Ultra Marathons

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Sam Jelfs Jan 2024 9:36am, 22 Jan 2024 1,442 posts	0 Sam Jelfs Thoughts on the email From Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller w.r.t. UTMB? Hey, Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller here. If you are receiving this it is because you are one of the top athletes in our sport. We wanted to start with this select few so that our efforts can be a bit more focused and not so overwhelming. Having said that, what is this all about? Well, we are writing to you to see if you might be interested in committing to racing each other at a race other than UTMB this year (2024). While we realize that many of you may have strong ties to UTMB (personal goals, incentives from sponsors, career goals, etc.) we ask that you hear us out on what we have to say here. First off, we want to acknowledge that UTMB is a great race, even though there has been a lot of drama recently, we still feel that the race and the organization have done a lot of good for the sport of ultra running. Thanks to UTMB, we now have a world championship-esque event that draws many of the best runners in the sport as well as sponsors, media, and fans from all over the world. It has truly become the big event of the year and has really helped to put our sport on the map. Having an event like this has created a lot of opportunity for people like ourselves, as it drives a lot of money and attention to the sport. This, we feel, is a good thing. However, while it may be good for the sport to grow and develop in these ways, it is also important that the growth occurs in a positive, healthy manner. Unfortunately, the current direction that UTMB, UTMB Group, and Ironman have taken has given us cause for concern. There are a multitude of things that we could point to that are concerning to us, but the gist of it is that we feel that they are not managing themselves and their event(s) in a way that has the best interest of the sport and its people in mind. We understand that the racing space is a business and we are alright with the organization making money. However, we feel that there is a way to do this without treating people poorly and running over everyone who gets in your way. To put it simply, we want them to run their business well. We want them to be considerate. We want them to not only ask "what can we do to benefit ourselves?", but also "what can we do to improve the sport of trail running as a whole?". Unfortunately, we feel that they have not been doing a very good job with this. And while it would be nice to be able to sit down and chat with them so that we can course correct and get things back on track, we fear that they won't really make any changes unless they feel pressured to do so. Fortunately, as elite athletes we have a voice. Perhaps the best way to communicate our discontent and apply some pressure is to band together and all go to a different race. An absence of the top fifteen ranked male and female runners from the UTMB start line would speak volumes. It would communicate to them that we are not happy and pressure them to make some changes. So, we would like to hear your thoughts. We have already pin-pointed a potential race that we could attend instead of UTMB, but before we get into all that, please let us know what you think. Do you have the same or similar concerns? Are you interested in competing in an alternative race? Please let us know so that we can continue the dialogue and discuss what the next steps might be. And please realize, this is not meant to be a malicious, hateful thing towards UTMB. The idea here is to find a way to apply some pressure to the UTMB/Ironman organization so that we can effect positive change. It would be great if one day we could go to UTMB and feel good about it, knowing that what they are doing is making the sport better, not worse. Anyhow, please let us know your thoughts. You can answer at another.way.to.run@gmail.com Perhaps we can also organize a zoom call so that anyone who is interested can discuss these things verbally. Thank you very much for taking the time to read! Many thanks, Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller. Arguably, without UTMB Kilian and others wouldn't have the fame and position that they have now, but the way it is going, with the joining with Ironman, doesn't seem good for the sport. The way Whistler Alpine Meadows wasn't able to get a permit to host the race, but suddenly there is the UTMB Trail Whistler race suggests something is going on. They are trying to force it more and more into a closed group of races, you race UTMB / Ironman events, or you don't. I've never liked the way other races are forced to pay if they want to be a UTMB qualifying race / have ITRA points. Doubt I will ever race a UTMB branded event.
paulcook Jan 2024 10:05am, 22 Jan 2024 4,146 posts	0 paulcook Completely agree with your analysis to be honest, and much of Kilian and Zach's letter though I'd changed my thoughts with the points/stones tallying anyway. Though I do wonder if this is far from a consistent mindset across runners. Doubt I will ever race a UTMB branded event. Me neither. Not since Ironman got involved despite once being some kind of goal. Though even if I wanted, I probably wouldn't manage it anyway!
Rosehip Jan 2024 10:09am, 22 Jan 2024 30,993 posts	0 Rosehip I did once covert a place at one of the shorter distances, but it would have been a long shot. No interest now. I think it’s a good thing that those with some influence are thinking about what is or might not be good for the sport and that they have got the tone right with that email. More power to their elbows
flanker Jan 2024 11:17am, 22 Jan 2024 21,125 posts	0 flanker If there am is purely as stated, they have my support as I've always thought the whole UTMB/ITRA apporach was trying to use their status and clout to bully smaller events. The cynic in me does wonder if there are other, hidden agendas behind this. UTMB has always had some appeal, although the cost and hassle of an entry has always put me off.
flanker Jan 2024 11:18am, 22 Jan 2024 21,126 posts	0 flanker *their aim. grrr.
ptr_runner Jan 2024 12:41pm, 22 Jan 2024 2,559 posts	0 ptr_runner I've managed to get a spot in the Eiger Ultra this summer. That event is now owned by the UTMB group. It's probably the only event of theirs i'm at all interested in.
cackleberry Jan 2024 12:33pm, 23 Jan 2024 3,487 posts	0 cackleberry Chest packs anyone?? I am liking the idea of dumping a load of grub in there and cracking on so I can eat it later. Plus, I have found from my own experience, if I don't have things like food or money to hand, I aint stopping to fumble around in my pack. I have run before with my race-vest plus bumbag, but the event I am preparing for will be too long, I think the straps will start to pinch and annoy. The chest packs I have looked at can fasten to your pack or be worn separately. I think I am going to get one, but am interested to see if there is any strong feeling on the subject.
fetcheveryone Jan 2024 12:45pm, 23 Jan 2024 30,096 posts	0 fetcheveryone I've managed to persuade Salomon to send me one of these (I've promised to write a blog about how I get on with it): salomon.com it looks like there are some spaces in it for food - but I've no idea how much, or how accessible it is whilst wearing. I like the idea of a chest full of food though Also, just spotted this on the BBC website. Not ultra running exactly, but thought it'd be of interest to the thread: bbc.co.uk
Gromit Jan 2024 12:46pm, 23 Jan 2024 1,932 posts	0 Gromit CB I've used on for a few of the longer races I've done , like you say its a good way of making sure food is front of you so you eat more ........ also quick access to phone or GPS if needed , I've got the OMM chest pod which attached ok to my Ultimate Direction Fastpack but it is a bit of pain when you come to want to take it all off when you're in a CP but the pros defo outweigh the cons.
paulcook Jan 2024 12:46pm, 23 Jan 2024 4,151 posts	0 paulcook Literally just read the same story. Sounds absolutely epic.