Golden State Trails Beckon: HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB brings the Central Coast of California to the 2025 UTMB World Series

July 17, 2025

– The new HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB brings the UTMB World Series to the Santa Ynez Valley, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity to race in untouched California landscapes

– New event to feature distances of 50km and 25km, taking place on the preserved California landscape at Rancho San Fernando Rey on November 22-23, 2025

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (July 17, 2025) /ENDURANCE SPORTSWIRE/ – The UTMB World Series has confirmed the addition of the new HOKA Pacific Trails California™ by UTMB^® offering runners the opportunity to escape into untouched California landscapes at the Rancho San Fernando Rey in Santa Barbara County, a 30,000-acre private ranch tucked in the Santa Ynez Valley. Featuring distances of 50km and 25km for the inaugural event, the event is scheduled to take place on November 22-23, 2025, bringing the UTMB World Series race experience to California’s Central Coast.

An exclusive escape into vintage California

Only 25 minutes from the Santa Ynez Valley and 20 minutes from Santa Barbara, this one-of-a-kind event invites runners on an exclusive adventure through winding mountains, open pastures, dramatic cliffs, vineyards, and olive groves—set on a private ranch not previously open to public events.

Participants will have the rare chance to explore vintage California at the Rancho San Fernando Rey: Warmth and nostalgia of the region’s natural palette, golden sunlight, unspoiled terrain and enduring character will all be discovered at this hidden gem nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley along California’s Central Coast. With over 100 miles of roads and trails, this exclusive landscape is the perfect backdrop for a truly unforgettable running experience. For the first edition, two race formats – 50K and 25K– will be offered to discover California trails like never before. Longer distances are expected to be offered in the coming years. In an effort to preserve this beautiful ecosystem, runners will be shuttled to the ranch from Solvang on race day.

“The central coast of California, especially the communities along the transverse ranges from Santa Maria to Santa Barbara, is ecstatic to bring the UTMB World Series to our unique landscape,” said Dillon Osleger, Race Director for the HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB. “Our rugged, mountainous terrain rising above the Pacific Ocean offers a trail experience like no other, while our thousands of years of history, including Chumash, Spanish, Mexican, and American inhabitation, are all prevalent and intermixed. HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB will take place upon a historic Diseño ranch, spanning 30,000 contiguous acres, embedding runners within these landscapes and histories through wagon roads, cattle trails, vineyards, olive groves, and countless miles of Oak Woodland Savannah, an ecology unique to California.” Osleger added that surrounding communities offer world-class wine tasting, Michelin-starred restaurants, iconic coastlines, and quintessential Californian hospitality.

Closer than ever: UTMB World Series experience continues to expand in North America
As the United States continues to be a key player in the global trail running scene, the UTMB World Series is proud to expand its presence by welcoming a new event to the circuit in North America. As part of the UTMB World Series, this new race will offer runners across North America a unique chance to experience the spirit of the UTMB World Series closer to home. It also provides an additional opportunity for runners to collect Running Stones and work toward qualifying for the UTMB World Series Finals at HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc. Joining a calendar of over 50 trail events across the globe, this ninth North American event strengthens the connection between local passion and international ambition, bringing the UTMB World Series experience to more runners than ever before.

Priority registration for HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB will open on July 22, with general registration beginning July 24 at pacifictrails.utmb.world/register.

“With HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB, we are taking a major step forward in the development of our circuit in North America,” said Florian Lamblin, UTMB World Series Executive Director. “Nestled in the heart of the Santa Ynez Valley, this event meets a strong demand from the American trail running community while offering an exclusive and unprecedented experience: for the first time ever, trails that were previously inaccessible will be open to participants. This unique event perfectly reflects the UTMB World Series’ commitment to offering the world’s most exceptional trail running experiences in extraordinary locations. We are proud to count on the dedication of local community members like Dillon Osleger to make this first edition — and those to come — a key fixture on the North American trail running calendar.”

For more information about the HOKA Pacific Trails California by UTMB, visit https://pacifictrails.utmb.world. For the full schedule of UTMB World Series events, please visit https://utmb.world/utmb-world-series-events. For more information about the UTMB World Series visit www.utmb.world. Media inquiries may be directed to pacifictrails@press.utmb.world.

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About HOKA^®

HOKA^® is one of the fastest-growing performance footwear and apparel brands in history. Conceived in the mountains, HOKA footwear delivers an unprecedented combination of enhanced cushioning and support for a uniquely smooth ride. Every day, HOKA pushes the innovation and design of its footwear and apparel by teaming up with a deep roster of world champions, taste makers and everyday athletes. From finish lines to everyday life, HOKA fans love the brand for its bold and unexpected approach, and its belief in the power of humanity to create change for a better world. HOKA empowers a world of athletes to fly over the earth. For more information, visit HOKA.com or follow @HOKA. #FlyHumanFly

About UTMB^® World Series

The UTMB^® World Series is the trail running circuit that brings together the best athletes in the sport and amateur runners in top international events held in some of the most beautiful places on the planet. The UTMB^® World Series is rooted in a passion for the mountains and respect for the environment and offers trail running enthusiasts the chance to experience the UTMB^® adventure across the globe, with events taking place in Asia, Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Americas. This is the way for everyone to start their quest towards the HOKA UTMB^® Mont-Blanc, where the UTMB^® World Series finals take place. Launched in May 2021 with the collaboration of UTMB Group and The IRONMAN Group, the UTMB^® World Series circuit brings together 50 events in 28 countries. For more information, visit https://utmb.world.