confirmed events as at November 10, 2022):
- Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB (New Zealand), 11-12 February
- Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB (Thailand), 17-19 February
- Istria 100 by UTMB (Croatia), 13-16 April
- Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB (USA), 28-29 April
- Transvulcania by UTMB (Spain), 4-6 May
- Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB (Australia), 11-14 May
- Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB (Wales), 12-14 May
- Valhöll Argentina by UTMB (Argentina), 12-14 May
- Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB (France), 18-21 May
- Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB (South Africa), 27 May
- Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB (France), 3-4 June
- mozart 100 by UTMB (Austria), 17-18 June
- La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra-Trail by UTMB (Italy), 22-25 June
- Trail 100 Andorra by UTMB (Andorra), 24-25 June
- Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run (USA), 24-25 June
- Val d’Aran by UTMB (Spain), 6-9 July
- Restonica Trail by UTMB (France), 6-8 July
- Trail Verbier Saint-Bernard by UTMB (Switzerland), 7-9 July
- Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB (Switzerland), 12-16 July
- Speedgoat Mountain Races by UTMB (USA), 21-22 July
- UTMB World Series Finals; UTMB Mont-Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland), 28 August – 3 September
- Wildstrubel by UTMB (Switzerland), 15-17 September
- Paraty Brazil by UTMB (Brazil), 22-24 September
- Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB (Slovenia), September
- Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB (France), 28 September – 1 October
- Kullamannen by UTMB (Sweden), 3-4 November
- Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB (Mexico), 3 – 5 November
- TransLantau by UTMB (Hong Kong), November
- Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB (Thailand), 9-11 December
- Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB (Australia), December
www.georgemut.run
www.utmb.world
