4 to 7 September 2024 - Registrations open 16 October 2023!
utmr obligatory equipment inspection

Obligatory equipment

A list of equipment you need to carry on the stage and ultra races

Obligatory equipment

The UTMR is a tough and challenging long distance race on high, alpine trails. We want you to be safe, we want you to be prepared for the conditions that you could face, and we want you to enjoy your race experience. We will, therefore, ask you to carry some obligatory equipment. Please respect this – it is for your safety and enjoyment. If you are sufficiently prepared you will be able to have some fun whatever the conditions.

Why do we ask for an extensive list of obligatory equipment? This is a tough race. The nature of the terrain means that checkpoints can be up to 8 hours apart for slower runners. This is an alpine environment and weather can change very quickly. Different valleys have a different microclimate so you can find totally different conditions at the same time in different parts of the race route, and even crossing a col (pass) between adjacent valleys. This is a race that will quickly find out your weaknesses and poor equipment choice. What we ask you to take is the minimum. Please be sensible and add to this if the weather forecast is poor or if you are a slower runner in the ULTRA races. By entering a race you do not hand over responsibility for your personal safety. Please respect the route, take what you need to keep comfortable and safe, and have a great race! 

The obligatory equipment will be checked at race registration, and can be checked at any time during the race. You must have all of your spare equipment in waterproof bags inside your rucksack. If the weather is bad you will need your spare thermal top plus hat to be dry when you need them. If the weather is hot you can soon soak your spare clothes with sweat rendering them useless if the weather changes or you need them for a night section. A drybag or ziplock bag is ideal.

The list

1. Mobile phone  Required
5. Emergency bivvy bag  Required
6. Whistle  Required
7. Elastic bandage / strapping  Required
9. Waterproof jacket with hood  Required
10. Waterproof trousers  Required
13. Warm hat  Required
14. Gloves  Required
18. Bowl and spork  Required

1. Mobile phone

Required

Mobile phone with sufficient battery life, and with the numbers of the emergency services and race organisation saved is mandatory during all the race. The phone has to be turned on from the race start, with active roaming, sound at maximal volume, fully charged battery and perfect working condition to withstand the entire race.

Why? The mobile phone allows the participant to receive and make emergency calls to the organisation (the telephone number will be noted on the back of the race bib). In addition, it may be useful to send geo-localization information via applications like WhatsApp. The race organisation may also need to send sms to participants before and during the race with updates of essential weather and route information. Therefore, the phone must be active during the entire race. It is essential to keep the battery as charged as possible, and to avoid making calls or sending data unless it is needed. Functions requesting high battery consumption such as bluetooth or wifi should be inactive (and gps when not needed).

  • utmr obligatory equipment mobile_phone
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2. Fully functional head torch(s) with replacement batteries

Required

Stage Race & Mischabel 60: 1 x fully functioning torch must be carried with spare batteries

Mischabel 100 & 170 km Ultra Tour: 2 x fully functioning torches must be carried with spare batteries for each torch. We recommend 200 lumens for the main torch.

NOTE: If your torch uses a rechargeable battery you must carry a second charged battery. A battery pack is not sufficient. This is why: in a worst case scenario your first torch breaks, and your second torch runs out of battery – you need an instant replacement battery otherwise you will find yourself standing still on the trail, getting cold, waiting for your battery pack to charge your headlamp.

PLEASE COME PREPARED WITH TWO TORCHES EACH WITH SPARE (CHARGED) BATTERIES.

When packing your headlamp, ensure that it works properly and its batteries are fully charged. Check that it is turned off when inside your backpack, to ensure it works properly when needed.

Why? The headlamp will be mandatory during the entire race. The lamp may be turned on accidentally inside the backpack, or by incorrect handling. If this goes unnoticed by the runner, it may drain the batteries causing the lamp to fail when needed. This is why it is mandatory to carry a spare set of batteries and a second headlamp working properly and also with spare batteries.

  • utmr obligatory equipment head torch
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3. Bottles or bladders with capacity to carry 1 litre

Required

Mandatory during all the race. They can be one or more rigid containers, bags or a combination of both. In any case they should provide a total minimal capacity of 1 L.

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4. Emergency food rations in a sealed ziplock bag (400 calories)

Required

To be consumed in an emergency situation only, please take sufficient supplies from the checkpoints to satisfy your hunger.

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5. Emergency bivvy bag

Required

Mandatory during all the race. It is essential this is a bag (not a blanket). If you have an emergency and need to stop a bag will provide you with greater protection than a blanket that will flap around. We recommend the SOL ® Emergency Bivvy.

