Competition
Rules
2022
The DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R is unlike any other race in the world. In the space of eight days, 600 runners in teams of two complete over 260 kilometres and 16,000 vertical metres across the Alps on foot. It is a challenge. Which trailrunner hasn’t dreamt of challenging him- or herself and crossing the Alps on foot?
Words can’t describe the feeling once you have crossed the finish line after the final stage. It is – unbelievable! But there’s a lot of hard work that goes into making this dream a reality. That’s why we ask all runners to read these competition rules carefully.
As organisers, we trust you – we cannot check your level of fitness and previous experience at running events. Therefore we ask you to be honest with yourselves. That is the best way to ensure that everyone taking part in the DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R has a memorable time and stays fit and healthy. The following 22 points are about you as a person, safety measures, equipment and time cut-offs at the DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R.
1. TYPE OF EVENT / CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION
What is the DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R, who is allowed to take part and what can you expect?
The event is for teams consisting of two runners who are at least 18 years old. The DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R is an extreme team stage race. The different stages, all include sections in the high mountains. That’s why this event is only suitable for people who have experience of running in this kind of terrain. If you do not have such experience, it is better to stay at home. Running those mentioned distances in high alpine terrain is tough. Really tough. If you haven’t trained enough to complete the eight stage, we recommend you start off with the new format RUN2.
A well-developed ability to orient oneself in the terrain, even in poor weather and visibility conditions, as well as orientation using topographical maps (maps will be provided by the organizer on the Internet).
Ill, injured or simply not fit enough? In that case don’t risk it. Instead, rest up and start preparing for next year’s event. By signing these competition rules you declare that you are 100% fit and ready to take part in this sporting event.
The points listed here are not designed to be exhaustive. Instead, they serve merely as examples and indications of what awaits competitors.
ATTENTION: ALL COVID-19 RELEVANT REGULATIONS ARE NOT YET PART OF THIS COMPETITION RULES! WE WILL SPECIFY THEM WHEN THE THEN RULING COVID-19 REGULATIONS HAVE BEEN OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED BY THE AUTHORITIES. THE THEN APPLICABLE COVID-19 REGULATIONS BECOME A FIXED PART OF THESE REGULATIONS AND TERMS AND CONDITIONS. WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO HOLD THE EVENT UNDER 2G RULES IN ORDER NOT TO JEOPARDISE THE ENTIRE EVENT. THE SPECIFIC COVID-19 REGULATIONS WILL BE ANNOUNCED 14 DAYS PRIOR TO THE EVENT.
2. SELF-RELIANCE
Even if things are busy at the start line, running in the mountains can be a lonely experience even as a team of two. Competitors must be self-reliant throughout the race. That means all runners must be able to orientate themselves without external support. And, of course, it is essential that you always have enough food and drinks as well as a first aid kit with you.
3. COURSE
The DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R consists of several daily stages of varying length and difficulty. There is no guarantee that the weather will be good. Therefore, if the weather gods are not smiling on us and we are unable to ensure the safety of the competitors we may be forced to change sections of the courses at short notice. For all the latest information visit: https://transalpine-run.com/en/course/
4. TEAM RANKING
The DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R is a team race. Also due to safety reasons, participants of the DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R compete the stages in teams of two. Both participants of a team have to show up together at the start, at all control points, and at the finish line, otherwise they will not be ranked. If one of the partners arrives two minutes earlier than the other at a checkpoint or at the finish line, a time penalty of 5 to 120 minutes will be imposed, in case of recurrence disqualification follows.
Should only one of the participants of a team retire, e.g. due to exhaustion, the organizer will endeavor to integrate the other partner in a new team. He/she will then be excluded of the official ranking, but will be given his/her individual split times and will remain in the overall finisher ranking, provided he/she has completed all stages in accordance with the regulations. The respective participant is then considered an individual finisher.
