UTMB World Series announces expansion of Path to Parenthood policy in collaboration with PTRA

After introducing a pioneering pregnancy policy in 2023, UTMB World Series is expanding its commitment to inclusion by evolving its parental support policy.

Developed in collaboration with the Pro Trail Runners Association (PTRA), it both addresses the specific needs of elite athletes, and reflects the different forms of parenthood and life journeys for all runners across the UTMB World Series circuit.

‘Key milestone’

UTMB revealed that since the pregnancy policy was introduced in 2023, more than 400 people have been able to defer their registration or receive a refund.

This new policy now includes different forms of parenthood and life journeys: pregnancy, medically assisted reproduction (IVF and other assisted fertility treatments), adoption, and surrogacy. It applies to all parents, regardless of their level of participation or family situation.

UTMB say the evolution marks a key milestone in the overall growth of trail running, establishing a clear and structured framework while ensuring sporting fairness and respecting athletes’ personal and family journeys.

“We want every athlete, regardless of their status, to be able to fully embrace parenthood without having to give up their passion for trail running. This policy aims both to support runners and to help shift mindsets toward a more equal and inclusive sport,” explained Nicolas Lagrange, the CSR Manager of UTMB World Series.

Policy details

For both parents, whether in cases of pregnancy, adoption, surrogacy, or medically assisted reproduction, the policy offers the option to:

• Receive a full refund
• Defer their race entry
• For lottery-based races, receive a refund and benefit from priority access for a future edition
• For top elite women, the UTMB Index is frozen for 5 years

In terms of that last point, from June onwards the UTMB Index of elite runners will be frozen for up to five years during their path to parenthood. The athlete’s UTMB Index and ranking at the time of the application will be recorded and displayed on their individual page on utmb.world for the duration of this period.

Freezing the UTMB Index ensures that elite athletes pursuing parenthood are not unfairly penalised in their ranking and can return to competition with the status they earned before stepping away.

Full details of the policy can be found here.

PTRA perspective

Eszter Csillag, an elite athlete herself and board member of the Professional Trail Runners Association, explained: “The Pro Trail Runners Association’s Women’s Equality Working Group has made a significant contribution to this policy.

“We recognise that women are incredible, and we need policies that create space for them to demonstrate it.

“Our working group is deeply committed to projects that not only create a smoother path for female athletes who decide to start a family but also celebrate motherhood at every level.

“Too often, motherhood has meant a backlash or an immediate end to an athlete’s career, without acknowledging the positive aspects or giving athletes the opportunity to decide for themselves.

“Our goal is to collaborate with organisations like UTMB Group to ensure direct input into our career paths and those of future athletes.”