Introduction
Welcome to the 2021 Ultra Tour Monte Rosa Stage Race! This road book, together with our race website should give you all the information that you need. If you have any further questions please do email contact@ultratourmonterosa.com.
It is an amazing challenge ahead of you and we have a team of passionate volunteers ready to support you. We are all here to do what we can to help you succeed. Best of luck!
Race Organisation
For any general questions / queries before and during the race please contact the race organisation. Please note that messages via social media during the race will not be answered. Please use email, phone or WhatsApp. Thank you!
Email: contact@ultratourmonterosa.com
Phone: +41.765.936.818
WhatsApp: +41.795.839.539
Please use this number for emergency only during the race:
Emergency Number: +41.793.998.527
Race programme
Covid Certificate Check: 16:00 – 19:00 Tuesday 31 August
Race Registration: 16:00 – 19:00 Tuesday 31 August
Race Start: 06:30 Wednesday 1 September
Children’s race: 16:30 Saturday 4 September
Travel
If you have booked a seat on one of the UTMR bus shuttles the bus pick up location, driver contact details etc. will be emailed to you by 30 August. You will also be able check your booking on your personal runner page.
For independent travel then Grächen is easily accessible by public transport. Please check www.sbb.ch/en for timetables and booking tickets online. The “stop” is Grächen Post which is a one minute walk from the Dorfplatz for registration, start line, finish line.
Grächen Village Plan
Please consult this map for exact start location, registration, baggage drop / collection and bus stop.
See here for details of parking facilities: https://www.utmr.ch/parking-in-grachen/
Covid Certificate Check
Time: 16:00 – 19:00 Tuesday 31 August
Location: Dorfplatz, Grächen (google map location here)
All runners and supporters must complete the Covid Certificate Check in Grächen on arrival. The Covid Certificate Check will be open during race registration periods.
Masks must be worn.
Please bring your ID and a valid Swiss or EU Covid Certificate with QR code in the form of a printed or online pdf or in the Covid app. We must be able to scan and check your QR code.
On verification you will be given a wristband. This must be worn throughout your event and will allow entry to registration, checkpoints and start / finish areas.
If you have a supporter accompanying you they must submit their contact details in advance and they will also need to complete the Covid Certificate Check.
Race Registration
Time: 16:00 – 19:00 Tuesday 31 August
Location: Dorfplatz, Grächen (google map location here)
Masks must be worn within the registration zone.
You will be able to select a time slot for registration in advance.
All race participants must come to race registration in person and with ID and with their obligatory equipment. This will be checked before participants can be given their start number and GPS tracker. It must be carried for the duration of the race and we may check at any point during the race or on the finish line.
INSURANCE: Each race participant must have personal accident insurance sufficient to cover the cost of search and rescue (including by helicopter if required).
If you do not have insurance or the correct obligatory equipment you will not be allowed to start the race. No exceptions.
Headphones: Use of headphones is not permitted during any part of the race for reasons of safety. Use will result in disqualification.
Communication
It is essential that we can communicate with you before, during and after the race.
You must have a telephone with you, which works Switzerland. This telephone will not only allow you to call the organisation if necessary, but it is also important that the organisation can contact you (before, during and after the race). We may use SMS to notify you of any route amendments / information. Please make sure your phone is switched on, accessible and checked intermittently before and during the race. We will use the contact number you submitted on your registration form. You will be able to update this via a link to your personal runner page prior to the race.
Please ensure that:
- your phone is never put in flight mode
- it remains switched on before, during and after the race
- the battery is sufficient for the duration of the race, or equip yourself with a supplementary external battery
Tips to save battery
- close all unnecessary apps
- dim screen
- switch off WiFi, bluetooth and location / GPS
- Turn on energy saving mode if your phone has it
Note: 85% of the race route is covered by mobile network, so there may be a delay in receiving an SMS message in certain areas.