5. CLASSIFICATION CATEGORIES
There will be the following classification categories:
- MEN, WOMEN, MIXED
- MASTER MEN, MASTER WOMEN, MASTER MIXED (combined 80 years and over)
- SENIOR MASTER MEN, SENIOR MASTER WOMEN and SENIOR MASTER MIXED (combined 100 years and over)
A competitor’s age is defined as his/her age on the start day of the event. If there are fewer than 15 runners signed up for a category, these competitors will be classified together with another category.
6. CLOTHING / EQUIPMENT
Weather conditions can change quickly in the high mountains. Therefore, all competitors must wear or carry in their running backpacks the following clothing and equipment. We will carry out checks on the start line and at the control points. Competitors who do not have all of the items listed below may be subject to time penalties or disqualification.
EACH PARTICIPANT must carry:
- Closed trail running shoes with a grip sole, suitable for running in alpine terrain
- Shoe spikes for glacier and/or now snow passages (minimum 0.75 cm long steel spikes) on certain stages (respective stages will be announced on time by the race director during the daily briefings on-site)
- Waterproof rain jacket
- Warm clothing (long trousers or leggings/leg warmers, shirt and arm warmers or long-shirt) as isolating intermediate layer under overcoat (basic rule: no skin may be visible!)
- Gloves and cap
- Foldable cup for drinks and food at the food stations and in the finish area
- Water tank with a minimum holding capacity of 1 liter
- Labeling of the carried food with the start number
- ID Card
- Disinfectant, mouth and nose protection, disposable gloves
EACH TEAM must carry:
- Emergency equipment (1x compress 10×10, 2x bandage packages, 2x gloves, 1x triangular bandage, 4x adhesive plasters, emergency whistle, rescue blanket)
- Navigation watch with saved GPS track of the selected route or alternatively route maps in printed version. Maps are provided by the organizer online for printing
- Backpack for running
- Mobile phone with stored number for emergency calls (it must be ensured that the phone can make calls abroad)
Don’t forget to also bring sun cream, oil-based skin cream to combat chafing, a pair of sunglasses, poles and plenty to eat and drink. Furthermore, we recommend a separate foldable bowl for the food at the food stations.
Additionally, for participants spending the night at the TAR-Camp, sleeping bag and camping mat are mandatory. Otherwise nights will get quite uncomfortable.
7. START NUMBER / LEADER JERSEY AND FINISHER SHIRT
You will receive your start number, which is unique to you and cannot be transferred to other people, at the registration desk. Please bring along a signed copy of our declaration of liability (can be downloaded when registering to take part). Your race number must be worn visibly at all times during the race and must not be taken off.
The overall leaders of each category will receive their leader shirts and have to wear them the next day during the race. At the finish of the last stage, all times are added up and the overall winners of the individual categories are determined. Here, each team and each individual finisher receives the finisher shirt, provided that every meter of the course was run.
8. ELECTRONIC TIMING
The time measurement is fixed on the back of your start number, which will record your time. If it does not work or becomes lost, please immediately inform a member of staff at one of the checkpoints and the Race Office.
9. BRIEFINGS / START
At the starting location on the evening before the race there’s not just calories galore at the Pasta Party but also a compulsory briefing on the race as a whole and on the first stage you will be running. It is here that you will be told about the route in detail and the regulations. At each subsequent stage, participants will receive a detailed route briefing for the next stage as part of the respective pasta party. One team member at least must attend the briefings. On the day of the competition runners must gather at the start area 45 minutes before the official start time. There will be a final briefing in the start area 15 minutes before the gun goes off.
10. NEUTRALISED START
In case of a neutralised start, runners are not permitted to overtake the lead vehicle during this time.
11. COURSE SIGNPOSTING
We will make sure you find your way along the course. The route will be signposted by our experienced team using chalk spray, signs, barrier tape, flags, etc. Please be aware that other runners may knock off these markings, disappear or be hard to see in darkness or snowfall. Once the time cut-off has passed the course is closed to all runners.
12. CHECKPOINTS AND REFRESHMENT STATIONS
There are between one and four control points along each stage, where both participants of a team have to check in.
Refreshment stations:
Each refreshment station has drinks, energy bars and fruit. Some refreshment stations also have hot food and hot drinks. Please see the route map of your course to find out where exactly each numbered refreshment station will be located.
