UTMB Promotes Two Events to World Series Major for 2027

Announced via press release this morning:

Two iconic events on the UTMB® World Series circuit are taking the next step in their history. Switzerland’s Wildstrubel by UTMB®and HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB® in the United States both become UTMB® World Series Majors in 2027.

With the continued growth of the World Series it makes sense that more Majors are being added.

• Wildstrubel seems like a logical choice. Since Wildstrubel was to the series (5 years ago) this event has always gotten/created an outsized attention and focus. Wildstrubel always felt a bit special – could be because the resort town has lots of money to throw around and could afford livestreams and other attention-grabbing elements. It also helped that Wildstrubel’s date is just two weeks after the UTMB Finals, offering athletes a great one-two in the Alps.
• Canyons has been previously a Major, so re-promoting it also somehow makes sense. But! Canyons and Kodiak are in the same State, a mere 5 hours drive away from each other and they represent the Americas Major. There was no race in that entire double continent that would’ve worked as Major?

Peculiar decision-making here by the UTMB Group.

The UTMB World Series has now six Majors – six events to get double stones. The ECC UTMB World Series Calendar is updated to reflect these changes.