The second year of the Ultra-Trail World Tour concluded today with an awards ceremony honoring top 2015 finishers and an announcement of the 2016 tour.
2016 Ultra-Trail World Tour Schedule
In 2016, the UTWT will consist of 12 races:
- January 23 – Vibram Hong Kong 100k – Hong Kong
- February 6 – Tarawera Ultramarathon (100k) – New Zealand
- March 4 – The North Face Transgrancaria (125k) – Canary Islands
- April 10 – Marathon des Sables (250k stage race) – Morocco
- April 23 – Madeira Island Ultra Trail (115k) – Portugal
- May 14 – Ultra-Trail Australia (100k) – Australia
- June 25 – Western States Endurance Run (100 miles)– USA
- June 24 – The North Face Lavaredo Ultra Trail (119k) – Italy
- July 16 – Eiger Ultra Trail (101k) – Switzerland
- August 26 – Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (170k) – France/Italy/Switzerland
- September 23 – Ultra-Trail Mount Fuji (169k) – Japan
- October 20 – La Diagonale des Fous (163k) – Réunion Island
Changes to the UTWT schedule and structure for 2016 seem minimal.
Next year sees the addition of Portugal’s Madeira Island Ultra Trail. Madeira Island Ultra Trail was treated as a ‘future’ race during last year’s circuit, receiving publicity and attention from the UTWT, but it wasn’t included as a scoring race for the tour. For 2016, it’s fully included in the tour.
Like for 2015, there will be five UTWT Series races among those 12 races included in the tour during which competitors can earn extra points. The 2015 Series races, Transgrancanaria, Marathon des Sables, Ultra-Trail Australia, UTMB, and Diagonale des Fous, remain the Series races for 2016.
‘Future’ UTWT Races
There are at least six more races being considered as ‘future’ UTWT races. We think this means that they will be treated in 2016 as Madeira was this year, that they are being considered for full inclusion in the tour in 2017 and beyond. Here are the six ‘future’ UTWT races:
- April 15 – 100 miles of Istria Ultra Trail – Croatia
- June 18 – Mozart 100 (103k) – Austria
- September 10 – Ultra-Trail Harricana du Canada (125k) – Canada
- September 25 – Grand to Grand Ultra (273k stage race) – USA
- October ?? – Cappadocia Ultra Trail (110k) – Turkey
- October 29 – Javelina Jundred (100 miles) – USA
We also understand that the UTWT may announce up to three more ‘future’ races this fall, but that those can’t yet be confirmed.
Call for Comments
- Did you participate in the Ultra-Trail World Tour in 2015? If so, what did you think?
- What are your thoughts on the 2016 UTWT schedule?
- Are you tempted to try one of these races?
