The rules of the sports competition outline the behaviors, ethics, relationships, rights and duties that the competitor undertakes to respect. Anyone who participates as a competitor, organizer, volunteer, sponsor, patron or in any other capacity, undertakes to comply with these regulations, which are signed at the time of registration.

The event hosts the IUTA 2024 Italian Championship of MEDIUM ULTRA TRAIL (absolute and category) and a test of the GRAND PRIX IUTA 2024 circuit of ULTRATRAIL, both reserved for IUTA 2024 members.

The organizer in charge of the event is the amateur association TRAIL MOUNTAIN ASD, which is based in Courmayeur (AO) which is based in via De La Chapelle 28, Verrand (Prè Saint Didier- AO).

You can contact the organization by phone at +39 335 7049051 or by email at trailmountainasd@gmail.com

The event is organized under the patronage of the Municipality of Courmayeur and in collaboration with other associations in the area.

THE BATTALION TRAIL is organized by TRAIL MOUNTAIN ASD, under the patronage of the municipality of Courmayeur and in collaboration with local institutions, sponsors and partners.

The competitors, volunteers, the organization and its partners share the same principles and values:

FAIRNESS

Rules designed for everyone, applied identically to everyone and valid for everyone

RESPECT FOR PEOPLE

• Respect for oneself and others

• Respect for volunteers

• Respect for the local population

• Respect for the organization and its partners

RESPECT FOR NATURE

• Respect the environment and don't throw anything in the way

• Respect the fauna and flora

• Do not cut the paths because it causes soil erosion

• Prioritise, for yourself and your companions, the use of public transport and car sharing

THE BATTALION TRAIL adheres to the campaign: "I DON'T THROW MY WASTE", promoted by Spirito Trail and aimed at all trailers, athletes and organizers, to protect the environment and nature.

PATH

Departure from the private square of the RENTAL SKI 4810 restaurant. Take Via Delle FORGES in the direction of La Villette. After about 100 meters you enter Via Dello Stadio, at the bridge over the Dora Baltea turn left into Via Val Veny towards Larzey, turn right downhill for about a hundred meters until you cross the Dira Baltea and start climbing again up to the Larzey Entreves municipal road.

Head towards Entreves for around 1km, turn left onto Via Padri Somaschi. After 200 meters turn right on the pavement that runs along the state road to the tunnel of M. BIANCO, keep to the right passing through a farm road, you reach an underpass that leads to the square of the Val Veny cable car from where the path that leads to the Pavillon del Mont Frety begins.

From the Pavillon you climb along a predominantly rocky path, with a surge of 1200 meters in altitude, until you reach the Torino Vecchio Refuge.

In the final stretch, the competitors will pass through the Torino Vecchio Refuge, and with a short climb they will reach the Torino Nuovo Refuge and then climb a small piece of ridge, until they reach Punta Helbronner 3466m.

DEPARTURE

Collective start on Saturday 3 August 2024 at 7:00 am from Courmayeur, in via delle Forges 3 (4810 Courmayeur).

The competitor must arrive at least 15 minutes before the start to be registered. Once the competitor is confirmed at the start, he/she must remain within the "starting area" space specifically delimited by the organization and will not be able to leave it until the start (except in cases of overt necessity).

The athlete who is not validated will be "not started" and will not be included among the finishers.

MAXIMUM TIME

The maximum time of the race, to be included in the ranking, is set at 4 hours and 30 minutes with arrival at Punta Helbronner by 11:30 am.

In case of bad weather conditions and/or for safety reasons, the organization reserves the right to suspend or cancel the current race, to change the scheduled times or to recover the race the following day.

TIME GATES

There will be a time gate at 9:00 a.m. at the Pavillon.

Those who do not pass through the time gate will be stopped at the Pavillon.

VERTICAL VK2 it is open to everyone, men and women, who are 18 years old at the time of registration (categories from seniors to veterans), members or not, obligation to DELIVER the competitive medical certificate for SPORTS ACTIVITY during the year.

