Organization

The Mont-Blanc Marathon and Cross du Mont-Blanc are organized by the Club des Sports de Chamonix (99 avenue de la plage/ 74400 Chamonix/ tel : 00334 50 53 11 57) with the help of the Chamonix Mont-Blanc Marathon association. These rules and regulations apply to the following events: the Marathon du Mont-Blanc (42.195km), the Cross du Mont-Blanc (23km), the 10km du Mont-Blanc and the Mini Cross (800m -3km reserved for children, depending on their age category).

The age categories 2011

Veteran categories

Distances and courses

MONT-BLANC MARATHON - This is a mountain marathon of 42.195 kilometers with a total vertical gain of 2511 meters and a total elevation loss of 1490m.Open from the 'hopefuls' category.

MONT-BLANC CROSS- The 23 kilometers course is a half-marathon in the mountains. It has 1350 meters of vertical gain and 280 meters of elevation loss. Open to the 'junior' category.

MONT-BLANC 10KM Race - The 10 kilometer race follows the cross-country ski trails and is accessible to all participants regardless of their ability level. Open from the 'cadet' category.

MINI CROSS - The 800 meter to 3 kilometer long race takes place in the Bois du Bouchet and is reserved for children.

Participation

The races are open to license holders and non-license holders of all nationalities, whose age corresponds to the category/distance criteria of the FFA. The age categories give rise to separate ratings in the different events.

Inscriptions

For an inscription to be valid it must be accompanied by one of the following:

• A photocopy of a valid licence showing FFA affiliation for the current year
• A medical certificate dated within less than a year of the date of the race, stating that there is no reason why the participant cannot practice competition racing.

Entrants will receive:

• Race bib
• T-shirt of the race
• A cup to drink from during the race
• Food and drink at the refreshment posts
• Medal for the marathon and cross participants who finish within the time deadline
• Ride down in the Planpraz gondolas for racers in the marathon and the cross
• The DVD of the race
• Entry to the after-race buffet for participants of the Marathon and the Cross du Mont-Blanc.

All other participants must purchase their ticket for the after-race buffet.

• All entries are closed and definitive and imply the full and complete acceptance of the race rules and regulations.

• All cancellation requests will be studied following the strict rules laid out in the chapters : "Cancellation  in cases of force majeure" and "Cancellation of inscriptions

Cancellation in cases of force majeure

In cases of force majeure (weather (red or orange alerts) preventing competition running, natural disasters (earthquakes, storms), or major political events (revolution, war, terrorist attacks)) forcing the organization to cancel the event, 75% of the cashed registration fee will be reimbursed.

Not reimbursed:  Donations to the association Courir pour Toi, cancellation insurance, paid buffet meals, and bank fees for those who registered on-line through the internet site Active Europe.

The reimbursement will happen via bank transfer after October 1, 2011.

To receive reimbursement you must provide an international bank account number along with the swift code no later than 3 months after the scheduled race date.

Cancellation of inscriptions

For all cancellation requests (regardless of whether or not the person has cancellation insurance) only the person who is registered to run can cancel their registration. No other person is permitted to cancel for the registered participant.

In the case of cancellation with cancellation insurance :

In the case of a medical problem only participants who took out cancellation insurance at the time of their inscription qualify for a full reimbursement (less the donation to the association "courir pour toi", and less the bank fees for those who registered through the Active Europe website).

The buffet meals will be reimbursed entirely if your request is made before May 31.2010.

After May 31.2009 (post office stamp is proof of date): no reimbursement for the meals will be made

Requests for reimbursement must be made before the 31^st of July 2010 and must be accompanied by a medical certificate dated no later than 25^th June 2010.

Cancellation requests without cancellation insurance:

For all cancellation requests made :

No swapping of race bibs will be tolerated.

Changing to another race

Any requests to change from one race to another must be made by the runner in question. Requests made by anyone other than the registered participant are not permitted.

If you wish to change from the Cross to the Marathon OR from the 10km to the Cross:

Changing from the Marathon to the Cross OR from the Cross to the 10km Or from the Marathon to the 10km:

Is only possible if there are spots available in the requested race !

Race bibs

Please note : You may be asked for identification when collecting your race bib.

Race bibs can be collected from the exhibition village for the Mont-Blanc Marathon on:

• Friday June 24, 2011 from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm for all races
  
• Saturday June 25, 2011 from06:00 am to 09:00 am is reserved for those running the Cross or 10km race
  
• Sunday June 26, 2011 from05:00 am to 06:30 am
  

Security

Security posts will be positioned in several locations of the race. They will have radio contact with the race Command Office.

