UTMB Group has launched a new regeneration initiative. This sets out a roadmap for the UTMB World Series to have a positive impact on the communities it serves, the people it touches and the planet.
The new ‘UTMB for the Planet’ roadmap, will guide all UTMB Group sustainability actions. As a global leader in trail running, it will aim to ensure that UTMB plays a key role in shaping a sustainable future for the sport of ultra-running, the community, and the planet.
UTMB for the Planet encompasses all UTMB World Series events around the globe, and has a target of implementing 40 key initiatives by 2025. These initiatives cover the three pillars on which the strategy is built: environment, territory, and people.
Environment
UTMB for the Planet aims to minimize the impact of events on the environment and support the regeneration of mountain ecosystems.
A survey conducted earlier this year across all UTMB World Series events highlighted many of the environmental initiatives already in place, including that 96% of all events currently donate excess food at the end; 88% use reusable course marking; and 88% also clean trail routes before and after events. And with events all over the world, runners are encouraged to find an event closer to home.
At the Dacia UTMB Mont-Blanc event, ‘environmental ambassadors’ were introduced in 2013. These 25 trained volunteers have a mission to not only clean trail routes throughout the event, but to also educate all runners on ethical mountain conduct.
Territory
UTMB Group aims to leave a positive legacy at every event destination by supporting host communities and promoting sustainable tourism.
To date, 88% of UTMB World Series events use local suppliers; 66% use locally sourced prizes that represent local culture; and 58% partner with at least three local non-profit organizations.
People
UTMB for the Planet outlines a commitment to protecting the health, safety, and the well-being of runners with a focus on inclusivity. With an overall aim to redefine trail running as a sport for all, the strategy focuses on support for female and adaptive athletes, as well as other underrepresented groups in the trail running world.
Last year UTMB Group conducted a survey which identified barriers to entry for female runners. While the training required was a main perceived barrier, 25% of women also identified demands on family life as a major contributor.
This led to the launch of a new Pregnancy Policy in 2023, which outlines a commitment to support mothers and their partners including deferral and priority entry guidelines to encourage runners to return to the trail running in a safe way.
UTMB Group has also confirmed the development of a new UTMB Index ranking which will apply a grading system to allow for the fair comparison of female and male runners. The aim of this variable ranking is to allow for better recognition of outstanding performances across genders. The new ranking will be live from the beginning of the 2024 season for all events using the UTMB Index.
The launch of the new sustainability roadmap builds on initiatives that have been in place since 2003, and the first ever UTMB Mont-Blanc. Over the last 20 years, UTMB notes that it has implemented various innovative initiatives. These include: a transport plan (2004), the creation of an environmental commission (2006), the launch of environmental ambassadors (2013), equal prizes for top men and women (2016), and the implementation of the ‘Bring Your Own Utensil’ policy (2018).
Earlier this year, UTMB Group also launched UTMB Cares, an endowment fund and global initiative that aims to unite trail running communities and create positive change by supporting local social and environmental causes in race destinations.
Catherine Poletti, UTMB Group Chairwoman, said “We are very proud of the sustainability achievements of UTMB over the last 20 years, and now our new strategy will guide the next stages of our progress.
“Sustainability must be ingrained in every area of our work, and we look forward to bringing the global trail running community together around these important actions, so that together we can work towards the regeneration of our planet and have a positive impact.”
Chloé Léger, UTMB Group Regeneration Manager, said “We are delighted to launch our new UTMB for the Planet regeneration roadmap which sets out our clear actions to have a positive impact on our communities, people and planet.
“Our new strategy focuses on several key areas across our three pillars – the environment, territories, and people – and we are excited to already be on this journey with the existing UTMB World Series events and encouraged by the positive actions already in place.”
