117 \ ALTITUDE Thus was born this first edition of Wildstrubel by UTMB, the fruit of a shared passion for trail running and the unfailing commitment of all those involved. A memorable first event The first run of the Wildstrubel was a great success. With 2,400 participants, this inaugural event attracted an impressive number of trail enthusiasts. Three main races and a children’s race were on offer. The grand tour of the Wildstrubel starting from Crans Montana, another 50km race starting from Adelboden, and finally a 25km course linking Leukerbad to the high plateau. In addition, a children’s race open to participants aged between 4 and 17 was organised on the Friday evening. Two of the races were broadcast live on social networks and on the UTMB channel, notably on YouTube. The popularity of the event continues, with over 2,400 participants already registered for the next edition, which is expected to easily surpass the first year’s numbers. For 2023, a fourth 70km race has been added, starting from Kandersteg. A variety of routes The various race formats on offer correspond to the principles of the UTMB World Series. The Wild 110 route offers a complete tour of the Wildstrubel moutain range and the Plaine Morte glacier, crossing two cantons, two language regions and no fewer than five resorts. The new Wild 70 route is perfectly suited to trail runners wishing to try their hand at ultra without breaking the symbolic 100km barrier. It stretches from Kandersteg, on the peaks of the Bernese Oberland, to Crans-Montana. The Wild 50 race starts in Adelboden, in the heart of the canton of Bern, and also reaches Crans-Montana. Finally, theWild 25 format offers a condensed experience of the atmosphere of the Valais, with a wild climb, a crossing of mountain pastures, a feed station at the highest point of the course and a varied descent including forests, technical terrain and a bisse. The route links Crans-Montana and the resort of Loèche-Les-Bains via the Varneralp mountain pasture, and is suitable for anyone wanting to try out trail running. This diversity of routes means that each participant can choose according to his or her mood and level of experience. The opportunity to go all the way round a massif (compact mountain range) and complete a real loop is a rare offer. The queen race covers the entire Wildstrubel massif, with five climbs, five descents and five passes. Participants have the chance to discover breathtaking scenery while crossing legendary passes such as the Gemmi Pass and the Rawyl Pass. It’s an unforgettable experience to set off from Crans-Montana, measure yourself against the challenges of the mountains, and return to Crans-Montana. The Wildstrubel sports system is integrated into the UTMB World Series. The principle is based on obtaining points, called «Running Stones », for participants who finish one of the races. These points are then entered into a draw for the chance to take part in the grand final of the UTMB, which takes place every year in Chamonix. This year marks the 20th anniversary of this legendary race. With between 30,000 and 40,000 applicants for just 10,000 places, selection is by lottery. For example, a 50km participation in the Wildstrubel earns 2 Running Stones points. The more points a runner accumulates, the more chances they have of being drawn to take part in the grand final. Participants keep their Running Stones from one year to the next if they are not selected in the draws. If they are selected, the counter is reset to zero and the participant must start accumulating them again if they wish to take part in a subsequent final. A sustainable race The Wildstrubel by UTMB race is also committed to sustainability and the environment. With this in mind, all participants are required to keep their cups for the refreshment stands. The organisation attaches great importance to reducing waste and promoting environmentally-friendly prac-
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