Regulations

Istria 100 by UTMB® is an event that includes several races in the open country, winding through the hiking routes of Istria. Each event takes place in one single stage, at an undefined pace, and within a time limit.

100M CATEGORY

• RED course: around 168 km and about 6.590 meters elevation gain, starts from Labin, in semi-autonomy. The cut-off time for finishing is 46 hours.

100K CATEGORY

• BLUE course: around 110 km and about 3.860 meters elevation gain, starts from Buzet, in semi-autonomy. The cut-off time for finishing is 28 hours.

50K CATEGORY

• GREEN course: around 69 km and about 2.220 meters elevation gain, starts from Buzet, in semi-autonomy. The cut-off time for finishing is 15 hours.
• YELLOW course: around 42 km and about 950 meters elevation gain, starts from Motovun, in semi-autonomy. The cut-off time for finishing is 8 hours.

20K CATEGORY

• WHITE course: around 21 km and about 130 meters elevation gain, starts from Grožnjan, in semi-autonomy. The cut-off time for finishing is 4 hours.

To participate in Istria 100 by UTMB® event, in particular, RED and BLUE course it is essential:

• To be completely aware of the length and specificity of the event and to be perfectly prepared for it.

• To have acquired, previous to the race, a real capacity of personal autonomy in the mountains allowing for the management of problems induced by this type of event, and notably:

• Know how to confront, without outside help, climatic conditions which could be very difficult to deal with at altitude (night, wind, cold, fog, rain, or snow).

• Know how to manage, including when one is isolated, physical or mental problems arising from great fatigue, digestive problems, muscle or articular pains, small wounds...

• To be totally conscious that the organizations role is not to help a runner manage these problems.

• To be totally aware that for such an activity in the mountains, security depends upon the runner’s capacity to adapt to the problems encountered or foreseen.

• To inform and sensitize the members of the runner’s entourage towards the respect of nature, people, and the regulations of the race.

he principal of an individual race in semi-autonomy is the rule. The 100 by UTMB® events take place in one single stage, at an undefined pace, within the limits of the time barriers which are specified for each event. Semi-autonomy is defined as having the capacity to be autonomous between two refreshments posts, as much on the food front as that of clothing and security, allowing for adapting to problems encountered or foreseen (bad weather, physical problems, injury...)

This principle implies, in particular, the following rules:

1. Each runner must have with them throughout the duration of the race the totality of their obligatory equipment. They transport this equipment in a pack; tagged during race-bib distribution and which cannot be changed along the race route. At any moment of the race, the race stewards can verify the pack and its contents. The runner is obliged to submit to these checks in good humour, at the risk of exclusion from the race.
2. The refreshment posts supply drinks and food to be consumed on-site. The organization only supplies still water or energizing drinks for filling water bottles or hydration packs. The runner should take care to ensure they have when leaving each refreshment post, the quantity of drink and food which is necessary to keep them going until the following refreshment post.
3. A personal assistant is tolerated exclusively at certain refreshment posts (*), in the zone specifically reserved for this use, and at the discretion of the chief of the post. One person can only give this assistance, without specific equipment other than a bag with a maximum volume of 30 litres. Assistance given by a team of professionals, or any medic or paramedic, is strictly forbidden. The rest of the refreshment post is strictly reserved for the runners.
4. It is forbidden to accompany or be accompanied along any part of the race route by a person not registered for the race, outside of the tolerance zones which are clearly marked in the proximity of the refreshment posts.
5. It is not allowed to be accompanied by a dog or any other animal.
6. A participant who accepts being accompanied outside of the expressly designated zones contravenes the principle of semi-autonomy. The race stewards witnessing irregularities are authorized to penalize the participants in order to guarantee the spirit of trail-running events.

(*) Personal assistance is tolerated at the following posts:

**RED course- Mošćenička draga **

• Poklon
• Buzet
• Livade

BLUE course

• Buzet
• Livade

GREEN course

• Livade

It is forbidden at all other aid stations, as well as at any other point of the race route.

YELLOW and WHITE course: no assistance is allowed at any point throughout the race.

Race-bibs are handed over to each runner upon presentation of:

• A valid ID with a photo
• Your race pack and all mandatory equipment checklist items

The race-bib must be worn on the chest or stomach and must remain permanently and completely visible during the whole race. It must always be placed on top of all clothing and must not be positioned on a leg or on the pack. The runner’s name and partner’s logos must not be altered or hidden. The bib is the pass to access the shuttles, buses, aid stations, medical points, restrooms, showers, bag drop-off, or pick-up areas... The bib is only withdrawn if the runner refuses to comply with the race director’s decision. If the runner abandons the race, the bib is cut and deactivated.