Checkpoints:
Competitors will be scanned at each checkpoint as they arrive. Competitors who do not pass through all the checkpoints (due to short-cuts or losing their way) but make it to the finish will be disqualified.
13. TIME CUT-OFFS / FINISH
You are probably familiar with time cut-offs from races such as the Tour de France. If a competitor reached a checkpoint after the time cut-off, he/she will be withdrawn from the race and out of the ranking for the respective day. Teams who have been taken out of the race due to an exceedance of the time limit (applies also to the finish line) are excluded from the official ranking. Still, they are allowed to compete the next day, however are no longer regarded as finishers. In addition, teams who have already been excluded from the official ranking can be taken out of the race, if they are trailing 30 minutes behind the last running team, even though they would reach the food stations within the stated time limits.
Details on the time cut-offs can be found in your information pack. Please be aware that the organisers reserve the right to change the time cut-offs. People who have the right to remove competitors from the race are: the race director, course director, members of staff at the checkpoints and refreshment stations, the medical crew and the officials trailing the field.
14. WITHDRAWING FROM THE RACE
What should you do if, for whatever reason, you are forced to withdraw from the race? Inform the Medical Crew immediately by calling +49 151 550 101 48. If you fail to do this it may result in an expensive and complicated search mission being launched to find you. You will have to bear the costs of any such search mission. Please be aware that runners who have withdrawn from the race are not automatically entitled to a transfer.
15. TIME PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATION
Nobody in a trailrunning race wants to get handed a time penalty of between 5 and 5 und 120 minutes, or even be disqualified. It’s not a nice thing, especially as in such cases your start fee will not be refunded. All you have to do to avoid this happening is make sure you pay attention to a few simple points.
Basically, most of it is common sense. Don’t take part in the race if you’re not physically fit enough and, of course, don’t dope. Adhere to all the TAR rules, meet the requirements listed in point 1 of these competition rules, follow the instructions given by race staff, respect the rules on public roads, make sure you have all your essential equipment with you at all times and comply with all checks. On top of that, make sure you keep the environment clean, help each other in emergency situations, don’t take any short-cuts, make sure you pass through all the checkpoints, wear your start number in a clearly visible position at all times and don’t tamper with it. Last but not least, be fair and friendly to staff, race organisers and your fellow competitors.
16. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES (MEDICAL CREW)
Start/finish area:
Your health is our number one priority. An hour before the official start time and an hour after the last runner reaches the finish area there will be a MEDICAL CREW on-site. Please use their services if you need to. Important! Please make sure you get there in plenty of time – things can get pretty busy. Competitors who fail to visit the MEDICAL CREW early enough will not have a right to medical treatment.
During the race:
Safety first is the name of the game. That’s why members of our MEDICAL CREW and/or public ambulance crews will remain at points along the course until the last runner has passed. If you get into trouble, call the medical info hotline or ask another competitor to do so for you. If things are acute, ask another competitor to provide first aid. Remember: every runner is obliged to help other runners in this way. Don’t worry about losing time – any delay incurred as the result of helping another runner in a medical emergency will be deducted from your time at the finish.
In a natural environment there are often unpredictable circumstances which make it difficult or impossible to provide immediate medical assistance. This is where you, your own responsibility and your self-discipline come in. Please abandon the race too early rather than too late – if possible at a checkpoint or refreshment station. If you have recently passed one and are then forced to abandon, please turn around and go back to it. Be sensible. The members of our MEDICAL CREW have the right to withdraw competitors from the race at any time if they believe the runner will not be able to complete the race or will seriously jeopardise his/her health and/or the safety of the course team or MEDICAL CREW by doing so.
Which other powers does the MEDICAL CREW have? They can carry out medical examinations and check if competitors have all the necessary safety equipment. They can transport competitors off the course using the appropriate means of transport and take them either directly or with the help of the local ambulance service to the nearest hospital if this is necessary.
Please be aware that competitors must cover the costs of all rescue services apart from those carried out by the MEDICAL CREW.
