Frequently Asked Questions
UTMB World Series
The UTMB World Series is the premier global trail running series.
It brings together trail running communities from all over the world, featuring approximately 60 events across Asia, Australia and Oceania, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. It is the only pathway to the HOKA UTMB® Mont-Blanc in France, which hosts the prestigious UTMB World Series Finals.
Three levels of the UTMB World Series:
- UTMB World Series Finals – the final race week in Chamonix, France, accessible by qualifying through Majors and Events.
- UTMB World Series Majors – four major regional events where participants earn double the number of "Running Stones."
- UTMB World Series Events – the core of the series, where runners collect "Running Stones."
- PIENINY by UTMB® falls under the UTMB World Series Events category.
Running Stones are "stones" earned by completing UTMB World Series races. Each stone increases your chances in the lottery for spots at the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix. To enter the lottery, you must have earned at least one Running Stone within the last two years and hold a valid UTMB Index. The longer the race category, the more stones you receive: at "Events" level races, you get 1 stone for the 20K category, 2 for the 50K, 3 for the 100K, and 4 for the 100M; at "Majors" level races, you receive twice that amount.
- 🔴 Spiski Wędrowiec 100M: 4
- 🟢 Niepokorny Mnich 100K: 3
- 🟠 Dziki Groń 50K: 2
- 🟠 Wielka Prehyba 50K: 2
- 🟡 Żwawe Wierchy 20K: 1
- 🟡 Chyża Durbaszka 20K: 1
UTMB Index – a ranking of trail and mountain runners' performance. Anyone who completes a race registered by its organizer on the utmb.world website receives points (a "UTMB score" for that specific race). Points for the UTMB Index are earned at any race registered by organizers within the system—not just at events that are part of the UTMB World Series.
An index is considered "active" (valid) if at least one race has been completed within the last 24 months. An active index is a requirement for entering the lottery for the Finals, as well as for accessing priority registration for Pieniny by UTMB.
You can check your UTMB Index here:
- https://utmb.world/utmb-index/runner-search
- Create an account at https://utmb.world/myutmbplus and link your race results to it.
Top-performing male and female athletes earn a direct entry to the UTMB World Series Finals in Chamonix, bypassing the lottery:
- at Events, the top three men and top three women qualify;
- at Majors, the top ten men and top ten women qualify.
The qualification period is the calendar year preceding the Finals; for example, races held in 2027 provide entry to the 2028 Finals.
At Pieniny by UTMB, the following races serve as direct qualifiers for the Finals:
- Spiski Wędrowiec (100M category)
- Niepokorny Mnich (100K category)
- Wielka Prehyba (50K category)
CHANGES IN THE 2027 EDITION
Rescheduled start times:
- Spiski Wędrowiec: starts Thursday, April 22, 2027, at 17:00
- Żwawe Wierchy: starts Friday, April 23, 2027, at 7:00
- Lubań Vertical: starts Friday, April 23, 2027, at 15:00
Adjusted time limits:
- Spiski Wędrowiec: 31 h (extended by 1 h)
- Niepokorny Mnich: 23 h (extended by 3 h)
Starting in 2027, the color of a race will depend on its UTMB World Series category.
All races within the same category share the same color.
- 🔴 100M: Spiski Wędrowiec
- 🟢 100K: Niepokorny Mnich
- 🟠 50K: Dziki Groń, Wielka Prehyba
- 🟡 20K: Żwawe Wierchy, Chyża Durbaszka
- Hardy Rolling and Lubań Vertical remain unchanged. Results from these races do not count toward the UTMB Index.
100M, 100K, 50K, and 20K are the race categories of the UTMB World Series. The assignment of a course to a specific category is determined by "km-effort" (effort-adjusted kilometers), which takes into account both the distance of the race and the total elevation gain. This makes it easier to compare the level of exertion required for courses with different lengths and profiles.
REGISTRATION
- November 3, 2026, 10:00 AM | PRIORITY REGISTRATION Priority access for individuals with a valid UTMB Index
- November 5, 2026, 10:00 AM | GENERAL REGISTRATION Registration open to anyone wishing to take part in the event in the Pieniny Mountains.