Baggage
We will transport one piece of baggage per runner (12kg / 75 litres) from the start to finish of each day’s race stage. Baggage will be available for you at a collection point close to the finish line, so then you will need to take it to your hotel yourself. Please do make sure it is a size and weight you can easily carry yourself, this will make it much easier for you! Bags must be deposited by 06:15 each morning. Your bag must be clearly labelled for identification. Labels will be provided in your race envelope for this purpose, but please mark it additionally.
Baggage storage will be available at start/finish in Grächen. If you are travelling and have extra baggage or clothing with you that you do not require during the race please leave it in Grächen. Please mark it with your name and race number.
Race Accommodation
Details of your accommodation for the race overnight stops in Zermatt (Wednesday 1 and Thursday 2 September) and Saas Fee (Friday 3 September) will be on your race envelope given at registration in Grachen. If you have booked supporter accommodation, the details will be included in your race envelope. Village location maps will also be in your race envelope. The hotel lists and location maps will also be available at the finish lines in Zermatt and Saas Fee.
Evening meal will be provided either in your hotel or in a local partner restaurant, the details will be in your race envelope.
Breakfast on Thursday 2, Friday 3 and Saturday 4 September will be served from 04:00 onwards in your hotel.
Please note that accommodation is in shared rooms of 2-4 beds in good quality hotels. Bring earplugs if you sleep lightly!
Race Start
Day 1: The race will start at 06:30 on Wednesday 1 September from the Dorfplatz, Grächen (google map location). You must be in the start area by 06:15.
Masks must be worn within the start area and until you have passed under the On archway.
Covid check: We will give you three rapid Covid-19 antigen self tests in your race packet at registration with full instructions. You will need to do a test in the morning of Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4. It will be best to do this yourself in your hotel after breakfast. You will need to bring the sample well with negative result to be checked as you enter the start area. We take this extra precaution because the Stage Race is not a ‘closed’ one day event. Thanks for your understanding to keep yourselves and your fellow runners safe.
Day 2: The race will start at 06:30 on Thursday 2 September from Obere Matten, Zermatt (google map location). this is the same location as your Day 1 finish line. Masks must be worn in the start area and until 100m after the start line.
Day 3: The race will start at 08:30 in Visperterminen (google map location). You will need to take the 06:35 shuttle train from Zermatt to Täsch (12 minute journey, ticket provided in your race envelope, places will be reserved) where our race bus will be waiting to take you to Visperterminen (40 minute journey). The race bus will leave Täsch at 07:00 from directly outside the main station. We will give you a blue UTMR dropbag at race registration. If you need to take an extra warm clothing for the journey to Visperterminen you can leave in this bag and we will transport it from Visperterminen to Saas Fee for collection on the finish line. Masks must be worn in train shuttle, the bus and within the start area and until 100m after the start line.
Day 4: The race will start at 06:30 in Saas Fee Dorfplatz (google map location), this is the same location as your Day 3 finish line. Masks must be worn in the start area and until 100m after the start line.
Race Route and Checkpoints
Please see the race website for all route and checkpoint information.
Route information: https://www.ultratourmonterosa.com/utmr-special-edition-stage-race/
Checkpoint information: https://registration.utmr.ch/race-data/stage-race-checkpoint-info/
Race maps: https://map.utmr.ch/index.php
Checkpoints
Masks must be worn within all checkpoint zones.
Hand sanitiser must be used on entrance to the checkpoint.
Runners may fill bottles from the water dispensers, and serve themselves to bananas and individually wrapped items. Volunteers will serve any “open” food items.
Littering will result in a time penalty.
Liquids: Water + isotonic drink + hot or cold tea
Light: Liquids + coca cola + bar / cake
Medium: Light + bouillon, cheese, bread, crackers, fruit, chocolate
Big & Stage Finish Lines: Medium + isotonic drink + hot food (minestrone, pasta etc.)
