Denis Balibous / Reuters
Mont Blanc ultra-trail record holder Spaniard Killian Jornet called for a boycott of the legendary ultra-trail in January 2024.
Sports – they denounce the omnipotence of the most followed trail of the year. Spaniard Kilian Jornet and American Zach Miller, two legends of the ultra-trail, competed in this foot race of at least 80 km in the desert, which was called to boycott the legendary ultra-trail of Mont White last week. The organization of the UTMB, one of the most difficult races in the world, which covers more than 173 km around the highest peak in Europe, wants to answer them.
In an email forwarded to the world’s best trail runners, both runners offered them the chance to compete in a competition. “Alternative Competition” Organized at the same time as the UTMB which takes place around Chamonix in late August, early September 2024.
“UTMB is a great race” Those who helped shed light on a game, are first recognized in this message. Before considering the organizers, the UTMB Group and the Ironman brand, “Do not manage their events in the best interests of the sport and its practitioners”.
UTMB: “We are open to discussion”
“We don’t want them to just ask, ‘What can we do to get more leverage?’ But rather: ‘What can we do to improve this game as a whole?’ Enter Killian Jornet, who set the event record in 19 hours, 49 minutes, and Zach Miller, who finished second at UTMB in 2023.
The email, which was supposed to remain confidential, ended up in the hands of British trainer and runner Martin Cox, who decided to make it public on his Instagram account on January 15. As you can see in the post below. He specifically criticizes Killian Jornet for it “hypocrisy”when ” UTMB allowed Jornet and many other pros to “get on the money train” of ultra trail running, to be able to have a financial base and enjoy a certain influence. ยป
The UTMB organization responded to the two athletes in the comments of this furious publication. “ Although we would have appreciated a direct conversation with Zach and Killian on this topic before learning of this email, we reached out to both to understand their position and discuss it directly.”Reacted to the UTMB World Series.
“We strongly believe in the value of open and constructive discussions to find solutions that benefit the entire community”UTMB Group President Catherine Poletti told AFP this Monday.
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