- April 2, 2027 | Registration closes (or earlier, if all spots are filled)
Registration takes place via the official UTMB platform, which can be accessed from the website pieniny.utmb.world by clicking the "Register" button. We will provide the link on the morning of November 3rd, when registration opens.
It is a good idea to create an account in advance at: https://utmb.world/myutmbplus
You can check your UTMB Index here:
- https://utmb.world/utmb-index/runner-search
- Create an account at https://utmb.world/myutmbplus and link your race results to it.
Starting in 2026, there will be 4 payment tiers.
The availability of a tier is determined by the number of registered individuals, not by the date the payment is made.
Details: https://pieniny.utmb.world/pl/runners/registration-conditions
During registration, you have the option to purchase cancellation insurance.
Details: https://pieniny.utmb.world/pl/runners/registration-conditions
If you do not purchase insurance, your only option is to switch to a different race distance—provided that the registration limit for that new distance has not yet been reached.
Available payment methods include debit/credit card and BLIK. Payment via standard bank transfer is not possible.
No, these are two completely separate rankings managed by different entities. The UTMB Index applies when registering for Pieniny by UTMB.
No. For registration on November 3rd, a valid UTMB Index in any category is sufficient, and from November 5th onwards, no UTMB Index is required at all.
Entry fees can be found under the "Runners" tab -> "Registration conditions": https://pieniny.utmb.world/pl/runners/registration-conditions
REGISTRATION OF THE ELITE
Elite runners can secure complimentary entry to UTMB World Series Events and UTMB World Series Majors. To ensure fair conditions for elite athletes and to streamline the registration process, access is determined by the runner's UTMB Index in the relevant race category.
| Women | 50K | 100K | 100M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 714 | 703 | 662 |
| Group B | 738 | 737 | 707 |
| Men | 50K | 100K | 100M |
|---|---|---|---|
| Group A | 853 | 841 | 818 |
| Group B | 875 | 868 | 849 |
Group A — all UTMB World Series Events and UTMB World Series Majors, excluding those in Group B. Group B — HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB, Chianti Ultra Trail by UTMB, The Canyons Endurance Runs by UTMB, Lavaredo Ultra-Trail by UTMB, Eiger Ultra Trail by UTMB, HOKA Kodiak Ultra Marathons by UTMB, and Mallorca by UTMB.
Does not apply to HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc
More information: https://utmb.world/runners/elites-series
Free entry for the Elite category is available exclusively for the following race routes: Spiski Wędrowiec, Niepokorny Mnich, and Wielka Prehyba.
Free entries for the Elite category cannot be guaranteed in the following circumstances and are subject to the discretion of the Race Director:
- for races that are completely sold out;
- when registration is closed;
- less than 30 days before the event.
Additional terms:
- If two races in the same category are held during the event, free entry applies only to the race that serves as a qualifier for the finals.
- The criteria for free registration do not apply to races in the K20 category or to the Hardy Rolling and Lubań Vertical routes.
- Elite athletes are encouraged to take part in key events (such as the elite athlete presentation, press conference, awards ceremony, etc.).
- Athletes should inform the organizer if they decide not to participate in the race.
No. In the UTMB World Series, the ITRA Performance Index does not grant any discounts. UTMB uses exclusively its own UTMB Index, for both amateurs and elite athletes.
OTHER
Yes, as in previous years, overnight accommodation will be provided in the gym, with a capacity limit of 100 people. The space will be available once lessons have ended—that is, from 4:00 PM on Friday.
Registration will open at a later date.
Yes. Free bus services will operate on Friday and Saturday along the route between Krościenko, Szczawnica, and Jaworki.
All routes are marked with the same type of tape; however, at points where routes diverge or at critical turns, there will be arrows in colors corresponding to the specific distances.
No. However, we will prepare maps showing designated parking areas. For instance, it is not possible to drive directly to the location at Obidza due to the limited parking space and a narrow access road. A parking area will be available approximately 500 meters from the site.
No. We plan to introduce charity packages, though in a different format. We will provide updates as soon as they become available, including information on how to opt out of a standard package in favor of a charity-focused one.
