How to qualify for the UTMB World Series Finals, everything you need to know about stones and index points!
Pre-registration has now just opened for the UTMB World Series Finals, here is the full lowdown on what you need to know in order to qualify for entry. If you thought running 106miles with 10km of vertical ascent was the tough part, think again! The real challenge is working out how to get into the event!
The UTMB World Series Finals are held in Chamonix each year at the end of August/start of September. To qualify for 3 of the headline races, the OCC (50k category), CCC (100k category) or UTMB (100m category), you need to enter a lottery system, requiring stones and a relevant index. There are numerous events on this week, many of which do not involve needing stones or an index, so I have focussed on the 3 events that do.
Stones and Index
There are two variables that you have to become familiar with. The first is Running stones. When you run a UTMB World Series Event, you collect a number of stones, which depends on the distance category of the race. All races are categorised as either 20km, 50km, 100km or 100miles. The exact distance can vary quite substantially, so this can be one area where some strategic planning helps! Each running stone gives you a ballot entry into the UTMB World Finals (UTMB, CCC or OCC). Stones have no expiry, but you need to have collected at least one stone in the last 24 months. UTMB World Series Majors offer double the number of stones per the distance. The Majors are the continental finals of the UTMB World Series. The number of stones per UTMB World Series Events and Majors are allocated as follows:
Source: https://utmb.world/news/How-to-qualify-for-UTMB-World-Series-Finals-2024
The higher the number of stones, the higher your chance of successful entry, however there is no guarantee, and you may be lucky and gain entry with just one stone, or have 20 and still not be successful. If you are unsuccessful in your ballot entry, you can still your running stones for a future entry.
UTMB Index
In addition to stones, you need a valid UTMB index for the race you wish to enter. Index scores are offered for all UTMB World Series, OR UTMB Index Events (basically events run by other organisations who have gained UTMB index certification, of which there are 1000s). For the OCC you need a minimum of a 20K index, for the CCC a minimum of a 50K index, and for the UTMB a minimum of a 100K index. To find your index, you can create a My UTMB account. How is the index actually calculated? Well according to the UTMB website ‘The UTMB Index Score is calculated using a statistical algorithm based on the runners finish time for that particular race course. The distance, positive elevation gain and negative elevation gain for that race are used to identify similar races in our database already completed by runners in this race. These races then form the basis of statistical calculation to determine a UTMB index score specific to this years edition of this race.’ Your placing in the event is NOT a factor. The UTMB Index is calculated from the weighted average of your best scores, up to the top 5 are taken into account. You must have at least one score from races completed in the past 24 months for their UTMB index to be valid, if their UTMB Index is valid then all their results from the past 36 months are used to calculate their UTMB Index. The best result is given the highest weight, and the weight progressively decreases for the subsequent four results. Newer results receive higher weight than older results.
Source: https://utmb.world/news/How-to-qualify-for-UTMB-World-Series-Finals-2024
Are you still with me?
Recent Update
Stones are now earned on the TDS (4 stones), MCC (2 stones), YCC (1 stone) and the ETC (1 stone). These are events that occur during the UTMB World Series Finals week in Chamonix and entries for them are allocated on a first come, first served basis. This is a new addition as previously no stones were earned on these events.
Direct Qualification
In addition, for those at the sharper end of the field, there is direct qualification. The top 3 male and female runners at every UTMB World Series Event in races in the 100M, 100K and 50K category races automatically qualify (qualifying period 1st Jan-31st Dec) for the following year’s edition of the UTMB World Series Finals in the corresponding category. For UTMB World Series Majors, the top 10 in each category will have direct qualification. Finally, if you have a UTMB index score higher or equal to the below, on a UTMB World Series race in the 50K, 100K or 100M categories, you will qualify for the Final of the same category.
100M Women 600 Men 760
100K Women 660 Men 800
50K Women 680 Men 830
If you have made it this far….well done! So how do you actually go about registering?
Key Dates
14 December 2023
– Pre-registration opens for OCC, CCC, UTMB
– Registration open for TDS, MCC, ETC, YCC
– PTL application opens
11 January 2024
– Pre-registration closes for OCC, CCC, UTMB
– PTL application closes
16 January 2024
– Lottery draw for OCC, CCC, UTMB
– PTL selection announcement
29 January 2024
– Final date for runners to confirm registration for OCC, CCC, UTMB
– Second lottery round if runners don’t confirm their registration
Choose your races strategically
It all sounds very complicated but once you understand the system it’s negotiable! From a practicality perspective there are a few things to bare in mind. There is currently only one event in the UK, the Ultra Trail Snowdonia, at which you can earn stones. The number of events under the UTMB umbrella grows every year though. We are fortunate enough to spend much of our year in the French Alps, where the options are far greater, and you can often sign up to a UTMB world series event within a few days of the event, rather than months in advance.
I briefly mentioned it earlier, but do also consider that the distance classification can vary substantially, and with it, the difficulty. I recently competed in the UTMB Wildstrubel 70km +4400m event in Switzerland, which is classified as 100km by UTMB. This is a mere 60% of the distance of the equally 100km classified Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB, which is actually 115km with +4800m. I think I know which I would rather run if given the choice. Also do bear in mind some of the different logistics required for either getting to the start, or from the finish of the event, as well as any support you might need during the event. Some events can provide significant logistical challenges!
The road to the UTMB finals is both expensive, and time consuming, but it is a price many of us are prepared to pay to be part of the electric thrill of the event. Nobody makes us do these events, it is a personal choice, so do remember that. In our own journeys to UTMB finals week this year, we took part in a number of local races as preparation. Small events, that were comparatively inexpensive, logistically very easy, and an absolute joy to be part of. I am undecided about looking to take part in any more UTMB World Series Finals events, but I will definitely be back to the local trail races as soon as the season opens!
Karin Voller – RtW Guide
David Altabev – Photo
First published on Sept 2023, updated Dec 2023
