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Press pack 2015

Ultra-Trail® World Tour• 2nd editionAn international circuit of “open-country”races

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Ultra-Trail® World TourPress pack

SummaryHighlights

page 2

Ultra-Trail® World Tour, a history of kilometres and meetings

page 3-4

Retro on the first edition

page 5

Trail during 2014 page 6

The Concept page 8

The Novelties for 2015 page 9

The International Trail- Running Association (ITRA) and the Ultra-Trail® World Tour

page 10

Rules of the game for the globe-trail-runners

pages 11-12

Orrganization chart and world map

page 13

The races pages 14 à 19

Contacts page 20

HighlightsThe Ultra-Trail® World Tour’s great events

January• 17 and 18 : Vibram® Hong Kong 100 – Hong-Kong, China

February• 5 to8 : Tarawera 100 km Ultramarathon New Zealand

March• 6 to 8 : Marathon des Sables - Morocco— “SERIES”

April• 3 to 13 : Marathon des Sables - Morocco — “SERIES”• 9 to 12 : Madeira Island Ultra-Trail® - Portugal — “Future”

May• 15 to 17 : The North Face® 100 Australia - Australia

June • 26 and 27 : The North Face® Lavaredo Ultra-Trail® - Italy• 27 and 28 : The Western States 100 miles Endurance Run – USA

July • 18 and 19 : Eiger Ultra-Trail® - Switzerland

August• 24 to 30 : Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® - France, Italy, Switzerland

— “SERIES”

September • 25 to 27 : Ultra-Trail® Mt Fuji® - Japan — “SERIES”

October• 22 to 25 : La Diagonale des Fous – Reunion Island, France — “SERIES”

November• Prize-w inning ceremony for the titles of de Champion

(M and F) of the Ultra-Trail® World Tour – Paris, France


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Ultra-Trail® World Tour, a history of kilometres and meetingsEach of the biggest ultraenduranceTrail Running racesarose from a particular story andon a route steeped in history or ofdirection. Whether it be the routeof gold diggers, the crossing of anisland or desert, or the tour of amountain, each kilometre runhas a sense which allows the trailrunnerto discover a mythical route.

The « Western States 100-MileEndurance Run », is the oldest of the ultra-endurance trails in California (1st run in 1974).The legend is that the firs man to have run the 100 miles of the Western States Endurance Run was, in 1974, Gordy Ainsleigh (23 hours and 47 minutes) who decided to run the distance on foot rather than riding, in the era when the 100 miles was completed on horseback during the Western States Trail Ride.

The Grand Raid de la Réunion, alsocalled the Diagonale des Fous, wascalled for its first year, in October 1989,the Marche des Cimes. It is a hike onfoot across the island of Reunion.For the first year the race started fromBarachois at Saint-Denis and finishedat Tremblet at Saint-Philippe. The racethen took the name of the GrandeTraversée between 1990 and 1992. In1993, the race once again changed itsname to the Course de la Pleine Lune.The Grand Raid found its definitivename in 1994.

The Marathon des Sables (SandMarathon), appeared 29 ago years afterPatrick Bauer, its creator, had crossedthe Sahara desert, a route of 350km, incomplete autonomy. This marked thestart of this big adventure in the desertwhich attracts more than 1200 runnersfrom all over the world.


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Twelve years ago the UTMB®, the TheNorth Face Ultra-trail du Mont-Blanc®’s original race, offered runners the chance of doing the tour of Mont-Blanc individually, non-stop, and in semi-autonomy. The route is along paths which pass through 3 countries (France, Italy and Switzerland) and makes the complete tour of the massif of Mont-Blanc. At the first race in 2003, 700 enthusiasts were present, while in 2014 there will be 7 500 runners coming from the 5 continents for the 5 different events.2003 was the start of an exponential growth of this practice in France then in Europe and then world-wide.The simplicity of a sport where a pairof shorts and trainers are enough (oralmost), in a natural and unique landscape,simple and sincere values are all withoutdoubt the origin of this craze whichhas hit the discipline. This simplicitybecomes complicated when we enterthe domain of ultra-endurance, becausein this activity, semi-autonomy and aboveall the capacity to adapt to oneself to theconditions are indispensable.It is also the sporting activity whichallows an important proximity between:

• Trail-runners of all levels, the international elite or unknown runners(they participate in the same race withthe same conditions)

• The volunteers, organisers and trailrunners (many trail-runners are alsovolunteers and/or organisers of otherraces and vice versa).

