Art. 1 ORGANIZATION
The amateur sports association VUT organises the sixth edition of the 'Valmalenco UltraDistance Trail' on Friday 26 and Saturday 27 July 2024, a semi-autonomous mountain run with a route in an alpine environment.
Art. 2 GENERAL INFORMATION
The Valmalenco UltraDistance Trail is a foot race along the paths of the Alta Via della Valmalenco, of about 90 km and 6,000 metres of positive altitude difference, in semi-self-sufficiency, starting in Chiesa in Valmalenco and finishing in Caspoggio in a maximum time of 25 hours.
The organisation is affiliated with the CSEN sports promotion body.
Each runner must ensure that he/she has, at the start of each refreshment point, the necessary amount of water and food reserve to arrive at the next refreshment point.
Art. 3 PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS
Participation in the race requires mountain experience, absence of vertigo, excellent training, and clothing suitable for temperatures ranging from -5 to +30 degrees Celsius.
For the individual race, the athlete must provide a personal sports record at the time of registration showing experience in long-distance mountain terrain.
The participating athlete must be fully aware of the environment in which the competition takes place and the technical difficulties of the race course.
Art. 4 REGISTRATION
a) Entry requirements
The event is open to all athletes over the age of 18 who are registered for the current year with a sports promotion organisation (Csen, Csi, Uisp, Libertas...) or Fidal or Mountain & Trail RunCard or RunCard holders.
Those without a membership card (but with a valid sports medical examination) may subscribe to the CSEN membership card at an additional cost of 10 euros. All competitors must in any case be in possession of a valid medical examination for athletics on the day of the race (medical examinations for other sports, e.g. football, cycling, skiing, etc., will not be considered valid).
Foreign athletes may participate in the competition if they are already registered with their own athletics federation. Otherwise, for insurance reasons, they will be CSEN members by producing a copy of their medical examination for fitness to practise sport or self-certifying their possession in accordance with the Italian regulations in force.
A copy of the valid medical certificate or self-certification, if not handed in at the time of registration, must be handed in when collecting the bib together with the signed declaration of liability (you will find it at bib collection)
b) Registration procedure
Entries will open on 15 January 2024 and close on 20 July 2024, unless the maximum number of entries is reached.
The maximum number of entrants is 300 on the individual race, and 50 teams on the relay race.
Entries must be made as indicated on the ultravalmalenco.com website
Those who are not deemed eligible to participate will receive an e-mail from the organisation.
c) Membership fees
Individual test
100.00 euro
The entry fee includes
- race pectoral
- refreshments along the route
- race package
- post-race meal
- gadgets for finishers
Relay race
135.00 euro per team
The entry fee includes
- race bib
- refreshments along the route
- race package
- post-race meal
- gadgets for finishers
d) Methods of payment
The registration fee must be paid by credit card or bank transfer, as indicated on the endu website.
e) Cancellation
In the event of inability to participate, the request for cancellation of the registration must be communicated by e-mail to
iscrizioni@ultravalmalenco.com.
The following methods of reimbursement are available
- refund of 70% of the fee if the cancellation is requested by 15 July
- no refund if the cancellation is requested after 15 July
The refund of the fee will be made within one month of the end of the race.
The transfer of the bib number may be authorised - at the discretion of the race management - up to one week before the event, subject to payment of €10 for secretarial costs, payable at bib collection.
In the event of cancellation of the race due to force majeure, registration will be moved to the next edition, no reimbursement will be due to participants.
Art. 5 MEDICAL CERTIFICATION
Italian athletes (including those resident abroad) must send a copy of their valid medical certificate for competitions on the day of registration, or present it when collecting their bib number. Otherwise the registration will be cancelled and no reimbursement will be due to the competitor.
For Italian athletes, only the certificate of suitability for competitive sporting activity (ex art. 5 - Ministerial Decree 18/2/82) - yellow form - or equivalent certification for which all the diagnostic protocols required by the same decree have been carried out - white form - are valid.
