Introduction
The UTMB World Series Finals is the largest and most prestigious trail-running event. Taking place at the end of August, it brings together amateur and elite runners to compete in three grueling races: the UTMB, an iconic 176 km race that traverses The French Alps, Switzerland and Italy; the CCC, a 101 km race from Courmayeur to Chamonix; and the OCC, a 57 km race from Orsières to Chamonix.
Shokz is the official headphone partner of the UTMB World Series. Together, we’re embracing the idea of opening up your world. “Be Open to Extraordinary,” is our tagline. Our goal is to inspire runners to push their limits and achieve new heights with music that boosts their spirit.
During this year’s UTMB World Series Finals, Shokz launched the all-new OpenRun Pro 2 headphones. It was a fresh jolt to an already electrifying set of races. Here were some of the highlights from the event:
Launch of the New OpenRun Pro 2
On August 28th, Shokz introduced the new OpenRun Pro 2 to the world. These headphones offer exceptional sound quality and are best suited for sports like cycling, trail running, climbing, and so much more.
With the OpenRun Pro 2, Shokz continues to improve on the open-ear concept, addressing the needs of world-class trail runners during competition. The upgrades focus on sound quality, wearing comfort, and battery life.
Through DualPitch Technology, the OpenRun Pro 2 combines a bone-conduction driver for more precise mids and highs with an air-conduction driver for a deeper, more booming bass. This system also helps minimize overall vibrations, making them more comfortable to wear. And with a larger battery, the OpenRun Pro 2 offers an incredible 12 hours of battery life when fully charged.
Shokz Product Launch Conference and UTMB® Group CEO Speech
Frédéric Lenart, the CEO of UTMB® Group, spoke at the product launch conference, highlighting the synergy between Shokz and the UTMB World Series. In his words, “The UTMB World Series’ partnership with Shokz is founded on a shared value of supporting athletes to push boundaries."
The two are perfect complements. Just as Shokz continuously pushes the boundaries of open-ear technology, the same is true of the trail runners at UTMB races, who constantly push their bodies to the limit. And with its open-ear design, Shokz allows UTMB runners to enjoy an unparalleled audio experience while staying connected to the beautiful alpine surroundings.
In the future, we want open-ear listening to be synonymous with adventurous trail running. Whether it’s short distances or ultra distances, Shokz wants to connect all runners with nature and unearth their full potential.
Shokz Athletes Results
We’re thrilled to announce that all eleven Shokz elite athletes made it to the UTMB Finals. They trained and competed with Shokz headphones, listening to music and podcasts that kept their spirits high and helped distract them from fatigue.
Of our eleven athletes, Adam Peterman and Marianne Hogan took the final podium spot in their respective races, crossing the finish line wearing Shokz headphones. Peterman competed in the 2024 CCC men’s final, a 100K (62.7 miles), with over 6,000 meters (19,888 feet) of elevation gain, coming in third with a time of 10:28:50. Hogan competed in the 2024 UTMB women’s final, a 176K (109.3 miles) with almost 10,000 meters (32,500 feet) of elevation gain, snagging third place with a time of 23:11:15.
Shokz Booth Activities
For participants and attendees, Shokz prepared an experience lounge at the expo so that everyone could discover the phenomenal sound quality, comfort, and secure fit of the new OpenRun Pro 2 headphones. In the Fan Zone, everyone was encouraged to listen to running playlists recommended by Shokz elite athletes and then vote for their favorite one.
Shokz’s booth drew an unexpected crowd. People really wanted to try the new OpenRun Pro 2 and hear it for themselves. Winners of the TryShokzOn campaign claimed their OpenRun Pro 2 headphones at the booth and shared their excitement through social media.
Conclusion
Overall, the 2024 UTMB World Series Finals were a great success. The launch of the new OpenRun Pro 2 allowed the public to test the new headphones and gave runners the opportunity to wear their very own pair during the race. Plus, all eleven of the Shokz elite athletes qualified and two of them earned podium honors. We can’t wait for next year’s race.
In the meantime, we hope you’ll check out the new OpenRun Pro 2. With its cloud-comfort fit and exceptional sound quality, it can help you adjust your pace and enhance your performance. Our goal is to equip every runner with the perfect gear so that they can achieve their best results.
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