• The local inhabitants and participantsTrail-running races are developing inFrance and elsewhere in the world withthe number of requests for registrationaugmenting each year..Newer or older races, they have all, on the 5 continents, seen a success which doesn’t stop. Brands, manufacturers,organisers and runners from worldwide,

meet up at the 4 corners of the planet.It is therefore quite natural that the organisers of these races, all enthusiasts, chat regularly, meeting up at races, often wearing a race-bib…In the desert, mountains, forest… the horizon as far as the eye can see or vertical lines, altitude and steep ascents/ descents or exceptional paths, the world is an ideal place for big sporting challenges.The Ultra-Trail® World Tour, a company under Swiss law, was created. Thirteen international trail-race organisers, from the 5 continents were contacted in 2012/2013. Ten replied. It was in Chamonix in September 2013 at the end of the 11th The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc® that the first ltra- Trail® World Tour was launched with 10 races! In 2015, there are 11 courses on the program, together with a Future race.

This circuit unites the world’s most emblematic ultra-endurance events which share common values and celebrate, with the same passion, all the runners whether they are first or last over the finishing line!


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Retro on the first Tour!10 is the number reflecting the year of 2014. It is the amount of countries visited during the races, and through the Top10 men & women of the final UTWT ranking it also represents the internationality of the tour. No less than 13 different nationalities can be found therein, with Spain and France in the lead followed by Australia.

Results of the first 10 M and F in the 2014 UTWT

MEN1 D'HAENE Francois France 6852 SANDES Ryan South

Africa629

3 GRINIUS Gediminas Lithuania 5394 GUILLON Antoine France 5245 DAVIES Brendan Australia 4926 AMDAHL Sondre Norway 4807 DOMINGUEZ-

LEDOJavier Spain 469

8 TSANG Siu-Keung-Stone

China 457

9 COINTRE Cyril France 45210 HERCOG Piotr Poland 451

WOMEN1 PICAS-

ALBETSNuria Spain 636

2 MACIEL Fernanda Brazil 5773 MAUCLAIR Nathalie France 5514 CANEPA Francesca Italy 5325 FRAILE-

AZPEITIAUxue Spain 508

6 WERMESCHER Ildiko Hungary 4947 MARTINEZ-

URRUZOLANerea Spain 489

8 STEPHENSON Shona Australia 4469 BOSIO Rory USA 42010 ALVES-

SANTOSEster Portugal 413

26,4% France7,5%

USA6,9% China

8,9% British

11,2% Japan

TOP 100 MEN 63 % registered for at least one race 21 % registered for at least 3 races 17 % registered for at least 2 races 10 % registered for at least 3 races

TOP 50 WOMEN 23 % registered for at least 1 race 8 % registered for at least 3 races 10 % registered for at least 2 races 6 % registered for at least 3 races

2014 IN NUMBERS

• 11 515 participants in total ran the 10 events

• 72,3% de finishers

• 74 countries represented: Europe 54, 3%, Asia 26%, Oceania 12, 7%, North America 5, 9%, South America 0 6% Africa 0, 5%


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Trail-running in 2014

Definition of trail-runningA trail-running competition is a running race which is open to all, in a natural environment (mountains, deserts, forests or on the plain….) with the least possible distances on cement or bitumen roads (which must not exceed 20% of the total distance).

The terrain may be varied (earth tracks, forest tracks, single track footpaths….) and the route must be correctly marked (1).

The race is ideally – but not necessarily- in semi-self- sufficiency(2) and at the same time respects sporting ethic, loyalty, solidarity and the environment..

Development of the discipline• craze for ultra-endurance, ultra-distance…• necessitates the structuring of all players…• creation of the International Trail Running Association

Some statistics which confirm the craze for the discipline

• 2 500 :The number of trail-races in France in 2014

• 50 000 trail-runner racers in France (source Outdoor Expert)

• 320 000 trail-runners registered for an ultra-endurance race somewhere in the world (source ITRA)

• 40 multi-rnational shoe exhibitors at the Friedrichshafen International Show in

(1)”Correctly marked” means that the runners receive sufficient information to complete the route without getting lost.This includes physical marking (pennants, ribbons or other physical markings…) or permanent footpath signs, GPS tracks or indications on a map.(2) “Self-sufficiency or semi-self-sufficiency” means that the runners must be autonomous between refreshment posts, for all that concerns clothing, communication, food and drink.


