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2023 170 km Ultra Tour Roadbook
Please note that final GPS tracks will be emailed to you by Monday 4 September, together with all tracking information so that your friends and supporters can follow your race!
Please note if you’d like a meal ticket for you & your supporters for our Closing Celebration on Saturday 9 September then tickets should be booked by Saturday 2 September. Book here. Thank you!
Introduction
Welcome to the 2023 Ultra Tour Monte Rosa 170 km! This road book, together with our race website should give you all the information that you need. If you have any further questions please email contact@ultratourmonterosa.com.
It is an amazing challenge ahead of you and we have a team of passionate volunteers ready to support you. We are all here to do what we can to help you succeed. Best of luck!
Race Organisation
For any general questions / queries before and during the race please contact the race organisation. Please note that messages via social media during the race will not be answered. Please use email, phone or WhatsApp. Thank you!
Email: contact@ultratourmonterosa.com
Phone: +41.765.936.818
WhatsApp: +41.795.839.539
Please use this number for emergency only during the race:
Emergency Number: +41.793.998.527
Entry List
Please check your details here and email us if anything is incorrect, thank you!
Race programme
Race Registration: 15:00 – 19:00 Wednesday 6 September
Race Start: 04:00 Thursday 7 September
Close of the 170 km: 16:00 Saturday 9 September
Children’s race: 16:30 Saturday 9 September
Closing meal and prize-giving: 18:30 onwards Saturday 9 September
Travel
For independent travel then Grächen is easily accessible by public transport. Please check www.sbb.ch/en for timetables and booking tickets online. The “destination” is Grächen Zentrum which is a one minute walk from the Dorfplatz for registration, start line, finish line.
Grächen Village Plan
Please consult this map for exact start location, registration, baggage drop / collection and bus stop.
See here for details of parking facilities: https://www.utmr.ch/parking-in-grachen/
Race Registration
Time: 15:00 – 19:00 Wednesday 6 September
Location: Dorfplatz, Grächen (google map location here)
All race participants must come to race registration in person and with ID and with their obligatory equipment. This will be checked before participants can be given their start number and GPS tracker. It must be carried for the duration of the race and we may check at any point during the race or on the finish line.
INSURANCE: Each race participant must have personal accident insurance sufficient to cover the cost of search and rescue (including by helicopter if required).
If you do not have insurance or the correct obligatory equipment you will not be allowed to start the race. No exceptions. Thanks for your understanding!
Headphones: Use of headphones is not permitted during any part of the race for reasons of safety. Use will result in disqualification.
Communication
It is essential that we can communicate with you before, during and after the race.
You must have a telephone with you, which works Switzerland and Italy. This telephone will not only allow you to call the organisation if necessary, but it is also important that the organisation can contact you (before, during and after the race). We may use SMS to notify you of any route amendments / information. Please make sure your phone is switched on, accessible and checked intermittently before and during the race. We will use the contact number you submitted on your registration form. You will be able to update this via a link to your personal runner page prior to the race.
Please ensure that:
- your phone is never put in flight mode
- it remains switched on before, during and after the race
- the battery is sufficient for the duration of the race, or equip yourself with a supplementary external battery
Tips to save battery
- close all unnecessary apps
- dim screen
- switch off WiFi, bluetooth and location / GPS
- Turn on energy saving mode if your phone has it
Note: 85% of the race route is covered by mobile network, so there may be a delay in receiving an SMS message in certain areas.
Dropbags
We will provide you with three dropbags (40cm x 45cm) at race registration. Please note these are not waterproof. We will transport official UTMR dropbags only to the checkpoints at
- Zermatt – 37 km
- Gressoney – 80 km
- Macugnaga – 126 km
Please put warm clothing in your dropbags “just in case” and remember that the obligatory equipment is the minimum. Please carry more warm clothes if the weather forecast is bad or you know you will move slowly, especially at night. You can put your sheet sleeping bag in your dropbag but please remember it is mandatory for access to any checkpoint sleeping facilities. No bag, no bed!
Dropbag deposit: Please deposit at the race start before 03:45 on Thursday. Your race number and the location for the bag must be written on the bag.
Dropbag collection: Your dropbags will be available for collection from the Gemeindesaal directly by the Finish Line in Grächen from 10:00 on Saturday. Any uncollected items will be disposed or given to charity. The organisation cannot post items to individuals.
Race Start
The race will start at 04:00 on Thursday 7 September from the Dorfplatz, Grächen (google map location). You must be in the start area by 03:45.
