Preparing your race bag for the UTMB

As part of the preparation of your arrival in Chamonix for the UTMB®, the preparation of your race bag is fundamental. Nothing should be missing from it if you want to do the event in good condition, starting with the clothes you need to take, the essential accessories, of course the shoes, and your hydration and nutrition products. Here are some tips on how to think about everything and start selecting the products you will need!

Clothes to take for the UTMB

The list of clothes to take with you should at least include the waterproof clothing that is compulsory according to the event regulations. In addition to these clothes to protect yourself from the rain, you will need to draw up a complete list of technical clothes that you will need to have on hand in your bag or on your person: shorts, trail trousers, technical t-shirt, warm jacket... etc. Choosing and testing them will be an important step in your preparation and should not be neglected so as not to have any surprises on D-day!

Essential accessories not to be forgotten

There is of course a list of safety and survival accessories imposed by common sense but also by the race regulations. It is impossible to bypass them unless you run risks and are banned from the start. These include a survival blanket, a whistle and bandages. But a number of accessories are not necessarily compulsory but necessary, such as poles, trail goggles, gloves or a hydration jacket and of course a bag to carry your belongings and other equally important accessories. 

Shoes for the UTMB

Shoes are very important and the choice of shoes should be made carefully and in advance so that your feet have time to get used to them. They are your contact with the ground and clearly impact on your performance and your ability to run for a long time: so take care with this choice and think of the most natural stride possible. Spare shoes should also be included in your race bag.

Hydration and nutrition during the race

Although there are refreshment points all over the UTMB® course, you should remember to bring at least one isotonic drink, gels and energy bars. This choice should also be made in the months leading up to the event to ensure that you enjoy these products and that your stomach can handle them. Hydration and nutrition during the race should of course also be part of a more comprehensive nutrition programme, before, during and after the event, to ensure that your energy levels are maintained and your health protected.