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the concept11 races, 5 continents,150 world elite runners,5 SERIES (point coefficient : 1, 5),6 races (point coefficient : 1),1 Future race1 title of Men’s and Women’s Champion Ultra-Trail® World Tour 2015

Ultra-Trail® World Tour 2015 brings together all the superlatives to offer to the greatest number a world tour of the most prestigious “open-country” races.

An international circuit of 11 races and shared valuesThe races of the de l’Ultra-Trail® World Tour, by their particularity, illustrate all the diversity of trail racing: steep Alpine paths, Californian tracks, the hills and beaches of Hong Kong, the Moroccan desert….

The differing formats impose upon the participants a real capacity to adapt to the situation. In fact, between the Marathon Des Sables and the Tarawera 100km Ultramarathon, the Ultra-Trail® Mont Fuji and the Western State Endurance Run 100, the UTMB® and the Vibram® Hong Kong 100… it is necessary to have completely different qualities to be victorious or even simply to become a « finisher »

Although fundamentally different, the Ultra-Trail® World Tour races have common values, which they are proud to share and promote: ethics, sporting equity, respect for one’s self, respect for others and the environment.

Participating in the Ultra-Trail® World Tour is the chance, over the years, for everybody, strong or less expert to discover the differing cultures and sporting specificities. All the continents are visited: Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania… so many opportunities to enrich ones sporting culture, to create new friendships, to feed on the emotions of the day and maybe to claim to be «finisher” of all the events!

The UTWT invites all athletes, elite or not, to participate in its events for a common goal: to become a finisher. Each finisher receives a visa, a symbol of determination, courage and sporting success. Runners may also pursue the goal of collecting the visas of all participating races to complete the Ultra-Trail® World Tour passport. Those, who are fortunate enough to achieve that, will be part of the group of finishers of the most emblematic races in the world.


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What is it?The Ultra-Trail® World Tour is a basically a competitive international circuit. These races across the world, all emblematic, offer all the diversities of trail-running in terms of culture and format, but always in the most sumptuous countryside.

What objectives ?To promote on an international scale the biggest trail-running and ultra- endurance races.

To offer varied races which suit all runners

To invite athletes to travel and discover trail-races world-wide

To support elite runners by favouring their participation in the various stages of the circuit

For which races ?The number of races on this circuit is planned to evolve. The races must fulfil a certain number of conditions and those, presenting the 5 criteria quoted below, can submit their application to the organising members of the committee who will study it. The races applying must offer a distance of at least 100km (trail XL), in an emblematic location. They must be popular (about a minimum of 500 participants), international (at least 20 countries represented) and to

have been running for at least two years.

What are the values?The common thread is the defence and promotion of Trail-running’s sporting ethic and its strong values – authenticity- humility – fair-play – equity – respect and solidarity which, today, make it a unique and exemplary sport.

For whom?This circuit is aimed at all runners all over the world.

It is also a question of sharing and discovering new territories together.

All « Finishers », relative to their performance, will be awarded a number of points, and will be a part of the international ranking once they have completed at least 2 UTWT races. At an international level, 280 elite international runners have been identified on the ITRA performance index base (for more details: http://www.i-tra.org/page/278/Indice_ de_performance.html.

To favour them having the chance to run together, the Ultra-Trail® World Tour has come up with a more restrictive competitive circuit of 5 races the « Ultra-Trail® Series » allowing the high calibre athletes the chance to

participate in some races which have been identified as major from a sporting point of view. The inevitably limited number of ultra-endurance races in the year for trail-runners and «Ultra-Trail® series» which have a more important coefficient, means that the runners who are competing for titles naturally come together at certain of the races. Besides, to keep them attracted to the other races, the ranking takes into account the 3 best results of the year, with a maximum of 2 «Ultra-Trail® Series» races.

Why?To meet the requirements organisers, runners, manufacturers and the media, an international ranking became logical and essential.

There is a ranking for men and for women which integrate all the runners who have finished at least 2 races.

All finishers who finish at least 2 races are included in the international ranking. After the last race, the titles of the « Ultra-Trail® World Tour 2015 » male and female champions will be calculated. After publishing the definitive results, of this first Ultra-Trail® World Tour, they will be made official and there will be a prize-giving ceremony at the beginning of November 2015, in Paris.


