UTMB - Running Stones
| Author | Date | Message |
|---|---|---|
| Dillon Ryan | Nov 28 2022, 1:48pm | Hi all, As the rules have changed for 2023, ITRA and index points alone wont get you into UTMB. You need to collect running stones from a world series event , to which there are only 25 qualifying events as per UTMB website. This means a costly travelling schedule for any irish participant who wants to enter the lottery. You will find on running calendar.ie alot of events in glencullen and kerry saying the ultra race goes towards UTMB index, but inreality thats no use as you cannot enter without a stone! Can someone please advise or could the mountain running organisation surely contact UTMB and ask for one of their runs to be recognised as a world series event? Thanks a mill |
| John Murphy74 | Nov 28 2022, 2:18pm | UTMB is now part of Ironman and as a commercial enterprise I would Imagine there is a huge cost on a race to be part of the UTMB world series. |
| Rene Borg | Nov 28 2022, 3:12pm | John is likely correct Dillon - many such franchises require franchisees to invest 5 figure sums annually for acquiring the label and on top of that there will be many extra requirements that would be very hard for a volunteer organisation to saddle themselves with (such as those outlined here): https://utmb.world/ws-race-info So I think sadly in the current structure Ireland is likely too small a country to have their own World Qualifier unless a race with a highly commercialised business model, and very generous sponsors decide they can put together a positive business case for trying to take that on. Looking at UTMB's expansion so far they have either picked races with a long history of success and prestige (V'al Darann, Transvulcania etc.) or they have strategically inserted themselves through a local organiser where they saw a potentially lucrative market gap. Given running numbers have been down in nearly all event except the largest flag ship races, it will be interesting to follow how their tour develops in the coming years as it'll give an indication of whether they have setup franchise requirements that provide a win-win for organisers or whether the depressed state of the market will make some of these events unsustainable financially. |
| Dillon Ryan | Nov 29 2022, 11:17am | Thank you for confirming and giving clarity i was not aware of that. Makes sense i guess. Thankfully theres a good few dotted around and not way out in thailand! |
| Declan McGuinness | Nov 29 2022, 1:38pm | So you still need the qualifying points from a race though to get you into the UTMB (main ones like UTMB,CCC, TDS etc) in order to apply for the lottery right? Its just these running stones from UTMB series races will give you more of a probability of getting selected as you have stones from their races I think. The closest one is Snowdonia in May, it will give you running stones depending on what distance you do there. |
| Declan McGuinness | Nov 29 2022, 1:53pm | Actually it does look like it is only the running stones from their races that are now used to qualify. https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/page/743/inscriptions-utmb%c2%ae-ccc%c2%ae-occ-2023.html |
| Dillon Ryan | Nov 29 2022, 2:17pm | Hi Declan, Thats what i thought. But the rules have changed now from 2023 onwards. So in essence you need to kill 2 birds with 1 shoe and do a world series event where you get your running stone while accumalating points. The points will only go to your ranking and have zero effect on your chances of entry. Yes im.thinking of the snowdonia race. Apparently a nightmare to get to though. 71km from manchester airport. Also, any world series event you enter i.e 20k, 50km, 100k. 100mile , the stone you recieve can only be entered into the corresponding lottery for.utmb. so if you wanted to do a 50km world series event just to get a stone so you can enter the utmb 100 miler, you cant, your stone will only be valid for the 50km (ccc) or lower. Id love utmb race to be more promoted in ireland and trail running itself to be more promoted. I have started a youtube channel and will aim to bring viewers a taste of utmb as the channel grows. Give a fellow trailer a dig out and subscribe. My name is @trailgoatroadhog The idea is to eventually lead to utmb! |
| John Murphy74 | Nov 29 2022, 2:30pm | Declan, you need the stones to enter the lottery for the races but yout utmb index is built up from doing indexed races like ecotrail. you must have an index for the distance you need to apply for, i suppose it's their way of making sure that people are up to the distances |
| Stephen Loughnane | Nov 29 2022, 2:40pm | This definitely seems to be the “Ironman” influence. I can’t comment on the indexing as I’m a complete newbie to trail running but a veteran at ironman. Coins are what Ironman issue for World championship slots. The only way to race the WC is to come in top 3-6 places in your age category in one of the regional ironman races. There is no other way to qualify. It makes the process tangible but also boots the ironman coffers with more entries |
| Declan McGuinness | Nov 29 2022, 3:09pm | @Dillon - Oh so you will need both basically. Points to qualify for the UTMB and stones aswell. Well thats a pain haha. Ive signed up for Snowdonia myself for the 100K - So the stones i get (If i finish) can only be used for a distance of that race - so would have to be the CCC and not allowed to use them for the UTMB 170K itself. For Snowdonia im just going to get the ferry to Hollyhead - Its only 30 miles from there and you can bring a car and drive, way easier than lugging all the gear on the plane. @John - Thanks for the info John. So what races in Ireland give you points towards it? Wicklow Way Race? @Stephen - Yeah it seems like theyre going that direction alright |
| Mark Raleigh | Nov 29 2022, 3:50pm | @Declan, completion of UTS 100, a UTMB world series event, will allow you to enter ballot for UTMB 170k race in 2024 or any of the others). You'll have 3 running stones so 3 entries in the lottery. I'm doing UTS 50, best of luck with your training. To enter the OCC lottery, runners need a valid and up to date UTMB® Index in the 20K, 50K, 100K or 100M category. To enter the CCC® lottery, runners need a valid and up to date UTMB® Index in the 50K, 100K or 100M category. To enter the UTMB® lottery, runners need a valid and up to date UTMB® Index in the 100K or 100M category. All explained here: https://utmbmontblanc.com/en/page/743/743.html |
| Eoin Mac Mahon | Nov 29 2022, 5:39pm | Are the Running Stones heavy ? |
| Declan McGuinness | Nov 29 2022, 8:32pm | @ Mark - Ah ok nice one. So you would have the option to put in for the full UTMB off a 100K race in the series. Not so bad, thanks. Nice one, sure prob see ya over there so. All the best with your training also. Going to be a tough race but should be abit of craic @Eoin - I would assume it would be similar to the Simpsons episode with the stone of shame/stone of triumph |
