WHISTLER, B.C. (Sept. 30, 2024) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – Whistler Blackcomb, one of North America’s largest world-class ski resorts, welcomed runners around the world to the 2024 Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB® on September 28-29. With three race distances to choose from – 70km, 50km and 25km – runners took on the breathtaking Coast Mountain Range via varied terrain, deep evergreen forests and alpine terrains. Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB is grateful to have run on the shared, unceded territory of the Lil’wat People, known in their language as L̓il̓wat7úl, and the Squamish People, known in their language as Sḵwx̱wú7mesh.
On Saturday, Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB® kicked off the weekend of competition with two races – 70km and 50km. Beginning at Whistler’s Creekside Plaza, runners took to the 70km course first. On the men’s side, Richard Cook (USA) and Elliot Holtham (CAN) battled throughout the race, but the former prevailed. With a time of 7:42:45, Cook took the top spot on the men’s 70km podium. Second-place finisher Holtham finished the course with a time of 7:54:10. Wrapping up the top three, Luke Nichols (AUS) finished third with a time of 8:18:45.
“One of the prettiest races I’ve ever run,” Rich Cook said after crossing the finish line as the 70km victor. Cook would go on to talk about what he enjoyed about the race, “the lakes up on the other side of Whistler Summit. Such a variety of terrain, such a variety of trails, technical stuff like high alpine. It was a really, really fun.”
The women’s 70km race proved to be a dominant win for Emma Patterson (USA), who outpaced the next closest competitor by more than 23 minutes. Patterson completed the course in 9:10:17, while Julie Lesage (CAN) followed in second place after finishing the course in 9:33:27. Jennie Labrie (CAN) rounded out the top three with a finishing time of 9:50:51.
The 50km race set off from the Creekside Plaza an hour and a half after the 70km race. With a time of 04:20:50, Cade Michael (USA) took the victory in the men’s category. David Norris (USA) was the next closest competitor, finishing in second place with a time of 04:30:20, while Andrew Newell (USA) placed third after completing the course in 04:51:01. In the women’s race, Katie Morgan (GBR) and Laurie Proulx (USA) led the pack, finishing with times of 05:20:09 and 05:26:36, respectively. Heidi Ohrling (CAN) came in third, finishing the 50km course in 05:45:10.
The weekend of racing wrapped up with the 25km competition that took off early Sunday morning. Jonathan Gendron (CAN) took the top spot in the men’s race in a time of 2:32:32. Rachel Hebaus (USA) was the female 25km winner with a time of 3:06:00. Misael Zapein (CAN) and John Dean (CAN) rounded the podium in the men’s competition with times of 2:41:11 and 2:45:05, respectively. Anne Baylot (CAN) quickly followed, finishing in second with a time of 3:11:44, while Marguerite Royer claimed third in the women’s 25km race, completing the course in 3:17:03.
All finishers of races at the Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB® collected Running Stones that can be applied to the UTMB Mont-Blanc draw.
Next Up for the UTMB® World Series:
The 2024 UTMB® World Series is scheduled to continue in 2024 when the series heads over to France for the Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® on October 4-6. To see the full schedule of UTMB® World Series events, visit https://utmb.world/.
For more information about the Ultra Trail Whistler by UTMB® visit https://whistler.utmb.world/. For more information about the 2024 UTMB® World Series visit www.utmb.world.
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UTMB® World Series
UTMB® World Series is the world’s ultimate trail-running circuit that unites the sport’s biggest stars and passionate runners through the best, leading international events in the most stunning locations. Built on a passion for the mountains with sustainability at its heart, UTMB® World Series gives all trail runners the chance to experience the UTMB® adventure across the world, with events taking place across Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It is the only place where runners can begin their quest to HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc, France, where the prestigious UTMB® World Series Finals will be held. Launched in May 2021 through the collaboration between the UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group, the UTMB World Series circuit brings together many of the best international trail-running events on the planet. For more information, visit www.utmb.world.
About UTMB Group
Since the creation of HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc in 2003 by a group of passionate friends, UTMB Group has been the driving force behind the development of trail running. The HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc is the sports pinnacle event, and every year, 10,000 runners earn their place on the start line. UTMB Group also pioneered the LiveTrail® technology, an innovative digital service that supports the management of endurance races. Revered by hundreds of thousands of athletes, UTMB® has become a global, premium, and leading brand. In May 2021, UTMB Group partnered with The IRONMAN Group to launch the UTMB® World Series, which brings together many of the best international events on the planet to provide exclusive access to the sport’s pinnacle event, HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc. The UTMB® World Series is built on the founding principles of HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc: surpassing oneself; fair-play; respect for people and the environment; and solidarity. Find out more at https://utmb.world.
About The IRONMAN Group
The IRONMAN Group operates a global portfolio of events that includes the IRONMAN® Triathlon Series, the IRONMAN® 70.3® Triathlon Series, 5150
Triathlon Series, the Rock ‘n’ Roll® Running Series, IRONKIDS®, World Triathlon Championship Series, premier running events including the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon and City2Surf®, UTMB® World Series trail-running events including the Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB®, Tarawera Ultra-Trail by UTMB® and Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB®, Epic Series mountain bike races including the Absa Cape Epic®, road cycling events, and other multisport races. The IRONMAN Group is the largest operator of mass participation sports in the world, providing participants the benefits of endurance sports through the company’s vast offerings. Catering to the full athlete experience, the company portfolio also includes FulGaz® virtual cycling, the most realistic indoor riding experience connected fitness application aimed at preparing athletes for real-world events. Since the inception of the iconic IRONMAN® brand and its first event in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE® by crossing finish lines around the world. Beginning as a single race, The IRONMAN Group has grown to become a global sensation with hundreds of events across 55+ countries. The IRONMAN Group is owned by Advance, a private, family-owned business, and Orkila Capital, a growth equity firm focused on building great brands. For more information, visit www.ironman.com/about-ironman-group.
About Advance
Advance is a private, family-held business that owns and invests in companies across media, entertainment, technology, communications, education and other promising growth sectors. Our mission is to build the value of our companies over the long-term by fostering growth and innovation. Advance’s portfolio includes Condé Nast, Advance Local, Stage Entertainment, The IRONMAN Group, American City Business Journals, Leaders Group, Turnitin, and Pop. Together these operating companies employ more than 14,000 people in 29 countries. Advance is also among the largest shareholders in Charter Communications, Warner Bros. Discovery and Reddit. For more information visit www.advance.com.
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