So, you wish to run UTMB, or one of many different races on the UTMB Mont-Blanc competition? Nice! Be a part of the membership. However be forewarned, it’s a giant one.
Large for good purpose, although. Large as a result of the course, the followers, and the competitors are superb. Large as a result of yr after yr, elite runners from world wide flock to the beginning strains. Large as a result of hundreds of amateurs be part of them. Large as a result of the races have reside protection that will get broadcast worldwide. Large as a result of the media and sponsors flock to it. And massive as a result of it’s a celebration — one huge, internationally identified, mountain working celebration.
Surprisingly although, the celebration remains to be fairly younger. It could be simple to imagine {that a} race of such dimension and status can be one which has been round for a few years, however that’s merely not the case. Although it could seem like a full-grown grownup, UTMB is actually in additional of its teenage years, and as is so frequent to that stage of life, there are some rising pains.
For these wanting to participate in UTMB, the rising pains can definitely be uncomfortable. I’ve been collaborating within the races since 2015, and it seems like yearly one thing adjustments. With the current merger with the Ironman Group and the launch of the UTMB World Collection construction, this yr has been no totally different. The truth is, the present adjustments appear to be probably the most drastic that I’ve seen but. At instances it might probably really feel arduous to maintain up.
In my subsequent few paragraphs, I’ll try to put out a kind of highway — or path — map for these struggling to get a deal with on the newest UTMB qualification construction, and in addition purpose to generate a dialog concerning the plusses and minuses of the newest evolution of this much-loved race.
Zach Miller after taking fifth on the 2022 UTMB. Picture: Mathis Dumas
So How Does This New System Work?
Effectively, that depends upon the way you want to qualify. There are three important qualification processes — one for amateurs; one for the elites; and one for, because the UTMB web site states, “runners with precedence.” I’ll begin with the amateurs.
Amateurs
Prior to now, the system for amateurs was pretty easy. Runners would collect UTMB factors by working UTMB qualifying races, of which there have been many. You’ll gather these factors inside a sure variety of races, that means you couldn’t simply run tons of quick races to get the factors, however quite you needed to rating all the crucial factors inside the established variety of races (i.e., three or fewer). Some races scored extra factors than others, so that you needed to be strategic together with your race alternatives. When you had these factors, you possibly can then enter the lottery. In case your identify was drawn, you bought in, if it wasn’t, you didn’t.
The brand new system is pretty comparable, but it surely additionally has some distinct variations. In response to the knowledge printed by UTMB, there are two issues you might want to enter the lottery for the races within the UTMB World Collection Finals (UTMB, CCC, and OCC). These two issues are no less than one Working Stone and a sound UTMB Index.
The Working Stone have to be collected inside the earlier two years. You will get a stone by ending a 20k, 50k, 100k, or 100-mile race on the UTMB World Collection circuit. It’s much like the outdated factors system, however right here’s the distinction. One, you’re restricted to utilizing races on the UTMB World Collection as qualifiers. And whereas earlier than the place you wanted quite a few factors to enter the draw, you now solely want one stone. Nevertheless, every stone you have got provides you one ticket within the lottery. Therefore, six stones offer you six tickets, that means you have got a greater probability of being chosen.
After you have your stones, you might want to ensure you have a sound UTMB Index. The UTMB Index has 4 classes: 20k, 50k, 100k, and 100 mile. You receive an index just by working a UTMB race, or a UTMB World Collection race, inside one of many classes. You do not want an index of a sure stage, that means ending sooner doesn’t offer you an edge. You merely must have an index inside the applicable class.
For OCC, you want an index in no less than the 20k class. For CCC, you want an index in no less than the 50k class, and for UTMB you want an index within the 100k or 100-mile class. Lastly, your UTMB Index have to be acquired up to now two years. To place it merely, end a UTMB sequence main, occasion, or sequence race of the suitable distance (and inside two years beforehand) and also you’ll have your index requirement.
After you have each your index and your stone(s), you may enter the lottery. As per the outdated system, you may enter the lottery for only one race, that means you may’t enter for UTMB, CCC, and OCC all on the similar time.
The beginning of the 2022 UTMB on Friday, August 26, 2022. Picture: iRunFar/Kirsten Kortebein
Teams
Now you can even enter as a gaggle. To enter as a gaggle, you place your entire names in collectively, however the most variety of stones you should use per particular person is the minimal variety of stones owned by anyone member of the group. In case you and two mates wish to enter collectively and you’ve got 5, 4, and three stones, respectively, then as a gaggle you may every enter three stones.
Elites
Prior to now, elites needed to gather qualifying factors just like the amateurs. Nevertheless, as soon as they’d their factors, they might bypass the lottery and be granted an elite entry if their Worldwide Path Working Affiliation (ITRA) Rating was excessive sufficient. This course of was comparatively easy and made it potential for plenty of elites to participate within the UTMB races. For my part, this was a terrific factor as a result of it made for deep, aggressive race fields, which in flip made for thrilling races.
