La Plagne

Regulations

Organisation

The Ultra 6000D is organised by the Aime –Macot la Plagne Tourist Office with the support of the municipalities of Aime, Macot la Plagne Champagny en Vanoise, Bellentre and Peisey Vallandry.

The event

The Ultra 6000D is a wilderness event, following the footpaths in the Grande Plagne area and crossing the Vanoise National Park. The event is run in one single stage, at the runners' own pace and with a time limit of 25 hours to cover the 110kms with a height gain of 5800 m starting from the Basilica in Aime. The course is way-marked using its own marking system – marks on the ground, tape and wooden sign posts. There will be no way-marking in the Vanoise National Park; the course will follow the GR5.

Entry conditions

To take part, it is essential

  • that you are fully aware of the length and specific nature of the event and that you have fully trained for it.
  • that before the race you have developed the necessary personal resources to deal with all problems likely to arise in this type of event in complete autonomy, notably:
  • be able to deal with the climatic conditions without outside assistance. These can be very difficult due to the altitude (darkness, wind, cold, rain or snow).
  • be able to deal with the physical and mental problems brought on by extreme fatigue, digestive problems, muscle and joint pain, minor injuries etc.
  • be fully aware that it is not the role of the organiser to help a runner deal with his/her problems.
  • Be fully aware that safety in such an event depends on the runners' ability to adapt to problems encountered or foreseeable.

This race is open to anyone born in 1990 or before (categories senior to veteran 3), licensed or not.
Vétérans 3 : 1941 to 1950
Vétérans 2 : 1951 to 1960
Vétérans 1 : 1961 to 1970
Séniors : 1971 to 1990

Semi self-sufficiency

The principle of racing as a semi self-sufficient individual is the rule.
In particular:

    • Every runner must carry all of his/her compulsory equipment with him/her throughout the whole of the race (see EQUIPMENT paragraph). The equipment must be carried in a single bag that has been vetted and marked by the organisers.
    • Feeding stations are stocked with food and drink to be consumed there. The organisers provide still water and sugary drinks to refill water bottles and bags. Before leaving each feeding station, runners must make sure they have all the food and water they need to get them to the next feeding station.

      Acceptance of race regulations and the race charter

      Taking part in the Ultra 6000D implies unreserved acceptance of these race regulations and race charter, which are published by the organisers and which can be consulted on www.la6000d.com
      Each runner is under obligation to carry a receptacle to collect his rubbish. Any runner seen throwing rubbish away on the course will be penalised.
      Rubbish bins are sited in large numbers at each feeding station and must be used.
      It is imperative that runners follow the trails as marked, without cutting corners. Cutting corners causes harmful erosion.

      Maximum number of runners

      The Ultra 6000D: limited to 1000 runners (going through the Vanoise National Park)

      Cancelling an entry

      Any cancellation of an entry must be made by post with an accompanying medical certificate.
      No cancellation will be accepted by telephone or fax.
      Cancellation must be made before 24 July 2010.
      The amount of the refund will be 50% of the price paid.
      No refund will be made before the end of August 2010.
      No change of bibs will be possible.

      Equipment

      Compulsory equipment:

      • a minimum water supply of 1 litre
      • a torch in good working order with spare batteries
      • Full-size survival blanket
      • whistle
      • elastic adhesive tape for making dressings or strapping (min 80cm x 3 cm)
      • food supplies
      • waterproof jacket able to cope with bad weather in the mountains
      • trousers or running tights (at least below the knee)
      • cap or bandana
      • plastic bag for rubbish (supplied by the organisers)

      The kitbag may be checked at any time during the race by the organising committee or the check point steward or at the finish.

      Highly recommended:

      • mobile telephone (we will provide you with the « race security » number for you to save on your telephone. Don't withhold your number and don't forget to charge the batteries before setting out)
      • gloves, warm clothing essential in the event of cold weather being forecast.
      • a minimum amount of 10 Euros (to alleviate the unexpected).

      Recommended (list not exhaustive):
      Telescopic poles, a change of clothing, compass, knife, string, sun cream, Vaseline or anti-chaffing cream etc.

      Numbers

      Each runner is issued with an individual number. Your first name will be written on the number if you enter before the end of June.

