Ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games (July 26 to August 11), Spartan reports that registrations for its upcoming Ultra World Championship event in Morzine are ‘skyrocketing’.
On July 5, many of the world’s best obstacle racing (OCR) athletes, from 40 countries, will gather in Morzine, France, for the Spartan Ultra World Championship, a 50km race with 60 obstacles: one of the most intense OCR event in Spartan’s portfolio.
Over 10,000 participants are reportedly set to compete in various race formats, marking a historic milestone that looks set to elevates obstacle racing in France.
In 2028, the Los Angeles Olympic Games will introduce obstacle course racing as a new sport. According to Spartan, since its debut in France in 2013, the discipline has gained popularity, attracting over 200,000 participants nationwide across the European country.
In addition to the Ultra World Championship on Friday, July 5, 2024, which has been held annually in various destinations since 2017, there will be more traditional races that are open to everyone over the weekend.
Spartan Morzine has attracted an average of 6,000 participants each summer. Spartan adds that hosting the world championship generates significant momentum, attracting athletes from around the globe. Additionally, the event organiser points out that obstacle racing is increasingly establishing itself as a legitimate sport, drawing new participants each season from traditional disciplines such as trail running, running, CrossFit, and team sports.
The ULTRA race is Spartan’s longest event, covering 50km and featuring 60 obstacles, including natural challenges and signature Spartan elements. In Morzine, participants also face a positive elevation gain of approximately 4,000m in mountainous terrain, making it one of the toughest challenges in the Spartan calendar.
To qualify for the ULTRA world championship, athletes had to finish at one of the Spartan ULTRAs organized around the world in 2023. Nearly 1,000 athletes (the best in the discipline) will present themselves at the starting line on Friday July 5 from 07:00 in waves of 150 runners, classified by elite level and age groups.
By the numbers
- 40 nationalities
- Top 3 countries in Europe – France, 382 participants; Switzerland, 95 participants; Italy, 64 participants
- Top countries outside Europe – US, 66 participants; Mexico 9 participants; Brazil, 5 participants
- Gender: 87% male and 13% female
- Average age: 38 years
- Average time: 10 hours
- Best time in Morzine: 06:37:39 record time by Frenchman Thibault Jean, a triple winner in Morzine
- Prize noney: US$15K