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Novelties in 2015For this 2nd edition, three novelties, a new race the Eiger Ultra-Trail®, a Future race in Madeira and Five SERIES races instead of 4 in 2014A NEW RACE INTEGRATED INTO THE UTWT CALENDAR

EIGER ULTRA-TRAIL®First edition: 2013 Distance : 101 km Ascent : 6 700 m

18 and 19 July 2015 Switzerlandhttp://www.eigerultratrail.ch

The Eiger (3,970 m) and its mythical North Face fascinate! AThe Eiger (3,970 m) and its mythical North Face fascinate!

A summit which has written the pages of mountaineering. In 1858, local guides Christian Almer and Peter Bohren and their client Charles Barrington reached the summit for the first time.Its North Face was achieved after many attempts in 1938 by Anderl Heckmair, Ludwig Vörg, Heinrich Harrer and Fritz Kasparek in four days. In August 2008, the Swiss Ueli Steck exploded all the limits with his speed record for the North Face of 2 hours 47 minutes

So it’s perfectly natural that the 1st Eiger Ultra-Trail® was born on July 20, 2013 ! With passges on the Grosse Scheidegg, Cabane de Faulhorn, Schynige Platte, Wengen, Männlichen, Kleine Scheidegg and the crossing under the Eiger North Face, this is a majestic voyage in the Swiss Alps, world heritage site of the UNESCO Jungfrau- Aletsch, with a mountaineering ambiance unique to enjoy and to share.

On the 18 and 19 Juillet 2015, Grindelwald will host the 3rd Eiger Ultra-Trail®. Already since the second event in July 2014, 1,730 runners from 41 nations took part in the three trials in the event. Counting for the 2015 Ultra- Trail®World Tour, the course of 101 kilometres and 6700 mètres ascent, will be a particularly mountain trial, very technical and tough with a a legendary ambassador Ueli Steck !

The organisersof the Eiger Ultra-Trail® are pleased to join The Ultra-Trail® World Tour so confirming its world fame and its place in the international calendar among the greatest trails in the world. It is also an important element in the development of trail running at the foot of the Eiger North Face. “We are happy to share the view of 360 degrees from the Faulhorn.”

“At 2680m of elevation, participants run across the

Lauterbrunnen Valley in sight of the amazing landscape of the North Face of the Eiger. A spectacle of nature, which attracts runners from all around the world! Welcome to the base of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau, as well as to the UNESCO World heritage of the Jungfrau-Aletsch” Ralph Näf, organising chairman of the Eiger Ultra-Trail®. This new test for runners on alpine terrain complements the UTWT schedule, which was made out of 10 races in its first edition. With the Eiger Ultra-Trail® the Ultra-Trail® World Tour is now open to German-speaking Europe.

ONE FUTURE EVENT TO KICK-START MORE DEVELOPMENT

To enter the circuit of the Ultra-Trail® World Tour, the events must meet five criteria (more info). To encourage and help some of the races that do not meet all conditions of the 5 criteria just yet, a category called “FUTURE” was created for the second edition of the UTWT. The first selected event in this category is the “Madeira Island Ultra-Trail®.” It is important to take note that future events do not count towards the final UTWT ranking.

Madeira Island Ultra-Trail® (MIUT) Since: 2008

Distance: 115 km Ascent: 6’848 m From 9 to 12 April, 2015

www.madeiraultratrail.com

Imagine and island set in the middle of the North Atlantic ocean, 900 km from continental Portugal and about 600 km off the coast of Morocco. An island where the mountains sometimes touch the clear blue sea, an island where a multitude of watefalls sing on the paths

and the tracks. Here are no less than 1500 km of levadas (irrigation canals) which mark out a cultural heritage build by generations of Herculean effort. Madeira is also an endemically preserved forest, Laurissilva, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site

Madeira is a beautiful land which contains countless charms and unique challenges. The 7th Madeira Island Ultra-Trail®, 7ème promises a passionate challenge, across the island, from sea to sea, in a north-south direction, starting from Porto Moniz, at sea level, with passages via the highest elevations of the island (1750 for the highest point), then to redescend towards the deep blue sea at Machifo

FIVE “SERIES” RACESFour in 2014, for 2015 there will be five “SERIES” races.