      Before the start, each runner must bring its bag to the checkpoint and then sign a commitment on the honour. Each runner makes the commitment to keep throughout the whole race its bag and the compulsory equipment.
      The bib must be worn on the chest or stomach and must be permanently and fully visible throughout the whole race. It must therefore always be worn outside all clothing and must not in any event be attached to a bag or a leg. The sponsors' name and logo must not be altered or hidden.
      Make sure you bring your own safety pins to attach your number in accordance with the rules.

      Safety and medical assistance

      16 aid posts will be set up at various points along the course. These posts will be in radio or telephone contact with Race Headquarters. A regulation medical team will be at Race Headquarters in Aime throughout the event.

      The purpose of the aid posts is to assist anyone in danger using the organisers' own means or those of the public health service.
      It is up to a runner who is in difficulty or seriously injured to call for assistance:

      • by going to an aid post
      • by calling Race Headquarters
      • by asking another runner to alert the aid services

      It is up to each runner to assist anybody in danger and to alert the aid services.

      Don't forget that unexpected events related to the environment and the race may mean you have to wait longer than expected for assistance. Your safety therefore depends on the quality of what you have in your bag.
      A runner calling a doctor or a rescuer submits de facto to that person's authority and accepts their decisions.

      Rescuers following medical advice and official doctors are notably able to:

      • withdraw from the race any runner unable to continue the event by cancelling their number.
      • to evacuate by whatever means is convenient to them runners judged to be in danger.

      Check points and feeding stations

      All runners must pass through the 8 check points and 5 feeding stations (food and water). (See table of course technical coordinates).
      Only runners wearing a visible and duly checked number will be allowed into the feeding stations.
      The table of race technical coordinates will show an exact list of feeding and water stations, aid posts and rest areas.

      Maximum time allowed and stage time limits

      The maximum time for the event, covering the entire course, is set at 25 hours (please note: 26 hours in 2009).
      The 7 stage time limits (11.00 a.m. at Plagne Centre, 3.00 p.m. at Champagny le Haut, 6.30 p.m at the Col du Palet, 9.00 p.m. at Rosuel, midnight at Plan Bois, 3.00 a.m. at Bellecôte and 6.00 a.m. at the finish) are calculated to enable participants to reach the finish in the set maximum time allowing time for any stops (rests, meals etc.). To be allowed to continue the event, competitors must leave the check point before the set time (whatever time they arrive at the check point).

      Any runner who has been withdrawn from the race and who wishes to continue can only do so after handing in his number and on his own responsibility and in complete autonomy.
      In case of bad weather and/or for safety reasons, the organisers reserve the right to halt the race or to alter the stage time limits.

      Rest & showers

      There will be 5 rest points for runners in the cross country skiing building at Champagny, at Col du Palet, t Rosuel, at Plagne Bellecôte and at Montchavin (shelter with camp beds and blankets).
      A rest room is available to all runners in Aime.
      This room is strictly reserved for runners who have just finished their races.
      In no case can it be used to provide overnight accommodation. Runners who finish their races on Saturday and who would like to stay on must make their own accommodation arrangements.
      It is possible to have a hot shower, but only after finishing.
      Entry to the rest room and showers at the finish is strictly limited to runners.

      Retirement and transport

      xcept in the case of injury, a runner may only retire at a checkpoint. He/she must notify the checkpoint steward, who will definitively cancel his/her bib.

      The checkpoint steward will decide on transport in accordance with the following general rules:

      • Buses are available at the start in Plagne Centre, the cross country skiing building in Champagny, Rosuel, le Sauget, Plagne Bellecôte and Montchavin to return to Aime runners who have retired or who have not kept to the stage time limits.
      • Runners who retire at other aid posts or feeding stations but whose state of health does not necessitate their being evacuated must make their own way to the nearest transport point as quickly as possible.
      • In the case of feeding stations and aid posts accessible by car or 4x4:
      • When the point closes, the organisers may transport runners who have retired and who are still at the point, using what means are available.
      • in the event of unfavourable weather justifying the race being partially or totally halted, the organisers will ensure the transport of runners who have been stopped as quickly as possible.

      In case of retirement, and on meeting the course sweeper, the latter will cancel the number. The runner therefore no longer falls under the jurisdiction of the organisers.

