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The Rules

Due to the dangerous conditions of the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra it is an absolute must that you carefully read and follow all the rules. You need to be aware of all risks involved when participating in a race like this. You are doing it at your own risk.

Rules can only prevent problems to a certain extent. It will be your responsibility to take the warning very seriously and prepare yourself for the challenge ahead of you.

The Rules (last updated March 29th, 2024):

1.

Every athlete must sign the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra waiver.

2.

Every athlete must have English speaking skills, sufficient to follow a briefing in English and to understand the information contained in this website and the Application & Waiver.

3.

The mode of transportation (foot, xc-ski or mountain bike) must be kept for the entire distance.

4.

Athletes must sign in and out at each checkpoint. Please note that this does not affect the overall timing. We start the clock in Överkalix and we stop it when the athlete finishes the race. The time that is spent at a checkpoint is part of the overall time.

5.

185 and 500 km athletes who arrive at Laxforsberget checkpoint sweating more than they should and/or totally exhausted will have to stay/rest at the checkpoint for 4 hours. The decision is taken by the Race Director or crew. All other checkpoints also have the right to stop athletes who arrive and show signs of poor management of their clothing layers.

6.

No outside assistance to advance up or down the trail.

7.

It is the athlete’s responsibility to take along all gear necessary for a safe race, e.g. sufficient clothing for all weather conditions. It is also the athlete’s responsibility to make sure all clothing and gear is functioning.

The following gear is mandatory for the 185 and 500 km races:

  • 2x head torch
  • Red flashing light (for attachment on back of sled, bike or backpack)
  • Spare batteries
  • Outdoor matches in waterproof container
  • Fire starter (paste or similar – to help you start your wood fire quickly)
  • Winter sleeping mat with an R-value of at least 4.5
  • Closed-cell foam pad
  • Sleeping bag rated down to a comfort limit of -35 or lower (EN 13537)
  • Expedition down jacket with at least 350 g down fill (size large)
  • Waterproof jacket and pants
  • Bivouac bag or tent
  • Emergency whistle
  • Compass
  • Personal first aid kit including blister dressings, space blanket, chemical heatpads, anti-nausea pills, anti-diarrhoea pills, vaseline or similar, anti-bacterial agent (to stop or prevent infections), dressings for cuts
  • Expedition type multi-fuel stove (e.g. SOTO Stormbreaker) and fuel to melt snow and prepare meals
  • 1 pot (with at least 1 litre volume), 1 cup and bowl with spoon
  • Enough emergency food provisions to last 48 hours
  • Small saw
  • Vaccuum insulated stainless steel bottles with total volume of at least 2 litres; plus insulated water bladder or insulated bottle(s) with total volume of at least 1 litre
  • Garmin inReach (check FAQ for more information)
  • Traction device (e.g. Kahtoola MICROspikes or EXOspikes)
  • Snowshoes (only foot athletes)

Not having mandatory gear will result in disqualification. Athletes who forget essential gear (e.g. insulation layers, thermos, etc.) at a checkpoint, will get a time penalty of 6 hours per item. This also goes for equipment that is lost on the trail.

The following gear is mandatory for the 20 and 50 km races:

  • Backpack (to store below)
  • Warm underwear
  • Winter tight
  • Long sleeve shirt
  • Warm midlayer
  • Insulated jacket (down or synthetic)
  • Shell jacket
  • Hat
  • Thin gloves and thick gloves
  • Wintersport socks
  • Sun glasses or goggles
  • Cell phone
  • Shoes with spikes or traction device (e.g. Kahtoola MICROspikes or EXOspikes) – athletes on foot only
  • Mitts (50 km only)
  • Head torch (50 km only)
  • One pair of chemical heat packs for each hands and feet (50 km only)
  • Snacks for emergencies (50 km only)
  • Emergency whistle and blanket (50 km only)
  • Thermos, insulated bottle or bladder (1 litre for 20 km and minimum 1.5 litres for 50 km)

8.

The racers must carry all their mandatory gear the whole distance. The 50, 185 and 500 km athletes may deposit non-mandatory gear in their drop bags.

9.

No littering. Racers must not leave anything behind on the trail. No gear, no trash or anything else. Athletes must mark all their food items with their race bibb number. Random checks may be done any time during the race.

Athletes who need to poo or pee are asked to do so off the trail. Toilet paper either needs to be transported out or burned by the athlete.

Failure to comply with this rule results in immediate disqualification.

10.

The race officials have the right to remove or disqualify a racer at any time during the event. Possible reasons may be: the physical condition of the racer, insufficient gear, littering, cheating.

11.

Drop Bags: 500 km racers can give us a drop that will be available at Jockfall, Lansjärv, Nattavaara and then Överkalix (finish line) again. Drop bags may have a maximum weight of 20 kg. Athletes in the 185 km race can give us a drop bag for Jockfall.

When not needed anymore or if an athlete drops out, the bag will be brought to the Överkalix checkpoint as soon as possible. Athletes who scratch and change their flights risk not getting their drop bag back in time. Please check with Race Headquarter on timings. Should it be necessary to ship your drop bag to your home address, this service will be invoiced at cost. Drop bags can be handed in at Jockfall Restaurant on March 1st from 17:00 to 22:00.

