TRAIL DES DENTS DU MIDi /// REGULATIONS DDM TRAIL
CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION:
DOWNLOAD THE PDF
For the complete regulations, please download the PDF.
To participate, it is essential that race participants:
- are fully aware of the length and difficulty of the event and have prepared for it accordingly.
- have acquired, prior to the race, experience in mountain safety and a level of autonomy with will allow them to manage the challenges and problems which may arise during this event. This should include:
- the ability to cope with extremely challenging alpine & weather conditions, including altitude, darkness, night, wind, cold, fog, rain and/or snow without assistance.
- the ability to manage the physical and/or mental challenges resulting from severe fatigue, digestive issues, muscular or joint pains, and possible injuries, without assistance.
- understand that it is not the role or responsibility of the organization to help participants manage their problems and that for a challenging alpine activity such as this Trail, the participant’s safety depends on their own ability to adapt to challenges encountered en route.
All DDM trail races are open to any person, male or female, at least 18 years old on the day of the race, or 16 and 17 years old with a signed parental release form.
The DDM Junior is open to participants ages 11 to 17.
The DDM Kids is open to particiapnts as soon as they can walk, up to age 10. (Online registration age 4 and up, younger children must be registered on-site)
Each participant declares that he or she understands and accepts these rules.
SEMI-AUTONOMY
The principle of semi-autonomy is a central premise of the DDM Trail Race. Semi-autonomy is defined as the ability to be autonomous between aid stations, in terms of food, clothing and safety equipment. In particular, this includes the ability to manage any challenges which may arise, such as environmental issues, injury, and/or darkness.
This principle is the foundation for the following rules:
- Each participant must carry on their person, for the duration of the race, a complete set of the mandatory equipment (see paragraph entitled EQUIPMENT). The participant should carry this material in their race vest during bib pickup and may not exchange or leave mandatory equipment along the course. At any time during the race, race marshals may check participant race vests and their contents. The participant is obliged to submit to these checks with cordiality, under penalty of removal from the race.
- Aid stations are supplied with drinks and food for consumption on the spot. The organization provides water for filling flasks or hydration bladders. The participant must make sure that they have enough water and food when leaving an aid station to reach the next aid station.
CONDITIONS OF REGISTRATION
Your participation in the DDM Trail implies unreserved acceptance of these rules.
REGISTRATION
Registration opens on December 1st for the following race.
Registrations can be made on MSO live or via the event website: www.ddmtrail.ch
The registration fee includes participation in the race, race souvenir, finisher prize, and a meal available at the race finish.
CANCELLATION OF REGISTRATION
Any cancellation of registration must be done through the MSO account. Only athletes who have subscribed to the Cancellation Insurance offered during the registration process under MSO will be refunded.
EQUIPMENT
To participate in the DDM race events, a mandatory gear kit is required. It is important to note that this is a minimum requirement for each race participant. We encourage you to consider taking additional clothing and equipment based on your personal abilities and experience.
We encourage you to not choose the lightest possible clothing in order to save a few ounces of weight, but to choose clothes that will provide good protection in the mountains against the cold, wind, and/or snow. Choose safety over performance!
Mandatory and/or recommended Equipment:
- Refer to the Roadbook, which is published about 1 month before the race.
The organization reserves the right to modify the mandatory equipment according to weather conditions. The final list will be communicated on the website and the FB page.
RACE BIBS
Each bib is given individually to each trailer on presentation of:
- A photo identity document
The race bib must be worn on the chest or belly and must be visible at all times throughout the race. It must therefore always be positioned above all clothing and may under no circumstances be attached to the bag or a leg. Sponsors’ names and logos must never be altered or hidden. The bib is your pass for shuttles, supply areas, infirmaries, rest rooms, showers, and bag drop-off or collection areas. If a participant abandons the race, the bib will be deactivated. It will never be confiscated, except for rare cases when a participant refuses to comply with race officials.
SAFETY AND MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
First aid stations are located at various points along the routes. A medical team will be present throughout the events in Champéry, Vérossaz and Salanfe. The first aid stations are intended to aid any person in danger using the organisation’s own resources or those agreed upon.
It is the responsibility of a runner in difficulty or seriously injured to request help:
- by reporting to a first-aid station
- by phoning the medical team
It is the responsibility of each runner to assist any person in danger and to warn the rescuers.
Don’t forget that hazards of all kinds, related to the environment and the race, mean that a participant might have to wait for help longer than expected. Your safety will then depend on the quality of what you put in your bag.
A runner who requests assistance from a doctor or first-aid attendant submits to their authority and is required to accept the medical professional’s decision.
First-aid attendants and official doctors are authorised:
- to disqualify (by invalidating the bib) any competitor unable to continue the race,
- to evacuate (by any means at their convenience) any runner they deem to be in danger,
- to admit to hospital (at their convenience) any runner whose state of health so requires.
