I've been trying to get into the UTMB for a few years now. In 2015, I only had 8 points which would have been good enough for all previous years until they put it up to 9 that year. I have made the required points for the last two years but have been unlucky in the ballot twice. If I get the points this year, I will be in automatically as two-time losers automatically get in.
The points have been at 15 (9 old points) for the last couple of years and look to be the same for 2020. However a somewhat pretentiously titled "NEW CLASSIFICATION OF TRAIL-RUNNING" article http://www.i-tra.org/?id=193 on the ITRA has moved the goalposts somewhat. They have changed the categories for how many points you get for each race.
THIS IS ONLY FOR 2019 RACES / 2020 UTMB ONWARDS.
At present, a 100 miler with more than 9,000 feet of climbing scores 6 points (e.g NDW100 and SDW100) and a 50 miler with more than 3,000 feet of climbing would now be 4 points (e.g. NDW50 and SDW100)
The SDW100 is 191km effort equivalent (160k + 3,100 climbing), and NDW100 is (167km + 3,300m climbing) 200km so will now be 5 points. The NDW50 is 100 points so will be a 3 pointer. Previously, completing these 3 races would have given you 16 points - more than enough but now would be 2 points short for 2020 UTMB.
Hopefully UTMB will lower the required points given that the ITRA points criteria have changed. We will find out next year. ...
Not likely that UTMB will reduce required points - they may actuall have to increase requirements as the number of qualified runners entering the "ballot" is increasing. This will give a problem with the "3 draw guarantee". Thus, they will most liekly have to either change from 2 to 3 draws to get a "guaranteed" spot - or to increse qualification requirements.
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