UTMB 2022 - 3 top moments...and a call to action
At The Journey, we like to go beyond the podium.
Team!
We are back with one more article, this time to talk about what we believe were the three best moments of the UTMB. Plus, one call to action.
Truth is that when we are talking about the most important race on the Trail Running events calendar, like any competition, what matters most are the winners. Right?
It is undeniable the incredible performances from Katie Schide who won on the women's side, and the return of Kilian Jornet who not only got the win but also set a new course record of 19:49:30.
However, there are many "wins" that are achieved before the finish line or even before the start of the race.
At The Journey, we like to go beyond the podium. So, here are three positive moments and one negative aspect that we want to highlight:
🤜🤛 True Champion Attitude
One of the aspects that best defines the trail running community is camaraderie.
And contrary to what we were able to watch, for example, during the Livestream of the race with negative comments about the performance of some athletes (the same happened last year), it is amazing to see the example set by those who inspire us, "inside and outside of the trails".
Even when things go less well, the champion attitude is there, as demonstrated in this video between Tom Evans and Jim Walmsley. (Video recorded by: Margaux Le Map)
Inspired by this video, we are looking to create a new Trail Running ritual: Raise your hand.
✊Girl Power
Speaking of raising hands, we want to highlight one more victory, this time achieved by some women elite athletes such as Azara Garcia (probably one of the main messengers, especially online), Aroa Sio, Emilie Forsberg, among others.
Initially, the plans from the UTMB organization were that they would follow the first ten men in the competition and only the first five women. (Equality. Hello?)
Fortunately, and thanks to the athletes, for the sake of equal rights and support the development of women's trail running, the plan changed: top 10 men and top 10 women.
Below, you can watch a video from Azara “Storm” Garcia (only in Spanish) raising her hands and inviting women to join forces and “fight” to make women “more visible” in our sport. Let’s go!
🗺️The rest of us
Of course. We couldn't close the top moments without congratulating all the runners who took on this challenge, whatever the distance. Whether you crossed the finish line or not. If at The Journey Endurance Club, we believe that all fellow runners are a reason for inspiration, we say it, we shout out loud: Thank you!
If you are interested in sharing a story or curiosity about the race, please, we want to hear.
On the negative side:
➖ Gender Split
We went from a "victory" to a major defeat.
There are still no words for the difference in numbers between male runners and female runners at the UTMB.
We could even point out that the reason for this problem is the number of female athletes who signed up for the lottery. We do not have this information. Or even say that, in shorter distances, the number of women participating may be higher.
Now, what we know is that, for example, of the 2811 runners who were on the starting line of the 171km race:
2538 men - 90.3%
273 women – 9.7%
The percentages have not been very different in the last three editions, hovering between 7% and 9.3%.
What can we do to change these numbers? What can we do to reduce this difference?
More than questions, more than words, action is needed.
And here, at the Journey Endurance Club, we will also raise our hands.