Swiss Peaks Trail

Regulation

REGULATION SWISSPEAKS TRAIL 2023

TERMS OF PARTICIPATION

The SwissPeaks trail, and in particular the SwissPeaks 170 and SwissPeaks 360 races, is a long-distance extreme competition requiring extraordinary mental and physical capacities and a great deal of preparation. It has many passages on very technical trails and sometimes at high altitudes near glaciers. Conditions can sometimes be very difficult (darkness, wind, cold, rain or snow). That’s why excellent training and a real capacity for autonomy are essential for any athlete wishing to take up this race.

To participate, it is therefore essential:

Be fully aware of the length and specificity of the competition;
to be perfectly prepared physically and psychologically;
to have acquired, before the race, a real capacity for personal autonomy in the mountains to manage the problems associated with this type of event, including:
to know how to cope, alone and without outside help, with climatic conditions that can be extremely difficult due to altitude and weather conditions (night, wind, cold, rain and snow);
to know how to manage, even if one is isolated, physical and psychological problems due to great fatigue, digestive problems, muscle or joint pain, small injuries or excoriations caused by prolonged activity…
to be aware that the role of the organisation is not to help a runner manage his problems and that, for a mountain race like the SwissPeaks 360, safety depends on the rider’s ability to adapt to problems encountered or foreseeable.

The SwissPeaks 360 is a competition open to all (minimum age of 20 years), without specific limitations, but it is strongly advised to have already participated in other trails of several days before embarking on this adventure.

The other races of the SwissPeaks Trail are open to anyone, male or female, at least 18 years old on race day (exception initiation Trail, see below)

Each runner declares that they know and accept this regulation

SEMI AUTONOMY

The principle of individual semi-autonomy racing is the rule.
Semi-autonomy is defined as the ability to be autonomous between two supply points, both in terms of food, clothing equipment and safety, allowing in particular to adapt to problems encountered or predictable (bad weather, physical problems, injury…)

In particular, this principle implies the following rules:

1. Each runner must have with him for the duration of the race all his obligatory equipment (see EQUIPEMENT paragraph). He carries this material in a marked bag when handing over the bibs and not exchangeable on the course. Race marshals may check the bag and its contents at any time during the race. The rider has an obligation to submit to these controls cordially, under penalty of exclusion from the race.
2. Refreshment stations are stocked with food and drink for consumption on site. At the start of each feed station, the racer must ensure that he has enough water and food to get to the next feed station.
3. It is forbidden to be accompanied or to agree to be accompanied for all or part of the race by a non-registered person, except in the tolerance zones clearly signposted near the refreshment posts.
4. Any form of personal assistance outside the permitted areas (see roadbook table) will be disqualified. Thank you for respecting the ethics of the race.

REGISTRATION CONDITIONS

Participation in the SwissPeaks Trail leads to full acceptance of this regulation.

Registration

Registration will be open from 1st November 2022 on the event website swisspeaks.ch

Commitment rights: Beware, the price of the euro is likely to change.

	dès le 01/11/22 à midi
SwissPeaks Half-Marathon	65 CHF (65 €)
SwissPeaks Marathon	90 CHF (90 €)
SwissPeaks 70	135 CHF (135 €)
SwissPeaks 100	180 CHF (180 €)
SwissPeaks 170	250 CHF (250 €)
SwissPeaks 360	890 CHF (890 €)
SwissPeaks 360 DUO	1500 CHF (1500 €)

The registration fee (for the SwissPeaks 360, SwissPeaks 170, SwissPeaks 100 and SwissPeaks 70) includes participation in the race, the souvenir prize, the meal at the finish, the refreshments, the meals at the bases, the follower bag, transport to the start, the finisher’s prize and the finisher’s medal.

The registration fee for the marathon includes participation in the race, the souvenir prize, refreshments, the meal at the finish, the finisher’s medal and transport to the start.

The registration fee for the half-marathon includes participation in the race, the souvenir prize, the finisher’s medal, refreshments and transport to the start.

There is no selection to enter the races. The registered rider shall be admitted.

The number of runners allowed in the races is as follows:

– 300 for the half marathon

– 500 for the Marathon

– 500 for the SwissPeaks 70

– 300 for the SwissPeaks 170

– 500 for the Swisspeaks 100

– 400 for the Swisspeaks 360

These quantities are likely to decrease if health conditions dictate.

A rider registered once these limits have been reached is automatically put on the waiting list.

The first runner on the waiting list replaces a runner who has cancelled his registration.

