NSW SNOWY MOUNTAINS TO HOST AUSTRALIA'S NEWEST TRAIL RUNNING EVENT

Trail runners will descend on Australia’s alpine region this December with the launch of the country’s newest premium trail running event, Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB®.

The brand-new event has been designed for trail runners, by trail runners, with the inaugural Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® to be held from 15 to 18 December 2022. The event has also been selected to join the inaugural UTMB® World Series. The UTMB® World Series 2022 calendar consists of the best and most anticipated trail running events in the world.

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko has been developed by the team behind Oceania’s premier trail running events, Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB® and New Zealand’s Tarawera Ultramarathon by UTMB®.

Runners will have four distances to choose from, with 20km, 50km, 100km and 100 Miler events on offer, providing something for every trail runner, from the first timer to the ultra-enthusiast.

The courses will see runners work their way through the highlights of the Snowy Mountains, taking in alpine meadows, snow gum forests, crystal clear streams and ascending to the highest point in Australia. They’ll not only lose themselves amongst the variety of trails, but discover nature at its best.

Geoff Meyer, The IRONMAN Group Oceania Managing Director, organisers of Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko, said that the team was looking forward to bringing the best elements of their other world-renowned trail running events to the Snowy Mountains and to the inaugural UTMB® World Series.

“We’re proud to be a part of Oceania’s trail running community and can’t wait to welcome runners to Australia’s alpine adventure playground this December,” said Meyer. “Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko has been designed with our entire trail running community in mind, with unrivalled support crew access, unique spectator points, and of course an unmistakeable trail running vibe.

“The UTMB® World Series is the pinnacle of global trail running and we’re thrilled that Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko has been selected to be a part of the inaugural series,” he said. “Only the world’s best trail running events are a part of the UTMB® World Series and we look forward to being a part of the series.

“The UTMB® World Series is the pinnacle of global trail running and we’re thrilled that Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko has been selected to be a part of the inaugural series,” he said. “Only the world’s best trail running events are a part of the UTMB® World Series and we look forward to being a part of the series.

“At the core of an event like this is providing the best possible running experience for participants and to ensure that we’ve left no stone unturned, the courses have been expertly crafted by Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB® founder Tom Landon-Smith, who is not only the country’s trail running expert but also lives in the region.

“With four distances on offer Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko will provide trail runners of all experience and ability the chance to be a part of the event and the incredible atmosphere that will come with it,” he said. “With limited spots available on each of the start lines we encourage interested runners to be ready to enter in the near future to avoid missing out on being a part of the first ever Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said the world-class trail running event would help attract visitors to the entire Snowy Mountains region.

“We are absolutely committed to securing international events in our regional communities, putting them on the map not just as a tourist destination for Aussies, but for visitors from around the world,” Mr Toole said. “This is an event that pushes some of the world’s toughest competitors to their absolute limit and setting it our spectacular High Country will ensure it is an event to remember.”

Minister for Tourism and Sport Stuart Ayres said securing the Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® was a coup for the region.

“The Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® will help position our breathtaking Snowy Mountains internationally as an adventure sport destination,” Mr Ayres said. “The Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko joins Ultra-Trail Australia in the Blue Mountains as the nation’s only UTMB® World Series Events in the new series, reaffirming NSW’s position as the adventure sport capital of Australia.”

Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® is a part of the UTMB® World Series, the world’s premier trail running series, with all distances providing the opportunity to earn Running Stones, the pathway to qualification for the world’s most prestigious trail running event, UTMB® Mont Blanc in France.