RED and BLUE course: at the race-pack collection, each participant receives a 30-litre bag. After filling them with the items of their choice and closing them, they can drop them at the bag drop-off location in Umag.

RED, BLUE, GREEN, YELLOW and WHITE course: at the race-pack collection, each participant receives a small bag. After filling them with the items of their choice and closing them, they can drop them off at the start location.

How to get your bags in Umag: The bags are returned to either the runner or a family member or friend, only upon presentation of the race-bib. The bags must be retrieved no later than 2 hours after the end of the race (Sunday, April 16th 18:00).

The organization will take to Umag the bags of runners who drop out, on the condition that their withdrawal is registered. Because of logistical factors, the organization cannot guarantee that all bags are brought to Umag before the end of the race.

Only bags supplied by the organization will be transported. Poles are not allowed in these bags. As the items in the bags are neither checked nor controlled, we will accept no claims on that matter. We recommend not to put any valuable items in the bags. We advise you to keep toiletries and spare clothes in Umag.

Along the race route, there are some points where runners can get food and drinks supplies. Aid stations supply drinks and food for consumption in situ. The organization supplies still water and energizing drinks for filling water bottles/hydration packs and personal soft cups are mandatory. The runner must make sure when leaving the aid station, that they have the necessary quantity of food and drinks to keep them going until the next aid station.

To enter the aid stations, runners must wear their race bib.

The race guide* and the relevant pages on our website provide an exhaustive list of aid stations and what kind of food/drinks runners may find there.

*to be published during March

Runners are checked upon arrival at an aid station and at some security points.

Unexpected checkpoints are set up along the route. Their location is kept a secret.

Way-markers are made of a reflective material that catches the light from your headlamp so that you can easily spot them even at night.

WARNING: if you can’t see any way marker, turn back!

Because we respect the environment, we do not use any paint on the trails.

There are several medical stations along the route. These stations are directly linked to the race security HQ. There are medical staff at the race security HQ in Umag during the events.

Medical stations are intended to assist any person in danger with the organizations own or public means.

It is up to a runner in trouble or seriously hurt to call for the help:

• By going to a medical station
• By calling the race HQ
• By asking another runner to alert the security service
• By using the SOS app LiveRun
• Every runner must give assistance to any person in danger and alert the security services.

If you are unable to call the race HQ, and only if it is an absolute emergency, you may call directly one of the national security services (especially if you are crossing an area where only emergency calls are possible): 112.

Do not forget that any kind of unexpected events – linked to the environment and the race – could make you wait for help longer than expected. Your safety, therefore, depends upon the quality of the items that you have put in your pack.

All medical, paramedical, first aid, and guide staff, as well as any person appointed by the race direction, are able to:

• exclude from the race any participant who is deemed to be unable to continue the event
• demand to any competitor to use any item of the mandatory equipment
• evacuate by any means the runners they deem to be in danger
• refer patients to the most appropriate care structure

A runner who contacts a doctor or search and rescue staff submits to their authority and agrees to accept their decisions.

If a runner’s state of health justifies treatment via an intravenous drip, the runner shall compulsorily withdraw from the race.

There is a medical base in Umag available for runners with severe medical problems. Comfort care is based on the decision of the medical staff within the limits of availability.

Runners must stay on the marked path, even when they sleep.

If you need to sleep along the way, you are highly recommended to use the “sleep bib” supplied by the organization. This bib clarifies that you need to take a little nap without being disturbed.

All runners who voluntarily venture from the way-marked course are no longer under the responsibility of the organization.

The cut-off time for finishing each race is:

• RED course: 46 hours
• BLUE course: 28 hours
• GREEN course: 17 hours
• YELLOW course: 8 hours
• WHITE course: 4 hours

You may find the time limit (cut-off times) for leaving the main aid stations further on in a technical part of this Race guide. In case of any changes (see Exceptional Conditions), the new cut-off times will be announced via SMS/text message.

Cut-off times are calculated to allow participants to reach the finish within the time limit. In order to be authorized to continue a race, all participants must leave the checkpoint/aid station before the cut-off time (whatever their time of arrival at the checkpoint).

All participants excluded from the race who wish to continue the route can only do so after having returned their race-bib and under their own responsibility and in complete autonomy.