A medical team will be present during the entire duration of the race. They will be able to intervene by all the appropriate means including by helicopter if necessary. The official race doctors will be authorised to reclaim the race bib and withdraw any participant they deem unable to continue.

Time restrictions

The time restrictions indicated below are necessary to ensure maximum safety for the participants and may be altered if needed.

 The maximum time allowed for completion of the marathon is fixed at nine hours. The latest time for passing through the principal control posts are as follows:

• Control point at Le Tour (28km) : 12:30pm, 5 hours and 30 minutes into the race

• Refreshment post of Tré le champ: 13H00, 6 hours into the race
  
• Frefreshment post of La Flégère: 14H40, 7hours and 40 minutes into the race

The maximum time allowed for completition of the Cross is fixed at 5 hours. The latest time to pass through the control posts are as follows:

•  Refreshment post of Tré le Champ: 11am, 2.5 hours into the race   
•  Refreshment post of La Flégère: 12pm, 3.5 hours into the race.

The time restricitions are mandatory and there will be no exceptions. The participant will be disqualified if he/she arrives after the given time limit. The lower right portion of the race bib will be 'cut out' by the station leader and the race bib chip will be taken from the participant. The runner will be invited to take public transportation to return to Chamonix. From this moment the runner is no longer part of the race and the organizers take no responsibility for this person.
Any person not respecting the station leaders and the other volunteers will be banned indefinitely from all Mont Blanc marathon races.

In the case of bad weather, and for reasons of security, the organisers reserve the right to stop the race or modify the time check points at any stage. Any such decisions will be taken by the Race Jury.

Insurance

Civil Liability:

The organizers have taken out Civil Liability insurance for the duration of the race. This Civil Liability insurance guarantees the pecuniary consequences of its responsibility, that of its employees and the participants.

Individual accidents:

Licence holders benefit from the guarantees granted by the insurance linked to their licences. The organizers decline all responsibility in the case of an accident or health failure due to a poor state of health. The organizers encourage thoe participants who do not have an FFA license to buy individual accident insurance that would cover them during the event (i.e. 'Running Pass', information can be found on www.athle.org).

Control checks/Abandons

Checks will be carried out during the race in order to assure optimal conditions.

Race bibs must be clearly visible throughout the race.Please attach your race bib to the front of your t-shirt. It is not allowed to attach the race bib to your back or backpack.

If a participant abandons the race, they must inform the person in charge at the nearest refreshment post or control post and turn in their electronic timing chip, and also inform this person of their bib number.

In case of abandon this procedure is not negotiable. The lower right hand corner of the race bib will be cut out and the electronic chip taken out. The runner will be invited to take public transportation to return to Chamonix. Any person lacking respect to the volunteers in charge will be banned forever from future Mont-Blanc marathon races.

Fight against Drug Use

 The organizers would like to draw the participant's attention to the respect and integrity of good sportsmanship and ethics, especially the fight against drug use.

Jury

An official jury will be appointed. Its power of decision cannot be contested. It may be forced to take decisions on the postponement or cancellation of the race depending on the weather conditions.

Food and water

Refreshment posts will be set-up throughout various points of the races and at the finish line.

Marathon:

Cross:

Mont-Blanc 10km Race:

Mini-cross:

Supporters

Bikes or motorised transport of any kind are forbidden on the race route. Any individual assistance outside the official posts is also forbidden, as is following the race on foot.

Photo rights

Each participant authorises the organisers of the Marathon du Mont-Blanc as well as the sponsors and the media to use any images (fixed or audiovisual) taken during the Mont-Blanc Marathon. These images may be used for promotional documents and/or advertising mediums all over the world and for the longest duration authorised by law, rules and regulations or current treaties, including any eventual extensions which may be granted to this timescale.

Freedom of Information Act

In accordance with the Freedom and Information Act of 6^th January 1978, each participant has the right to access and rectify his personal information.

Equipment

For the Mont-Blanc Marathon& Cross:

Ski/walking poles are tolerated. Participants are advised to carry: a minimum of 1 litre of water, a waterproof jacket, a warm hat, leggings and gloves (depending on the weather), cell phon, mandatory gear, emergency blanket.

We would like to remind you that the Mont-Blanc Marathon and Cross races take place in the mountains and weather conditions could change very quickly. It is for this reason that it is necessary to carry the above mentionned gear with you so you may protect yourself from unfavorable climate conditions.

Race Bags
The organizer offers to transport participants bags for the Marathon and Cross (1 bag per participant, bag provided by the organizers) to the race finish line. The organizer declines any responsibility due to loss, theft, or damage of the bags and their content.

Animals

The Mont-Blanc Marathon and the Cross traverse the Aiguilles Rouges Nature Reserve. For this reason participants are prohibited from running with dogs.