Kilian and Zach's EMAIL to the ELITES - 'Boycott UTMB'

Recently, the ultra-running community has been rocked by an unprecedented move from elite athletes Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller. They have issued a bold call to action, urging top runners to boycott UTMB in favour of an alternative race. This video unpacks the reasons behind this dramatic stance, including concerns about UTMB's points system, aggressive market strategies, and environmental issues.

We discuss the complex Whistler Alpine Meadows controversy involving Gary Robbins, and the firing of commentator Corrine Malcolm by UTMB, shedding light on the growing discontent within the trail and ultra-running community. Additionally, we discuss the influence of UTMB's headline sponsor, Dacia, and The Green Runner's response to this partnership.

The new World Trail Majors series, provides a less uncomfortable alternative to UTMB, and we speculate on the future direction of elite ultra-running competitions. We aim to provide a balanced view, examining the perspectives of both UTMB supporters and critics.

Join us in this exploration of the evolving landscape of ultra-running, the role of big business in the sport, and the potential implications for the future of prestigious races like UTMB. Whether you're a seasoned ultra-runner, a fan of the sport, or just curious about this latest controversy, this video offers valuable insights into another critical moment in ultra-running history. Don't forget to subscribe for more updates on this developing story and insights into the world of trail and ultra running.

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[matthewboland]

Ever since Ironman cancelled the event in Madison due to Covid and refused to refund my money, I’ve decided to never pay a dime to anything they are associated with.

[ianl]

I've been racing IM for well over 30yrs, both in the UK, and Oz. The line '"There will always be local races...", was exactly what we kept hearing over and over in triathlon and look at the state of that of that now.
In particular in the US, there is only one game in town and that's IM. PTO are having a stab but ask nearly anyone stateside and triathlon = IM. So many many indie grass roots races have just gone.

It's not about UTMB taking over every race, it's about UTMB becoming so saturated in the market that the new entrants to the sport with limited disposable income will not want to spend their money on a 'non branded' race. This is what causes the smaller races that haven't been aggressively taken over (and an inferior product put in place) to die out.

We've seen this played out, over and over again in triathlon by the very brand that UTMB have thrown in with. Marketing and crushing the competition in any way possible is the strategy and all I can say is that us older triathletes will get zero satisfaction from saying 'we told you so'

[furryfury.]

Apologies for being corny but this really reminds me of LoTR. There are those who “despair” and think they couldn’t fight a power as big as Ironman so they just let it be; there are those who couldn’t resist the beauty and glory of UTMB. I hope Zach and Kilian manage to get a fellowship and somehow drive the positive changes they want to see.

On the other hand, my partner and I have taken the decision to boycott UTMB. Even as nobodies, we hope to vote with our money. Cancelling Nice and Translantau was hard (UTS is still on though because we already registered since last May). My ambition of running UTMB is down in the dumps… BUT it is now not the same UTMB I aspired to be a part of.

Dragon’s Back, Welsh 3000’s, and Spine Race seem more appealing to us these days…

[AMostlyFunctionalJess]

A pattern I tend to see as races become more comercialised, is the reduction of the quality in the ammenities available at the race and the care taken with the participants, all while the price goes up. UTMB wasn't ever really on my list anyway pretty much because of the cost. Difficult to justify £129 for something like the UTS 50k, for example, when we currently have stacks of considerably cheaper alternatives in the UK with a lovely community vibe.

My concern would be that UTMB will begin to push out more grassroots events. We should be pretty safe in the UK partly because of a strong trail running culture and in the event of a corporate led apocalpyse on the trail running world, we at least have Fell running here that will always be a counterculture holdout.

I think there are a lot of things to be concerned about with regards to UTMB, things that have removed any desire for me to ever fork out for a UTMB race. There is a lot that we don't know and a lot that I'm sure will unfold over the coming months.

[paulwilliams]

I appreciate that you've taken the time to present a balanced overview on this. The entry system for UTMB is frustrating but navigable. However, I respect Garry Robbins - as an athlete, a content creator and as a person who, clearly, has the interests of the sport top of mind - and it troubles me that the apparent strategy of Ironman Group is to crowd him and his events out to channel everyone into the UTMB pipeline.

[olivercarr]

The biggest problem with the UTMB that know one ever mentions is there abuse of volunteers. The top chefs make the big bucks running a company, whilst the volunteers get nothing. For grassroots events, yes volunteers and their passion for a sport is what allows these events to take place, but when you have big name sponsors, yet have a free work force, something isnt right.

[iberiksoderblom]

"There will always be local races...", untill UTMB starts making exclusive club-agreements, that restricts the size of the runs, the support that those runs can have, how much YoyTubers can produce of content from the races (as it will be enforced in the UTMB races!).
There is no limit to what ideas and restrictions the board of UTMB can make up.
Has ayone followed the stream of money going in to the UTMB/IronMan?
How much "stays inside" and how much goes back to the runs and activities, and do they actually create anything new?