If you are unsure where you can obtain this we can order for you and have ready for you at registration in Grächen.

Please use this form to order

  • ultra runners bivi bag
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6. Whistle

Required

This is mandatory during all of the race. It may be required to indicate your location if you are lost or injured.

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7. Elastic bandage / strapping

Required

A self-adhesive elasticised band that can be used as a bandage or for strapping (minimum 100cm by 6cm) is mandatory. If you are injured along the route this can be used until you reach the nearest first aid point / checkpoint. A non self-adhesive bandage is not accepted.

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8. Drinking cup (cups will not be provided at refreshment points)

Required

Mandatory during all the race. It can be any container, foldable or not, which may be used as a cup for drinking without wasting the liquid contained. Hands or any object that may lose liquid are not accepted.

Why is it required? For environmental protection reasons, no cups/glasses will be provided at aid stations.

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9. Waterproof jacket with hood

Required

Mandatory during all the race. With breathable insulating membrane such as Gore-Tex, Clima Pro, Water Proff, MemBrain, H2O, Hyvent or similar, to sustain bad weather conditions in mountain.

IMPERMEABILITY: At least 10,000 mm Schmerber water column (*)
BREATHABILITY: RET score equal or below 13; or MTVR score equal or over 5.000 (*)
(*) Consult the values of your jacket with your retailer/brand.

Why? The impermeable breathable jacket with hood will be mandatory during the entire race.
Why a hood? The head is one of the parts of the body with greater heat loss. This is why it must be protected from the rain, wind or cold when needed.
Why impermeable? Storms and unexpected rain episodes are very frequent in mountains. Having the body wet for a long time may cause serious problems.

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10. Waterproof trousers

Required

Mandatory during all the race.

They must be impermeable (at least 10,000 mm Schmerber water column), and it is recommended that they also are breathable, although this is not mandatory. Seams must be sealed!

Why? Trousers or leggings are not useful when they are wet or in windy conditions. If you become injured and have to sit on wet ground, waterproof trousers will give you some protection.

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11. Warm long-sleeved thermal top layer

Required

Mandatory during all the race. Weather conditions can change from sun to snow to rain. This must be an extra layer, secondary to whatever is worn at the start of the race. 

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12. Long running trousers or trousers that cover over the knee

Required

If you are running in shorts/skirt then please make sure you are carrying extra clothing to cover you at least over the knee. Weather conditions can turn bad very quickly. (Running shorts + calf sleeves are not accepted. Sorry!)

  • utmr obligatory equipment running pants below knee
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13. Warm hat

Required

Mandatory during all the race. Weather conditions can change from sun to snow to rain. A buff / bandana will not be accepted in place of a warm hat.

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14. Gloves

Required

Warm gloves are mandatory during the entire race.

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15. GPS Tracker (provided at race registration)

Required

Obligatory. We will provide you with a GPS tracker as well as your race number and timing chip when you register in Grächen. The trackers and small and weigh just 65g. You must carry this with you for the duration of the race.

Added benefit for you is that friends and family will be able to follow your exact location during the race!

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16. Identity papers (STAGE RACE and 170 km ULTRA TOUR only)

Required

You must carry a photocopy of your passport biodata or ID stored in a sealed plastic bag.

 

 

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17. Microspikes (STAGE RACE and 170 km ULTRA TOUR only)

Required

Microspikes ARE required for the 2023 Stage Race and 170 km Ultra Tour due to the condition of the glacier crossing.

The microspikes must be carried for the duration of the section between Zermatt and Gressoney and must be worn for the glacier crossing. Please make sure they are spikes and not studs. Thank you!

If you don’t have your own then you are able to rent a pair from the race organisation using this form until Friday 1 September.

Please use this form to order

Please note microspikes are NOT needed for the Mischabel 60 and Mischabel 100. 

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18. Bowl and spork

Required

All runners must carry a personal bowl and eating utensil. There will be no plates, bowls, forks or spoons provided at the checkpoints. We recommend a bowl (rather than a plate) as a soup will be provided at some checkpoints.

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19. Sheet sleeping bag (170km ULTRA TOUR only)

Required

Due to hygiene regulations all runners who wish to take advantage of the sleeping facilities during the race must carry a sheet sleeping bag. This will not be checked in Grächen and can be placed in your dropbag for collection at a later point of the race. However it will be checked before you are allowed access to any of the sleeping facilities. Please take note of this if you wish to take rest during the race. Economical options can be found at Decathlon for example.

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