For the first time ever, the UTMB® World Series will head to Africa in 2023, with the confirmation that Mountain Ultra-Trail (MUT) by UTMB in the Western Cape of South Africa will join the circuit.
There are now 30 events across Africa, Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Asia confirmed for the 2023 UTMB World Series, with further event announcements to come in the following weeks, as the organizers UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group look to expand the offering to runners from all over the world and support their quest to the UTMB World Series Finals.
At the heart of the Garden Route National Park is the city of George and a 200km stretch along the southern coast of South Africa, providing the perfect backdrop for the MUT by UTMB, with true wild mountains that boast some of the country’s best trails right on the urban edge.
Considered a mountain trail paradise, runners at MUT by UTMB will have the chance to traverse the Outeniqua Mountain Range which towers high above the garden city of George. The race will take place on 26 – 28 May 2023, and entries will open here on 16th November 2022.
For the first time the event will host a 100-mile race, alongside the established MUT 100km which has 4,500m+ of elevation gain, and the MUT 60km (3,054m+) – both of which offer runners everything from big climbs, rocky trails, technical downhills, and spectacular views of the Outeniqua Mountain Range to keep the endorphins going and distract from the burn in the legs.
The MUT Marathon 42km offers many of the highlights of the longer distances without some of the bigger climbs, however runners can still expect this course to be a challenge, and straight from the start runners will take on the biggest climb of the route, the Cradock Pass.
The MUT Challenge 25km (910m+) and the MUT Lite 10km (475m+) are all also once again on the menu giving runners of all abilities the chance to take part in the fifth edition of the event, one of the country’s fastest growing races.
Race Director Zane Schmahl said: “We are excited to be joining the biggest series in trail running and to be the first event on the African continent to form part of the UTMB World Series. It is a dream come true for our event and we are hard at work for the MUT by UTMB to live up to the expectations of one of the most premiere events in the world.”
In 2022, 52 South African runners toed the start line of the UTMB Mont-Blanc, and now more runners will have the chance to qualify for the UTMB World Series Finals on their home turf. All finishers of races in the 100M, 100K, 50K and 20K categories at MUT by UTMB will be awarded Running Stones which can be used to enter the lottery for the Finals in 2023. Those who complete the MUT 100 Miler will be awarded 4; 3 are on offer for the MUT 100km; 2 for both the MUT 60km and the MUT Marathon 42km; and 1 for the MUT Challenge 25km.
Runners can register for all distances from Wednesday 16th November at georgemut.run.
UTMB World Series 2023 confirmed events as of 10th November 2022:
Tarawera™ Ultramarathon by UTMB® (New Zealand), 11-12 February
Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB (Thailand), 17-19 February
Istria 100 by UTMB® (Croatia), 13-16 April
Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB® (USA), 28-29 April
Transvulcania by UTMB® (Spain), 4-6 May
Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB® (Australia), 11-14 May
Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB® (Wales), 12-14 May
Valhöll Argentina by UTMB® (Argentina), 12-14 May
Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB® (France), 18-21 May
Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB® (South Africa), 27 May
Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® (France), 3-4 June
mozart 100™ by UTMB® (Austria), 17-18 June
La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra-Trail® by UTMB® (Italy), 22-25 June
Trail 100 Andorra™ by UTMB® (Andorra), 24-25 June
Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run (USA), 24-25 June
Val d’Aran by UTMB® (Spain), 6-9 July
Restonica Trail by UTMB® (France), 6-8 July
Trail Verbier Saint-Bernard by UTMB® (Switzerland), 7-9 July
Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB® (Switzerland), 12-16 July
Speedgoat Mountain Races by UTMB® (USA), 21-22 July
UTMB® World Series Finals; UTMB® Mont-Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland), 28 August – 3 September
Wildstrubel by UTMB® (Switzerland), 15-17 September
Paraty Brazil by UTMB® (Brazil), 22-24 September
Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB® (Slovenia), September
Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® (France), 28 September – 1 October
Kullamannen by UTMB® (Sweden), 3-4 November
Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB® (Mexico), 3 – 5 November
TransLantau™ by UTMB® (Hong Kong), November
Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB® (Thailand), 9-11 December
Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® (Australia), December