Foreign athletes may take part in the competition if they are already registered with their own athletics federation. Otherwise, for insurance reasons, they will be registered with CSEN, producing a copy of their medical certificate of fitness to practise sport or self-certifying possession of it (if foreign) in accordance with the Italian regulations in force.
A copy of the valid medical certificate or self-certification, if not handed in at the time of registration, must be handed in when collecting the bib together with the signed declaration of liability (you will find it at bib collection)
Art. 6 BIB AND RACE PACK COLLECTION
Bib and race package collection will take place in Chiesa in Valmalenco, at the primary schools from 9 a.m. to 12 noon and from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday.
Each bib is given individually to each competitor on presentation of an identity document with photo, copy of medical certificate and disclaimer statement provided by the organisation at the time of bib collection.
Art. 7 DECLARATION OF LIABILITY
The liability waiver must be signed by each individual athlete at the competition office in front of the organisers' staff. Already signed disclaimers will not be accepted.
Art. 8 MANDATORY MATERIAL
It is compulsory to carry the following equipment with you for the duration of the race
- camelbag or bottle cage containing at least one litre of liquid
- clearly visible race bib throughout the duration of the race
- gps device that will be handed out by the organisation
- survival tarp
- whistle
- mobile phone with ringer on
- waterproof windbreaker with hood (recommended material Goretex or similar)
- long-sleeved or short-sleeved shirt with sleeves
- microfleece or long-sleeved equivalent
- long trousers or trousers that cover at least the knee
- hat or bandana
- gloves
- working headlamp with sufficient charge for at least 12 hours
- cup, glass or water bottle (no glass at refreshments)
- appropriate footwear
The compulsory equipment may be worn or placed inside the race rucksack.
The organising committee reserves the right to check the mandatory equipment at the start, during the course of the competition or immediately after crossing the finish line.
RECOMMENDED MATERIAL:
The following material is recommended
- waterproof trousers
- energy bars or solid food
- some money for possible food purchases at shelters
- elastic bandage for bandages
The use of poles is permitted.
Art. 9 MAXIMUM TIME, GATES, TIMETABLES, WITHDRAWALS
The maximum time to reach the finish line is 25 hours (by 23.00 on Saturday). A "broom service" will be set up, which will run along the course following the last competitor, in order to be of help to those who have retired and to prevent any injured people from being left without assistance.
Three time gates will be set up, where there will be a shuttle bus for late arrivals to return to the finish area:
- Chiareggio (33 km) by 7 a.m. on Saturday (9 hours of the race)
- Alpe Musella (53 km) by 11:30 a.m. on Saturday (13.30 hours of race)
- Rifugio Zoia (75 km) by 18:00 on Saturday (20 hours of racing)
Competitors who do not arrive within the set time limits will be stopped and will not be allowed to continue the race, and will have to hand in their bibs to the race officials on the route, and will have to go to the race village to hand in their GPSs.
To protect the health of the participants, the medical personnel present at the checkpoints or along the route are authorised to stop a competitor who is judged unfit to continue the race. In this case, the competitor must follow the instructions of the medical personnel, under penalty of immediate disqualification.
Competitors who arrive at the time gates outside the maximum time limit, those who will be judged by the medical staff to be unfit to continue the race, and other athletes who wish to withdraw voluntarily, will be able to use a shuttle service at Chiareggio and the Zoia refuge car park. It is possible that, for logistical reasons, withdrawn competitors may have to wait some time before being brought back to the finish area. Any competitor who withdraws from the race outside the predetermined points must immediately communicate his withdrawal via text message or telephone call to the number indicated by the organisation and arrange for his own return to Caspoggio.
In the event that the withdrawn athlete wishes to request transport to return outside the predetermined points, if deemed possible the organisation can offer - at the athlete's expense - the service via the available means (shuttle or helicopter).