MEDICAL INFO HOTLINE: +49 151 550 101 48
EUROPEAN EMERGENCY NUMBER: 112
The medical info hotline can be found on the course maps and on the back of your start number. If you are unable to get through to the medical info hotline, please call the European emergency number 112 without delay.
17. DOPING
Any runner found to have doped will be immediately disqualified. Medical procedures not permitted include intravenous infusions (without a Therapeutic Use Exemption), even in cases of stress-induced dehydration.
Working on the basis of the WADA rules, the race doctor will decide whether or not individual medical treatments are justified. Doping controls may be carried out at any time.
18. EXTERNAL HELP
Help from spectators, members of your support team and other runners is only permitted if you fall, are injured or find yourself in another emergency situation. There are, of course, exceptions. You are allowed to take food, drinks, spare clothing and medical assistance from people along the side of the course.
19. PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT / NATURE
Trailrunners respect the environment. Therefore, please throw away any rubbish only at the refreshment stations and under no circumstances damage or pollute the natural surroundings on purpose.
20. THE DYNAFIT TRANSALPINE RUN POWERED BY VOLKSWAGEN R RULES
The DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R takes place on tarmac roads, forest roads, walking paths and alpine trails, which are not closed, to the public.
Competitors must adhere at all times to the rules of the road in the respective country. All competitors must follow instructions given by the police and the course marshals.
Please be aware that away from the marked course there is serious danger of falling. That is why short-cuts (including “cutting” switchback corners, etc.) and alternative routes are strictly forbidden. Competitors take part in the event at their own risk.
At unclear or dangerous points on the course, please proceed with the appropriate caution. The organiser is entitled to take additional measures in order to secure dangerous sections. However, the organiser is not obliged to do so.
It is forbidden for competitors to receive assistance from a member of their support team who is in a vehicle or on a bicycle. Any disturbance caused to the race as the result of accompanying vehicles of any kind may result in the competitor who is receiving support being given a time penalty or being disqualified from the race. Any accompanying vehicles found to be on sections of the course closed to public vehicles will automatically lead to the disqualification of the competitor receiving support.
For environmental reasons, members of support teams assisting individual competitors are strictly forbidden from polluting or damaging the natural surroundings. This includes any form of spraying or painting along the course. Any such action will result in the immediate disqualification of the competitor who was the recipient or the intended recipient of this support.
Any competitor who disposes of food wrappers, bottles, cups, etc. by throwing them away in nature instead of at the refreshment stations will be disqualified.
Competitors who begin the race with poles must keep them with them all the way through to the finish. Vice versa, competitors who begin the race without poles are not allowed to be given poles along the course during the race.
Mechanical connections between two runners are prohibited for safety reasons.
All competitors must behave in a considerate, sporting and fair manner.
21. PROTESTS AND JUDGES
Every competitor has the right to lodge a complaint and name witnesses at the Race Office in the finish area if they believe another competitor has breached the race rules or if they are not willing to accept a decision made by the race director. Such protests must be made no more than one hour after finishing the race. A panel of judges will deal with the protest within 24 hours. All named witnesses must appear in person. There is a protest fee of EUR 100. This protest fee will be retained by the event organiser if it the protest is rejected. The infractions listed above leading to time penalties or disqualification are just an example of some of the rule violations which may be punished by the race organiser.
22. CANCELLATION OF PARTICIPATION BY RACE ORGANISER
Up until the official end of the event, the race organiser reserves the right to cancel a competitor’s participation, in line with the legal provisions set out in Articles 324, 241 Paragraph 2 of the German Civil Code. Any such cancellation shall be carried out according to the provisions set out in Article 346 of the German Civil Code.
The race management and organising team reserves the right to make changes to these competition rules.
GTC
2022
§ 1 Field of application – validity
(1) The DYNAFIT Transalpine Run powered by Volkswagen R (called TAR hereafter) is an event of the PLAN B event company GmbH.
(2) Updated versions of these terms and conditions will be published on the homepage www.transalpine-run.com. In their version valid
at the time of registration, they are part of the contract between organizer and participant.
