The organizers of the world’s most famous trail race Ultra Trail Mont Blanc (UTMB Group), teamed up with IRONMAN Group in May 2021 to launch the UTMB® World Series, a new trail platform that will bring together an impressive number of globally acclaimed trail races from 2022 to give runners exclusive access to a top sporting event, the final of the world series of races, UTMB® Mont-Blanc, reports HRTurizam.
UTMB® World Series will consist of 30 international trail races, and one of them is the strongest Croatian trail race – Istria 100.
As of today, the 100-mile race across Istria race bears the new name Istria 100 by UTMB® and which is now in the company of elite races such as Ultra-Trail AustraliaTM, La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra Trail® by UTMB®, Western States®, Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB® and UTMB® finals of the UTMB® Mont-Blanc World Series.
“There is a moment when established events have to decide what their next stage of development will look like: further growth or something completely new. Istria 100 by UTMB® has decided to grow, and my team and I are happy and proud to have the opportunity to grow in a group of very competent and successful races gathered in the UTMB® World Series. Our idea and passion for creating something unique in Istria to, with the support of the local community, show trail racers from all over the world the beautiful nature of Istria, its medieval towns, and the diversity of landscapes are further confirmed by including our race in the UTMB® World Series,” said Marko Gregurić, CEO of the Istra 100 by UTMB® race.
The UTMB® World Series described the Istria 100 by UTMB® race as a challenge as beautiful as it is demanding. Istria 100 by UTMB® is the largest trail race in Croatia, which will take place from April 7 to 10, 2022. Over 2,000 runners will take part in the race, which will run on the trails of the heart-shaped Istrian peninsula.
With the longest race being 100 miles, runners can choose Istria 100 by UTMB® races that are also 128 km, 68 km, 40 km, and 20 km. Runners will travel through the most picturesque parts of Istria. From the beginning to the end of the race, they will encounter sections of technical terrain, pass through ancient medieval towns, deep forests, and muddy valleys, all with a beautiful view that stretches to the Adriatic Sea.
The start of the trail running season in 2022 starts in February 2022 with the TaraweraTM Ultramarathon by UTMB®, and the next one on the calendar is Istria 100 by UTMB®
The 100 Miles of Istria race in 2019 gathered as many as 1,800 competitors from 51 countries.
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