As the organisation's vehicles are not adequately equipped, they cannot intervene in the event of an athlete needing medical assistance. In that case, official medical assistance will be required.
Art. 10 REFRESHMENT POINTS
The race is run in semi-self-sufficiency with the obligation to have a water supply of at least one litre. There are 10 refreshments along the route:
- Bosio Refuge
- Ventina / Gerli-Porro Refuge
- Longoni Refuge
- Palù Lake refuge
- Mitta mountain hut / Alpe Musella
- Marinelli Refuge
- Carate Refuge
- Bignami Refuge
- Zoia Refuge
- Cristina mountain hut
Only competitors with a clearly visible bib number have access to the refreshment area.
At the refreshment stations there will be no refreshment bins, competitors must use their own.
Food and drinks at the refreshment posts must be consumed on the spot; it is forbidden to drink directly from the bottles at the refreshment posts; rubbish must be thrown into the appropriate containers.
At the start of each refreshment post the runners must have the necessary amount of water and food to get to the next refreshment post.
At the finish line there will be an additional liquid refreshment point; in addition, each participant will be able to consume a hot meal at the facilities set up at the finish line at the Caspoggio sports centre: to access them, it is necessary to show the meal voucher.
There are fountains along the route where water can be replenished. For the duration of the competition it is possible to use the alpine huts along the route. Any purchase of extra food or drinks in the refuges is the responsibility of the competitor.
Art. 11 ASSISTANCE DURING THE RACE
Assistance to athletes by family members or teams is only possible at refreshment posts.
Accompaniment during the race is prohibited.
Art. 12 DEPOSIT OF BAGS
Bags for the changeover in Chiareggio and the arrival in Caspoggio can be handed in from 8pm at the start.
Changing rooms and bag deposit will be available in the facilities set up at the finish line at the Caspoggio sports centre from 7 p.m. on Friday. Bags can be collected no later than midnight on Saturday, upon presentation of the race bib. It is recommended not to put any valuables in the bags; in any case the organisation is not responsible for any theft, loss or damage to the bags or their contents.
Any forgotten bags may be returned by courier sent by the competitor at his or her own expense to the storage address that will be communicated by email upon request.
Art. 13 START
Competitors must present themselves at the start in Chiesa in Valmalenco by 20.30. At 10 p.m. the start will be given.
Art. 14 RACE COURSE
The Valmalenco UltraDistance Trail is classified with the red sticker: EE route for experienced hikers. This itinerary requires the ability to move over particular terrain, tracks or paths that are impervious or treacherous (slopes with rocky or scree outcrops), sometimes exposed.
The Valmalenco UltraDistance Trail follows the following route:
Chiesa in Valmalenco, Vassalini, Torre Santa Maria, Ciappanico, Alpe Son, Cometti hut at Alpe Piasci, Bosio hut, Alpe Airale, Alpe Lago, Alpe Pirlo, Alpe Pradaccio, Laghetti Sassersa, Passo Ventina, Ventina hut, Gerli Porro hut, Chiareggio, Alpe Fora, Longoni hut, Alpe Entova, Alpe Paluetto, Palù Refuge, Bocchel del Torno, Alpe Campascio, Mitta Refuge, Vallone di Scerscen, Marinelli Refuge, Bocchetta Forbici, Carate Refuge, Bocchetta di Fellaria, Bignami Refuge, Campo Moro, Zoia Refuge, Cà Runcasc Refuge, Cristina Refuge, Alpe Acquanera, Piazzo Cavalli, Caspoggio.
In the event of bad weather or impracticability of one or more trails, alternative routes are planned, which will be presented at the pre-race briefing before the start.
The kilometres are not marked. Competitors must strictly respect the marked race route, avoiding taking shortcuts or cutting sections of the track. Departure from the official route, in addition to entailing disqualification from the finishing order, will be at the sole risk of the competitor.
