Kitz Alps Trail in Austria joins the UTMB World Series in 2023

Austria’s KAT100 by UTMB®, has been confirmed as the latest event to join the 2023 UTMB® World Series, giving runners the chance to explore the famous Kitzbühel Alps during what will be the event’s fourth edition. Runners will have the option of eight different routes of varying distances, including relay formats, all taking place from the 3-5 August 2023.

All races begin and end at the center of Fieberbrunn, a market town in the West-Austrian state of Tyrol that is known for its year-round mountain sports. The 100-mile KAT100 is set to become the longest trail running race in Austria in 2023, and with 9,996 meters of elevation gain, is as tough as it is beautiful. The course passes through nine villages in the Kitzbühel Alps, allowing runners to experience a mixture of gentle grassy mountains and magnificent ridge landscapes in the PillerseeTal, including the fantastic summits of Wildseeloder, Kitzbüheler Horn, and Jakobskreuz. Winner of the 2022 KAT100 and Austrian native, Michael Deng, described the race as, “walking from highlight to highlight through a grandiose landscape – just fantastic.”

As well as the 100-miler, runners can test their limits on seven other routes of varying distances, with Running Stones - which can be used to enter the lottery for the UTMB World Series Finals - rewarded to all finishers of races in the 100M, 100K, 50K and 20K race categories. An additional 8km and a kid’s race ensures that the event is open to everyone, new or experienced in the sport.

Finishers of the Endurance Trail (91.5km / 5,100m+ elevation) will get three Running Stones; the Marathon Trail (48.2km / 3,220m+) will award two Running Stones; with the KAT100 Speed Trail (24.2km / 1,640m+) awarding one.

Race Director Thomas Bosnjak said: “We are very happy to be part of the UTMB World Series with the KAT100 by UTMB and are convinced that we fit perfectly into the race calendar with our fantastic trail offer in the Kitzbühel Alps. So, we are already looking forward to many visitors and athletes at next year's event.”

Armin Kuen, Managing Director of the PillerseeTal Tourism Association commented: “The PillerseeTal is proud to be a partner of a strong global event brand with the KAT100 by UTMB. The KAT100 by UTMB is the perfect platform to present our region and its most beautiful places. We are looking forward to numerous international participants.”

KAT100 by UTMB joins mozart 100 by UTMB as the second UTMB World Series event in Austria, both offering runners their own unique experience through the country’s wildest regions. The UTMB World Series has now confirmed 31 events in 2023, including new events in Europe, South America, and Africa, with further expansion across Asia and the USA still to be announced.

UTMB World Series 2023 confirmed events (as of 17 November 2022):
• Tarawera™ Ultramarathon by UTMB® (New Zealand), 11-12 February   • Amazean Jungle Thailand by UTMB (Thailand), 17-19 February • Istria 100 by UTMB® (Croatia), 13-16 April  • Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB® (USA), 28-29 April  • Transvulcania by UTMB® (Spain), 4-6 May • Ultra-Trail Australia™ by UTMB® (Australia), 11-14 May • Ultra-Trail Snowdonia by UTMB® (Wales), 12-14 May • Valhöll Argentina by UTMB® (Argentina), 12-14 May • Trail Alsace Grand Est by UTMB® (France), 18-21 May  • Mountain Ultra-Trail by UTMB® (South Africa), 26-28 May • Trail du Saint-Jacques by UTMB® (France), 3-4 June • mozart 100™ by UTMB® (Austria), 17-18 June  • La Sportiva® Lavaredo Ultra-Trail® by UTMB® (Italy), 22-25 June  • Trail 100 Andorra™ by UTMB® (Andorra), 24-25 June  • Western States® 100-Mile Endurance Run (USA), 24-25 June  • Val d'Aran by UTMB® (Spain), 6-9 July  • Restonica Trail by UTMB® (France), 6-8 July  • Trail Verbier Saint-Bernard by UTMB® (Switzerland), 7-9 July  • Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB® (Switzerland), 12-16 July  • Speedgoat Mountain Races by UTMB® (USA), 21-22 July   • KAT100 by UTMB® (Austria), 3-5 August • UTMB® World Series Finals; UTMB® Mont-Blanc (France, Italy, Switzerland), 28 August – 3 September • Wildstrubel by UTMB® (Switzerland), 14-17 September • Paraty Brazil by UTMB® (Brazil), 22-24 September • Julian Alps Trail Run by UTMB® (Slovenia), September  • Nice Côte d’Azur by UTMB® (France), September • Puerto Vallarta México by UTMB® (Mexico), 3-4 November • Kullamannen by UTMB® (Sweden), 3-4 November • TransLantau™ by UTMB® (Hong Kong), November  • Doi Inthanon Thailand by UTMB® (Thailand), 8-10 December • Ultra-Trail Kosciuszko by UTMB® (Australia), December