Once registrations have been definitively closed, all riders on the waiting list will receive a full refund via the payment method used.

ELITE REGISTRATION

In the interest of fair recognition of high-level athletes and fair management of entries, we reserve places for elite athletes who request them, according to precise criteria and based on their overall ITRA performance index. Runners who meet the criteria below are eligible for free registration:

– Woman: > 710

– Man: > 820

If you meet this criterion and wish to register, please write to info@swisspeaks.ch to finalise your registration.

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION

WITH subscription to the cancellation insurance proposed by the organizer

At the time of registration, anyone can subscribe to the cancellation guarantee, for an over-click of:

SwissPeaks 360: 35.- CHF (35 €)
SwissPeaks 170 & 100: 20.- CHF (20 €)
SwissPeaks Marathon & Half-Marathon: 11.- CHF (11 €)

This amount must be added to the registration fee. Cancellation insurance can only be purchased when you register.

The purpose of the guarantee is to allow the reimbursement of the costs incurred for registration in one of the races in the event that a runner asks to cancel his registration due to one of the following events:

an accident, a serious illness or the death of the runner himself,
a serious illness requiring hospitalisation or the death of his or her spouse or common-law partner, ascendants or descendants to the first degree, within the thirty days preceding the event.
a pregnancy of the registered runner, or the birth of a child within 15 days before or after the race

In the event of an accident or serious illness of the runner, it is necessary to provide a medical certificate signed and stamped by the doctor as well as medical proof of the inability to participate in the race no later than seven days before the start date of the race in question. In addition, please complete the following questionnaire: https://forms.gle/r3xVyxPAAFziuXMt6

For late cancellations (after 15 July 2023), an additional administration fee (between 10 and 15%) may be charged in view of the many costs already incurred.

WITHOUT subscription to the cancellation insurance proposed by the organizer

If you have not taken out cancellation insurance, the following rules apply:

If a runner is not able to participate, he/she is allowed to transfer his/her number to a person of his/her choice (modification possible until 1 August 2023, after this date no modification will be accepted)
For those who have no one to give up their bib AND Should one or more races be sold out before the scheduled deadline (1 July 2023 for the SwissPeaks 360, SwissPeaks 170 and SwissPeaks 100; 1 August 2023 for the marathon and half-marathon), the organiser may introduce a system for the transfer of race numbers for the race(s) in question. In this case, cancellations will be taken into account in the chronological order in which the email is received. A deduction equal to 15% of the price paid for registration will be withheld from the person giving up his bib in order to compensate for the administrative costs.
If the race is not full and you cannot find anyone to pick up your number, the following rules apply: before 31 December 2022: 70% of the registration fee actually paid will be refunded. From 1 January to 30 June 2023: 40% of the registration fees actually collected will be refunded. After 1st July 2023: no refund will be made.

However, it is possible to change category until 1 August 2023. No refund will be made in the event that a person falls out of category. Otherwise, the person will have to pay the additional amount to arrive at the registration finance of his new category.

After 1st August 2023: no change of category or name will be possible.

Case COVID-19

If sporting event regulations prevent the race from being held in 2022, all entries will be postponed without charge to 2024.

If the regulations on leaving one’s country of residence and/or entering Switzerland result in the inability to be present at the start of the race, registration may be postponed to 2024.

Equipment

To participate in these events, a mandatory kit of equipment is required.
However, it is important to note thatit is a vital minimum that each trailer must adapt according to its own capabilities. In particular, it is important not to choose the lightest possible clothing in order to save a few grams, but to choose clothing that really provides good protection in the mountains against cold, wind and snow, and therefore better safety and performance.

Mandatory basic kit for SwissPeaks 360 and SwissPeaks 170 :

A single bag to carry the obligatory equipment and to keep throughout the race

Mobile phone in working order, allowing to call abroad and always on to be reachable at all times

Personal cup 15cl minimum (bottles or flaccids with cap not accepted)

Minimum water reserve 1 litre

2 working lamps with batteries or spare battery for each lamp

Survival coverage of 1.40 m x 2 m minimum

Whistle

Adhesive elastic bandage or strapping (min 100 cm x 6 cm)

Food reserve

Cap or bandana

Hat

Jacket with hood to withstand bad weather in the mountains and made with a waterproof and breathable membrane

Long-legged running pants or tights OR combination of tights and socks covering the entire leg

Second hot layer additional long sleeve (minimum weight 180g) OR the combination of a warm long sleeve undergarment (minimum weight 110g) and a windproof jacket with water-repellent protection. The wind-cut jacket does not replace the mandatory waterproof jacket with hood, and vice versa.