The distances of the relay race:
1st relay: 33 km 2896 D+
2nd relay: 40 km 3326 D+
3rd relay: 15.5 km 545 D+
Changes:
1st transition Chiareggio, km 33
2nd transition Rifugio Zoia, km 73
Relay runners at the changeover must obligatorily pass each other the GPS tracking device provided by the organisation.
For relay races, no shuttles are provided, athletes must arrive independently at the start of their section and return.
Art. 15 SECURITY AND CONTROL
At the most significant points identified by the organisation and in any case at the refreshment posts, a rescue call post is established. A rescue staff will be present in the finish area. The rescue posts are intended to bring assistance to all persons in danger with the organisation's own means or through contracted organisations. Medical officials are authorised to suspend competitors deemed unfit to continue the race. The rescuers are authorised to evacuate runners judged to be in danger by the means deemed appropriate. In case of necessity, for reasons that are in the best interest of the rescued person, in the judgement of the organisers and the medical staff, the official rescue will be called upon, who will take over the direction of operations and deploy all appropriate means, including the helicopter. Any costs arising from the use of exceptional means (helicopter) will be borne by the person rescued in accordance with the regulations in force. A rider who appeals to a doctor or a rescuer submits de facto to their authority and undertakes to respect their decisions.
Art. 16 ENVIRONMENT
The race takes place in natural mountain environments with delicate ecosystems located within SCI and SPA protected areas. Competitors must behave in an environmentally friendly manner, avoiding littering, picking flowers or harassing fauna. Anyone caught leaving litter along the route will be disqualified from the race and will incur any penalties provided for by municipal regulations. To reduce the environmental impact, no glasses will be provided at the refreshment stations. Each competitor must bring a glass or water bottle to fill up at the refreshment stations.
Art. 17 WEATHER
In the event of major weather phenomena (dense fog, snowstorms, heavy storms), the organisers reserve the right to make, even at the last minute or during the course of the race, changes to the route in order to eliminate potential dangers or conditions of severe discomfort for participants. Any changes will be communicated to participants and signalled by the officials. The organisers also reserve the right to suspend or cancel the race if weather conditions endanger the safety of participants, volunteers or rescuers.
In the event of interruption or cancellation of the race, no reimbursement will be due to participants.
Art. 18 DISQUALIFICATIONS AND PENALTIES
Disqualification, with withdrawal of the race bib, is foreseen for the following offences
- failure to pass a control point
- cutting the race route
- leaving litter on the route
- failure to assist a competitor in difficulty
- insulting or threatening the organisers or volunteers
- use of means of transport during the race
- refusal to submit to the control of medical personnel on the route
- refusal to submit to the control of compulsory equipment
- lack of headlamp, windbreaker, thermal cover, container for 1 litre of liquids
Disqualification may also be applied immediately on the route.
There will be a 30-minute penalty for the following offences
- lack of whistle, gps provided by the organisation, long-sleeved jersey, trousers covering at least the knee, hat or bandana, gloves, glass or water bottle, failure to display the race bib.
Disqualification will be applied immediately, at the point where the infringement is ascertained.
Failure to return the GPS device to the organisation will result in a penalty of 150 euros.
Art. 19 AWARDS
No prize money will be awarded. In-kind prizes will be awarded to the first 5 men and the first 5 women in the 90km and the first 3 men's relays, the first 3 women's relays and the first mixed relay. Each competitor who completes the race within the maximum time will be given a finisher gadget. The prize-giving ceremony will take place at 10 p.m. on Saturday in Caspoggio. Under no circumstances will prizes be delivered in advance or sent out.
Art. 20 IMAGE RIGHTS
By registering, competitors authorise the organisation to use, free of charge and without any limitation, still and moving images of them during their participation in the Valmalenco UltraDistance Trail.
Art. 21 DECLARATION OF LIABILITY
Voluntary registration and consequent participation in the race indicate full acceptance of these regulations and any amendments thereto. By registering, the participant exonerates the organisers from all liability, both civil and criminal, for damage to persons and/or property caused by or to him/her.
