Association Trail Valais

Born in 2022 in Crans-Montana, Wildstrubel by UTMB® is much more than just a sporting event. It is driven by Trail Valais, a non-profit association from Valais, powered by a team of passionate trail runners deeply rooted in their region.

Their mission? To promote trail running in Valais by showcasing the natural, cultural, and human richness of this unique Alpine region.

Our association, Trail Valais, chose to join the UTMB World Series circuit to:

Provide local runners in Valais with the opportunity to earn Running Stones close to home

Promote Wildstrubel and its breathtaking landscapes to the international trail running community brought together by the UTMB World Series circuit

In the heart of the Swiss Alps, between the cantons of Valais and Bern, the Wildstrubel massif offers a spectacular playground: breathtaking panoramas, dramatic ridgelines, untouched valleys, and technical trails that wind through authentic and welcoming mountain villages. It is in this majestic setting, ranging from 1,000 to over 3,000 meters in altitude, that runners from around the world gather each year, crossing the finish line in Crans-Montana.

Wildstrubel by UTMB® is a locally rooted event, built by the people of the region, involving local municipalities, volunteers, and regional stakeholders.

The management committee

Magali Reiser

Volunteer Manager, Runner Awards, and Gifts Coordinator

Bastien Siggen

Coordinator for Wild Kids, Para Sports, Wild 10 and Wild NextGen

Ryan Baumann

President of the Organizing Committee and race director

Laurence Meyer

Coordinator for Entertainment, Food Services, Refreshments, and Awards Ceremony

Pierre-Michel Oggier

Race Operations Center and security Manager

Michael Meyer

Manager of Ycoor Finish Area, Exhibitor Village, Signage, and Equipment

Matthieu Girard

Logistics and Transportation Manager and deputy race director

Michaela Senft

Supply manager

Historical Background

Since 2003, strong friendships have been forged between the organizers of the UTMB Mont-Blanc in Chamonix and several political and tourism figures in Valais.

In 2021, these individuals heard about the idea of creating a new global trail running circuit: the UTMB World Series.

At that time, Jean-Yves Rey — a native of Crans-Montana, elite runner, and winner of the CCC in 2009 — proposed the idea of a route around the Wildstrubel massif. He knew the terrain well from his training runs and had long dreamed of turning it into a trail running event.

In May 2021, under the initiative of Bruno Huggler, Director of the Crans-Montana Tourism Office, a working group was formed. It brought together political representatives and the tourism directors of the four partner destinations: Leukerbad, Kandersteg, Adelboden, and Lenk. Their mission was to prepare a proposal for a trail running event around the Wildstrubel massif.

In September 2021, a team of experts from Crans-Montana (Ryan Baumann and Jean-Yves Rey) and Chamonix (Jérémy Pecqueur and Francis Marielle) completed a reconnaissance of the proposed 110 km flagship race. Their goal was to assess whether the route met the criteria required to join the future UTMB World Series circuit.

In October 2021, the tourism offices of the five destinations — supported by the political authorities of the cantons of Valais and Bern — officially submitted their candidacy to join the UTMB World Series.

In November 2021, Wildstrubel by UTMB was officially announced as a new event in the UTMB World Series.

In February 2022, Ryan Baumann was appointed Race Director.

In March 2022, a local organizing committee was established to manage the operational aspects of the event.

Editions

September 2022: 1st edition - 2,500 runners

September 2023: 2nd edition - 4,000 runners

September 2024: 3rd edition - 6,000 runners

September 2025: 4th edition - 6,500 runners

September 2026: 5th edition - 7,500 runners (forecast)