Warm and waterproof gloves

Personal bowl for volunteers to drop off the supplies they want

A personal sleeping bag is required in the follower bag to sleep in the living bases as no blanket will be provided by the organization for health reasons (COVID-19 standards).

The SwissPeaks 360 requires crampons in the following bag

Basic kit mandatory for the 100 and 70 :

A single bag to carry the obligatory equipment and to keep throughout the race

Mobile phone in working order, allowing to call abroad and always on to be reachable at all times

Personal cup 15cl minimum (bottles or flaccids with cap not accepted)

Minimum water reserve 1 litre

1 working lamp with batteries or spare battery

Survival coverage of 1.40 m x 2 m minimum

Whistle

Adhesive elastic bandage or strapping (minimum 100 cm x 6 cm)

Food reserve

Cap or bandana

Hat

Jacket with hood to withstand bad weather in the mountains and made with a waterproof and breathable membrane

Long-legged running pants or tights OR combination of tights and socks covering the entire leg

Warm and waterproof gloves

Personal bowl for volunteers to drop off the supplies they want

Basic kit mandatory for the Marathon:

A single bag to carry the obligatory equipment and to keep throughout the race

Mobile phone in working order, allowing to call abroad and always on to be reachable at all times

Personal cup 15cl minimum (bottles or flaccids with cap not accepted)

Minimum water reserve 1 litre

Survival coverage of 1.40 m x 2 m minimum

Whistle

Adhesive elastic bandage or strapping (minimum 100 cm x 6 cm)

Food reserve

Cap or bandana

Jacket with hood to withstand bad weather in the mountains and made with a waterproof and breathable membrane

Personal bowl for volunteers to drop off the supplies they want

Basic kit mandatory for the half-marathon

Mobile phone in working order, allowing to call abroad and always on to be reachable at all times

Personal cup 15cl minimum (bottles or flaccids with cap not accepted)

Minimum water reserve 0.5 litres

Food reserve

Personal bowl for volunteers to drop off the supplies they want

It is difficult to predict the weather in the mountains precisely for an early September. This is why the organization has put in place three kits that are added to the mandatory equipment in order to be equipped in the best possible way. It is therefore advisable to prepare to need one of these additional kits to the basic kit. The information will be given to the runners by e-mail a few days before the start of their race.

Heat wave kit for all races (may be required by the organisation depending on weather conditions):

Sunglasses

Sunscreen

Minimum water reserve 2 litres

Cold KitFor races SwissPeaks 360, SwissPeaks 170, SwissPeaks 100 and SwissPeaks 70 (may be required by the organisation depending on weather conditions) MUST be carried in the follower’s bag and potentially in the runner’s bag if the weather conditions change during the race:

An extra warm jacket with feather jacket-style hood

A waterproof over-pane

Bad weather kit For the marathon and half marathon (may be required by the organization depending on weather conditions):

Jacket with hood to withstand bad weather in the mountains and made with a waterproof and breathable membrane

Long-legged running pants or tights OR combination of tights and socks covering the entire leg

Warm and waterproof gloves

FOLLOWER BAG

The SwissPeaks 360’s follower bag will have a capacity of 50L to hold a maximum of 10kg. The follower bag of the SwissPeaks 170 and SwissPeaks 100 will have a capacity of 30L. This bag will follow you from basic life to life base. Be careful, it is your duty to drop this bag in the intended area when you leave the base of life. Only bags provided by the organisation will be transported to the life bases. The repatriation period is based on logistical constraints. A bag may be late compared to the runner, especially in case of abandonment. Thank you for being patient and respecting the work of the volunteers. The bags will be removed under the tent dedicated to this purpose. A list of bags that have arrived will be updated regularly.

These bags must be collected no later than 6pm on Sunday 10 September in Le Bouveret. After that date, the bags will be destroyed.

Please do not deposit personal belongings of securities such as car keys, plane ticket or wallet.

The follower bag must be dropped off (even if there is nothing in it) at the start of the race to be routed by the organization to the different life bases. If necessary, a penalty will be given to the runner.

Bibs

Each bib is given individually to each runner on presentation:

- A piece of photo ID,
- your shopping bag and all the required equipment.