Except in case of injury, a runner wishing to withdraw from the race must do so only at a checkpoint. They must inform the person responsible for the point or report their withdrawal via the LiveRun app and inform the race HQ.

If a runner wishes to withdraw while on the route between two checkpoints, they must reach the nearest checkpoint where they must report their withdrawal.

Runners who withdraw must keep their race bib because it is the pass to access shuttles, buses, meals, treatment rooms...

Repatriation works as follow:

• Vans are available at some aid stations – marked by a pictogram «van» on time charts – to take runners who drop out back to (place).
• Runners who abandon at any other aid station or checkpoint but whose state of health does not require them to be evacuated must return as quickly as possible and by their own means to the nearest point of repatriation.

As for aid stations or security points accessible by car or 4×4:

• after the closing of the aid station/security points, the organization might repatriate any runners who have abandoned and haven’t left the aid station yet.
• in the event of bad weather conditions justifying the partial or total stop of the race, the organization will make sure that all runners are repatriated as soon as possible.

When you finish your race, you will receive the finisher’s medal. inishers will have access to a final aid station located in Umag with restricted access to runners.

Runners may take a shower only at the end of the race. Runners need to show their race bib in order to enter the shower.

During the race, showers are available at the Buzet aid station (Red and Blue).

During the race, runners will have some rest areas in some aid stations, with camp beds and blankets.

Runners having finished their race and wishing to prolong their stay must have their own accommodation.

• RED course: At Buzet, each competitor can benefit from a rest area (with camp beds and blankets).

• BLUE course: At Buzet, each competitor can benefit from a rest area (with camp beds and blankets).

For each race, there is a general ranking – men and women – and a category ranking – men and women – (see below for further details for each category).

• RED and BLUE course: the first 5 men and the first 5 women in the general ranking
• GREEN, YELLOW and WHITE course: the first 3 men and the first 3 women in the general ranking

No awards for age categories. Results for all participants on https://utmb.world/

Age categories

• 20-34
• 35-39
• 40-44
• 45-49
• 50-54
• 55-59
• 60-64
• 65-69
• 70-74
• 75-79
• 80-84
• 85+

If a runner breaks the rules, race directors and aid stations’/security points’ team leaders can instantly apply (*) a penalty according to the following chart:

The time penalties are immediately applicable in situ, that’s to say that the runner must interrupt their race for the duration of the penalty time.

Any other breach of the rules will be subject to a penalty decided by the Race Directors.

Any complaint must be sent by email to race@istaria100.com, within 10 days after the end of the event.

If necessary, the organization reserves the right to modify at any time the routes, starting times, cut-off times, the position of aid stations and medical stations, and any other aspect related to the smooth running of the events.

In case of force majeure, bad weather conditions, or any other circumstance endangering the participants’ safety, the organization reserves the right to:

• postpone the start of the race
• modify the cut-off times
• change the start date
• adapt the race’s course
• cancel the event
• neutralize the event
• stop the race in progress

If a race is canceled or if the event needs to be organized differently (e.g. one or more races need to be canceled), for any reason beyond the control of UTMB International or organization team, more than 30 days before the start, runners will be partially refunded the entry fees. The amount of the refund will be decided to allow the organization to deal with the irremediable expenses incurred as of the date of the cancellation. Runners will be refunded as follows:

• Until 14.12.2022.: 50%
• Until 14.01.2023.: 25%
• After 14.01.2023. No refund

If a race is canceled less than 30 days before the start or if a race in progress is interrupted, for any reason beyond the control of UTMB International or organization team, entry fees will not be refunded.

If a person would like to cancel participation in the event for any reason, refund is not possible. In this case is possible only to transfer registration to another person until 14.3.2023. the latest.

In a case of a serious sickness, a pregnancy or a serious injury, person can send valid medical documentation in English or Croatian via e-mail on the athlete service e-mail address until 16.4.2023. Medical team will check the validity of the papers and valuate the medical problem. In case a medical team confirms that reason is valid, registration will be transferred to next edition (year). Transfer (deferral) of registration is possible only once and is valid for the same category (distance).

If a person would like to change the category (distance) of the event, needs to send e-mail on the athlete service e-mail address until 14.3.2023 the latest. In case a person is changing category from bigger distance to smaller (eg. from Red to Green), there will be no refund for the difference in price. In case a person is changing category from smaller distance to bigger (eg. from Yellow to Green), person needs to pay the difference in price between those two categories.

Athlete service e-mail: istria100@service.byutmb.world