To participate, it is essential to:

• the possession of a sports medical certificate for competitive activity (D.M. 18.02.1982 tab. B) valid on the date of the race. Self-certification is not allowed (art.5 of the C.C. "Acts of disposition of one's own body") nor declaration of healthy and robust physical constitution issued by one's doctor.

• Be fully aware of the length and specificity of the race and be perfectly prepared.

• have acquired, before the race, a real capacity for personal autonomy in the mountains (NB: participation in other races is useful to acquire this experience, but it is not necessarily sufficient) to be able to better manage the problems related to this type of test

• be able to cope alone, without help, with climatic conditions that could become difficult due to the altitude (night, wind, cold, fog, rain or snow)

• be able to manage, even if you are isolated, physical or psychological problems due to great fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, muscle or joint pain, small wounds

• be aware that the role of the Organization is not to help a competitor to manage these problems and, for mountain running, safety depends on the ability of the individual to adapt to the problems encountered or foreseeable.

• Pets are not allowed.

Water and refreshment points are places where you can stock up on water and food. The points are:

• Pavillon – water and food

• Mule hut – water only

• Rifugio Torino Vecchio – water only

Each athlete must make sure they have the amount of water and food necessary to get to the finish line and to transit from one refreshment point to the next.

By registering, each participant undertakes to carry all the mandatory equipment listed below throughout the race, under penalty of disqualification (random checks will be possible along the route):

• Shoes suitable for competition and type of terrain, suitable for grip and firm to the foot (laced)

• Clothing suitable and worn for the entire race

• Windproof jacket

• Homologated helmet (see below)

• Crampons with spikes (more information will be provided during the briefing)

Recommended material:

• Backpack or fanny pack

• Water reserve (minimum 500cc) and food (minimum 2 bars or similar)

• Personal tumbler

• Spare clothing and waterproof technical jacket

• Survival heat blanket

• Mobile phone (enter the organization's emergency number, do not mask the number and leave with a charged battery)

• Whistle

• Sticks

Permitted equipment: stopwatch, altimeter, heart rate monitor

The use of poles is optional. It is mandatory to leave the poles at the PAVILLON.

HELMET

The UIAA (Union Internationale des Associations d'Alpinisme) approved helmet is mandatory for the Vertical Courmayeur Mont Blanc K2000. The organization took this decision in agreement with the Race Director and the Rescue Manager, following various inspections.

So all athletes will be able to:
– hand in the helmet together with the athlete bag, and pick it up at the Pavillon in the area of the pole deposit to be worn

or

– hand over the helmet to a contact person, retrieve it once you arrive at the pavillon, by the volunteers. Each helmet will have the number corresponding to its bib.

Helmets are mandatory from fixed ropes onwards. No one will be able to proceed without a helmet. Anyone who arrives at the HIGH PYLON/MULE HUT fixed ropes area without a helmet will be disqualified and will not be able to proceed further.

Athletes who arrive at the finish line in Punta HELBRONNER wearing non-approved helmets (e.g. bike helmets) will be disqualified from the race.

STICKS

They can be used up to PAVILLON. Athletes who arrive at this point will abandon their poles to the volunteers. It will be the responsibility of the organization to recover them and return them to the athlete once the race is over. To collect your poles, it is MANDATORY to apply the sticker/tag of the bib number corresponding to the race number.

The sticks can also be left with a person you trust. Or they can be folded up and stored in your backpack.

In case of loss of the poles, the organization will not be held responsible.

At the time of registration for VERTICAL TRAIL COURMAYEUR MONT BLANC VK2 it is mandatory to fill in, sign and send the release document to the Organization

The registration fee is 50€.

The registration fee includes

• PASTA PARTY which will be held at the Refuge Restaurant PAVILLON in the outdoor area
• PECTORAL
• TECHNICAL GADGET
• DESCENT BY SKYWAY CABLE CAR
• DISCOUNT FOR ASCENT AND DESCENT BY CABLE CAR FOR 1 COMPANION
• TRANSPORT OF BAGS OR OTHER MATERIAL TO HELBRONNER POINT
• POLE RETRIEVAL
• FINISHER AWARD
• BEER
• DISCOUNTS OFFERED BY SPONSORS

HOW TO REGISTER

Registration opens on December 15, 2022.

