UTMB is on fire! You too?

Why the UTMB is Both a Dream and a Dilemma For Runners

The UTMB is a bit like veganism. Everyone has an opinion about it, and they clash when you least need them to clash. With veganism, it's during meals, and with the UTMB, it's during the UTMB weekend. So, let’s lead by bad example and dig into this, shall we?

The Behemoth of Trailrunning

For the uninitiated: the UTMB isn't just a race – it's the race. A superlative multi-day running event with 10.000 participants, twice as many applicants, and even more spectators. In the spotlight, the supreme discipline, the UTMB main race of the same name. A will-breaking 176 kilometers (109 miles) around the Mont Blanc massif. It's a mix of endurance, extraordinary pain, and fleeting euphoria. For most ultrarunners, that sounds just great!

(UTMB 2017 –“back in the days” – when it was already a mass event, but criticism was still quiet)

But it's no longer just one event in late August in Chamonix, France. The UTMB has ballooned into a monopolistic global franchise, with races sprouting up from Oman to the Pyrenees. It's like trail running's version of a fast-food chain: everywhere, difficult to avoid, and not necessarily to everyone's taste.

But let's get straight to the point, without discussing the many obvious pros and cons of this mega-event:

To Run or Not to Run UTMB?

So, why would someone choose to run the UTMB or its World Series races? For many, it’s the prestige, the challenge, and the opportunity to test themselves on the grandest stage. It’s the thrill of being part of something larger than oneself, of tackling an iconic course with the world watching. At least in theory.

(For some, the UTMB is a lifelong dream come true)

But what about the runner who prefers the path less trampled? For them, the allure of the big UTMB may pale in comparison to the charm and familiarity of smaller, more intimate races. These are the grassroots events where race directors know your name, aid stations are stocked with homemade cookies, and the entry fee doesn't require a second mortgage.

The Thought-Provoking Conclusion

Here's the kicker: The UTMB represents both the best and the worst of trail and ultra running. It's the pinnacle of what the sport can achieve in terms of exposure, competition, and community. But it also embodies the perils of commercialism, exclusivism, and environmental degradation.

As ultrarunner and activist Damian Hall recently stated:

“It is possible to love and hate the same thing.”

In the end, the choice is yours. Do you crave the bright lights and thrill of the UTMB, or do your values and beliefs draw you to the quiet solitude of a smaller race? As always, this is not a "right/wrong" thing. No "black and white" picture. Maybe, just maybe, there's room in this world for both. And maybe that is part of the quirky beauty and astonishing richness of our beloved sport.

So hey, whether you're gunning for a golden ticket to Chamonix or just happy with a local 50K around an acre, make sure you're comfortable with your choices and spread positive energy. So hit the trails and let the miles – and the smiles – pile up.

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Everything Not Running

With my running brand Willpower, we are shamelessly capitalizing on the UTMB hype by offering a 15% discount on our three trail- & ultrarunning collections all weekend long:

• Force Majeure (Trail Running)

• Beyond (Ultra Running)

• Beyond the Heat (Heat Running)

The discount code is: UTMBUST.

Even though I've been a bit sarcastic in this Das Z Letter, and there is currently no reason or opportunity for me to participate in the spectacle, I can't completely escape the pull of the UTMB. There are many excuses to love it. Whether it's as a participant, a dreamer of participating, or as a fan of the sport and thus spectator watching the livestream, which is what I'm going to do.

My goal with Willpower has always been to emphasize the positive aspects of running without following the crowd. Even if you go your own way as a runner and as a person, you can still love things that a lot of people love. After all, you love running, don't you?