[runningwithsimon]

I didn't read their email as a "let's boycott UTMB" but rather closer to what I think would be the ideal solution - the PTRA needs to pick every year THE race that will the be the "World Championship", and make sure it rotates. It shouldn't always be the same. The race itself (UTMB) is a good race, but the absolute power that comes with being De Facto world championship gives them unproportionnal power compared to other races - they get the juicier sponsors, the most attention from everyone, etc. I think the best solution is a rotation of what is THE race of the year. AND I think that having PTRA choose this race would give back power to runners instead of race organization - meaning they could insure that whatever race is picked acted according to trail running values.

[AdamNodwell]

Great coverage of this ongoing issue Stephen.

Every time I hear a new thing about UTMB (Corinne, Gary, various 'others') right now I lose a bit of faith and lean closer to a personal boycott of their races despite doing a few in the past. But the boycott isn't as much anger toward an organisation than it is just from becoming tiresome of their shit.

I did UTS in 2018 before it was bought out and then again last year. Yes it was much bigger this year and what it had in grandure it clearly lacked an attention to detail that i'm used to in smaller events. (extremely overcrowded tracks, worse food and on course support etc) Now this event could sell out 10 times over mainly for it being a stone gathering exercise. The Facebook group has become insufferable as it's now just a Facebook marketplace for people trying to buy each others places in the race.

I feel very lucky to have done CCC in 2022 as my faith that it'll remain as good as it was dwindles until proven otherwise.

I'm sure the Elite athletes dont want to boycott UTMB, they want them to conduct business better and I admire the fact they are voting with their feet.

In an ideal world they'll clean up their act and we can all get excited about it again.

...If all the elite athletes go then when are they going to bring in the Kenyans?

[DavidJones-xtbi]

'It started as a movement, became a business, then ended up as a racket'. The alternative race could / should be Ultra Tour Monte Rosa (a vastly better alpine 100 miler experience).Thank you Stephen.

[glyndonwakeman]

You need to look at the Triathlon world to see the strategies of Ironman group play out. The moves you are describing are what has happened over the past decade or so in triathlon. Many smaller races don't exist, either bought up or squeezed out. As they have gained dominance over an area, prices have steadily risen. They are the McDonald's of triathlon. But a very expensive one. If that is what the trail scene wants...

[Hillrunner]

I already boycotted it lol. The idea of running a single track with over a thousand people is a nightmare and never had appeal.

[julietmorrice]

Excellent summary and commentary as ever. No personal opinion really as I have no great desire to do any UTMB events (too crowded and expensive) though I do enjoy your videos of the races as much as any others.

[runningwithsimon]

I think it's great that elite runner are leading the charge - but it really comes down to average runner taking action too. I've raced 34 x 100 milers over the past 4 years, and despite racing some of the most famous and toughness race, I have yet to qualify for UTMB as I have no stones. This year, I'll be racing several World Trail Major events (along with 100 milers every month). I'd race more if I had the budget, but it's pricey to travel so much. Anyhow, I hope UTMB is listening and planning to change course - because I think it was and is a classic, but their decision is hurting it and their name.

[fionac]

Whilst we do have a good amount of trail and ultra events in the UK, I think it can be difficult for smaller or newer events to grow or get established when a lot of the 'noise' focuses on big, well known events. I had been looking for a winter 100 miler only to discover that there pretty much aren't any. Was happy to find the LAW100 only to discover that it had already been cancelled due to insufficient entries. Even for a long event in winter, I find it hard to believe that there wouldn't have been 60 people interested in taking part. I love watching the Arc and the Spine but there could be so much more. As runners, we need to seek out and support these events rather than aspiring to the big shiny events that first spark our interest. Pretty sure that UTMB Ironman will be alright.

[swissalps]

Great job, Stephen, explaining what that email is all about.

[Mookiethedog]

I am proud our sport elites have moral and ethics to a higher degree than others that follow the money. Putting ultra running on the map isn't the highest priority. Living comfortably within your own skin is way more important. Good vid....I know you like UTMB and you presented this well balanced.

[Crookemilerunning]

If you support the “centralization” of everything, then support UTMB and its opportunistic “qualifying” races for the profits they are seeking. Zach is 100% correct in his opinion that these entities are out for profit, not what’s best for the ultra community. 730M to purchase IM in 2020…this isn’t the community I am seeking out. Ultra and IM draw a very different runner to the starting line, it couldn’t be more apparent that they don’t care about the ultra community and are solely for profit. I for one will never run another UTMB/ Western States qualifier, I encourage serious runners to seek out serious events no matter how obscure…one to start with if your in the states in Tempest Adventures out of Colorado. The most amazing RDs out there to support you as you seek your highest. No one is overlooked, every runner is treated as an equal. Enough is enough of pandering to “elites” and “elite” runs when the vast majority are average runners seeking their highest and are always overlooked. This is an ultra revolution! Boycott UTMB and ALL the RDs licking boots. No disrespect intended…the sport is changing and runners need to decide what they stand for…as a runner and as a human being.

[tommosal]

I certainly agree with a lot of what Killian and Zach are saying...on the flipside it's also very easy for them to say choose another event when they've raced and experienced it many times (Zach less than 6 months ago), whereas many others (myself included) have never had the chance as yet

[nelliedow]

As a regular weekend warrior. All of this has made it clear to me that I have no desire to ever run a UTMB race. Prior to this I would have done it in a heart beat. I am very excited to support local races and look forward to seeing the positive changes that come about in response to this exodus from UTMB