REGULATIONS

ORGANISATION

The Autonomous Region of the Valle d'Aosta, in collaboration with the non-profit sociation VDA TRAILERS, is in charge of the organisation of Tor des Géants.

THE RACE

A run through a natural landscape, along the paths of the Alte Vie high mountain routes of the Valle d'Aosta (Italy), with departure and arrival in the municipality of Courmayeur.

A race of approx. 320 km, involving an altitude range of 24,000 m, running through 28 municipalities.

The race is composed of a single-stage, free-pace, semi-self-sufficiency race.

PARTICIPATION

This race is open to anyone, men and women, over 20 at the time of entry (categories Senior to Veteran), whether they are members of the association or not.

SEMI-SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Refreshment points will be provided with drinks and foods to be consumed there on the spot. Plastic cups will not be available at any of the refreshment points, so runners must bring their own cups or containers for the purpose.

Water bottles and camel bags may only be filled with still water. All runners must ensure upon leaving each one of the refreshment points that they have enough water and food to reach the next one.

Outside assistance along the route is forbidden.

At the bases, outside assistance will be permitted only in an area specifically set aside for this purpose. All other areas of the refreshment points will be strictly reserved for runners only.

It is forbidden for anyone not entered for the race to accompany runners along the route.

MATERIAL

Upon entry to the race, each runner undertakes to take with them during the race all the compulsory material listed below. Runners who fail to do so will be disqualified.

Compulsory (checks all along the route):

• rucksack
• minimum 1 litre of water supplies
• cup or any other suitable container for drinks supplied at refreshment points
• supply of food
• two working torches with spare batteries
• survival blanket
• whistle
• adhesive elastic tape suitable for bandaging injuries (minimum 80cm x 3cm)
• waterproof jacket suitable for poor weather conditions at altitude
• racing trousers or leggings (must cover the knees)
• hat or bandana
• gloves
• mobile phone (add the organisation’s safety numbers, do not conceal your own number and make sure batteries are fully charged)
• warm clothes

Recommended:

• poles
• change of clothes
• knife
• string
• sunscreen
• Vaseline or anti-rub cream
• road book

Runners wishing to use poles must carry them with them for the duration of the race.

BIB NUMBERS AND IDENTITY CHIPS

Each bib number is handed out individually to runners on presentation of a photo ID.

The bib must be worn on the chest or stomach, and must remain fully visible throughout the race. It must therefore be place on top of all clothing and in no event may be attached to a bag or a leg.

The ID chip is given to runners together with the bib and must be worn on the wrist. Before the start of the race, all runners must pass through the entry gates to the enclosed start area to have their ID chip registered.

On arrival at each checkpoint and at the finish, runners must pass their ID chip over the time-reader aerial, ensuring it is properly recorded.

Bib numbers act as a pass required for access to shuttles, buses, refreshment areas, care and rest areas, showers, bags, etc.

RUNNERS’ BAGS

When the bib numbers are given out, each runner will receive a bag for changes of clothing, which the organisation will transport from one base to the next. In the race pack runners will find a sticker with their number to place on their bag. Fragile or valuable objects should not be left in these bags. Runners’ bags will be taken to the welcome base in Courmayeur, where they can be collected upon presentation of the race numbers.

SAFETY AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

Rescue posts will be positioned at every col or peak, and at every refreshment point. These posts are linked via radio or phone with the race officials. Ambulances, civil protection staff and doctors will be on hand in the area.

The rescue posts will provide assistance to anyone in difficulty, using the race organisation’s own resources or through third parties where necessary.

The official race doctors are authorised to suspend any runners they consider unfit to continue with the race. Rescue teams are entitled to use all the means they see fit to remove any runners they believe are in danger.

At their sole discretion, the race organisers may decide to call in the official alpine rescue teams if they believe this is in the best interests of the individual in distress. The alpine rescue team will then take control of operations and will deploy all means necessary, including helicopters. Any expenses deriving from the use of such means will be charged to the runner rescued, in accordance with the legislation currently in force.

Runners who call upon a doctor or rescuer thereby undertake to respect the authority of such figures and to accept their decisions.

CHECKPOINTS AND REFRESHMENT POINTS

The ID chip will be scanned at all check or refreshment points established by the organisation .
Only runners wearing a visible race number will be allowed access to the refreshment points.
The road book, which can also be downloaded on-line, provides a detailed list of refreshment points, water supply points and bases.

“Mobile” checkpoints will also be positioned at points along the route other than the rescue posts and refreshment points. The location of these points will not be indicated by the race organisers.

