More Insight Into the UTMB Index

Martin Biela still working on trying to reverse-engineer the UTMB Index and fully get the details on how it actually works:

Beginning of last week a Calculation details view appeared on every runner’s profile — no announcement, no blog post. Click the big blue UTMB Index card, or any category card, and a panel folds out showing exactly how that number was built, row by row.
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Here’s what the rule turns out to be: your UTMB Index is governed by two mechanics that the panel shows but never explains. A clock that ages every result on a fixed schedule, and a floor that stops your weaker races from dragging you down. Once you can see both, the index stops being a verdict handed down from above and becomes something you can actually read — and plan around.

The mechanics behind it all are a bit over my head, but it’s good to get a better understanding of how this all works. Especially if you’re a pro runner and that Index is important for your livelihood, having a better understanding can help you make better decisions. Although, you should probably refrain from running and optimizing for a number – cause that’s certainly NOT what trail running is supposed to be all about.