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UTMB VAL DARAN 2025 PREVIEW, BY MAYAYO
UTMB VAL DARAN 2025 PREVIEW BY MAYAYO
Trail running returns to the heart of the Pyrenees as 6,000 runners get set for European UTMB World Series Major. From 2-6 July, the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees will come alive as it welcomes 6,000 runners from 83 nations to the 5th edition of Val d’Aran by UTMB.
As the European UTMB World Series Major, the event gives local and regional runners the chance to experience the unique atmosphere on their doorstep. With 88% of participants coming from Europe, primarily the neighbouring areas of Spain, France and Portugal, it has become a firm favourite amongst local athletes eager to explore the Pyrenees trails, further cementing its status as the European Major. Let us kick off with our inside experience video summary from the original 2021 edition
Read this in spanish at CARRERASDEMONTANA.COM.
Seven races to explore the essence of the Pyrenees
Nestled in the Atlantic-facing valley of Val d’Aran, in Vielha, Spain, runners will follow the Garonne River via ancient shepherd paths and high alpine meadows, discover the rich cultural heritage while climbing high into stunning alpine cirques. With over 30% of the land in the region standing above 2,000m, and several peaks soaring above 3,000m, the area is a truly magical enclave for mountain lovers and considered the ‘essence of the Pyrenees.’
In 2025, seven unique race distances are on offer to suit every level of trail runner. From the scenic brand new Vielha 10K race making trail running more accessible to all and offering even more action thought a very fast race, to the flagship Torn dera Val d’Aran 100M, which has attracted 700 athletes who are eager to tackle this epic mountain challenge, without forgetting the 20K, 50K, and 100K races, there will be courses for everyone!
UTMB VAL DARAN: Where every step tells a story
From international elite athletes to amateur local athletes and those taking on their first trail race, HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB unites thousands of runners with a shared goal to push their limits and achieve the extraordinary out on the trails.
Inés Astrain (ESP, UTMB Index 745) who won the PDA 50K last year will be challenging for the title again over the same distance this year. “For me, running in HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® is like running in Spanish Switzerland, with spectacular views and brutal animation. Passing through Arties is like flying, thanks to the affection of all the public. Arriving at the finish line is to feel the personal satisfaction of having achieved it, surrounded by a corridor of people who admire what you have done. HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB is a dream of a race. Running here has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my sporting career.”
The most eye-catching race on the start list looks to be the women’s 50K, with the presence of Miao Yao (CHN, UTMB Index 793) the reigning OCC holder, and two HOKA athletes to try and stop her: Allison Baca (USA, UTMB Index 768) and Sylvia Nordskar (NOR, UTMB Index 765). The 100K race will feature American Dakota Jones (UTMB Index 891) and French Yannick Noel (UTMB Index 881). On the women’s side, there is a Spanish star to keep an eye on: Nuria Picas (ESP, UTMB 754), an “UTMB Legend”, winning HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc in 2017.
Running Stones doubled, and direct qualification for UTMB World Series Finals
UTMB Val daran being one of the four UTMB World Series Majors, all finishers will also earn double Running Stones, while age-group category winners and the top 10 men and women in the 100M, 100K, and 50K races will secure automatic qualification for the UTMB World Series Finals.
Watch Live
As UTMB World Series European Major, HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB will be broadcast LIVE, giving fans around the world a chance to watch the action unfold. Follow the live stream, key race statistics and track your favorite athletes at https://live.utmb.world/. Fans can also catch the live broadcast on L’ÉQUIPE, Outside, DAZN, and iQIYI.
Eurovision Sport, new official broadcaster of UTMB World Series
On the occasion of Val d’Aran by UTMB, the European Major, a new key partner joins the official broadcasters of the UTMB World Series circuit: Eurovision Sport, the streaming platform of the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), will enable fans to catch every moment of their favorite trail running events, free of charge and without subscription. This new partnership highlights the UTMB World Series’ ambition to expand its live broadcast offering and make trail running increasingly accessible to everyone.
The platform will hold broadcasting rights for all 11 events still on the schedule in 2025 covered by the UTMB Live system, allowing it to reach a wide audience across Europe. It will complement the existing lineup of official UTMB World Series broadcasters: L’Équipe, Outside, DAZN, and iQIYI. Viewers will be able to follow the races through a dedicated endurance sports portal on eurovisionsport.com.