The brand new course of is way totally different. With the UTMB World Collection construction now in place, elites should race their method into the sequence finals (OCC/CCC/UTMB). To take action, they need to place within the high three at any UTMB World Collection occasion, or within the high 10 at any UTMB World Collection Main.
In fact, that is all damaged down by class — that means 50k occasions/majors will qualify runners for 50k finals (OCC), 100k occasions/majors will qualify runners for 100k finals (CCC), and 100-mile occasions/majors will qualify runners for 100-mile finals (UTMB).
However, what concerning the runners who end on the rostrum on the earlier yr’s UTMB World Collection Finals? Effectively, that’s one more option to qualify, as the highest three finishers on the finals will qualify for the subsequent yr’s finals as long as they take part in one other UTMB World Collection race. They don’t have to complete on the rostrum on this race, however they do must take part. So sure, because of this if Katie Schide, Kilian Jornet, or any of the opposite high three finishers of 2022 want to run in subsequent yr’s UTMB, they need to first take part in one other UTMB World Collection race.
Katie Schide, 2022 UTMB ladies’s champion. Picture: Mathis Dumas
Moreover, runners even have an opportunity of constructing it into the finals even when they don’t end within the high three at an occasion or high 10 at a serious. This may occur if the runners who earn these qualifying spots refuse to take them. Any such unused spots might be handed right down to runners who’ve completed a sequence occasion or main inside the previous yr. These spots might be distributed in keeping with your UTMB Index, with the best index scorers getting first dibs.
Age Class Rating
Do you have to fail to qualify by way of the method detailed above, you have got but another choice. That is qualification by way of age class rating, which solely applies to UTMB World Collection Majors. Every main can have 55 qualifying spots put aside for age class finishers. Every age class that’s represented will obtain no less than one qualifying spot within the finals, with the extra spots being allotted primarily based on the variety of runners in every age group.
Runners With Precedence
Lastly, this brings us to the final remaining method of qualifying, the “runners with precedence” methodology. This grouping consists of charity/well being/surroundings/companion entries, and rollovers from 2021 — when worldwide athletes have been allowed to roll over their entries to 2022 or 2023, without having to gather stones.
Runners with entry to those charity/well being/surroundings/companion bibs can enter as long as they’ve collected no less than one Working Stone up to now two years and have obtained a sound and up-to-date UTMB Index for the class wherein they want to take part.
This concludes the entry course of for OCC, CCC, and UTMB. However, what if you’re involved in TDS, PTL, MCC, ETC, or YCC? Effectively, these races are ruled by one more entry course of and for the sake of this not getting for much longer, I’ll merely direct you to the UTMB web site.
Reflecting on the Adjustments
With that, I can breathe a sigh of reduction. Aid as a result of that was loads of typing, and loads of data to kind via. To be trustworthy, it’s not very thrilling stuff. Why trouble to write down about it? Effectively, for one, I write it within the hope that I will help individuals perceive how the brand new UTMB system works. However, extra importantly, I write it as a result of I believe there’s a lot to assume via right here with regard to not simply the way forward for UTMB, but additionally the way forward for ultrarunning and mountain working usually.
Once I have a look at a system like this, I discover myself asking some huge, essential questions. Issues like, what’s the function of it? Does it assist path working and ultrarunning develop in a optimistic path? Does it assist UTMB develop and preserve its prestigious standing? Is it in the very best curiosity of future generations of path runners? Is it honest? Is it good for the surroundings? Is it wholesome for the runners? Does it permit races exterior of the UTMB system to thrive? Does it threaten to create a monopoly? Does it make our sport higher?
For beginner runners, one huge concern is the actual fact they will improve their probabilities of being chosen within the lottery by gathering extra stones. Is that this an excellent factor — because it means for individuals who dream of working UTMB, it’s extra inside their management to make it occur, quite than counting on the gods of the lottery entry? Or does the system overly favor the rich, who can afford to journey to and enter extra races?
For elites, the massive change is the necessity to qualify by way of a reasonably choose group of UTMB World Collection races. Is that this good in that it might probably create a aggressive sequence of occasions that’s enjoyable for individuals to comply with? Or, does it threaten to make the UTMB, CCC, and OCC fields much less aggressive if elites select to not play into the brand new system? If the elites do select to play alongside, will it make different non-UTMB races much less aggressive or result in burnout of athletes attempting to do an excessive amount of?
The listing might go on and on, however these are the questions that come simply to my thoughts. UTMB is an unbelievable race. And to me, path working isn’t just a sport, however a lifestyle. I would really like for each this race and this sport to proceed to thrive. For this to occur, I believe you will need to maintain issues in test.
Change isn’t essentially a nasty factor. The truth is, it’s typically an excellent factor, however it’s at instances of change like this that you will need to step again and ask the massive questions. Like the place is that this all going, and is that a spot we wish to find yourself? So, inform me, what do you assume?
Name for Feedback
- What are your ideas on the brand new entry course of, and its knock-on results on our sport?
- Do you continue to have questions or do you assume it’s clear now?
Zach Miller refueling on the 2022 UTMB. Picture: Mathis Dumas