20 and 50 km athletes can hand in a drop bag (just before the start at the start line) for the 20 km aid station/finish. 50 km athletes can hand in a second drop bag for the finish.

The bags need to be packed well and CLEARLY marked with name and bib number.

12.

Time limits: 50 km racers must reach Jockfall within 14 hours. 185 km racers must reach the finish in Överkalix within 4 days. 500 km mile racers must reach the finish in Överkalix within 10 days.

Should an athlete be too slow to reach his/her finish line, the race director has got the right to withdraw him/her from the event. Any additional costs that will be caused by this evacuation will have to be paid by the racer.

13.

If it is safe for us and the respective athlete to evacuate her/him off the course with a snowmobile, we will do so. There is no charge for the snowmobile transport. However, the athlete will have to pay for any subsequent transport by car – cost will depend on distance from exit point to Överkalix.

If specialists are required for the evacuation by snowmobile or by any other means of transportation these costs will have to be covered by the racer.

14.

Athletes need to have an insurance that covers any evacuation costs by local authorities and subsequent medical treatment and transportation, including operations and extended stays in the local or any other hospital. Should a participant fail to provide the required confirmation, a participation in the race is not possible. The cancellation fees as per Application & Waiver apply.

The race organiser will not verify the small print of any insurance information provided. It is the obligation of the athlete to verify that his/her insurance does not exclude sport events like the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra and its sports disciplines.

15.

There will be medical advisors for the event. If conditions become absolutely life threatening due to storms and/or extreme cold these advisors may stop the race at any time. Athletes will then have to stop at the nearest checkpoint. Should it be impossible to restart the race, or should an athlete have to quit because of booked flights back home, this will be treated like an evacuation.

16.

Road and trail use: Follow state road laws while on roads (e.g. stay on the right, look before crossing roads, etc.). Please yield the trail to motorized vehicles and any dog teams. Pull off the trail if you stop for repairs, change clothes, etc.

ATHLETES WHO TRAVEL ON THE ROAD RATHER THAN ON THE DESIGNATED TRAIL WILL BE IMMEDIATELY DISQUALIFIED!

17.

Sleeping between Checkpoints: If athletes know they are going to bivy (sleep) in between checkpoints they have to tell the crew that they intend to do so.

Athletes need to bivy just off the main trail, but still in sight of the trail, so other racers and our snowmobile guides can see them.

When athletes are starting their bivy time they need to message us (Race Headquarter) via their Garmin inReach, phone or email. Failure to do so can result in serious time penalties. Repeated failure to do so will result in disqualification.

18.

Teams must arrive at the checkpoints and finish complete and at the same time. Should 1 or 2 team members have to be evacuated the rest of the team will become part of the individual racer’s category.

19.

For the 185 and 500 km distances only experienced winter athletes will be accepted. If you have no prior experience with extreme cold weather conditions, we require you to participate in a winter survival course which will teach you essential skills for the race.

20.

Medical certificate: For the 185 and 500 km athletes, this certificate needs to state that you are fit to take part in an endurance race in arctic conditions. In addition to the certificate, each athlete has to fill in a medical form.

21.

Food: We serve 1 hot meal upon the arrival of the athlete at each checkpoint. 20 km and 50 km athletes get snacks at their aid stations. There are no hot meals guaranteed at the finish line.

Athletes in the 185 and 500 km race must have sufficient emergency food for 2 days. Also, we recommend taking along several meals and snacks to eat between checkpoints. Experience has shown that an athlete’s body needs more food than what we possibly can serve with one meal at a checkpoint. It has happened that athletes run out of food between checkpoints. This is a reason for disqualification!

Ultra athletes are allowed to buy food at checkpoints with restaurants or supermarkets.

Water: All checkpoints provide hot water. However, at remote checkpoints it may be impossible to serve the requested quantities at all times. In that case the athlete has to wait until enough hot water is available again or use his/her own stove to melt snow. At remote checkpoints it can also not be guaranteed that the water handed out is always boiling hot.

Athletes in the 185 and 500 km races do need to leave each checkpoint with at least 3 litres of water. Depending on the respective distance that will be covered, 3 litres may not be enough. So, either the athlete takes more water or is prepared to stop and melt snow out on the trail.

Athletes in the 20 and 50 km races get a hot drink and snacks at their aid stations. At Laxforsberget Checkpoint the 50 km athletes can also eat a warm meal.

Not eating and not hydrating enough, seriously increases the risk of hypothermia and frostbite!

22.

Fatbike athletes need to cope with any mechanical problems themselves. Should outside assistance at a checkpoint be necessary we will try to help solve the problem. Any time that is lost while help is being organized will not be credited. Also, time penalties will apply. The extent of the time penalty will depend on the support given.

23.

If applicable, athletes agree to follow any Covid-19 related rules set out by the race organization and Swedish authorities.

24.

Athletes in the 185 and 500 km races must familiarize themselves with the topic of hypothermia and frostbite – how to avoid it, how to recognise it and how to treat it. One way to do so is the online BICO tutorials which is an awareness and educational program about hypothermia and cold injuries. Other options are to read a book on about it or find sources of information online – in tutorials, videos, etc.