“SERIES” implies a competitive circuit made up of races, the object of which is to encourage the encounters of the elite runners from all over the world by granting the finishers, a strong bonus in the final rankings.


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The International Trail-Running Association (ITRA) and the Ultra-Trail®World Tour

The trail-running world is evolving very fast, new demands with increasingly important stakes, are appearing within this rapidly expanding sport.

The organisation of an international association for the discipline, bringing together the largest possible number of participants and recognised by all, seemed necessary, so as to federate all the players in the field of trail-running around a policy and common values, and to collaborate and influence the decisions of the IAAF (International federation of Athletics).

The International Trail Running Association unites numerous trail- running race organisers, elite runners but also runners of all levels, sporting equipment brands and associations by creating a dynamic based on the on the gathering and exchange of information between all the representative players in this discipline, the ITRA set several goals:

The promotion of Trail-running as a full sporting practice, rich in its diversity of cultures and in locations and accessible to all.

The development of a sporting ethic which relies on strong values and which develops sporting events which respect the environment.

The setting up of preventative action concerning the health of the runners and the fight against doping.

The deployment of initiatives to improve the quality of organisations and the safety of the participants.

This is, naturally, why a partnership has been forged with the Ultra-Trail ® World Tour for the realisation of the ranking from the performance index and therefore establish the ranking for the of Ultra-Trail ® World Tour. The database already lists more than 440 000 runners in the results of 5,000 races.

For more information: http://i-tra.org


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Rules of the game for the “globe-trail-runners”

Ranking method• The ranking is open to all runners, whatever their level• It is necessary to finish at least 2 races to figure in the ranking• The best 3 results will be taken in to account, including a maximum of 2 of the « Series »• A ranking for men and one for women will be established under similar rules

The eliteIn the world 280 elite runners, men (196) and women (84), have been identified according to their performance index (ITRA). The men have a minimum of 800 points and the women 700. To facilitate their participation in the UTWT races, some of them have been supported by the Ultra-Trail® World Tour. They benefit from having their air fares and a part of their costs paid.

SeriesThe “series” relates to a tight competitive circuit of five races, favouring the meeting of the elite athletes from all over the world, and which grants finishers a stronger bonus in the final ranking.

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Method of calculating race pointsThe number of after being Each is Calculated points in the following Way :

1. Each race finisher scores “Time”

According to the following formula :

UTWT RACES: Winner’s time / Finisher’s time * 100

SERIES UTWT : Winner’s time / Finisher’s time * 150

2. An additional bonus is awarded to the best runners based on the competitiveness of each race. Race competitiveness is calculated by using the average of the ITRA’s classification, category XL, of the 40 best men and the 20 best women taking the Start

The ITRA average taken into account for each runner will be that published on the ITRA website (www.i-tra.org) the day before the race (see the ITRA website for more information ).

The averages so calculated for the men and the omen will determine for each sex the level of competitiveness A, B or C of the race based on the following chart

Level of comptitiveness Men Women

Mini Maxi Mini Maxi

A 780 680B 740 779 640 679C 739 639


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The additional bonuses for the elites will be awarded based on the level of competitiveness of the race, based on the tables below :The additional Bonus will be awarded to the Elite Athletes as follows :

Men Elite Bonus Women Elite Bonus

Rank GROUP A

GROUP B

GROUP C

GROUP D Rank GROUP

A GROUP

B GROUP

C GROUP

D

1 100 90 80 70 1 100 90 80 70 2 90 80 70 60 2 90 80 70 60 3 82 72 62 52 3 82 72 62 52 4 75 65 55 45 4 75 65 55 45 5 69 59 49 39 5 69 59 49 39 6 64 54 44 34 6 63 53 43 33 7 60 50 40 30 7 57 47 37 27 8 57 47 37 27 8 51 41 31 21 9 54 44 34 24 9 46 36 26 16

10 51 41 31 21 10 41 31 21 11 11 48 39 29 19 11 36 26 16 7 12 45 37 27 17 12 31 21 11 4 13 42 35 25 15 13 26 16 7 2 14 39 33 23 13 14 21 11 4 15 36 31 21 11 15 16 7 2 16 34 29 19 10 16 13 4 17 32 27 17 9 17 10 2 18 30 25 15 8 18 7 19 28 23 13 7 19 4 20 26 21 11 6 20 2 21 24 19 10 5 22 22 17 9 4 23 20 15 8 3 24 18 13 7 2 25 16 11 6 1 26 15 10 5 27 14 9 4 28 13 8 3 29 12 7 2 30 11 6 1 31 10 5 32 9 4 33 8 3 34 7 2 35 6 1 36 5 37 4 38 3 39 2 40 1

alculation examples

The additional Bonus will be awarded to the Elite Athletes as follows :

