What are Running Stones, where can you earn them, how are they used and how long are they valid for?
A Running Stone is an entry into the lottery to participate in the UTMB World Series Finals: the UTMB, CCC and OCC races of the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc.
What is the purpose of Running Stones ?
Your number of Running Stones represents your number of chances in the lottery for the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc.
Someone with 6 Running Stones will have their name in the lottery 6 times. In short, the more Running Stones you have the more the chances of being selected.
Where can you earn Running Stones ?
A Running Stone are awarded in recognition of completion of a UTMB World Series Event or a UTMB World Series Major.
UTMB World Series Events
The number of Running Stones awarded is based on the effort of the race and hence the UTMB distance category on the following scale
UTMB World Series Majors
At UTMB World series Majors, the number of Running Stones for each race category is doubled.
UTMB World Series Finals
There are no Running Stones awarded for completion of the UTMB, CCC or OCC at the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc.
The other races at the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc award Running Stones based on the standard race category.
How do I use my Running Stones ?
When you enter the lottery you are wagering all your Running Stones on your entry for that edition of the race. If you are successful in the lottery then your Running Stones have been spent and they will be deducted from your account and your balance will return to 0.
You can only wager Running Stones earned prior to 31st of December.
If you are unsuccessful in the lottery then your Running Stones remain for yours untouched. You can then to add to them in the next year and wager for the future editions of the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc.
Do Running Stones have an expiry date?
Running Stones will never expire from your account. Once you have earned them, they will remain yours until you are successfully selected in the lottery.
However, after two years from the date you last earned a Running Stone, all of your Running Stones will become inactive, meaning you will no longer be able to use them in the lottery. To reactivate your Running Stones, you must earn at least one new Running Stone. Once you do, all your existing Running Stones will become active again for another two years.
What are the time lines for adding Running Stones?
Running Stones are added to your account within 1 or two days of completing your race.