TransLantau added to UTMB World Series as trail running continues to grow in Asia
- Seven events added to Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc international series, now easier for Hongkongers to qualify for main race
- ‘We hope we can show Hong Kong is not just shopping malls and a big city,’ says Lantau race co-director of ‘amazing trails’
The TransLantau ultra marathon has been added to the Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc (UTMB) World Series, and will take place in November 2022.
“When we started TransLantau 10 years ago, it was just 50 people or so. It was 50 friends running really. And it’s grown and grown. Now, to be part of the UTMB World Series, it feels like the pinnacle” said Sabrina De Nadai, TransLantau co-director.
The UTMB is one of the most prestigious running events in the trail and ultra calendar. The original event takes place in Chamonix, with a week of races culminating in the 170km UTMB itself. Over the last few years, they have been expanding to include “by UTMB” events around the world, which was recently formalised into a World Series with the race in Chamonix the final.
Seven races have been added to the World Series, including the TransLantau in Hong Kong, which has three distances – 25km, 50km and 103km. There were already three “by UTMB” races in Asia: Gaoligong and Panda Trail in China, and one in Thailand.
“We hope we can show Hong Kong is not just shopping malls and a big city. There are these amazing trails all over Lantau,” said De Nadai.
Along with TransLantau, the Western States 100-Mile Endurance Run, La Sportiva Lavaredo Ultra Trail, Trail 100 Andorra, Trail du Saint-Jacques have been added. Inaugural events Nice Cote d’Azur and Puerto Vallarta Mexico are also new additions to the series.
“Hong Kong with it stunning scenery, geography and diverse cultures offers a truly unique experience for visitors. The local, international, as well as mainland Chinese runners will have the opportunity to compete on an international stage,” said Catherine Poletti, president of UTMB Group.
De Nadai was added to the “by UTMB” team as account and sales manager for Asia, and TransLantau co-director Clement Dumont has also joined the Asia team.
“The group’s LiveTrail Asia office will be managed from Hong Kong and through Asia Trail will provide a strategically important hub for our UTMB Group Asia operations,” Poletti said.
To qualify for the original race in Chamonix, runners need to collect “stones”, which can be earned through running one of the World Series events.
“Trail running is growing across Asia. We are preparing for that growth by putting these racing on here,” said De Nadai. “The idea is in the near future to have more ‘by UTMB’ events in Asia.”