Race Route and Checkpoints
Please see the race website for all route and checkpoint information.
Route information: https://www.ultratourmonterosa.com/races/170km-ultra-tour-info/
Checkpoint information: https://registration.utmr.ch/race-data/cp-170/
Liquids: Water + isotonic drink + hot or cold tea
Light: Liquids + coca cola + bar / cake
Medium: Light + bouillon, cheese, bread, crackers, fruit, chocolate
Big: Medium + isotonic drink + hot food (minestrone, pasta etc.)
Littering will result in a time penalty.
Route marking
The race route will be well marked with:
- bright orange/pink ribbons
- bright orange/pink flags on sticks or wires
- orange dots / arrows / markings made with a biodegradable chalk spray
- until Europahütte and from Teodul onwards all markings will be reflective
Please always follow the race markings if different to the GPS tracks in case of any late alteration to the route.
Day / night: You will need to use your head torch between about 20:25 in the evenings and 06:26 in the mornings. Please be prepared for night running!
Sunrise: 06:56 / Sunset: 19:55 / Civil Twilight between 06:26 and 20:25
Timing and GPS Tracking
GPS tracking is included in your registration fee and these trackers will be provided to you at race registration. They are light (60g) and will be taped onto the shoulder strap of your rucksack at registration.
These must also be returned at the finish line or at a checkpoint if you withdraw from the race. You will be liable for a €135 charge if your device is not returned.
Instructions on how your family and friends can follow you in real time during the race will be emailed to you shortly before race week. Exciting!
Supporters
Supporters are not allowed access to the registration, start or finish areas.
Supporters are permitted in checkpoint zones only when their runner is present and as long as they don’t interfere with the operation of the checkpoint.
No support is allowed between checkpoints. No muling or pacing is allowed.
Rescue and Medical Assistance
EMERGENCY: +41.793.998.527
First aid will be available at specific points on the race route. These posts are in telephone liaison with the Race Organisation. Medical assistance will also be available at the finish line in Grächen.
If it appears that a runner is in difficulty or seriously injured: please telephone the EMERGENCY number, or go in person to the next checkpoint.
It is essential that each runner helps anybody in danger. Runners needing assistance submit themselves to the authority of a doctor or a rescuer.
You must stay on the marked route of the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa. Any runner who voluntarily leaves the waymarked route is no longer under the responsibility of the Race Organisation.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal (DNF) is possible at specified checkpoints from which the organisation organises transport back to Grächen at set times.
If you decide to withdraw you MUST notify the checkpoint coordinator. They will inform the Race Organisation and direct you to the provided transport.
If you decide to stop at any other location it is your own responsibility to make your way to the finish in Grächen, and to notify the Race Organisation. Checkpoint volunteers will be able to explain the options available to you at any checkpoint. Official DNF transport buses will only be available at the checkpoints specified.
Accommodation in Grächen
It can be hard to estimate your finish time for an ultramarathon. Please make sure that you will be able to access your accommodation in Grächen even if you arrive in the middle of the night! There will be no sleeping facilities at the finish line.
Children’s Race
There will be a small “Kinderrennen” in Grächen at 16:30 on Saturday 9 September. If you have children with you please do encourage them to run!
- ca. 800m for 5-7 year olds
- ca. 2500m for 8-12 year olds
If you have finished your race then please do come to support!
Prize giving and closing meal celebration
We are very happy that we are able to return to our pre-covid format of an evening prize-giving and closing meal celebration on the evening of Saturday 9 September. All runners and volunteers will be back in Grächen and this is a chance to share some time together, giving thanks to the volunteers and celebrating the effort of all the runners!
Overall winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd male and female) and category prize winners will be notified by SMS and called to the podium to receive their prize.
You can buy a meal ticket for yourself and for any supporters using this form: https://registration.utmr.ch/closing-meal-tickets/
We look forward to a happy evening together!
Social Media
We’d love to share news about the race with the world. If you post photos or news on social media please use the hashtag #UTMR so we can share too!
Departures and Post Race
Bus transfer: if you are taking our shuttle to Geneva Airport it will leave from the Dorfplatz in Grächen at 08:30 on Sunday 9 September.
All others can take the Postbus departing to Visp from Grächen. Times and connections and be found here: www.sbb.ch
Day trips: If you are staying for a while in Grächen or the surrounding region, then there are a multitude of options open to you. Miles and miles of hiking or running trails, bus trip to Zermatt and the Matterhorn. The tourist office here in Grächen will be very happy to inform you and assist your plans.