Vibram Set To Meet the Demands of Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc
Get access to everything we publish when you sign up for Outside+.
August 19, 2016 (CONCORD, Mass.) –Vibram®, the worldwide leader in high-performance soles and the creator of the Vibram FiveFingers® articulated toe shoe, today unveiled its plans as a sponsor of the Ultra-Trail Du Mont-Blanc (UTMB), due to take place next week in Chamonix, France, August 22-28. The week includes a program of five trail running events including the UTMB as the title event and a part of the Ultra Trail World Tour.
“Vibram is honored to be an official partner of the 2016 UTMB,” says Jerome Bernard, Vibram’s marketing & communications director for soling. “Our participation in one of the most storied trail running events in the world, allows us to build relationships with the residents, retailers and leaders in the ultra-endurance racing community and underlies Vibram’s commitment to the trail running category.”
At UTMB, Vibram plans to showcase its most popular trail running rubber compound by bringing its Sole Factor truck on-site and offering runners the chance to resole their footwear with Vibram MegaGrip. In addition, Vibram is hosting a MegaGrip interactive display in which they are incorporating a test ramp allowing runners to demo current styles of footwear featuring the compound.
Vibram has partnered with the UTMB for the past nine years and has regularly sent members of its trail running team to compete in the event since 2011. This year, seven Vibram trail running athletes will enter the race and represent with brands and styles incorporating MegaGrip such as the Dynafit Feline Light, Hoka One One Mafate Speed, Scarpa Neutron and The North Face Speedgoat. Vibram’s trailrunning athletes competing at the UTMB include: Uxue Fraile, Javier Dominguez, Marco Zanchi, Stefano Ruzza, Carlton Rowlands, Gediminas Grinius and Huang Yedi.
Bernard continues, “The UTMB is a great chance for our trail running team to share our brand vision and our passion with the global trail running community.”
The Vibram trail running team will document its experience through social channels including Facebook live. Follow the athlete’s UTMB experience here.
About Vibram:
Vibram is recognized worldwide as the leader in high performance soles for outdoor, recreational, work and fashion footwear and is relied on by the world’s greatest climbers and athletes. Vibram soles have gone on to conquer Mt. Everest, K2 and a host of the world’s tallest peaks. Today, the company works with premium brands including Merrrell, Danner, La Sportiva, Lowa, Red Wing, Sperry, Scarpa, The North Face, and many more. Vibram’s Five Finger shoe line is on the cutting-edge of the minimalist footwear trend. Please visit us at www.vibram.com or follow us and our innovative products and services on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & Pinterest.