§ 2 Terms and conditions of participation – safety measures
(1) Entitled to participate are all experienced, healthy, and well-trained runners who have turned 18. Participation is only possible as a team. Participants fully and personally take over responsibility for their health condition. Everyone who has signed up and registered following the established rules and who is in possession of an official TAR number tag is entitled to participate.
(2) Organizational measures that are reasonably deemed relevant are notified to participants prior to the event. All instructions on part of the event organizer and staff must be adhered to without exception. In case of infringements that disrupt the regular operational process of the event or jeopardize the safety of other participants, the organizer has the right to exclude or disqualify the respective participant. Only authorized event personnel can make legally binding declarations. The participant clearly declares to adhere to the then ruling Covid-19 regulations by the organizer and the authorities.
(3) All rules, hints, and instructions contained in the invitation, the guides, and supplementary instructions constitute direct contractual obligations to participants. Any complaints concerning the contract or services of the PLAN B event company GmbH must be brought to notice exclusively within one month after the contractual end of the TAR, and solely towards the PLAN B event company GmbH.
§ 3 Registration – participation fee – terms of payment – confirmation of participation – change and re-registration – reimbursement – cancellation – insurance – bib number issue
(1) Registration takes place only online via our homepage. Registration is binding for applicants. After successful completion of the registration process, the applicant will receive an online confirmation including an acknowledgement of payment.
With payment via instalments, only 30% of the starting fee is due immediately. The remaining amount is due on 1 May 2021. The participant will receive a separate e-Mail with a link to choose the method of payment. If the participation fee is not paid in due time, the organizer has the right to withdraw from the contract by revoking the confirmation of registration. In this case, a general expense fee of € 50.00 per participant will be charged.
(2) Due to organisational reasons participation is limited to 300 teams. If this limit is reached, further applications will not be accepted.
(3) The participation fee for the TAR amounts to EUR 1.980,- per team. The exact range of services for a starting place can be found on the homepage. The booking of additional services such as return transfer and/or a place at the TAR Camp is binding and must be paid in advance as part of the online-registration.
(4) Possible payment options include:
- SEPA direct debit
- Credit card
- PayPal
(5) After receiving the registration application the organizer will send a receipt confirmation. The participation is only guaranteed after the full amount of payment has been made. The organizer reserves the right to exclude or disqualify a participant at any time, if he or she has provided any personal information that is untrue or inaccurate, if he or she is subject to an effective ban by an international or national association or if the participant is suspected of having taken banned substances (doping).
(6) The PLAN B event company GmbH can exclude a participant or cancel the respective contract, if:
- he or she violates the regulations and instructions (before or during the event).
- he or she keeps disturbing the event or jeopardizes his/her own safety or the safety of others.
- he or she fails to comply with the instructions of the event management or staff members.
- the participant materially disturbs the fulfilment of the contract’s requirements in any other way or his/her behaviour is not in conformity with the contract in such a way that an immediate termination of the contract becomes justified.
If the PLAN B event company GmbH terminates the contract, it is entitled to the total participation fee.
(7) Participation (of a single runner or the entire team) is only transferable to a third party, in consultation with the organizer and for a fee of EUR 50.00 up to one week before the start of the event. Up to one day before the event starts, a transfer is only possible in agreement with the organizer and for a fee of EUR 150.00. A transfer on the starting date itself or the second change of a team partner is excluded.
(8) For this year’s the TAR the following conditions apply to cancellations:
- In case of cancellation up to three months prior to event start; participants receive 70% (per team) of the participation fee.
- In case of cancellation up to two months prior to event start; participants receive 50% (per team) of the participation fee.
- After expiry of the above-mentioned deadlines, no refund will be given.
- Reimbursements will be made within seven working days after having received the written cancellation.
It is recommended to participants to take out a private travel cancellation insurance as well as a mountain insurance (including mountain rescue).
(9) Cancellations can only be accepted when submitted in writing.
(10) As part of the registration process, participants will receive the necessary documents only upon delivery of their signed declaration of liability and the ID Card. Each participant is required to personally pick up his/her bib number.
