To help congestion on the course and ensure an enjoyable and safe race for everyone, we have a tried-and-tested start group process to match-up runners of similar abilities. You can select your start group during entry.
START GROUP SELECTION
During entry you will be able to request a start group. Your choice is based on one of the four different seeding options explained below, and depending on which start group you select, will be seeded or self-seeded.
If you select a seeded start group, race organisers will approve or amend your start group request in mid-March of event year based upon information provided.
UTA100 & UTA50
The first four start groups for the UTA100 and UTA50 are available by seeding only, meaning you must provide valid seeding information to be accepted.
Start groups 5-7 are self seeded, meaning you can choose the one that best fits your ability without the need to provide seeding information.
UTA22
The first three start groups for the UTA22 are available by seeding only, meaning you must provide valid seeding information to be accepted.
Start groups 4-6 for the UTA22 are self seeded, meaning you can choose the one that best fits your ability without the need to provide seeding informaton.
UTA11
The first start group for the UTA11 is available by seeding only, meaning you must provide valid seeding information to be accepted.
Start groups 2-6 for the UTA11 are self seeded, meaning you can choose the one that best fits your ability without the need to provide seeding informaton.
HOW TO SELECT YOUR START GROUP
Information on choosing the best start group for you, and different seeding options, is available below.
If you wish to start in the same start group as your friends, you should all request the same start group based on your slowest friend.
You can amend your start group request by logging back into your entry via the ACTIVE.com website anytime prior to 11:59pm 15 March 2024.
In April a finalised list of allocated start groups will be posted on the UTA Runner List page. Entry transfers will be allocated a suitable start group based upon the same seeding options.
Please ensure you start in your allocated start group on race day (this will be printed onto your race bib).
Whoops, skipped ahead to an earlier start group? you will automatically be disqualified. This cannot be contested.
Missed your start group? Your time will start from the start group, you started in. You will not be disqualified.
START GROUP SEEDING OPTIONS
The UTMB World Series has a ranking system for runners – the UTMB Index. If you have completed an UTMB Index registered trail running race in the previous 36 months, you will have earned an UTMB Index Rating, and you may select the option ‘Using UTMB Index ratings’ during online entry. Most major international and Australian races are now UTMB Index races, including all UTMB World Series races.
You can list your UTMB Index Rating during registration. Use your Index Rating and the ‘Start Group Times’ table below to help you choose a suitable start group request.
To check if you have completed a UTMB Index registered race and to check your Index Rating, go to the UTMB runner search page. Type in your name and select your nationality. If a profile comes up for you, you will have an UTMB Index Rating if your last race result was within the past 36 months. Check you only have one profile. If your year of birth or nationality was incorrect or your name was spelt differently in any previous run, you may have more than one UTMB profile. It is important to get multiple profiles / incorrect profiles combined into one that matches your exact name, nationality and year of birth in your UTA entry. To do this, you can sign up for a free My UTMB account and then link your multiple profiles into one account.
As UTMB Index Ratings provide the most reliable, repeatable and simplest method to rank runners, it is the preferred method for start group seeding. Any trail running event can register with UTMB.
Note that it can take 1 to 3 weeks for a race to finalise results, send the results to UTMB and for UTMB to allocate performance index ratings. So if you don’t currently have a UTMB Index Rating but would like to use this option for your seeding, your chosen registered race needs to be possibly 3 weeks prior to the seeding cut-off date.
If you have a race result in any official 42.2km road marathon or 21.1km road half-marathon from the past three years, you may select the option ‘Result in a road marathon or half-marathon’.
Please click 'Read More' below to view the race times required for seeding into each start group.
You can list the name of the race and provide a url directly to your online result certificate or directly to your result on the relevant official event website results page. Refer to the table below to help you choose a suitable start group request.
Please note that trail running results (UTMB Index Ratings) are given a higher statistical importance than marathon or half marathon results and therefore generally translate to a slightly higher start group seeding for a given runner.
GUIDELINE TO ESTIMATE SUITABLE START GROUP
Start Group | Half Marathon Time (HH:MM) | Marathon Time (HH:MM) |
---|---|---|
Group 1 | 1:00-1:30 | Sub 3:00 |
Group 2 | 1:30-1:40 | 3:00-3:20 |
Group 3 | 1:40-1:52 | 3:20-3:40 |
Group 4 | 1:52-2:05 | 3:40-4:00 |
Group 5 | 2:05-2:15 | 4:00-4:15 |
Group 6 | 2:15-2:25 | 4:15-4:30 |
Group 7 | 2:25+ | 4:30+ |
If you are a member of the SQUADRUN training group from January to March of the race year, and you don’t have a suitable other option from the above, you may select the option ‘Member of SQUADRUN training group’. The SQUADRUN coaches will have excellent knowledge of your trail running abilities and speed and will be able to seed you into an appropriate start group.