Route marking
The race route will be well marked with:
- bright orange/pink ribbons
- bright orange/pink flags on sticks or wires
- orange dots / arrows / markings made with a biodegradable chalk spray
- until Europahütte and from Trift onwards all markings will be reflective
Please always follow the race markings if different to the GPS tracks in case of any late alteration to the route.
Day / night: Sunrise: 06:56 / Sunset: 19:55 / Civil Twilight between 06:26 and 20:25
Timing and GPS Tracking
GPS tracking is included in your registration fee and these trackers will be provided to you at race registration. They are light (60g) and will be taped onto the shoulder strap of your rucksack at registration.
These must also be returned at the finish line or at a checkpoint if you withdraw from the race. You will be liable for a €135 charge if your device is not returned.
Instructions on how your family and friends can follow you in real time during the race will be emailed to you shortly before race week. Exciting!
Supporters
Supporters are not allowed access to the registration, start or finish areas.
Supporters are permitted in checkpoint zones only on presentation of a wristband (indicating they have completed the Covid Certificate Check in Grächen) and when their runner is present. If you have a supporter sharing accommodation with you they must also complete the Covid Certificate Check in Grächen.
No support is allowed between checkpoints. No muling or pacing is allowed.
Rescue and Medical Assistance
EMERGENCY: +41.793.998.527
First aid will be available at specific points on the race route. These posts are in telephone liaison with the Race Organisation. Medical assistance will also be available at the finish line in Grächen.
If it appears that a runner is in difficulty or seriously injured: please telephone the EMERGENCY number, or go in person to the next checkpoint.
It is essential that each runner helps anybody in danger. Runners needing assistance submit themselves to the authority of a doctor or a rescuer.
You must stay on the marked route of the Ultra Tour Monte Rosa. Any runner who voluntarily leaves the waymarked route is no longer under the responsibility of the Race Organisation.
Withdrawal
The routes for each Stage have no checkpoints with road access. This means that if you want to withdraw (DNF) you will need to walk out (up to one hour) and then take either a cable way or bus / train back to the Finish Line. If you decide to withdraw you MUST notify the checkpoint coordinator. They will inform the Race Organisation and explain your options for reaching the Finish Line.
If you decide to stop at any other location it is your responsibility to notify the Race Organisation.
If you do not finish (DNF) one race stage, you will be able to start the next day but you will not receive an overall classification.
If you do not start (DNS) one of the stages, then it is your own responsibility to get yourself to the finish of that stage (and your accommodation). If you decide not to start one of the race stages you MUST let the Race Organisation know before the race start.
Finish Line
Masks must be worn within the finish areas.
There will be food options available.
Due to covid restrictions we must ask you to leave the finish area directly. No supporters are allowed within the finish area. Thank you for your understanding.
Race Podiums
Overall winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd male and female) will be notified by SMS and called to the podium in the Dorfplatz to receive their prize.
Category winners will be notified by SMS and can collect their prize from the finish area.
Masks must be worn at the podium and inside the finish area.
Children’s Race
There will be a small “Kinderrennen” in Grächen at 16:30 on Saturday 4 September. If you have children with you please do encourage them to run!
- ca. 800m for 5-7 year olds
- ca. 2500m for 8-12 year olds
If you have finished your race then please do come to support!
Social Media
We’d love to share news about the race with the world. If you post photos or news on social media please use the hashtag #UTMR so we can share too!
Departures and Post Race
Bus transfer: if you are taking one of our shuttles to Milan or Geneva they will leave from the Dorfplatz in Grächen at 08:30 on Sunday 5 September.
All others can take the Postbus departing to Visp from Grächen. Times and connections and be found here: www.sbb.ch
Day trips: If you are staying for a while in Grächen or the surrounding region, then there are a multitude of options open to you. Miles and miles of hiking or running trails, bus trip to Zermatt and the Matterhorn. The tourist office here in Grächen will be very happy to inform you and assist your plans.