Announcement from American Trail Running Association member Spartan Trail.
World-class race series to take place across four continents creating an exclusive championship for elite trail runners and age group athletes.
American Trail Running Association member Spartan, the world’s leading endurance sports and wellness brand, has stepped up to the trail running world in a complicated year. Having cancelled its inaugural season as a result of the global pandemic, the Spartan Trail World Championship kicks-off with some of the most prestigious races in the world. The reloaded series features new events and a new format, reaching the world’s trail running community.
The World Championship has 10 stops around the world, across four continents, which give points for a final leaderboard, split into two categories: “Trail Run Championship” (up to 49k distances) and “Trail Ultra Championship” (50k or more distances). Elite runners will battle at each stop for an unprecedented prize purse, and collect points towards the series leaderboard prize purse. Age Group runners will battle for important prizes at each stop and for a final bundle at the end of the Championship. Each stop is categorized by three different labels, which separate from each other by the amount of points and prize money they give, based on events hierarchy and antiquity:
The 2021 Spartan Trail World Championship race schedule includes some of the best trail festivals in the world, and younger races that will be elevated by the Spartan brand and their fellow World Championship partners:
Runners can participate as an Elite or as an Age Group athlete. Elite runners must apply and be accepted by matching standards, which can be found on the 2021 Spartan Trail World Championships FAQ page, while everyone can participate as an Age Group athlete. The 2021 Spartan Trail World Championship points system aims for a clear way of ranking both Elite and Age Group runners. Points will be calculated based on a maximum quota for the winner (male or female), and distributed by an equation which is time-based. To avoid ties, bonus per podium (1st to 5th) will be awarded.
“In 2019, we saw the inaugural Spartan Trail season bring some of the best runners in the world to our courses alongside intermediate runners and newcomers to the sport,” said Spartan Founder and CEO Joe De Sena. “After being sidelined in 2020, we can’t wait to comeback bigger than ever with some of the most prestigious trail running events on the new Spartan Trail World Championship. We are all about transforming lives through sport, and helping to grow not only the Spartan and Spartan Trail brands, but the sport of trail running is wholly important to our mission.”
Mariano Alvarez, CEO of Spartan Trail, added: “Spartan Trail World Championship is the perfect motivation to leave behind a year that kept us away from the sport we love the most. Ten absolutely challenging races, in wonderful places, shaping a Championship with options for both elite and amateur runners. An inaugural season that will travel throughout the year from America to Europe, Asia and Oceania and a growth plan to reach the whole world in the upcoming years.”
Spartan’s long-term plan for the growth of its trail running brand, features expansion outside of the World Championship, with regular season races around the world.
With safety being Spartan’s No. 1 priority, the brand may implement modified operating procedures to maximize the safety of racers, spectators and all event personnel. Spartan will continue to follow WHO safety guidelines and work closely with local officials and safety advisors – which could result in alterations to events on a case-by-case basis.
For more information and to register, visit the STWC landing page.
