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.
Every athlete must sign the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra waiver.
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.
The mode of transportation (foot, xc-ski or mountain bike) must be kept for the entire distance.
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.
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.
No outside assistance to advance up or down the trail.
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:
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:
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.
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.
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.
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.
When not needed anymore or if an athlete drops out, the bag will be brought back to the Överkalix checkpoint as soon as possible. Drop bags can be handed in at Jockfall in Överkalix on March 2nd from 17:00 to 21:00. The bags need to be packed well and CLEARLY marked with name and bib number.
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.
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.
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.
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. All participants need to proof that they have sufficient health insurance for the Montane Lapland Arctic Ultra. 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.
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.
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!
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. They 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 bivvy 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.
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.
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.
Medical certificate: For the 185 and 500 km athletes, this certificate needs to prove 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.
Food: We serve 1 hot meal upon the arrival of the athlete at each checkpoint (except for Polar Circle Cabin #2). 20 km and 50 km athletes get snacks at aid stations (details tbc.). In addition 50 km finishers get a hot meal upon arrival at Jockfall. There are no hot meals at the finish of the 185 and 500 km race.
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 filled in insulated flasks. 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 hot water at their aid stations.
Not eating and not hydrating enough, seriously increases the risk of hypothermia and frostbite!
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.
Athletes agree to follow any Covid-19 related rules set out by the race organization and Swedish authorities.
Athletes in the 185 and 500 km races must complete the BICO tutorials which is an awareness and educational program about hypothermia and cold injuries. It is free of charge and all online. Upon completion BICO will issue a pdf-Certificate. This certificate needs to be emailed to the MLAU race director at info@thegreatoutdoors.de no later than February 15th.
© 2023 MONTANE LAPLAND ARCTIC ULTRA.