§ 4 Cancellation of the event – failure to commence the race
(1) In case of cancellation of the event or specific stages due to force majeure, failure to commence the race or cancellation due to reasons outside the organizer’s reasonable control (like bad weather, pandemics), the participant has no right to claim a (partial) refund of the participation fee or a proportionate reimbursement for other expenses, such as travel expenses or accommodation costs.
(2) If a registered participant does not start or declares his/her non-participation to the organizer, there is no entitlement to a refund of the participation fee or delivery of the starting package.
§ 5 Liability disclaimer
(1) With the predefined registration, the participant makes a binding declaration to an event of his/her choosing by the PLAN B event company and assures, without requiring further proof by the event organizer, to be capable of the special skills and experiences mentioned and required by all participants under heading one of the rules.
(2) Compensation claims brought forward by the participant against the event organizer, for any legal reason, are excluded. This does not apply if the organizer, legal representatives or agents have acted with intent or gross negligence in the execution of their duties or if the organizer is duly liable due to accountable damages resulting from harm to life, body or health of a person or the breach of constitutive contractual obligations.
(3) The participant consents to be available for tests and inspections concerning his/her person and personal equipment as ordered by the event organizer.
(4) The participant knows and fully acknowledges the conditions of participation as well as the valid rules and regulations. The participant expressly confirms that he or she has fully read, understood, and accepts the rules, guidelines, and conditions detailed within this document.
(5) With their signature, participants declare participation in the event at their own risk and that, in case of an emergency, adequate insurance coverage (also valid abroad) exists.
(6) The organizer assumes no liability for any health risks of a participant. Furthermore, by the beginning of the event, the participant solemnly affirms to be unaware of any health concerns that would undermine his/her participation in the race and that his/her physical level of performance as well as technical running skills meet the requirements that such an alpine endurance race posits. The participant has to take care of his/her own equipment according to the regulations.
(7) The organizer will not be liable for lost valuables, clothing or equipment during the whole event, including baggage transport.
(8) The organizer disclaims all liability for damages that may arise because a participant’s appearance is prevented by legal regulations and/or governmental orders.
(9) Costs for third party services, e.g. rescue services, have to be fully borne by the participant. The organizer reserves the right to demand any of these costs from the participant.
(10) It is strongly recommended to have a private foreign health insurance, which includes helicopter use and patient transport back home.
§ 6 Data acquisition and utilization
(1) With their registration, participants agree that personal data can be gathered and passed on to third parties for the purposes of timekeeping, rankings, and results as well as publication of respective lists on the Internet.
(2) Personal data provided as part of the registration process will be stored and used only for purposes that are connected with executing the event, especially with regard to data necessary for the payment process. By registering, participants agree with the storage to this end.
(3) Participants agree that photos, videos, and interviews made in connection with their participation in the event can be broadcasted and published on TV, the radio, in print, in books and social media (Facebook, Instagram, event website, PLAN B Homepage, Youtube, etc.) without claim for remuneration. Moreover, participants agree that personal data can be passed on to a third party commissioned by the organizer for the purposes of mailing photos of participants. However, participants do not declare that they may want to purchase such a photo.
(4) The participant agrees that his/her last name, first name, year of birth, team name, bib and results (rankings, times) may be published in all print and electronic media relevant to the event.
(5) Participants can enter their objection against the publication of personal data in writing, via fax or e-mail.
(6) By providing an e-mail address, the participant accepts that the PLAN B event company GmbH can use this address in order to send further event information.
§ 7 Statute of limitation
Any claims made by the participant towards the PLAN B event company GmbH, irrespective of their legal ground, come under the statute of limitation after one year from the contractually scheduled end of the event.
The legal place of jurisdiction for any settlement of dispute(s) is Munich. The legal and contractual relationship between the participant and PLAN B event company GmbH shall be entirely subject to German law.
Operator and organization:
PLAN B event company GmbH
Mühlweg 1b
D-82054 Sauerlach
T +49 (0)8104 8880 226
F +49 (0)8104 8880 626
E info@planb-event.com
W www.planb-event.com
Last change: October 25, 2021