WARNING & RULES
Ultra Thai Chiang Mai is neither a marathon nor ordinary trail race.
UTCM is an extreme race which takes place in open country, in mountainous terrain, far from networks (roads, telecommunications...) with tropical conditions. Security is everybody’s affair. We as organizers must keep you informed and give you the tools which will help to ensure your safety. Even the best runners are not sheltered from injury which may immobilize them during the night, with high humidity or rain in the midst of the mountains. Here are some advices to make your race a success; the first objective of UTCM is to be finisher first.
Environment & Weather
Anticipate the cold (at night) as well as extreme heat
Don't wait to shiver before covering yourself up
Don't change in full wind: anticipate or wait to be sheltered
Protect yourself against the sun
Drink a lot, but not overly much
Advice along the route
Do not stop at high points
Do not stop in the middle of the jungle
Stay on the paths
Check your route
If you lose sight of the way-markers: turn round and go back to the previous marker
Equipment
Your safety depends upon the quality of that which you have in your pack. The obligatory equipment is explained in the regulations and in the preparation section. The recommended equipment is to help make your race easier. It’s very important to have everything in function.
Eating & Drinking
Hydration and energizing snacks must be adapted to the meteorological conditions and enriched in salt throughout the effort. It’s a key point of success to manage your own food during the race. There will be 13 refreshments stations (every 10-15k) on the track. You will also find water in shops in some villages or directly from rivers (with Micropure pills). Always plan efficiently in advance your reserve of water.
Fatigue & Vigilance
Fatigue and the lack of vigilance can be the cause of an accident. It is very dangerous to stop and sleep alone in open country especially in the jungle. Reach the next refreshment posts with better and safer conditions to make a rest. Run within your limits (above all over the first part) keeping your energy for the nights and the last part. Difficult situations may arise such as a sudden change of weather conditions or at night.
Marking & Reference points
The route will be marked with UTCM orange ribbons, arrows and crosses. There will be marshalls at some difficult points. Be attentive. Check the way at every crossing. With fatigue you can make mistakes or animals can remove some marks. If you don’t see any marks after 20 minutes, turn around and go to the previous one. Check also the reference point ‘signs’ all along the race route, spaced around every 30 minutes at the slower runners’ pace. Tell the race organisers the last sign that you have passed to help rescuers find the location.
DNF & Repatriation
It is forbidden to DNF between check points. If you decide to abandon the race, you can do it only at an organized official check point. They are with a distance of 10-15k maximum. Each runner has to evaluate his own level of fatigue at each CP before taking the decision to continue. They couldn’t claim to be repatriated if they stop outside a check point. Repatriation to Chiang Mai will be organized as follows. Repatriation is organized by the race organization as soon as there are 4 DNF runners at a CP or the race’s time limit is over. If a runner wants to be repatriated earlier, he can do it at his own cost (between THB 500 and 1000) if it’s possible.
OBLIGATORY INDIVIDUAL INSURANCE
Each runner has to be in ownership of individual accident insurance covering possible expenses of search and rescue in Thailand. Such insurance may be taken out with any agent of your choice.
ALERT IN AN EMERGENCY
ATTENTION!
It is obligatory that you do not leave a person who is in difficulty alone.
It is obligatory to have with you a mobile phone with international or local roaming and the emergency number registered. To save battery, think about de-activating certain options.
It is obligatory to have with you the emergency kit that is given in the runner bag.
It is highly recommended to have a tracking GPS device with the UTCM GPX track registered. To have battery during the whole race, think about finding the best adjustments and an extra battery.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY
If you or another competitor are immobilized:
Call the race HQ emergency number
Give your position and reference point
Explain simply the situation
If you are in difficulty and telephone network is unavailable:
Wait for another runner and try to find an area where network is available together
Wait for a third runner and ask to alert the closest member of the organization
Stay with the second runner until the rescue team arrives
Remember: Assisting an injured runner in difficulty is an absolute must.
QUALIFYING RACES
To take part in UTCM Ultra Trail,
runners must have finished two 100K trail races;
or have collected 6 UTMB points;
in the last two years (results from November 2013 to November 2015).
To take part in UTCM Stage race,
runners must have finished two 50K trail races;
or have collected 3 UTMB points;
in the last two years (results from November 2013 to November 2015).
PRECISION
- Only trail races can be qualifying races. For the definition of a trail race see Definition of Trail Running by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA).
- The organisation takes into account each individual’s result (relay or team event included).
- Road races, triathlons, multi-sport races and orienteering races are not subjects of qualifying races for UTCM.
- If you have abandoned during a race, there is no way that this race can be taken into account.
- All the qualifying races used by runners to finalise their registration (communicated at this time or later) are verified.
- In the case of an inexact declaration of qualifying races, not conforming to the regulations or untrue, the organisation reserves the right to cancel the registration without refunding fees paid.
ECO RESPONSIBILITY
The activity, trail-running, takes place in open country, in contact to the flora and fauna and in exceptional landscapes. This environment is fragile; each trail-runner must respect it and participate in its conservation. UTCM route crosses two national parks and one wildlife sanctuary. We are counting on you to adopt a responsible attitude and encourage those accompanying you share it.
It is strictly prohibited to leave litter in the nature. Any runner seen throwing his rubbish on the course will be automatically disqualified. All your rubbish during the race must be put in to the UTCM small pouch which will be given to you with your race-bib; don't forget to empty it periodically in the rubbish bins provided for this at the refreshment posts.
No paper handkerchiefs, no soiled toilet paper along the race route. Each runner will receive, along with his race-bib, 2 plastic bags in which to transport their soiled tissues and toilet paper to the next rubbish-bin.
We recommend each participant to have their own beaker to reduce disposable beakers use.
ETHICAL CHARTER
Equity, respect for other people and the environment, mutual aid and solidarity are the fundamental principles directing the organisation and the running of Ultra Thai Chiang Mai. We wish to share these principles with all runners, partners, volunteers, spectators, local inhabitants and organisers of other races. These are inspired directly from the Ethical Charter values put forward by the International Trail Running Association (ITRA) amongst which we find authenticity, respect, humility and fair play.
