For 9 years security has been a priority for the organisers. Zero risk does not exist, but when permitting 6 000 runners to dash off into the mountains, a maximum of safety precautions are necessary.
Whether it is the race leader or the thousands of other runners, the rules are the same. Experience has already shown that even the favourites, who know the paths like the back of their hands, can get lost in intense fog. All runners who register for one of the The North Face® Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc® events, or any other mountain event, must be familiar with the mountains and the difficulties that they could encounter this environment which can very quickly turn very hostile.
Numerous decisions to increase the runner's security have been taken over the years:
- obligatory qualifying points in order to register, to ensure acquired experience,
- since 2009 the organisation has collaborated with Dokever, a specialised company, which coordinates the security of the event,
- June 2010 will see the first exercise concerning the security frame-work, in collaboration with the préfecture of the Haute Savoie, in order to test the entire organisation.
Finally, the organisers of The North Face ® Ultra Trail of the Mont Blanc ® gave their support to the French Federation of Athletics over two years of work, which resulted in the publication of federal regulations adapted to the trail running (running in semi-autonomy on existing paths in open country...).
The apocalyptic weather conditions during the 2010 event have shown that on one hand the risk of the weather is inherent in any outdoor activity, on the other hand, when running in the mountains, a race must adapt itself to the mountain and not the other way round. It is necessary to be prepared, to be hardened, to have psychological but also technical resources, with adequate equipment in the case of bad weather, injury or distractions. Whatever the sporting level, anybody can suffer from an injury at night at 2000m, and needs to have the necessary equipment to wait for the help and to cope with the bad weather and very low temperatures...
While taking all these details into account, and following numerous exchanges with runners, the organisation has taken the decision to change, in the 2011 regulations, the list of obligatory equipment and to recommend several more.
The evolution of obligatory equipment
They answer two essential objectives: to have sufficient to wear in the occasion of any objective risk and to be capable of waiting for help in conditions which can be hostile and dangerous, if one is stopped!
Besides this obligation, and it removes nothing from the indispensability, the means of keeping warm and of staying dry will be the key, for many, to becoming a finisher.
That is why the new text is based on criteria of impermeability and of breathability and imposes some additional protective layers:
- jacket with hood and made with a waterproof (recommendation: minimum 10,000 Schmerber) and breathable (recommendation: RET lower than 13) membrane (Gore-Tex or similar) which will withstand the bad weather in the mountains
- warm and waterproof gloves
- waterproof over-trousers
- warm long sleeved clothing (type « second layer », cotton excluded) of a weight of 180g minimu
- warm hat
"I think that this type of equipment (jacket, gloves, over-trousers...) shouldn't be part of the obligatory equipment but should be found permanently at the bottom of the pack because it is essential. We should not even have to impose it. It is when we find ourselves confronted with problems or bad conditions that we question it but then, it is too late..." Sébastien Chaigneau 2nd in the 2009 UTMB®.
"In the cold and the rain, the wet body cools very fast and when we go up a pass the water can freeze you. I consider that staying dry as much as possible is very important. "Waterproof trousers " are for me indispensable. Leggings are of no use when they are wet." Kilian Jornet Winner of the 2008 and 2009 UTMB®.
That which doesn't change...
- identity papers (required by the frontier police forces)
- mobile phone with option enabling its use in the three countries (put in one's repertoire the security numbers of the organisation, keep it switched on, do not hide one's number and do not forget to set off with recharged batteries)
- personal cup or tumbler 15cl minimum (water bottle not acceptable)
- stock of water minimum 1 litre
- two torches in good working condition with replacement batteries
- survival blanket 1.40m x 2m minimum
- whistle
- food reserve
- long running trousers or leggings or a combination of leggings and long socks which cover the legs completely
- cap, bandana, or buff
- adhesive elastic band enable making a bandage or a strapping (mini 100cm x 6 cm)
"Running at night with powerful and comfortable lighting is indispensable for thinking about the finish... it avoids the fatigue and the dangers. The choice of head-torch is certainly one of the keys to victory" confirms Sébastien Chaigneau.
Very strongly recommended equipment
- walking poles for security on slippery ground in case of rain or snow
- a change of warm clothes, indispensable in the case of cold weather, rain or injury
- the sum of 20 euros minimum (in order to cover the unexpected).
"One hour, that passes, five hours, it is already harder, ten hours and more, and I am not event talking about whether the equipment is adequate." Vincent Delebarre winner of the 2005 UTMB®.
Advised equipment
- walking pole, change of clothing, compass, knife, string, sun cream, Vaseline or anti-chaffing cream, needle and thread...
"Trail runners, have to think firstly "Mountain" before thinking "Trail ", to advance not only effectively, but especially safely. If we want to run an ultra in the mountains, it is necessary to accept rules different from those of other races, and that includes of course the great majority of trails. It seems evident that to run in the desert, special equipment is needed; in the mountains it's the same. Every element of the compulsory equipment has to be the answer to a risk, for The North Face ® Ultra-Trail of Mont Blanc ® events but also for all mountain races!" concludes Catherine Poletti, race manager.