In the event that the registered competitor does not provide the sports medical certificate in time for the race, he/she will not be able to take part in the competition and the registration fee will not be refunded. Certificates and waivers are accepted until the bib is collected. Registrations will close on 26 July 2023 at 24:00 or when the maximum number of competitors (400) is reached.

By subscribing to participate in the VERTICAL VK2, the competitor confirms the unreserved acknowledgement, understanding and acceptance of these regulations and the ethics of the race.

The Organization will make known the decisions relating to any variation of these regulations, modification of the route, time gates and safety rules. The BRIEFING will be held on Saturday, August 3, 2024 at 6:45 a.m. in via delle Forges 3 (4810 Courmayeur).

Until June 30th, the competitor, as long as he is up to date with the payment and the documents (registration form, release and medical certificate), can exercise the right to change bibs.

In case of cancellation of the event due to causes attributable to the health crisis of the moment or adverse weather conditions unsuitable for the races, the fee paid at the time of registration will be reimbursed with a deduction of 10 euros for expenses incurred by the organization for the realization of the event.

By accepting the terms and conditions, you accept this clause and expressly waive the right to change your mind.

The bib collection will take place on Friday 2 August 2024 from 15:00 to 20:00 at the square of the Palazzetto dello Sport in via delle Forges 3 (4810 Courmayeur), Saturday 3 August 2024 (also via delle Forges 3) from 5:00 to 6:15 and Saturday afternoon from 15:00 to 20:00, Sunday 4 August 2024 from 3:30 to 4:30.

Bibs will be given individually to each competitor upon presentation of a photo ID.

The bib must be worn over clothing and be fully visible at all times throughout the race

The bib is the pass necessary to access all the areas reserved for the race.

ENVELOPE CONTENTS:

• PECTORAL

• BROOCHES

• TRACKER

• VOUCHERS FOR FINAL REFRESHMENT

• BEER VOUCHER

• DISCOUNT AT THE CABLE CAR

• ROAD BOOK

RUNNER BAGS

The material of each competitor (change of clothes) must be left in the personal backpack with an identification plate bearing the bib number; The backpack can be deposited at the bib distribution by 4:45 a.m. on Sunday, August 4, 2024.

The first aid stations are intended to bring assistance to all people in danger or difficulty, with qualified rescuers. In case of need, for reasons that are in the interest of the rescued person, and solely and exclusively in the opinion of the Organization, the official mountain rescue will be called upon, which will take over the direction of the operations and will deploy all appropriate means, including the helicopter. Any expenses arising from the use of these exceptional means will be borne by the rescued person in accordance with the regulations in force.

A competitor who requires the intervention of a doctor or rescuer effectively submits to his authority and undertakes to respect his decisions.

In case of bad weather conditions and/or for safety reasons, the Organization reserves the right to suspend or cancel the race in progress or to modify the scheduled times and the route.

Personal assistance is allowed only and exclusively near the refreshment points in the spaces defined by the organization.

Any kind of assistance or passage of materials/drinks/nutrition/clothing along the race course is prohibited.

The route will be clearly marked with flags, signs, signals or other indicators in order to avoid unauthorized detours or shortcuts and to ensure maximum safety for competitors and the public. During the briefing, the methods of signaling the route will be indicated.

CHECK POINT

Checkpoints will be set up with authorized personnel who will detect the passage of competitors by noting the bib number. Only competitors registered at each check can be included in the ranking. Athletes are therefore invited to promptly communicate the bib number if it is requested by the staff located on the route.

ABANDONMENTS AND RE-ENTRIES

In case of abandonment of the race along the route, the competitor is obliged to go to the nearest checkpoint and communicate his withdrawal. In case of failure to communicate the withdrawal and the consequent start of the competitor's searches, any expenses deriving from the searches will be charged to the competitor himself. The competitor who abandons the competition will have to return with his own means and strength.