Men Elite Bonus Women Elite Bonus

Rank GROUP A

GROUP B

GROUP C

GROUP D Rank GROUP

A GROUP

B GROUP

C GROUP

D

1 100 90 80 70 1 100 90 80 70 2 90 80 70 60 2 90 80 70 60 3 82 72 62 52 3 82 72 62 52 4 75 65 55 45 4 75 65 55 45 5 69 59 49 39 5 69 59 49 39 6 64 54 44 34 6 63 53 43 33 7 60 50 40 30 7 57 47 37 27 8 57 47 37 27 8 51 41 31 21 9 54 44 34 24 9 46 36 26 16

10 51 41 31 21 10 41 31 21 11 11 48 39 29 19 11 36 26 16 7 12 45 37 27 17 12 31 21 11 4 13 42 35 25 15 13 26 16 7 2 14 39 33 23 13 14 21 11 4 15 36 31 21 11 15 16 7 2 16 34 29 19 10 16 13 4 17 32 27 17 9 17 10 2 18 30 25 15 8 18 7 19 28 23 13 7 19 4 20 26 21 11 6 20 2 21 24 19 10 5 22 22 17 9 4 23 20 15 8 3 24 18 13 7 2 25 16 11 6 1 26 15 10 5 27 14 9 4 28 13 8 3 29 12 7 2 30 11 6 1 31 10 5 32 9 4 33 8 3 34 7 2 35 6 1 36 5 37 4 38 3 39 2 40 1


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Organization chart

Map of the world

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Vibram® Hong Kong 100 17th - 18th January 2015Tarawera Ultramarathon 5th – 8th February 2015The North Face® Transgrancanaria 6th – 8th March 2015Marathon des Sables 3rd – 13th April 2015The North Face® 100 Australia 15th – 17th May 2015The North Face® Lavaredo Ultra-Trail® 26th – 27th June 2015The Western States® 100 Miles Endurance Run 27th – 28th June 2015Eiger Ultra-Trail® 18th – 19th July 2015Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® 24th – 30th August 2015Ultra-Trail Mt.Fuji® 25th – 27th September 2015Le Grand Raid de la Réunion 22nd – 25th October 2015

Madeira Island Ultra-Trail 9th – 12th April 201512

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In charge of

development and sponsorship

Jean Charles PERRIN [email protected]

In charge of elites and

race organisers

Marie SAMMONS marie.sammons@

ultratrailworldtour.com

Project leader

Moritz AUF DER HEIDEmorizt.aufderheide@

ultratrailworldtour.com

Press Contact – Infocimes Anne GERY

6 12 03 68 95 [email protected]

ou press@ultratrailworldtour.


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The races

Vibram® hong kong 100 17 - 18 January

PRESS CONTACT : [email protected] MAK : [email protected]

The Vibram® Hong Kong 100 is an ultra-endurance race, which takes place in Hong Kong. The 100km route starts from Pak Tam Chung on the peninsula of Sai Kung, and passes through the most beautiful Hong-Kong scenery: beaches, deserts, ancient forests, paths, reservoirs and steep hills.

The race follows the famous Maclehose track, with several variants to ensure that the runners spend most of their time on the beautiful sections, and that they finish by a descent from Hong Kong’s highest summit, the Tai Mo Shan. The ascent/descent is 4 500metres with a time limit of 32 hours.

Vibram® Hong Kong 100

Venue: Hong Kong, ChineYear of creation: 2011Web: www.vibramhk100.com/

Tarawera ultramarathon new zealand 5 - 8 February

The 7th Tarawera Ultramarathon, is an adventure, an endurance trial of 100 km long. The course stretches from Rotura to Kawerau, in New Zealand. Along the way, exotic forests, original bush, lakes, waterfalls, and a magnificent river! Almost the entire route is single tracks and forest paths. On the menu: refreshment posts, drop bags, pacers and natural hot pools

PRESS CONTACT : Graeme [email protected]

Place: Bay of Plenty, North Island (New-Zealand)

Year of creation: 2009Web: www.taraweraultra.com.nz


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The North Face® Transgrancanaria - SPAIN — “SERIES” 6 - 8 March

The Transgrancanaria was the first event of its kind in the Canary Islands. Arista, the organizer, was able to position this race as national and then European and finally international. 65 runners participated in the first edition of Transgrancanaria in October 2003, and are now more than 2,500 runners from over 40 countries each year attempting to cross the island in less than 30 hours. On their way, they will find the rain, sun, mud and dust ... but also direct contact with nature. The layout is the same for all, and does not allow the error.

