Extreme heat: adaptations to the weekend races
Important information regarding the adaptations put in place for the weekend races due to the very high temperatures forecast.
At the time of writing this announcement, the Météo France forecast for the weekend is predicting very high maximum temperatures, potentially reaching 37°C in lowland areas, 34°C at the finish line at the Treffort water sports base, and 28°C at 1,500 m altitude.
Dear participants,
The entire organisation team has been fully mobilised on this matter for several days, in coordination with the rescue teams, doctors and all stakeholders involved.
Our objective remains unchanged: to allow the event to take place while ensuring the best possible safety conditions for participants and everyone involved in the event.
The Trail des Passerelles du Monteynard has already experienced very similar heat conditions, notably in 2023. Although that edition went well for the vast majority of participants, it also highlighted the limits that must not be exceeded, with several cases of severe exertional heat illness and very heavy demand on the rescue system.
Drawing on this experience, we are doing everything possible to strengthen our organisational and intervention capacities in order to deal with episodes of intense heat. This includes reinforcing the rescue teams, continuously adapting our systems and increasing the mobilisation of all teams. Our priority is to offer participants the best possible conditions so that this race remains a unique sporting experience, while respecting the necessary safety requirements.
Experience and analysis from previous editions have allowed us to identify the times and sections most likely to lead to exertional heat illness, particularly when participants are moving through exposed areas during the hottest hours of the day, sometimes in locations that are difficult for rescue teams to access.
Objectives of these adaptations
Several race starts have been moved forward to limit race time during the hottest hours.
Some routes are maintained, while others are adapted to avoid the most exposed sections.
Cut-off times have been adjusted to preserve participant safety and the rescue teams’ intervention capacity.
Trail de Côte Rouge
The start of the Trail de Côte Rouge has been moved forward by one hour. The original route is maintained.
A diversion cut-off, allowing participants to avoid the loop around Monestier-de-Clermont, will be set up at km 14, at 11:30 am, i.e. after 3h15 of racing for participants in the second wave. This cut-off corresponds to an average speed of approximately 4.4 km/h.
Participants who do not pass this diversion cut-off within the required time will complete an adapted route of 21 km and 1,000 m D+.
The Monestier-de-Clermont cut-off time is moved forward to 11:45 am, at km 16.5, i.e. after 3h30 of racing for participants in the second wave.
Hikes
No changes are planned for the hikes.
The original times and routes are maintained. As the effort is generally less intense than on the timed races, the hikes are less likely to generate cases of exertional heat illness.
We nevertheless ask participants to remain cautious, hydrate regularly and adapt their pace to the conditions of the day.
Trail de l’Ébron
At this stage, the Trail de l’Ébron is maintained as initially planned.
Forecasts remain uncertain, particularly due to a potential risk of thunderstorms. The organisation therefore still reserves the right to delay the start if the heat becomes too significant.
In addition, if a thunderstorm risk with strong electrical activity is confirmed, the race may be cancelled.
We will take no risk regarding the exposure of participants, volunteers, rescue teams or organisation members to the risk of lightning on the route.
Grande Course
Bib collection times and shuttle times to reach the start will be moved forward accordingly.
New cut-off times
Maratrail
The Maratrail start has been moved forward by one hour and fifteen minutes. The original route is maintained.
The cut-off times are as follows, aligned with those of the Grande Course:
Race distance changes authorised
Given the forecast conditions, we are exceptionally authorising race distance changes this year, even though the races are full.
This option is particularly intended for participants who are unsure about their ability to run in these temperatures, or who want to make sure they can pass the cut-off times in good conditions.
Safety must come before sporting objectives.
Participants wishing to change race must inform us during bib collection, at the SOS Dossard stand.
Programme, bib collection, shuttles and awards ceremonies
Bib collection times will be moved forward accordingly for the races concerned.
Shuttle times will also be adapted, particularly for the Grande Course.
Awards ceremony times will also be adapted.
Further adaptations remain possible
The organisation reserves the right to make further changes if the situation evolves, particularly in the event of worsening heat forecasts, thunderstorm risk, or any other situation that could put the rescue services under strain.
The participants concerned would then be informed by email as soon as possible.
Good habits to adopt
We ask all participants to carefully read the guidelines for running in extreme heat before taking the start.
This document reminds participants of the main risks linked to exercising in extreme heat, particularly exertional heat illness, as well as the right habits to adopt before, during and after the race.
Everyone’s safety and physical integrity remain our absolute priority.
We are doing everything possible to ensure that sport remains a celebration, in a safe environment adapted to the conditions of the moment.
