Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is proud to be a UTMB® World Series event and a finish will result in runners acquiring 4 Running Stones
THE ULTIMATE GLOBAL TRAIL RUNNING WORLD SERIES
UTMB® World Series is the world’s ultimate trail-running circuit that unites the sport’s biggest stars and amateur runners through the best, leading international events in the most stunning locations. Built on a passion for the mountains with sustainability at its heart, UTMB® World Series gives all trail runners the chance to experience the UTMB® adventure across the world. It is the only place where runners can begin their quest to UTMB® Mont-Blanc and the UTMB® World Series Finals.
- UTMB® World Series Finals
The UTMB® World Series Finals will be held in the three key distances of the UTMB® Mont-Blanc – known as the OCC (50k), CCC® (100k) and UTMB® (100M). To qualify for a place at the Finals, trail runners must compete in at least one of the UTMB® World Series Events or UTMB® World Series Majors, where they can collect Running Stones for use in the lottery, or be rewarded for their performance with direct access.
The UTMB® World Series men’s and women’s titles will be awarded at these three races.
- UTMB® World Series Majors & UTMB® World Series Events
UTMB® World Series Events are the best trail running events on the planet and are organized to the highest quality standards, giving runners the chance to immerse themselves in the UTMB® experience on all continents.
Each year, three of these events will be given the status of UTMB® World Series Majors, becoming continental Series finals in the Americas, Europe and in Asia/Oceania.
- UTMB® World Series Qualifiers
The gateway to UTMB® World Series with thousands of races which are open to all.
Participating in a UTMB® World Series Qualifier race is not mandatory to begin your adventure in the Series but runners who do take part will benefit from privileged access to UTMB® World Series Events and UTMB® World Series Majors.
UTMB® WORLD SERIES 2023 CONFIRMED EVENTS
Unique events from around the world have been confirmed as part of the inaugural UTMB® World Series debuting in 2023, with more to be announced in the coming weeks. To view the latest list of confirmed events for the 2023 UTMB® World Series, please visit https://utmb.world.
HOW TO ACCESS THE UTMB® WORLD SERIES FINALS
The UTMB® World Series Finals will take place each year on the three flagship races of the UTMB® Mont-Blanc – the OCC, the CCC® and the UTMB® – which respectively become the World Finals of the 50K, 100K and 100M.
To access the Finals of the World Series, runners will have several possibilities:
- The lottery through the collection of Running Stones
- Sporting performance
- The loyalty program
THE LOTTERY THROUGH THE COLLECTION OF RUNNING STONES
Runners must have collected at least 1 Running Stone over the past two years to enter the lottery for one of the three UTMB® World Series Finals – OCC, CCC® and UTMB®. Runners will also need to have a valid UTMB® Index for the distance of their choice.
- Running Stones
Running Stones accumulate over time, have no expiry, and each Running Stone gives an additional chance to be selected via the lottery. The Running Stones are awarded exclusively to finishers of UTMB® World Series Events and UTMB® World Series Majors in the 20K, 50K, 100K or 100M category.
Running Stones can only be used to enter the lottery for one race of the UTMB® World Series Finals per year. If the athlete is not drawn, they may use their Running Stones to enter the lottery for a subsequent edition of the race of their choice, provided they have a valid UTMB® Index in the relevant category.
- Valid UTMB® Index
A valid UTMB® Index is obtained by completing a race in a UTMB® World Series Event, UTMB® World Series Major or a labelled UTMB® World Series Qualifier in the 20K, 50K, 100K or 100M categories.
To validate their registration for the OCC lottery, runners must have a valid UTMB® Index in the 20K, 50K, 100K or 100M category. To validate their entry into the CCC® lottery, runners must have a valid UTMB® Index in the 50K, 100K or 100M category. To validate their registration for the UTMB® lottery, runners must have a valid UTMB® Index in the 100K or 100M category.
SPORTING PERFORMANCE
To participate in the UTMB® World Series Finals, the best athletes on the planet must qualify for the UTMB® World Series Majors or UTMB® World Series Events races over a period of 15 months. This allows elite runners to optimize their season or their recovery periods.
The first 10 men and women on the UTMB® World Series Majors, as well as the first 3 men and women on the UTMB® World Series Events in each of the 50K, 100K and 100M categories, will win a place at the UTMB® World Series Finals in the equivalent category. They will have the possibility to change category for the Final if they wish. To do this, they must inform the UTMB® Mont-Blanc organization before mid-June, indicating the reasons for the request.
If a runner does not wish to use their entry to one of the UTMB® World Series Finals – or does not need it because they already have a bib – their entry will be redistributed by mid June. These entries – as well as all of those which become available for any other reason – will be offered to runners who have completed at least one race in the 50K, 100K or 100M categories of the UTMB® World Series Events or UTMB® World Series Majors in the previous year and will be selected according to the best UTMB® Index. In this instance, if a runner does not use their entry, it will be offered to the next ranked runner, and so on until all available access is distributed.
For races that take place less than three months before the UTMB® World Series Finals, any qualified elite runner can choose whether to participate in the UTMB® World Series Finals the same year or the following year. For runners who decide to take part in the Final the following year to that in which they qualified, we may consider granting a wild card for a shorter race in the qualifying year.
LOYALTY PROGRAM The runners that are most involved in the circuit will also benefit from reserved places to access the Finals. The UTMB® World loyalty program is still being structured, and may include opportunities for participations through volunteering, a solidarity commitment for the benefit of the community, participation in virtual races, etc. Stay tuned to the UTMB® World Series site here for more details.
