Ultra-Trail World Tour launches its 2021 season with a new race format

After a 2020 season suspended because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ultra-Trail World Tour has launched its 2021 season with a new race format: the HK100 Flex. Runners may choose to run the actual course of the Vibram Hong Kong 100 or they can participate from wherever they are in the world with the UTWT Virtual Club. The HK100 Flex race started on Saturday, leaving one month for the participants to complete their challenge by running one of the two main distances of the event: the HK100 Flex (103km) or the Half HK100 Flex (56km).

As for the international community, everyone is invited to participate and join the UTWT Virtual Club starting 22nd January.

Ultra-Trail Director, Marie Sammons advises "this idea is very important to us and given the current context, it is essential to be flexible and know how to adapt. The HK100 Flex is already a great success and our community is really appreciating this project: 330 runners have already registered, 24% of which are women. Moreover, some elite athletes - including China’s Yan Lu, one of the best runners in the world - have joined the challenge. This way, the entire UTWT community can participate in the first race of the season, whether they are at home or abroad.”

Runners who finish the HK100 Flex on site will receive many prizes, including three Running Stones allowing to access the UTMB® Mont-Blanc races. All participants who complete one of the challenges will get an extra chance in the lottery to register for next year’s Vibram Hong Kong 100.

Since its beginnings in 2014 the Ultra-Trail® World Tour has gradually expanded to include the most iconic and prestigious ultra-endurance trail running races around the world. From 10 events in 2014 the Ultra-Trail® World Tour now features 28 events from 22 countries and 5 continents. The original roster – which included races held in Hong-Kong, Spain, New Zealand, Japan, Australia, USA, France and Switzerland – has now been joined by events in England, Sweden and Thailand.

For more information go to www.ultratrail-worldtour.com   

Image: Ultra-Trail® Hong Kong