1) Instructions to support crews
125 km only
Support teams are a valuable asset for ultra-trail athletes! By assisting them at certain points along the course, they contribute to their moral support as well as the management of equipment and food.
Only participants of the 125 km race can benefit from support teams. They can be present at the following aid stations: Marmotte, Hautes-Gorges, and Split Näak.
At each aid station, a specific area is designated for support teams. Teams must be completely autonomous in terms of food, water, and equipment. They do not have access to the aid stations.
Note that it is FORBIDDEN for support team members to run any part of the course with an athlete.
Mandatory registration: Registration for the 2024 edition is open. It costs $15 per team (regardless of the number of people in the team). This is a new feature. This amount covers the cost of accreditation and the bus transportation (with luggage racks) to get to the Marmotte and Split Näak aid stations.
La Marmotte: The road to get to Marmotte is dirt and only one car wide. Additionally, a section of the road was washed away by floods, making the repair difficult to use. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to go there with your own vehicle. Last year, a medical evacuation was greatly complicated due to the excessive number of vehicles. We have therefore set up a shuttle service to get there by bus. Parking will be available at the Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs racecourse (188 RUE PRINCIPALE, SAINT-AIMÉ-DES-LACS). Teams must make their own way to the racecourse. Shuttle service will start at 1:30 PM on Friday and will run continuously between Marmotte and the racecourse every half hour until the last runner passes. Any unauthorized vehicles will be sent back to the racecourse. This is for the safety of runners and support teams.
Split Näak: This aid station is accessible on foot or by shuttle only. Any vehicles will be sent back to Mont Grand-Fonds. There is no space for vehicles, and some forest roads are used by athletes during their race. Please respect this requirement.
Hautes-Gorges: This aid station is accessible by vehicle. Teams must make their own way there. This is the station following the Marmotte aid station. Teams will take the shuttle to Marmotte, return by shuttle to the racecourse, and then take their vehicle to Hautes-Gorges.
Spaces will be designated for support teams, which must be autonomous in liquids, food, and all equipment to ensure their comfort while waiting (e.g., chairs). Support teams do not have access to the aid stations and must respect the areas assigned to them. Only runners with a visible and duly controlled bib have access to the aid stations.
It is forbidden for support team members to run any part of the course with an athlete.
2) Instructions to pacers
125 km only
Definition: a pacer is a runner who accompanies an athlete during a section of the event to provide moral support.
Pacers are allowed only in the 125 km event. They are not allowed in any other UTHC events.
An accompanying runner supports an athlete in completing a section of their race. Their role is to provide moral support to the athlete.
Accompanying runners are only allowed in the 125 km race. They are prohibited in other UTHC races.
Mandatory registration: Registration for the 2024 edition is open.
A fee of $15 is mandatory for PACER registration. This fee covers the cost of the shuttle to Marmotte, Split Näak, the bib, medical follow-up, and access to aid stations.
The accompanying runner is considered an athlete on the course. They must:
- Officially register on the race website.
- Collect their bib according to the terms set by the organization.
- Wear their bib at all times when on the course.
- Always carry the same mandatory equipment required for the athlete in their race.
- Stay with their runner at all times, except in an emergency.
- Be autonomous in terms of food, equipment, and transportation logistics. They do not have access to aid station services.
Be aware of penalties! The assistance provided by the accompanying runner must remain solely moral; otherwise, the athlete may be penalized.
Specific provisions according to sections
Section between La Marmotte and Hautes-Gorges (25.5 km)
- Pacers are allowed between the Marmotte aid station and the Hautes-Gorges aid station. They must be physically prepared to cover this distance (25.5 km, 1000 m D+, 1100 m D-).
- Pacers must make their own way to the aid station except for the Marmotte aid station. The road to Marmotte is dirt and only one car wide. Additionally, a section of the road was washed away by floods, making the repair difficult to use. Therefore, it is strictly forbidden to go there with your own vehicle. Last year, a medical evacuation was greatly complicated due to the excessive number of vehicles. We have therefore set up a shuttle service to get there by bus. Parking will be available at the Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs racecourse (188 RUE PRINCIPALE, SAINT-AIMÉ-DES-LACS). Pacers must make their own way to the racecourse and back. Shuttle service will start at 1:30 PM on Friday and will run continuously between Marmotte and the racecourse every half hour until the last runner passes. Any unauthorized vehicles will be sent back to the racecourse. This is for the safety of runners, pacers, and support teams.
- They must leave the Hautes-Gorges aid station by their own means.
- Pacers must meet their athletes at the Marmotte aid station in the designated area.
- They cannot drop out at the La Chouette aid station, except in cases of force majeure.
- They cannot go beyond the Hautes-Gorges aid station.
Section between SPLIT Näak and the finish line (15 km)
- Pacers are allowed between the SPLIT Näak aid station and the finish line. They must be physically prepared to cover this distance (approximately 15 km).
- They must make their own way to the SPLIT Näak aid station according to the instructions provided below.
- They must meet their athletes at the SPLIT Näak aid station in the designated area.
- They cannot drop out at the La Montagne Noire aid station, except in cases of force majeure.
3) Parking management and access instructions
La Marmotte aid station
Accessible only by shuttle provided by the organization. Shuttles will start at 1:30 PM on Friday, running continuously every half hour until the last runner passes. Support teams and pacers must park their vehicles at the Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs Racecourse.
MAP to go to the Saint-Aimé-des-Lacs Racecourse
SEPAQ Hautes-Gorges aid station
The SEPAQ Haute-Gorges aid station is accessible by car (paved road). Carpooling is encouraged to avoid traffic congestion. Plan on an hour’s drive from La Marmotte to get to Hautes-Gorges and a further hour to get to Mont Grand-Fonds.
The aid station is located directly at the national park's welcome center.
Since 2022, the support crews and the pacers do not go at the aid station inside the national park. Their facilities and meeting points are now located 1 km before the national park's welcome center, under Hydro-Quebec electric lines. Parking is accessible on that site. Because of space issues, only one car is allowed per support crew team or pacer. Parking stickers are mandatory and will be distributed at the bib pickup. Make sure to have yours! Volunteers will be there to help.
The cohabitation with the park users is important, as there are lodging places nearby. It is important to avoid making noise, especially at night.
MAP to go to the Hautes-Gorges aid station
MAP of the Hautes-Gorges support crew and pacers meeting point
