Quito Trail by UTMB becomes first UTMB World Series Event in Ecuador

Press Release / 21.09.2023

UTMB Arrives in Ecuador next year / © Anna Nicole Arteaga

UTMB World Series is heading to Ecuador for the first time in 2024, with the creation of a brand-new event, Quito Trail by UTMB. It is the 39th event to be confirmed for next year, giving runners the chance to discover one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on earth across five distances from the 2-4 August 2024. Registration will open to UTMB Index Holders on 4 October, with General Registration opening on 6 October.

The race takes its name from its host city and the country’s capital Quito where all races will start and finish. A UNESCO World Heritage Centre located in the Pichincha province, Quito was constructed on the foundations of an ancient Incan city and sits high in the Andean foothills at an altitude of 2,850m.

Runners will have the chance to discover the unique culture and natural wonders of the province and the Chocó Andino de Pichincha Biosphere Reserve, from deep jungle trails to river valleys and the Chirinchos waterfall, with the trails of the imposing Pichincha and Atacazo Volcanoes as witness.

All the UTMB category races are named after local wildlife and include the 82km/5,000m+ OSO; the 47km/2,500m+ NUTRIA; the 31km/1,700m+ TUCAN, and the 17km/1,100m+ QUINDE. The 7km URBAN TRAIL EL PANECILLO ensures there is a race for everyone.

Race Director Santiago López said: “In Ecuador, hosting an event as part of the UTMB World Series opens up enormous possibilities for Ecuador, Quito, and Pichincha. This event becomes a platform to showcase the country globally on the world's most important circuit of trail running events.

“Simultaneously, it's a great opportunity for many runners from Ecuador and the region to have an event that brings them closer to the dream of participating in the UTMB World Series Finals in France. As an organization, we are very pleased with this designation and will work to make Quito Trail by UTM a race that everyone wants to be a part of.”

UTMB World Series now offers four Latam American events, which alongside Quito Trail by UTMB including Paraty Brazil, Puerto Vallarta Mexico, and Valhöll Argentina. 39 events are currently confirmed for the 2024 global circuit across The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and Oceania, giving runners around the world the chance to live the UTMB experience closer to home – and for those who dream to make it to the UTMB World Series Finals, collect Running Stones on their journey.