PRESS CONTACT : Wendy Cruz Vega [email protected]@me.com

Place: Las Palmas, Grande Canarie Island (Spain)

Year of creation: 2003Web: www.transgrancanaria.net

PRESS CONTACT : Stephanie André[email protected]

Marathon des Sables - Morocco — “SERIES” 3 - 13 April The Marathon des Sables in the Moroccan desert isa running, open to walkers, in 6 stages, food self-sufficiency and free style over a distance of about 240 kilometers, with the obligation for the competitor to carry his equipment (obligatory food and equipment ). The desert is often the only companion!

Place: South Sahara (Marocco)Year of creation: 1985Web: www.marathondessables.com


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PRESS CONTACT : Alina McMaster [email protected]

The North Face® 100 Australia – Australie — “SERIES” 15 - 17 May

The North Face® 100 Australia is one of the most demanding and astonishing races. It is necessary to take the time to admire the spectacular views of the Blue Mountains National Park, classified as a World heritage site. It is a competition for experienced runners. The race is hard, and is characterized by very few assistance points...

Place: Katoomba, Blue Mountains (Australia)

Year of creation: 2008Web: www.thenorthface100.com.au

The North Face® Lavaredo Ultra-Trail® - Italy 27 - 28 June

Athletes par t ic ipat ing in this incredible race passing through the most spectacular points of the Dolomites: the Crystal, the Tofane, Cinque Torri, and of course the Tre Cime. A long journey that the best buckle in 12 hours, others up to 31 hours to return to Cortina.

PRESS CONTACT : Riccardo [email protected]

Place: Cortina d’Ampezzo, Dolomites (Italy)Year of creation: 2007Web: www.ultratrail.it


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The Western States 100 miles Endurance Run – Californie - USA 28 - 29 June

The Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run is the oldest and most prestigious race called 100 miles.

Beginning at Squaw Valley, California,

near the site of the 1960 Winter Olympics, and ending 100.2 miles away in Auburn, California, the Western States has become one of the ultimate tests of endurance. Riders follow the historic trails of the Western States Trail, climb over

5000 meters and descend almost 7000 meters to reach the finish line at Placer High School in Auburn.Between Squaw Valley and Auburn,

runners admire the beauty of the Emigrant Pass and Granite Chief Wilderness, the canyons of California gold, crossing the icy waters of the America River, and finally, red-brown tracks that the pilgrims and the gold seekers roamed through upon arrival at Auburn.With more than 1,500 dedicated volunteers, offering the sport’s oldest and most prized possession – a sub-30-hour finisher’s bronze belt buckle or a sub-24-hour finisher’s silver belt buckle – and owning 100-mile racing’s richest and most compelling history, Western States remains one of the undisputed crown jewels of human endurance.

PRESS CONTACT : John Trent - [email protected]

Place: Squaw Valley, California (USA)Year of creation: 1973Web: www.wser.org

Eiger Ultra-Trail® - Switzerland 17 - 18 July

Grindelwald celebrates Eiger Ultra Trail®, which is the first ultra-Trail® in the Bernese Oberland. With passages on the Grosse Scheidegg Shack Faulhorn, Schynige Platte, Wengen, Männlichen, Kleine Scheidegg, the crossing of the north face of the Eiger is not only spectacular but also a unique mountain experience, to live and share. With a route of 101 km and 6700 m elevation, the E101 Trail will be a challenge for each participant. With the price of the “Faulhorn” mountain at 2680m, the event was an added attraction.

Ueli Steck speed climber and ambassador of the Eiger Ultra Trail®, is convinced that it will be “for everyone, a personal challenge, no matter the speed, altitude, pitch. The important thing is to keep moving.”

