UTMB Group, one of many companion organizations behind lots of the largest and most well-known extremely and path races, has introduced a big improve in prize cash (known as the HOKA prize purse after UTMB’s title sponsor) for the highest finishers at this yr’s version of the UTMB World Sequence Finals held on the finish of August in Chamonix, France. Greater than €380,000 can be distributed among the many high 10 athletes, with the winners taking dwelling €20,000—greater than double the outdated prize purse.
“This new funding will assist all athletes who juggle demanding coaching regimes, together with skilled careers,” the race group introduced in a press launch on Tuesday. Frédéric Lénart, CEO of UTMB Group, highlighted the importance of this initiative on Tuesday: “Growing prize cash is of nice significance to us, to our sport; it’s our obligation to the communities. We’re proud to assist athletes, each ladies and men, in totally embracing their ardour and making a livelihood out of it.”
UTMB Group labored with the Professional Path Runners Affiliation (PTRA) to find out how, precisely, to distribute the prize cash. “We’re completely happy that the UTMB Group determined to seek the advice of the PTRA concerning the brand new prize cash construction for UTMB World Sequence Finals and Majors, mentioned Francesco Puppi, an elite path runner who serves on the Professional Path Runners Affiliation (PTRA) Board. “This represents an essential step ahead within the professionalization of the game and the popularity of the elite athletes, for the status, high quality and worth they convey to UTMB World Sequence occasions.”
Dedication to gender equality and race distance recognition
In a transfer to advertise gender parity, prize cash can be distributed equally amongst male and feminine athletes. The UTMB 171K Closing will see each female and male winners receiving the identical quantity.
The group additionally desires to emphasise that each one distances, whether or not 50K, 100K or 100M—require immense dedication and perseverance. Whereas the UTMB 171K affords the best prize cash, in all different occasions equal prize cash can be distributed throughout these classes, within the hopes of recognizing the distinctive challenges and expertise concerned in every. Frédéric Lénart, CEO of UTMB Group, highlighted the importance of this initiative: “Growing prize cash is of nice significance to us, to our sport; it’s our obligation to the communities. We’re proud to assist athletes, each ladies and men, in totally embracing their ardour and making a livelihood out of it.”
Main occasions, massive rewards
The brand new prize purse can be featured within the upcoming UTMB World Sequence Majors and Finals, starting with Val d’Aran by UTMB (Spain, July 3-7, 2024, the UTMB Mont-Blanc occasions hosted in Chamonix, France, on the finish of August, and HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB (Thailand, December 6-8, 2024).
“It’s nice to see UTMB proceed to take steps ahead in worldwide path working to carry collectively consolidated competitors with a much bigger prize purse,” mentioned Jim Walmsley, winner of the 2023 UTMB 171K Closing. “A rise at UTMB Finals, in addition to UTMB World Sequence Majors, provides numerous incentive for present professionals to prioritize these races and helps encourage the subsequent technology of runners to pursue a profession in path working.”
A yr for change
In Might, UTMB unveiled one other vital change for 2024—a partnership with the Worldwide Testing Company (ITA) and unbiased anti-doping organizations and a dedication of not less than €100,000 this yr to bolster its anti-doping initiatives. This complete strategy consists of creating new anti-doping insurance policies, and enhancing testing procedures and athlete teaching programs.
