A unique journey through time as they explore castles and vineyards

UTMB Group confirmed the creation of a new event in France, Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB®, which will become the fifth event on the global circuit to take place on French soil from 2023.

Supported by the European Collectivity of Alsace and the Grand Est Region, Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB will take place during the height of spring from 18 – 21 May 2023 across the two departments of Alsace, Bas-Rhin and Haut-Rhin, in northeastern France. Organized in line with the highest UTMB standards, the event will offer local as well as international runners wishing to discover the region the opportunity to experience a unique journey through time as they explore castles and vineyards, which for many will be the start of their quest to the UTMB World Series Finals.

With four races on the event program ranging from 34km to 175km, all runners will be able to embark on an epic journey through the Vosges mountains and explore fortified castles and picturesque villages, on trails where nature is both wild and preserved before finishing their adventure on the ramparts of Obernai, one of the most beautiful towns in France.

The flagship race is the Ultra-Trail des Chevaliers, which is 175km with 6,200 meters of elevation gain. Runners will set off from Colmar, the main city in Haut-Rhin, and will discover no less than 21 fortified castles, including the castles of Haut-Koenigsbourg and Hohlandsbourg, as well as the abbey of Mont St Odile and many villages on the Alsace wine route.

The 109km race, which has 3,820 meters of elevation, will start from Orschwiller, home of the famous Haut-Koenigsbourg castle, symbolically located at a hundred meters from the "border" between the two departments. After a passage in the wine paths, you will quickly reach the small fortified town of Saint-Hippolyte before entering the enclosure of Haut-Koenigsbourg which will mark the beginning of your ride through about twenty castles.

On the 50k race, which follows the path of wonders to the meeting place of Saint Odile, with special views on the peaks of the Bloss and the Heidenkopf, will offers almost 1,990m of elevation starting from Barr.

Finally, the short format, 34km and 1,280 m D+, going through the spiritual high place of Alsace located at 753m of altitude, is the perfect way to discover a condensed medieval atmosphere, in the heart of a luxuriant and enchanted forest in which stand seven castles.

“This event is first and foremost a story of friendship, passion, encounters, values and dreams. A passion for running but also for our region and our heritage. This project was born from a desire of a group of friends to run from Mont St Odile to the castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg, through both departments of Alsace and crossing as many fortified castles as possible. Our dream to become part of the UTMB World Series has now come true, ensuring runners from all over the world can discover our playground.”

Mathieu Pettinotti

Race Director

Offering runners the opportunity to experience an extraordinary adventure, 35 events around the world have so far been confirmed for the UTMB World Series 2023. UTMB World Series events are the only place where runners can collect Running Stones, which can be used to enter the lottery for the first-ever UTMB World Series Finals, which will take place in the UTMB, CCC and OCC races of the UTMB Mont-Blanc in 2023.

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