Ultra X World Championships
Ultra X World Championships
Ultra X World Championships
Distance/Time
250KM/5DAYS
Elevation
10,189M
Technicality
4/5
Temperature
20-28°C
Airport
LJU
Date
5-13 Jun 2021
As per current guidelines, we will be introducing a number of procedures to mitigate against the risk of Covid-19 transmission and ensure our events are safe for participants, crew members, and the local population. For more details, see our Covid-19 Transmission Mitigation Policy.
ultra x world championships
The Ultra X World Championships is the pinnacle of multi-stage ultramarathon racing. In June 2021, the world’s greatest ultra runners will race over 5 days and 250km to become the undisputed multi-day ultra King or Queen.
The course is located in western Slovenia, nestled between the towering Julian Alps to the north and the Adriatic coast to the south. Competitors travel north from the vine-laden landscapes and high plateaus of Vipava Valley to the emerald green waters and rocky mountain trails of Soca Valley and the southern Julian Alps.
Find out how to qualify below.
meet your competition
The Ultra X World Championships will bring together the world’s greatest multi-stage ultra runners. The current best performers will race it out over 250km and 5 days to become the undisputed multi-day trail race King or Queen.
The elite athletes below are just a few of the world’s best in the line-up for 2021.
Pau Capell
Hillary Allen
Tom Evans
Maggie Guterl
Edson Kumwamba
Mimmi Kotka
Mike Wardian
Ragna Debats
Salameh Al-Aqra
Gediminas Grinius
Meredith June
Miguel Lara
Tommy Chen
Jacqui Bell
Jason Schlarb
Holly Rush
Alex Roudayna
Pete Kostelnick
How To Qualify
Due to Covid-19, Ultra X have had to postpone or cancel a number of races this year. These races would have been used as qualifiers for the Ultra X World Championships. We have therefore taken the decision to alter our qualifying requirements for the 2021 World Championships only.
Instead of only accepting runners who have qualified through Ultra X races, we will be defining the elite level entry for the inaugural World Championships using the internationally recognised ITRA Performance Index. Anyone with a minimum ITRA Performance Index of 600 for Women and 725 for Men (as of 30th March 2020) will be permitted to enter.
To reiterate, there are six ways you can get to the start line;
Elite Entry: There are 100 places available for elite athletes with a minimum ITRA Performance Index of 600 for Women and 725 for Men (as of 30th March 2020).
Qualifying at Ultra X Races: Anyone that has qualified for the World Championships through exceptional performance at other Ultra X races is eligible for entry.
Ultra X Allegiant Scheme: Anyone that has completed two or more Ultra X events in the two years preceding the World Championships is eligible for entry.
Charity Places: There are 20 charity places available to those who commit to raise funds for a registered charity. Places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis. There is no minimum figure to be raised.
Invitation: There are 20 invitation places available to those who have not qualified by other means. These will be drawn at random from those that complete the application form. Each Saturday from 27th June we will hold a ballot to draw the winners.
Luck: Winning one of two free places in our launch competition (entries closed 26th June).
How To Apply
Applications to the Ultra X World Championships are open.
There are 150 places available for non-professional (age group) athletes. Those who have already qualified for the Ultra X World Championships 2021 will be officially notified on 23rd May 2020. Any places not claimed two weeks after applications open (11th July 2020) will be made available to general entrants.
All other places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
Good luck!
Itinerary
Saturday
Competitors arrive in Ajdovščina and the World Championships Race Expo opens. Catch up on the latest ultramarathon news, and browse performance, nutrition, and lifestyle products from national and international exhibitors at the Race Expo.
Sunday
Race welcome, safety briefings, and mandatory kit checks will take place in Ajdovščina at 09:00. Attendance is mandatory for all competitors. Runners will also deposit their travel bags at the race hotel in Ajdovščina, which will transported to the finish line in Tolmin by the organisers.
Monday
43km
Tuesday
50km
Wednesday
63km
thursday
54km
FRIday
40km
On Wednesday, the Race Village will move from Ajdovščina to Tolmin. The prize giving and awards ceremony will start at 18:00 on Friday, followed by the finish party and celebrations, which will run all weekend.
Saturday
The World Championships Race Expo will remain open all day in Tolmin, for both competitors and spectators. There will be food and drinks available to purchase at the beachside bar on the banks of the River Soca.
Sunday
All good things must come to an end! Participants are free to transfer to the airport on Sunday for return flights, or to begin their well deserved holiday. For those staying in country, we suggest booking with a local tour company – please get in touch for recommendations.
Prize Money
The prize pot for the Ultra X World Championships 2021 is £50,000 and will be split equally between genders. Prize money will be awarded to the overall podium finishers, individual stage winners, the overall age category podium finishers, and the KOM and Sprint Champions.
The Age Group prize pot is £6,000 and will be split equally between genders and across the four age categories below. The total allocated to each category will be based on the number of participants within that category.
Overall Podium (Men and Women)
1st – £10,000
2nd – £4,000
3rd – £2,000
Overall Stage Winners (Men and Women)
Stage 1 Winner – £1,000
Stage 2 Winner – £1,000
Stage 3 Winner – £1,000
Stage 4 Winner – £1,000
Stage 5 Winner – £1,000
Age Categories (Men and Women)
18-29
30-39
40-49
50+
Challenge Winners (Men and Women)
KOM (overall mountain section winner) – £500
Sprint Champion (overall sprint section winner) – £500
Medal Ribbons
All finishers will receive a race medal. Different medal ribbons will be awarded based upon the finishing percentiles outlined below.
As part of our Sustainability Policy, the Green Ribbon will be awarded to the competitor that displays the highest commitment to reducing their environmental impact both in preparation for and during the race (as determined by the organisers).
Black Ribbon
Top 10%
White Ribbon
10-50%
Blue Ribbon
Over 50%
Green Ribbon
Environmental award
included:
1. Race entry
2. Accommodation during the race (7-10 June)
3. Entry to the World Championships Race Expo (5-13 June)
4. Medical staff on course and at all campsites
5. Osteopathy staff on course and at all campsites
6. Drinking water at checkpoints on course and hot water
for preparing food at all campsites
7. Ground assistance and full safety support
8. Digital copies of all images from event photographer
9. Individual/team rankings and ITRA points
10. Finisher’s medal
not included:
1. Flights
2. Accommodation before or after the race
3. Personal food, kit and equipment (see kit list below)
4. Comprehensive insurance (to cover cancellations, loss of items, injury etc)
5. Training costs
6. Spending money
7. Transport home for runners who are
disqualified or withdraw early
Experience Slovenia
We understand that competitors may wish to travel to Slovenia with family or friends. Should they wish to enjoy the country while you race, we highly recommend visiting the following sights. Alternatively, you can visit them together after the event.
If one of your party would like to volunteer at the race while you take part, they can complete the Volunteer Application Form and we will do our best to accommodate them.
Lake Bled
With its bluish-green lake, island church, medieval castle, and alpine backdrop, Bled is Slovenia’s most popular attraction.
Ljubljana
A fairtyale city of medieval streets and world class cuisine, Ljubljana was named Europe’s Green Capital in 2016.
Postojna Cave
The world’s most visited cave boasts thousand-year-old dripstones, “dragon’s babies”, and the stunning Predjama Castle.
Thank you to our partners