FINISHER competitors will be included in the ranking. No cash prizes will be distributed. A general men's and women's and category rankings will be drawn up.

The awards ceremony will take place at the times set out in the official program of the event.

There will be prizes for absolute and categories according to the rules of the Tour Trail Valle d'Aosta.

The organization takes care of the return of the competitors from the arrival at Punta Helbronner and until the departure of the SkyWay cable car in Pontal d'Entrèves at the end of the race.

The return from Pontal d'Entrèves to Courmayeur will be the responsibility of each competitor.

It is advisable to organize cars among the competitors before the start, alternatively there are public transports departing from in front of the start of the SkyWay and arriving in Piazzale Monte Bianco in the center of Courmayeur, the service is for a fee

The last ride of the cable car will follow the timetable provided by the Funivie Monte Bianco SPA.

Along the route there will be staff of the Organization authorized to check the mandatory material and compliance with the entire regulations. Competitors who incur one of the following infractions will be disqualified:

• Lack of mandatory safety equipment (suitable and laced shoes, suitable clothing, windproof jacket, UIAA approved helmet and crampons with spikes)

• refusal to be checked by the staff, refusal to be examined by a doctor of the Organization

• abandonment of rubbish along the route by the competitor or his/her companions

• use of a means of transport along the route, sharing and exchanging bibs, failure to pass through a control point, doping or refusal to submit to anti-doping controls, failure to assist a competitor in difficulty, insults or threats towards a member of the Organization or a volunteer

• refusal to follow an order from the race direction, a race marshal, a doctor or a rescuer

• departure from a checkpoint after the deadline set by the time gate or stay beyond the rest time allowed at the refreshment points.

Only written complaints from competitors are accepted, submitted within 30 minutes following the publication of the provisional results, with delivery of a deposit of 50.00 euros to a TRAIL MOUNTAIN manager.

Complaints will be evaluated by a panel of judges composed of:

• by the race director

• by the security officer

• by the person in charge of the race course

• by all competent persons designated by the race director

• by the competitor and by any person authorized by him

The jury is empowered to deliberate, in a time compatible with the activities related to the race, on all disagreements or disqualifications that occur during the race. The decisions taken are without appeal and will be made public by written minutes.

In the event that the complaint is rejected, the deposit will not be returned but will be donated to a charity indicated in the report. Conversely, if the complaint is accepted, the deposit will be refunded.

The organization subscribes to a civil liability insurance for the entire period of the race and is responsible for insuring each member to ensure the protection of all runners. The cost of insurance is included in the registration fee.

Participation takes place under the complete responsibility of the competitors, who waive any recourse against the Organization in the event of damages and any further consequences that occur before and after the race, and outside it.

At the time of registration, the competitor must sign a liability waiver.

However, it is advisable for each athlete to take out a personal insurance policy for injuries and possible recovery and transport by helicopter.

Each competitor, at the time of registration, authorizes the Organization to use the data provided for the sole purpose of this event, for the publication of rankings, indication of years of birth, gender, category, race times and any other information that does not harm the sensitive data of the individual.

Authorization to send data: competitors consent in writing to the use of the electronic addresses provided (email, personal information) in order to receive event promotions, as well as for general and commercial communications from sponsors.

Image rights: each competitor expressly waives the right to use the rights relating to his image during the race, as well as renounces any recourse against the Organization and its partners/sponsors for the use made of his image.

In the event of cancellation of the race due to force majeure, the ASD TRAIL MOUNTAIN will promptly notify the participants with the relative refund of the fees and/or maintenance of the fees for the following year.

COVID PREVENTION RULES: In the weeks prior to the event, the "Covid-19 Prevention Protocol" developed by the organizers will be published, which will contain precise indications regarding the preventive measures and behaviors to be adopted, created both on the basis of the needs imposed by the event itself and by national and/or regional rules as well as the regulations of the federation to which it belongs.