PRESS CONTACT : Ralph Nä[email protected]

Place: Grindelwald (Switzerland)Year of creation: 2013Web: http://www.eigerultratrail.ch


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Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® France , Italy, Switzerland — “SERIES” 24 - 30 August

Even with the first edition in 2003, it was called the “race of superlatives.” A complete tour of the Mont Blanc massif, non-stop passing through 3 countries: France, Switzerland and Italy, one that every ultra-runner must have finished once in his life. It is above all around the iconic summit Mont Blanc, a great

human saga involving the community trail-runners enthusiasts in a magical environment, Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® is globally a unique event in the field of Trail-Running and Ultra-Endurance offering 5 events to make it more or less expanded round or half turn in one direction or the other of Mont Blanc ...

Its success is now shared by more than 50,000 people who come to cheer for departures and arrivals and supporters 7500 participants who runborderless for four days with a common goal: to be a finisher! The 12th UTMB is the queen of races, 170km and 10 000m Ascent, max 46h, 10 passes over 2000m.

In 2015, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® will bring together runners from 87 nationalities.

PRESS CONTACT : Anne [email protected]

®

Place: Chamonix Mont-Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland)Year of creation: 2003Web: www.ultratrailmb.com

Ultra-Trail® Mt Fuji- Japon 25 - 27 September

The Ultra-Trail® Mt Fuji® is a unique race with a rare opportunity to experience nature and culture in the area around Mount Fuji. In Japan, Trail racing is a growing sport.The 168km race, 9500m Ascent, 46 hours max, follows mountain paths, trails and forest roads, so that participants can make a full circuit of Mount Fuji so making the most of the view of this mythical mountain from all its angles. This race helps to forge between all feelings of respect for the natural environment.

Place: Yamanashi, Chubu (Japan)Year of creation: 2012Web: www.ultratrailmtfuji.com

PRESS CONTACT : Pauline [email protected]


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La Diagonale des Fous – Ile de la Réunion, France — “SERIES” 22 - 25 October

Imagine running 8 consecutive marathons ...totally crazy!And yet this is exactly what the finishers of the “ Diagonale des Fous “ do. When they will be seen awarded their medals and yellow “I survived,” T-shirt they have climbed 9 000m, equivalent to 25 times the Eiffel Tower.The Grand Raid is a physical challenge, and those who try are extraordinary athletes.From the beginning to end of the race, competitors will pass five highest peaks at about 2000m (the highest being 2,411m), they will have walked on the volcano, touched the sky along the

ridges and above above the ravines, the Cilaos Circus, Mafate, and confronted the mud of Kerveguen forests.

The Grand Raid has become a myth: of the 2,500 taking the Start, only 70% will see the Finish

The winner will take less than 20 hours, while the slowest will have 64 hours to finish!

Place : La Réunion Island (France)Year of creation: 1994Web: www.grandraid-reunion.com

PRESS CONTACT : Stéphane [email protected]

Madeira Island Ultra-Trail® (MIUT) – « FUTURE » 09 - 12 April Imagine an isolated island in the Atlantic Ocean 900km from Portugal and 600 km off the Moroccan coast. An island where the mountains embrace the azure water, an island crossed by these various paths and roads, the murmuring waterfalls and the 1500 km of levadas (irrigation channels). An island where a preserved forest; Laurissilva registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a heritage preserved by the Herculean efforts of past generations isolated from the outside world.This island exists and is called:MADEIRA.Madeira is a land of charm and beauty that offers uniques challenges. Nevertheless, the experience it offers with the most spectacular scenery remains the privilege of only a few.

MIUT- Madeira Island Ultra Trail®

provides an exciting challenge across the island, from coast to coast, from north to south. From Porto Moniz at sea level then the highest parts of the island to finally come down to the coast of Machico. A journey that will transport the imagination of the participant to where the soul of Madeira remains intact.If today MIUT is already an event where memories of the past make us dream of the future, the next edition will again be a living testimony of a set of challenges and opportunities not to be missed!

Place : Madère, PortugalYear of creation: 2008Web: www.madeiraultratrail.com

PRESS CONTACT : Pedro [email protected]


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Contact Partnerships • Jean-Charles PERRIN [email protected]

Press contact UTWT • Anne Gery / Infocimes [email protected] +33 6 12 03 68 95 [email protected]

Internet www.ultratrailworldtour.com

• Facebook :www.facebook.com/UltraTrailWorldTour• Twitter : @ultratrail• Instagram : https://instagram.com/ultratrailworldtour/

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