If you do not wish to enter a seeded start group, select "no seeding" and select one of the "Self-Seeded" start groups. You can also select this option if you have none of the above three options when you enter but are planning on completing one of the other options before March of the event year. Please make sure you log back into your entry by 11.59pm on March 14, 2024 and input your new information.
START GROUP GUIDELINES
UTA100 START GROUPS
Start Group | Seeded or Self-Seeded | Start Time | Expected Position | Expected Race Time (HH:MM) | UTMB Index Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Seeding Only | 6:20am | Top 15% | 8:40 - 13:46 | 1000 - 570 |
Group 2 | Seeding Only | 6:27am | 15% - 30% | 13:46 - 15:25 | 569 - 510 |
Group 3 | Seeding Only | 6:56am | 30% - 42% | 15:25 - 16:36 | 509 - 470 |
Group 4 | Seeding Only | 7:06am | 42% - 54% | 16:36 - 17:37 | 469 - 440 |
Group 5 | Self-Seeded | 7:21am | 54% - 66% | 17:37 - 18:31 | 439 - 420 |
Group 6 | Self-Seeded | 7:37am | 66% - 83% | 18:31 - 20:18 | 419 - 400 |
Group 7 | Self-Seeded | 7:54am | 83% - 100% | 20:18 - 28 | 399 - 0 |
UTA50 START GROUPS
Start Group | Seeded or Self-Seeded | Start Time | Expected Position | Expected Race Time (HH:MM) | UTMB Index Rating |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Seeding Only | 6:32am | Top 15% | 4:10- 6:35 | 1000 - 570 |
Group 2 | Seeding Only | 6:39am | 15% - 30% | 6:35 - 7:16 | 569 - 510 |
Group 3 | Seeding Only | 7:01am | 30% - 42% | 7:16 - 7:47 | 509 - 470 |
Group 4 | Seeding Only | 7:16am | 42% - 54% | 7:47 - 8:17 | 469 - 440 |
Group 5 | Self-Seeded | 7:31am | 54% - 66% | 8:17 - 8:48 | 439 - 420 |
Group 6 | Self-Seeded | 7:46am | 66% - 83% | 8:48 - 9:54 | 419 - 400 |
Group 7 | Self-Seeded | 8:02am | 83% - 100% | 9:54 - 13:30 | 399 - 0 |
UTA22 START GROUPS
Start Group | Seeded or Self-Seeded | Start Time | Expected Position | Expected Race Time (HH:MM) | UTMB Index Rating | Guideline |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Seeded Only | 6:20am | Top 16% | 1:40 - 2:54 | 1000 - 570 | Run the course |
Group 2 | Seeded Only | 6:31am | 16% - 32% | 2:54 - 3:17 | 569 - 510 | Mostly run the course |
Group 3 | Seeded Only | 6:46am | 32% - 48% | 3:17 - 3:38 | 509 - 470 | Mostly run/jog the course |
Group 4 | Self-Seeded | 7:10am | 48% - 64% | 3:38 - 4:02 | 469 - 440 | Mostly jog the course |
Group 5 | Self-Seeded | 7:33am | 64% - 80% | 4:02 - 4:36 | 439 - 400 | Mostly jog/walk the course |
Group 6 | Self-Seeded | 7:47am | 80% - 100% | 4:36 - 6:45 | 399 - 0 | Mostly walk the course |
UTA11 START GROUPS
Start Group | Seeded or Self-Seeded | Start Time | Expected Position | Expected Race Time (HH:MM) | UTMB Index Rating | Guideline |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Group 1 | Seeded Only | 11:00am | Top 20% | 0:50 - 1:39 | 1000 - 570 | Mostly run the course |
Group 2 | Self-Seeded | 11:10am | 20% - 40% | 1:39 - 1:57 | 569 - 470 | Mostly run/jog the course |
Group 3 | Self-Seeded | 11:20am | 40% - 60% | 1:57 - 2:12 | 469 - 420 | Mostly jog the course |
Group 4 | Self-Seeded | 11:40am | 60% - 80% | 2:12 - 2:35 | 419 - 400 | Mostly jog/walk the course |
Group 5 | Self-Seeded | 12:00pm | 80% - 100% | 2:35 - 3:30 | 399 - 0 | Mostly walk the course |