UTMB World Series Majors 2027: Wildstrubel and Canyons join

UTMB World Series will have six Majors in 2027 with the addition of Wildstrubel by UTMB, in Switzerland, and HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB, in California. The series announced the addition of the two races on Wednesday 4 November.

Two new Majors in 2027

Wildstrubel by UTMB and HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB join four other Majors: HOKA Ultra-Trail Australia by UTMB, HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB, HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB and HOKA Chiang Mai Thailand by UTMB.

Majors offer twice as many Running Stones as the other World Series events for the finals draw. The more a runner accumulates, the greater their chances of securing a place, provided they meet the entry requirements.

In addition, the top ten men and top ten women in the 100M, 100K and 50K categories at each Major qualify automatically for the corresponding final, without entering the draw. The finals take place in Chamonix, France: OCC, approximately 50 kilometres; CCC, around 100 kilometres; and UTMB, 171 kilometres.

Wildstrubel: courses and registration in Switzerland

Wildstrubel by UTMB becomes a Major after five editions. The race crosses the Wildstrubel massif and connects five mountain destinations: Crans-Montana, Leukerbad, Adelboden, Lenk and Kandersteg, across the Swiss cantons of Valais and Bern.

The main race is 113 kilometres with 6,600 metres of elevation gain and circles the massif and the Plaine Morte glacier. The course is based on an original idea by Jean-Yves Rey, winner of the CCC in 2009.

The programme includes other distances: 72 kilometres from Kandersteg, 55 from Adelboden, 42 from Lenk, 25 from Leukerbad and 10 from Crans-Montana. There is also a 10-kilometre Wild NextGen race for young people aged 10 to 17, free children’s races from the age of four, and Joelette and Handi-Sport formats for participants with disabilities.

Registration will open on 17 November 2026 for runners with a UTMB Index and on 19 November for the general public, at wildstrubel.utmb.world. The race offers 100 charity places and the option to donate during registration.

“Becoming a UTMB® World Series Major after just five editions is a source of immense pride. This recognition belongs first and foremost to our local committee, the volunteers and our institutional partners, who have worked together to drive this project forward from the outset,” says Ryan Baumann, race director of Wildstrubel by UTMB.

Read also: Mallorca by UTMB.

Testing, prize money and live coverage

The addition of Wildstrubel and Canyons to the Major category means stronger anti-doping checks at both races. Both events will continue to offer equal prize money for men and women and will be broadcast live on UTMB Live.

The current Major prize money schedule awards €5,000 to each winner in the 50K, 100K and 100M categories. Second-placed finishers receive €3,000; third-placed finishers, €2,000; fourth-placed finishers, €1,250; and fifth-placed finishers, €1,000.

Canyons: Golden Ticket in California

HOKA Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB has been held for twelve years in Auburn, California, with courses in the Sierra Nevada foothills that use some of the historic Western States 100 trails.

The 2027 edition will be the last race on the calendar to offer a Golden Ticket for the Western States 100. At Canyons 100K, the top two men and top two women earn a place in that race.

Registration for Canyons 2027 is already open, with places available across all distances, at canyons.utmb.world.