Ultra-Trail® World Tour - 11 races, 5 continents, 150 world-class elites, 1 Ultra-Trail® World Tour 2015 champion title

Race news: The 2015 Ultra-Trail® World Tour

Two events, out of the eleven, which make up the UTWT circuit, have already taken place and the tour will continue in March with the beginning of a great fight and the first "Series*" races. After the Vibram® Hong Kong 100 & the Tarawera Ultramarathon the first "Series" race will take place in Spain at the The North Face® Transgrancanaria, followed by the second "Series" race, the famous Sultan Marathon des Sables. Let the party begin!

The North Face® Transgrancanaria, March 6th to 8th

Venue: Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Island (Spain)
Creation date: 2003
1st UTWT “Series” race
Web: www.transgrancanaria.net
125 km, 8500 m Ascent

The rendezvous that the best trail-runners of the world and all trail running enthusiasts would not miss out on. This year, the Spanish event, recognized by all, confirmed several records: all available race entries were filled out within a month, 63% of the 3000 participants are not Spanish but represent 70 different nations... Everyone will try to cross the island in less than 30 hours. On their way, they will encounter rain, sun, mud and dust ... but also direct contact with Nature. The layout is the same for all, and does not allow any mistakes.

Many top athletes have confirmed their participation, ensuring a very high level of sporting excellence! Anton Krupicka (USA), Joe Grant (USA), Adam Campbell (CAN), Javier Dominguez (ESP), Zaid Ait Malek (MAR), Gérard Morales (ESP), Miguel Heras (ESP), Iker Karrera (ESP), Long-Fei Yan (CHN), Aurélien Collet (FRA), Pau Bartolo (ESP), Gediminas Grinius (LIT), Brendan Davies (AUS), Sangé Sherpa (NEP), Urs Jenzer (CHE), Carlos Sá (POR), Christophe Le Saux (FRA) and Antoine Guillon (FRA).

For the Ladies, Nuria Picas (ESP), winner of the 2014 UTWT title Nikki Kimball (USA), Francesca Canepa (ITA), Caroline Chaverot (FRA), Denise Zimmermann (CHE), Dong Li (CHN), Nerea Martinez (ESP), Ildiko Wermescher (HUN). The race for the title begins!

With each stage the Ultra-Trail® World Tour is supporting a number of elite athletes with their airfares, enabling them to take part and therefore increasing the quality of sporting excellence of the races. Brendan Davies, Joe Grant, Sébastien Buffard, Nikki Kimball and Ildiko Wermescher have been helped by the UTWT to compete at the Spanish event.

The Sultan Marathon des Sables, April 3rd to 13th

30th edition but still with the same passion
Venue: Morocco Creation date: 1985
2nd UTWT “Series” race
Web: www.marathondessables.com
6 legs over a distance of about 240 km

Almost a month later, the Marathon des Sables, which will be the second "Series" race in the UTWT schedule, is a gathering of importance. Especially, since this year is a special moment for this race as it blows out 30 candles, which, despite its maturity, still displays as much youth and emotion as ever before!

The level of competition also displays great names in running, ready to face the desert: Antoine Guillon (FRA), Carlos Sá (POR), Dave Mackey (USA), Danny Kendall (GBR), and even Andorra’s Xavi Teixido Marti-Ventosa. Not to forget the Moroccan runners and race favorites in their homeland: Mohamad Ahansal (5 time winner in 1998, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2013), Rachid El Morabity (winner in 2011 and 2014), Abdelkader El Mouaziz (1st in the 2000 New York Marathon, 7th last year in his first participation), or the Jordanian Salameh Al Aqra (winner in 2012 and 2nd in 2014).

For the Ladies, Laurence Klein will be attempting a 4th victory over the Americans Meghan Hicks (winner in 2013) and Liza Howard.

Several athletes are also being sponsored by the UTWT: Dave Mackey, Carlos Sà, Antoine Guillon, Xavi Teixido Marti-Vendosa, Liza Howard

Madeira Island Ultra-Trail® (MIUT), 9th to 12th April

The first “Future” race
Venue: Portugal
Creation date: 2008
Web: www.madeiraultratrail.com
115 km, 6848 m Ascent

To encourage and assist some races that do not exactly meet the 5 selection criteria to be in the race calendar, a "Future" category was created. The first selected race in this category is the "Madeira Island Ultra-Trail®." Entries for the 17km and 40km distances are full, few are still available for 80km and 115km. It is important to note that “Future” races do not count towards the final standings.

An international circuit of 11 races and shared values

The results for 2015: After two races, the rankings are up on the website of the Ultra-Trail® World Tour: HERE

* “Series” races: There are 5 "Series" races and they correspond to a strengthened competition circuit, whose objective is to facilitate the meeting of elites around the world by granting finishers, a higher bonus on the final classification.