Ultra X, which is positioned as a ‘global events company making ultra running accessible to the masses’, has confirmed the launch of the Ultra X World Championships. The ultramarathon stage race is scheduled to take place in Slovenia from June 5-13, 2021.
For one week of the year, 100 elite ultra runners and 150 amateur competitors who have qualified, will race it out in the mountains of Slovenia over 250km and 5 days, to ‘win a cash prize and be crowned the undisputed multi-day trail race King or Queen.’
Competitors can secure their spot on the start line by:
- Competing at other Ultra X races, being a part of the Ultra X allegiant scheme (completing two Ultra X events in the two years before the World Championships); or
- By winning one of two free places in the championships launch competition.
Ultra X will also be offering 20 charity spots to those committed to raising money for a charity of their choosing.
Elite level entries will be defined using the internationally recognised ITRA Performance Index. Anyone with a minimum ITRA Performance Index of 600 for Women and 725 for Men (as at March 30, 2020) will be permitted to enter.
Ultra X Co-Founder, Sam Heward, said “When we mapped out our plan for Ultra X, we wanted to create a global community of like-minded individuals who love running and adventure, to launch the largest series of multi-stage ultra races on the planet, in deserts, jungles, mountains, and on remote islands.
“We wanted to make ultra running more accessible and affordable to those who wanted to take part. And finally, we wanted to host the first multi-stage ultramarathon World Championships. The Kona, IRONMAN equivalent, or the Tour de France of cycling. We’re very excited to see our vision become a reality.”
Ultra X’s sustainability policy aims to inspire positive change in the industry and position the brand as a market leader in this space. The Ultra X Sustainability Policy commits the event organiser to:
- Offsetting all scope 1, 2 and material 3 greenhouse gas emissions each quarter;
- Partnering with the social enterprise Mossy Earth to do so; and
- Setting extensive objectives across its operations at home and abroad.
A Travel Carbon Calculator will be promoted to participants upon registration to all international races. This will give participants an estimate of the carbon impact of their travel. Those who choose to offset the impact of their flights will receive the equivalent financial cost via a discounted race entry for their second event.
Prize money value and entry price will be announced later this month. Registrations for the Ultra X World Championships opens on Saturday June, 27th.
In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ultra X has a new registration policy for its upcoming races: Azores 125 (September 5-6, 2020), Jordan (October 3-10, 2020), and Mexico (November 7-14, 2020).
New entrants will be offered a full refund if a race gets cancelled or postponed due to the Coronavirus. If travel complications make it impossible to get to the start line, runners can request a refund – up until one week before the race start date.
Ultra X adds that it will refund entry fees in full, even if the race goes ahead. This new policy will remain in place and applies to anyone who registers until September 18, 2020.