MAXIMUM RACE TIMES AND DEADLINES TIMES
The maximum time allowed for completion of the race is set at 150 hours.
The latest permitted departure times (deadline times) from the main checkpoints will be defined and noted on the road book.
These deadlines are calculated so as to enable runners to reach the finishing line within the maximum time allowed, whilst still allowing for stops (for a rest, for meals…). In order to be allowed to continue, competitors must leave the checkpoints before the set deadline time.

The organisers reserve the right to stop the race or to adjust the deadline times in the event of unfavourable weather conditions and/or for other safety concerns .

REST AND SHOWERS

Hot shower facilities are available only at the bases in Valgrisenche, Cogne, Donnas, Gressoney S.J., Valtournenche, Ollomont and Courmayeur. At these bases runners may stop off for longer periods of rest (within the limits set by the deadline times); at all the other points, shelter will be provided for short rests (up to an hour).

WITHDRAWAL AND RETURN TO BASE

Runners who decide to withdraw from the race along the route must go to the nearest checkpoint and declare their intention to do so, so the race organisers can record the withdrawal and arrange return to the Courmayeur base.

Runners who abandon the race without informing the organisers immediately, thus setting in motion search operations by the rescue teams, will be held responsible for all expenses deriving from such operations.

DISQUALIFICATION
During the race, officials are authorised to carry out checks on compulsory equipment and compliance with the regulations in general (respect for the surrounding area, ethics, unauthorised assistance, bib numbers not visible on the front...)
Runners found upon inspection not to be carrying all of the compulsory equipment will be immediately disqualified, with no right of appeal.

Runners may also be disqualified for infringements of the rules captured on video and received by the organisers even after the competition.
The race jury may disqualify runners who have committed a serious infringement of the rules, such as those listed below:

• Exchanging bib numbers
• Failure to go through a check point
• Failure to carry the mandatory equipment or part thereof
• Using a means of transport
• Setting off from a checkpoint after the deadline time
• Doping or refusal to take a doping test
• Failing to assist a runner in difficulty
• Using outside assistance beyond the designated areas
• Leaving equipment along the route
• Disregarding the ban on accompaniment along the route
• Polluting or littering the area on the part of runners or a member of their teams
• Insults, rudeness or threats levelled at the race organisers or volunteers
• Refusal to be examined by the organisation’s doctors at any time during the race

 

COMPLAINTS

Runners wishing to lodge a complaint must do so in writing, within 30 minutes from the time the provisional results are posted, with a deposit fee of € 50 required.

RACE JURY
The race jury is made up of:

• the race director
• the coordinator in charge of safety
• the head of the medical team
• the person in charge of the checkpoint of the area concerned
• any other competent person designated by the president or by the organising committee.

The jury is authorised to rule, within a period of time compatible with the requirements of the race, on all contentious issues or disqualifications that may take place during the race. The jury’s decisions are final.

CHANGES TO THE ROUTE OR TO THE DEADLINE TIMES - CANCELLATION OF THE RACE

The race organisers reserve the right to make changes, at any time and without prior warning, to the race route or the location of the rescue and refreshment points.
In the event of unfavourable weather conditions (strong depression with heavy rain and snow at high altitude, major risk of storms…) the start may be delayed for a maximum of two hours, after which the race will be cancelled.

If necessary, the organisers may remove or make changes to some stretches of the route.

INSURANCE
The organisation has taken out civil liability insurance for the duration of the race.
Runners are fully responsible for their participation in the race and undertake to make no claims of liability against the organisation in the event of damage or other consequences that may derive from their participation in the race.
Upon completion of the online race entry form, participants must sign a legal liability disclaimer.

ROAD BOOK

A description of the route is may be downloaded from the website www.tordesgeants.it on the ROUTE page. This route map includes all the practical information required, such as checkpoint deadline times, refreshment points, rescue points, first aid points, as well as access points for those accompanying runners.

RANKINGS AND PRIZES
The winner will be the runner who reaches the finishing line in Courmayeur in the shortest time possible.

The ranking drawn up at the checkpoint nearest the finishing line will be held as valid.

Each base reached along the way will be considered an achievement, and each runner will receive credit for these achievements.

No money prizes will be awarded.
Each runner who completes the race will receive a “finisher” prize.
An overall ranking for men and women will be drawn up, as well as individual rankings for each male and female category.

Prizes will be awarded to the first five men and the first five women in the general ranking, and to the first three finishers in each category.

IMAGE RIGHTS
Each runner expressly foregoes any claim to image rights on pictures taken during the race and authorises the organisation and its partners to use said images.