The bib must be worn on the chest or stomach and must be visible at all times and throughout the race. It must therefore always be positioned above any garment and cannot be attached to the bag or leg under any circumstances. The names and logos of the partners must not be changed or hidden.
The bib is the necessary pass to access shuttles, refuelling areas, infirmaities, rest rooms, showers, drop-off areas or bag removal… Unless the bib is refused to comply with a decision made by a race official, the bib is never removed but in case of abandonment it is deactivated.

In addition to your bib, you will receive a tear-proof bracelet to be worn permanently during the entire race to be able to access the supplies and base of life. This bracelet will also allow you to enjoy the post-race meal (this bracelet will then be cut by the organization to go eat).

SECURITY AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Emergency stations are set up at various points along the route. A medical team is present for the duration of the events at the Bouveret site (place of departure/arrival).

The relief posts are intended to assist any person in danger with the means specific to the organization or contracted.

It is up to a runner in difficulty or seriously injured to call for help:

by showing up at a rescue station
calling the medical team
asking another runner to notify the emergency services

It is up to each runner to assist anyone in danger and to prevent emergency services.

Keep in mind that hazards of all kinds, related to the environment and the race, can make you wait longer for rescues than expected. Your safety will then depend on the quality of what you put in your bag.

A runner using a doctor or first aid worker de facto submits to his authority and agrees to accept his decisions.
In particular, first responders and official doctors are qualified to:

to take out of the race (by invalidating the bib) any competitor unable to continue the race
to evacuate by any means at their convenience the runners they deem in danger.
to have runners who are required to be hospitalized at their convenience.

The costs resulting from the use of exceptional relief or evacuation means will be borne by the rescued person who will also have to ensure his return from the place where he was evacuated. It is the runner’s sole responsibility to compile and submit a file to his personal insurance within the allotted time.

If you are unable to reach the medical team, you can call the emergency agencies directly (especially if you are in an “emergency only” area)

Any runner who voluntarily moves away from the marked path is no longer the responsibility of the organization.

CHECKPOINT AND SUPPLY STATIONS

A check is carried out on arrival at any rescue or refuelling station.
Unannounced checkpoints are set up in locations other than relief and refuelling stations. Their location is not communicated by the organization.

Only runners with a visible bib, wristband and chip and properly checked have access to the refuelling stations.

Garbage cans are placed in large numbers on each supply station and must be used.

A post-race meal is served at the restaurant La Lagune in Le Bouveret (in exchange for the meal ticket)

MAXIMUM TIME ALLOWS AND TIME BARRIERS

The maximum time of the event, for the entire “SwissPeaks 360” course course, is 156 hours.

The maximum time of the event, for the entire “SwissPeaks 170” course course, is 58 hours.

The maximum time for the entire “SwissPeaks 100” course is 29 hours.

The maximum time for the entire “SwissPeaks 70” course is 20 hours.

The maximum time for the event, for the entire Marathon course, is 12 hours.

The maximum time of the event, for the entire Half Marathon course, is set at 6 hours.

The start times (hourly barriers) of the main checkpoints will be defined and communicated in the race guide.

These time barriers are calculated to allow participants to reach the finish in the maximum time imposed, while making possible stops (rest, meals, etc.). To be authorised to continue the event, competitors must leave the checkpoint before the set time limit (regardless of the time of arrival at the checkpoint).

Any competitor who has been knocked out of the race and wants to continue his career will only be able to do so after returning his bib, under his own responsibility and in complete autonomy.

In case of bad weather and/or for safety reasons, the organization reserves the right to stop the current test or to change the time barriers.

Arrival

On arrival you will receive a voucher for your finisher’s gift (SwissPeaks 170, SwissPeaks 100, SwissPeaks 70, Marathon and Half Marathon). For the SwissPeaks 360, a finishers’ ceremony will be held on Sunday at 10:45. Finishers’ prizes will only be awarded at the prize-giving ceremony. Those unable to stay until the ceremony for professional and/or personal reasons will be required to complete a sending form and pay the cost of sending to the information booth. The finisher prize will be sent no later than 2 months after the race.

It is possible to take a hot shower on arrival (Bouveret).
Access to the showers on arrival is strictly limited to barefoot runners (a bag is given to you at the entrance for your shoes).

A meal is also offered to all participants on the arrival site.

RANKINGS AND REWARDS

For each race, a general classification between men and women and a classification for each category of men and women are established:
The top 3 in each category receive a podium prize.

Attendance at the awards ceremony is mandatory to receive your prize. No batch will be given to a third party or even mailed later.

