Security

The HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc races are all races which take place in open country, in mountainous terrain, with some remote areas (roads, telecommunications…) with weather conditions which can change very fast even at the end of August (snow, hail, fog, heat (>30°) or intense cold (<-10°), violent wind).

Advice along the route :

• Do not stop at high points
• If you lose sight of the way-markers: turn round and go back to the previous marker
• Stay on the paths

Rest areas are available at refreshment posts for a few moments sleep. It is dangerous to stop to sleep alone in open country. Fatigue and the lack of vigilance can be the cause of an accident. Run within your limits (above all over the first part) keeping your energy for later to surmount difficult situations which may arise such as a sudden change of weather conditions.

Know that : using you sleep race-bib (to be found in your race-bib envelope) you can rest without being disturbed. While you are running, it makes dialogue with other runners easier because it displays your first name and nationality. Then, if you wish to sleep for a short while, you just turn it over!

Some common sense reminders for facing difficult weather conditions :

• Anticipate the cold as well as extreme heat
• Don’t wait to shiver before covering yourself up
• Don’t change in full wind: anticipate or wait to be sheltered
• Protect yourself against the sun

Walking poles : watch what you do with your poles particularly at the beginning of the race when there is a high human density. Do not wear the wrist straps on the descents: in case of a rough fall wrist-straps prevent the suitable use of the hands (injuries to shoulders, wrists, forearm or more seriously the head).

Hydration and the consumption of energising snacks must be adapted to the meteorological conditions and enriched in salt throughout the effort. Keep a good balance between slow and rapid release sugars.

We would like to remind you that it is obligatory to be in possession of individual accident insurance which covers any eventual costs for search and rescue In France, Italy and Switzerland. (Repatriation by helicopter costs between 800 and 3000 euros). Such an insurance policy may be taken out with the organization of your choice.

For 49€ / year, you can subscribe to an insurance that guarantees you a worldwide coverage for your rescue, repatriation and medical care expenses (including helicopter rescue) in the context of your trail running practice whether it is for training, competitions or even for your reconnaissance outings.

The following disciplines are also covered: hiking, trekking, cycling and mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. You are also covered if you are a professional.

This insurance is mandatory on the HOKA UTMB Mont-Blanc and the UTMB World Series and is valid for 1 year.

You can find the general conditions from the insurance tab on the different races page.

A smartphone is mandatory with the international optional activated throughout the duration of the race, with the battery in working order. In no circumstances put your phone in airplane mode because we need to be able to contact you before, during and after the event. Smartphones are mandatory for using the LiveRun by LiveTrail® app which is indispensable for your safety. For runners who are going to be running for more than 15 hours, an external battery is strongly recommended.

Check that the number that you have given us as an emergency contact number is that of the person who you wish to be contacted in the case of a problem.

Very important : In order to improve any medical intervention in the case of an incident, verify that you have submitted, on your runners’ page, the telephone number that you will be using during the race. You can update it until the start of your race.

The Race Command Centre (PC Course) is the operational hub of the event. Located at the Maison UTMB, it ensures the smooth running of the race at all times, in both normal circumstances and unexpected situations. It manages runner tracking and communications when needed, maintains constant contact with field teams, and coordinates emergency response operations.

Its role is simple but vital: to ensure that the race runs smoothly for everyone. This includes managing unforeseen incidents and on-the-ground issues, ensuring participant safety from start to finish, and tracking all runners accurately.

It functions like an air traffic control tower, in permanent contact with field teams, aid stations, refreshment points, emergency services and tracking tools. Its effectiveness depends on constant communication, continuous monitoring, and rapid decision-making when an issue is raised.

You must contact the Race Command Centre immediately if you retire from the race, become lost, or witness an anomaly on the course or with another runner. The Medical Command Post should be contacted in case of illness, injury or physical distress. Without a call or signal, the Command Post may be unable to locate you, which can cause unnecessary concern for families or trigger major interventions such as mountain rescue or helicopter deployment.

It is therefore compulsory to have repatriation and emergency evacuation insurance cover. Without it, any evacuation and repatriation costs will be entirely the runner's responsibility.

The Race Command Centre relies on a dense network of checkpoints (every 7 to 8km) to automatically detect the chip located on the back of each race bib, ensuring runner safety with no action required on their part.

If there is a delay based on estimated timings, the Race Command Centre can locate the runner, attempt to make contact and, if necessary, notify next of kin or activate emergency services.

To enhance the system we recommend downloading the LiveTrail app and activating live geolocation at the start. This allows for complementary, real-time tracking.

The exercise unfolds in two phases: a planning phase, where the scenario is developed, and a simulation phase, in which each participant plays their own role or that of a key local stakeholder (such as public authorities, town halls, partners). Everything is designed to create a realistic, sometimes destabilising, situation to encourage instinctive responses.

Scenarios are based on likely race-day events: sudden weather alerts, unexpected course changes, road closures, blocked access points, or delicate sporting situations such as fraud or cheating. More unusual simulations are also rehearsed: bomb threats, serious accidents, wildfires or physical assaults.

These simulations test decision-making, information flow management, communication, and collaboration between different stakeholders.

Around 40 people are involved, including: the gendarmerie (French police), our medical coordination service provider, volunteers, partners such as Transdev and, of course, the event organising teams directly involved in crisis management.

In addition, a dedicated scenario team oversees real-time adjustments to test responsiveness across all parties.

Scenarios are developed in advance to strike a balance between reality and unpredictability. They must remain credible while challenging teams on logistical, transport or course issues, as well as on current and sometimes sensitive themes such as climate change, gender balance in sport, or ethical and doping concerns.