Several days before registration opens for the 2016 event, the Ultra-Trail du Mont- Blanc® is revealing its new visual identity. As from December 8th, the event will take the name of its key event, the UTMB®, already largely used amongst the trail-running community, and is adopting a new logo to express its loyalty in its values, and to share a new energy with its various publics for the future years. Columbia, becomes the « Presenting partner » of the event, and thus directly associated with the evolution of the visual identity.
A NEW NAME: UTMB®
The Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® is becoming the UTMB®. For several years these four letters have been known to all, world-wide, who are passionate about trail-running. The UTMB® is also the denomination of the key event, which has existed since the beginning in 2003.
This new name – short, easy to remember in any language, already anchored in the habits of the trail-running community language – will from now on be the official name of the event. So everybody will participate in the UTMB®, no matter which race they are registered for !
A NEW LOGO
Associated with this new name is a new logo, which expresses the energy which links the UTMB® and its enthusiasts, and groups together several elements to communicate the unique dimension of the event:
· The ‘little man’, a historical figure, making the link with the old logo and symbolising both the activity of running in the mountains, and the values of the UTMB® : the human adventure, conviviality and sharing.
· The three mountains and the name MONT-BLANC a reminder of the exceptional natural environment in which the 5 UTMB® events take place and the strong links which the UTMB® weaves with the inhabitants of the mountainous massif straddling three countries: France, Italy, Switzerland, around the apex of Europe.
· The form of the logo was inspired by the form of the granite stones in the beds of the mountain torrents in the Mont-Blanc country. The choice was imperative and underlines the UTMB® ‘s commitment in favour of the protection of the environment.
· The colours logo reflect this double dimension, natural and human. The blue depicts the sky on a good day in the mountains and the colour of the glaciers. The orangey-yellow colour of the runner and the droplets depict energy and human values.
WHY THIS NEW LOGO?
To describe both what the event is today, and what it will become.
The UTMB® has changed over the course of the last ten years. More and more international, the event proposes, from now on, during one week, 5 big races around Mont-Blanc, which brings together more than 7500 runners representing 87 countries, numerous animations aimed at a diversified public – notably the young, with the Mini Ultra-Trails® for children aged 3 – 13, and the #YCC, a challenge for those aged between 16 and 22 -, international medical and scientific exchanges, and a Salon (show) which attracts the largest outdoor brands and trail-race organisers from all over the world.
These changes came about while respecting the values drawn from the history of the event: the attachment to the Mont-Blanc territory and its inhabitants in France, Switzerland and Italy, the human values, respect for the environment and sporting ethic.
« We wanted to continue being a benchmark event within the universe of Trail-running combining in the same human adventure a big diversity of players: the runners of all levels and those accompanying them, the volunteers, the organisation, and all our partners! This new name and new logo express this shared energy and vision of the future without borders.»
Catherine Poletti, Organiser and Director of the UTMB®.
COLUMBIA BECOMES THE “PRESENTING PARTNER” OF THE UTMB®
After a successful first year, Columbia is reinforcing its partnership with the UTMB®. Going with the expression «Presented by», Columbia is closely associated with the new image of the UTMB®. This choice proclaims its role in supporting the event, alongside the other partners. This association also symbolises the shared vision, between the UTMB® and Columbia, of the event’s values.
UTMB® also welcomes OutDry® as a new partner. OutDry® joins existing Columbia Sportswear Company brand partners: Columbia, Mountain Hardwear and Montrail®.