	SwissPeaks 360	Toutes les autres courses
Seniors Hommes (SEH)	20 à 39 ans	18 à 39 ans
Seniors Femmes (SEF)	20 à 39 ans	18 à 39 ans
Master 1 Hommes (MH1)	40 à 49 ans	40 à 49 ans
Master 1 Femmes (MF1)	40 à 49 ans	40 à 49 ans
Master 2 Hommes (MH2)	50 à 59 ans	50 à 59 ans
Master 2 Femmes (MF2)	50 à 59 ans	50 à 59 ans
Master 3 Hommes (MH3)	60 ans et plus	60 ans et plus
Master 3 Femmes (MF3)	60 ans et plus	60 ans et plus

ABANDONMENT AND REPATRIATION

Barring injury, a runner should not give up anywhere other than at a checkpoint. He must then notify the postmaster, who permanently invalidates his bib.

The rider keeps his bib invalidated because it is his pass to access the shuttles, buses, meals, treatment rooms …

The repatriation will be decided with the postmaster, according to the following general rules:

Runners who abandon at a rescue or refuelling station but whose health does not require to be evacuated must return as soon as possible and by their own means to the nearest repatriation point.
For refuelling or emergency stations accessible by car or 4×4:
- When the post is closed, the organisation can, as far as the means available, repatriate runners who have given up and are still present on the post
- In case of unfavourable weather conditions justifying the partial or total stoppage of the race, the organisation ensures the repatriation of the riders arrested as soon as possible

In the event of abandonment before a checkpoint, it is imperative to return to the previous checkpoint and report its abandonment to the postmaster.
If, during this step backwards, the runner meets the firmers, it is the latter who invalidate the bib. The runner is no longer under the control of the organization.

Our system of repatriation of runners is largely carried out through our RegionAlps partnership. If the postmaster takes you to the nearest station to repatriate you, it is imperative that you take a regional train (not SBB) and be in possession of your bib.

Any runner who leaves the competition without telling the organization will have to pay any research costs incurred.

PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS

the race management reserves the right to disqualify any rider who does not comply with this regulation.

Any runner seen throwing his waste on the course will be disqualified.

Any runner seen being personally assisted outside the permitted areas will be disqualified.

Extending the GPS beacon, distaching it or moving it from the bag will result in immediate disqualification from the rider

It is strictly forbidden to use any means of transport during the race. Any runner who will make an exception to this rule is not allowed to cross the finish line, will not receive a finisher prize and will not be classified.

ANTI-DOPING

Any competitor may be subject to doping control during or at the finish of the event. In case of refusal or abstention, the athlete shall be sanctioned in the same way as if he/she was found doping.

CHANGES IN THE ROUTE OR TIME BARRIERS; CANCELLATION OF THE RACE

The organization reserves the right to change the route (distance and route) at any time, as well as the locations of the relief and refuelling stations, without notice.
In case of weather conditions too unfavourable (large amounts of rain and snow at altitude, high risk of thunderstorms …) the start can be postponed by a few hours at most, beyond that, the race is cancelled.

In case of force majeure (especially in case of bad weather and for safety reasons), the organization reserves the right to stop the current test or to change the time barriers.

In case of cancellation of an event more than 15 days before the start date, a partial refund of the entry fee will be made. The amount of this refund will be set in such a way as to allow the organization to cover all the unrecoverable costs incurred on the date of cancellation. In case of cancellation less than 15 days before the start of the race or in case of interruption of the race, no refund will be made.

Exception COVID-19: If sporting event regulations prevent the race from being held in 2023, all entries will be postponed to 2024. The organiser will endeavour to do this as far as possible without charge.

RACE MANAGEMENT SKILLS

Acceptance of a runner’s participation

Wildcard allocation. The race direction allows itself the right to invite a runner.

Disqualification of runner who does not comply with the race rules.

Route change (Example: reducing or changing the time limit).

Interruption or cancellation of the test if conditions require it. Such a decision does not result in the reimbursement of the registration finance.

Protests: to be deposited no later than 30 minutes after the rider’s arrival. After hearing the parties, the race management decides without appeal.

Decisions to be made on a point not foreseen in this regulation, and imposed by the circumstances.

Insurance

Liability
The organizer takes out liability insurance for the duration of the event. This liability insurance guarantees the financial consequences of its liability, that of its attendants and participants.

Individual accident
Each competitor must be in possession of individual accident insurance covering the costs of search and evacuation. Such insurance can be taken out from any organization of the competitor’s choice.

CHANGE IN REGULATION

The organization reserves the right to amend this regulation at any time and without notice.

Only the French PDF version is authentic.