The costs resulting from the use of emergency rescue or evacuation shall be borne by the person rescued. The person rescued shall also be responsible for any costs incurred by their return home from the place they are evacuated to. It is the sole responsibility of the runner to prepare and submit a file to their personal insurance within the appropriate time frame.
If you are unable to reach the medical team, you can call the emergency services directly (especially if you are in an ’emergency only’ area).
144
Any runner who voluntarily deviates from the marked path is no longer under the responsibility of the organization.
CONTROL POSTS AND FOOD SUPPLY STATIONS
Each runner will be provided with a bib with an electronic chip. Runners who are not permanently in possession of their chips will be penalized.
A check is carried out on arrival at any first aid or supply station.
Unannounced checkpoints will be set up at places other than first aid and supply station. Their locations are not communicated by the organization.
Only runners wearing a visible and duly controlled race bib have access to the supply stations.
Any runner seen littering on the course will be disqualified.
Refuse bins are placed at each supply station and must be used. No cups will be provided at the refreshment station, each runner must carry and use their own cup.
MAXIMUM TIME ALLOWED AND TIME BARRIERS
The time barriers are as follows:
- 01 :00 pm in Vérossaz
- 04 :00 pm in Salanfe
- 09 :00 pm in Champéry
The last start times (time barriers) of the main checkpoints are announced and can be found in the race roadbook.
These time barriers are calculated to allow participants to reach the finish in the maximum time imposed, including necessary stops (rest, meals…). To be allowed to continue the race, competitors must leave the checkpoint before the time limit (regardless of the time of arrival at the checkpoint).
Any competitor excluded from the race who wishes to continue the course may do so only after having surrendered the race bib. The participant may then continue under their own responsibility and in complete autonomy.
In case of bad weather conditions and/or for safety reasons, the organisation reserves the right to stop the race in progress or to modify the time barriers.
ARRIVAL
Upon arrival, you will receive your finisher gift.
A meal is also offered to all participants at the arrival site.
RANKINGS AND AWARDS
For each race, a general classification for men and women and a classification for each category of men and women are established:
The top 3 in each category receive a podium prize.
ABANDON AND REPATRIATION
Except in case of injury, a runner must not withdraw elsewhere than at a checkpoint. The participant must inform the person in charge of the checkpoint, who definitively invalidates the race bib.
The runner may keep the disactivated bib, as it serves as the pass to access the shuttles, buses, meals, treatment rooms, etc.
Repatriation will be decided with the head of the checkpoint, according to the following general rules:
- Runners who abandon at a rescue or supply station but whose state of health does not require evacuation must return as quickly as possible and by their own means to the nearest point of repatriation.
- With regard to supply or emergency stations accessible by car or 4×4:
o when the checkpoint closes, the organisation may, within the means available, repatriate runners who have abandoned and are still present at the checkpoint
o in the event of unfavourable weather conditions justifying the partial or total stop of the race, the organisation shall ensure the repatriation of the runners as quickly as possible
In the event of abandonment before a checkpoint, it is imperative to return to the previous checkpoint and report the abandonment to the head of that checkpoint. If the runner meets the closers on the way back, the closers may disactivate the race bib. The runner is then no longer under the control of the organization.
MODIFICATIONS OF THE COURSE OR TIME BARRIERS; CANCELLATION OF THE RACE
The organisation reserves the right to modify the race route and/or the locations of the first aid and supply stations, at any time and without notice. In case of unfavourable weather conditions (heavy rain and snow at altitude, high risk of storms…) the start can be postponed for a maximum of a few hours. Beyond that, the race will be cancelled.
In case of force majeure (in particular in case of extreme weather conditions and for safety reasons), the organisation reserves the right to stop the race in progress or to modify the time barriers.
In the event of cancellation of an event, for any reason whatsoever, decided more than 15 days before the date of departure, a partial refund of registration fees will be made. The amount of this reimbursement will be calculated to enable the organisation to meet all irrecoverable costs incurred at the date of cancellation. In case of cancellation decided less than 15 days before the start or in case of interruption of the race, for any reason whatsoever, no refund will be made.
INSURANCE
Civil Liability
The organiser shall take out civil liability insurance for the duration of the event. This civil liability insurance guarantees the financial consequences of its liability, that of its employees and participants.
The Trail des Dents du Midi association ensures the safety of its participants (runners, volunteers and all persons having a close or distant relationship with the association) and takes all necessary measures to achieve this objective. It takes concrete measures in consultation with the owners of the mountain pastures to ensure safety, but declines any responsibility in the event of non-compliance with instructions and distances relative to livestock.
Private Insurance (Accident)
Each competitor must be in possession of private accident insurance which explicitly covers search, rescue, and evacuation costs. Such insurance can be subscribed to with any organisation of the participant’s choice.
REGULATION CHANGES
The organization reserves the right to modify these rules at any time and without noticeRegistration opens on December 1 for the following race.
Registrations can be made on MSO live or via the event website: www.ddmtrail.ch