Environnement

The Mont-Blanc massif is a fragile natural setting requiring our utmost attention. To contribute to its protection, and we count on the commitment of everyone. We have a duty to do everything we can to minimize our impact.

Nature reserves, Natura 2000 sites, free district, the 5 HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc events cross areas identified for their rarity and the fragility of the species that live there.

We are incredibly lucky to be able to run in these sublime areas. We have a responsibility to participate in the preservation of these incredibly rich eco-systems.

The map below lists the nature reserves crossed by the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc races. As you can see, each race crosses one or more protected areas in France, Italy or Switzerland.

Please take the time to look at which area your race will pass through.

Protected areas :

• Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve
• Natura 2000 site of the glacial surroundings of the Mont-Blanc
• Val Ferret/Combe de l'Â
• Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve
• Sixt-Passy Nature Reserve
• Vallon de Bérard Nature Reserve

In these ecosystems are listed:

We provide teams of volunteers "on the ground" to inform the public about respecting the rules in natural environments. These volunteers are also involved in the cleaning of the route before and after the event to measure the quantity of waste generated by the races.

Be warned, they are also equipped to penalize you in the case you do not respect the environment.

Actions of the Environmental Ambassador Team

• 1 100 km and 40 000m ascent in 6 days. The ambassadors of the environment covered the entire routes twice.
• 450 km covered by the referents of the environment in getting to know all the routes over 16 days.
• 98 alpine farmers contacted and met on the ground during the reconnaissance trips

So as to better understand the natural environment in which you find yourselves, we have created some specific signs. Also, you will see signs informing you of the presence of herds/flocks of animals or naturally fragile zones.

When crossing alpine pastures, don’t forget that you are a guest!

Please respect the following rules:

• Stay on the marked trails.
• If there is a herd on the trail, go around and give it space.
• Close fences after passing through.
• Don't rinse your shoes in the troughs where animals drink.
• Don't pet the herd or the dogs.
• No littering.
• Respect the shepherd’s privacy, stay away from their mountain chalets.

We give priority to services and products which are derived from the Espace Mont-Blanc, to avoid unnecessary transportation and to involve local players.

The refreshment posts provide regional products, and certain of them are organically produced. In a country where spring water is abundant, we prioritize this resource which economizes on the use of 8000 plastic bottles and their transportation each edition.

To reduce consumption of plastic, both by runners and HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc volunteers, and therefore limit your carbon footprint and your waste production, the organization will not distribute any more disposable crockery (cutlery, beakers, bowls) at the life bases and the refreshment posts (this is the same for the volunteers). This action called "Bring Your Own Utensils" (BYOU)

Each HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc volunteer has been made aware of sorting waste, and everything is done to recycle any waste.

The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc uses the services of specialists in this domain from the local region:

AREMACS : An association which manages waste, and the sorting of it, in Chamonix.

The Friends of the UTMB Mont-Blanc Environment Commission was created in 2006. Chaired by Patrick Deschamps, in collaboration with Thomas Boyer and Jules Pijourlet, it is made up of people actively involved in the organization of the event, elected representatives of the communes concerned and representatives of associations working to protect the environment.

Its mission is to identify the risks generated by the event and to propose concrete actions to protect the environment.

It then assesses the event and suggests improvements or new solutions to be implemented.

- Charte G.E.S.I V1 & Charte G.E.S.I V2

- Sports for Nature Handbook (UN)

- Mont-Blanc ethical contract : The ethical contract was signed between the conference Transfrontalière Mont-Blanc and the association of Trailers du Mont-Blanc.

- Charte développement durable et manifestations sportives, Direction Départementale de la Cohésion Sociale 74 : Le region of Haute-Savoie has recognised the work done by the UTMB organisation in various sustinable aspects.

- Charte du Plan Climat Energie Territorial de la Communauté de Communes de la Vallée de Chamonix-Mont-Blanc : UTMB is working with the valley of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, to put in place a Plan Climat Energie Territorial (PCET).

Numerous events are held all around the Mont-Blanc Massif during the week of the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc.

• Animations and awareness of the mini-UTMB.
• Conference on the Alpagistes and the relationship with the ecosystems
• Awareness raising during the bib distribution