      Disqualification

      Race stewards on the course and checkpoint stewards and feeding station stewards are empowered to enforce the regulations and to immediately disqualify a runner contravening the regulations, subject to the following rules:

      • Automatic disqualification will apply in the following cases:
      • Refusal to pass through the start to activate the electronic chip
      • Refusal to pass through the checkpoint to activate the electronic chip
      • Cutting a corner in such a way as to take a significant shortcut
      • Absence of compulsory safety equipment (see list of compulsory equipment)
      • Refusal to allow compulsory equipment to be checked
      • Deliberately throwing away detritus (runner or member of his/her entourage)
      • Failure to respect other people (organisers or runners)
      • Not helping someone in difficulty
      • Cheating (example: using a means of transport, sharing a number...)
      • Lack of electronic chip
      • Not passing through a checkpoint
      • Refusal to comply with an order from the race management, a race steward, a post steward, a doctor or a rescuer
      • Refusal of a dope test
      • Starting from a checkpoint outside the stage time limit
      • Any other disregard for the regulations will be subject to a sanction to be decided by the race jury

      Dope testing

      Any competitor may be subjected to a dope test during the race or at the finish. In case of refusal or abstention, the athlete will be sanctioned as though he/she had been convicted of doping.

      Altering the course or the stage time limits / cancelling the race

      The organisers reserve the right to alter the course and the positioning of aid posts and feeding stations at any time and without notice.
      In case of overly unfavourable weather conditions (heavy rain or snow at altitude, high risk of storm...) the start may be delayed.
      In case of bad weather and for safety reasons, the organisers reserve the right to halt the race or to change the stage time limits.

      Insurance

      Third Party liability:

      The organisers will take out third party liability insurance for the duration of the event. This third party liability insurance covers financial loss for which they, their employees or the participants are responsible.

      Personal accident:

      Every competitor must hold personal accident insurance covering any search and rescue charges and transport costs in France.

      Such insurance can be taken out with the insurer of the competitor's choice, and notably with the insurer Diot Montagne:

      Impact Multisports is a policy especially for sporting activities.

      Cover applies to all activities.

      The policy is available either by the day or annually, depending on the option chosen, cover fulfils legal requirements and is worldwide.
      For 2.90€ per day (49.00€ per year), you will benefit from the following cover:

      • Search and rescue costs, including a helicopter;
      • The cost of transport home;
      • Third party liability related to sporting activities (in addition to or replacing existing personal policies);

      Road book

      Table of technical coordinates
      The table can be downloaded from the website www.la6000d.com . It contains the course maps and useful information such as the stage time limits, where to find the feeding stations, the rescue posts and the aid posts. Supporters can go and watch the runners from the points shown in the Road Book. Please note that the Col du Palet can only be reached from the resort of Tignes.

      Classifications and prizes

      In the Ultra 6000D, only the runners finishing in Aime will be classified.

      • No cash prizes will be awarded.
      • The first 3 men and the first 3 women in the general classification and the first 3 men and the first 3 women in each category will receive a trophy and a prize.
      • A classification by Club and by team has been created – the first 3 teams will receive a trophy and a prize. If you belong to a club or a team, the 3 best times will be aggregated for consideration for a classification. Please note that for this purpose the 3 runners must be entered under the name of the same club (in the licence section of the on line entry form).

      Lots will be drawn for a range of prizes which can be collected from the reception hall.
      All the results will be published on line on www.la6000d.com and on www.sport-info.com

      Intellectual property rights to images

      All runners expressly renounce their right to profit from their image rights during the event and to all claims against the organisers and their official sponsors for the use of their image.
      The 6000D is a registered trademark. Any publicity regarding the event or the use of images of the event must respect the name of the event and be made with the formal consent of the organisers.

      Park regulations

      A National Park is an area open to everyone, but subject to regulations based on a code of good behaviour

      • No dogs, even on leads. In order not to disturb either wild or domestic animals.
      • No picking of flowers or collecting of samples. Animals, plants, minerals and fossils are all part of the landscape.
      • No weapons. All the animals here are protected.
      • No rubbish. To keep the natural environment clean.
      • No fires. To avoid bushfires and damage to the soil.
      • No noise or disturbance. To preserve everyone's peace.
      • No camping or bivouacking camping. Bivouacking is only permitted beside some refuges, subject to checking in with the warden.
      • No vehicles. This is an area to be explored on foot; do not stray from the authorised paths.
      • No paragliding or other aerial sports. Overflying at less than 1000 metres above the ground is forbidden in order not to disturb the wildlife.
      • No mountain biking for the safety of walkers and to avoid erosion of the footpaths. However, mountain biking is permitted on some tracks by decree of the National Park management.

      Anyone contravening the regulations risks a fine ranging from 35€ to 135€. For more serious offences, the warden may initiate legal proceedings.