FAQ

According to the ITRA (International Trail Running Association), trail running is defined as running through a natural environment (mountains, deserts, forests, plains, etc.) with a minimum amount of paved or asphalted roads, which must not exceed 20% of the total course. The type of terrain may vary (dirt path, forest footpaths, trails, etc.), and the route must be properly marked. Within this general context provided by ITRA, Ultra Fiord Running is an intensive way to connect with nature; it is a life experience.

The term “Ultra Fiord” is the result of the combination between two concepts: Ultra and Fiord. Ultra, in a sports context, is associated with challenges that go beyond usual limits, which is the factor that defines the event’s character. The other term, which defines the foundation of this Ultra Trail Running, is Fiord (Fjord), or Fiordo in Spanish, and is used to highlight the many fjords located in Chilean Patagonia. Ultra Fiord is a journey into a magical world of fjords, one that will lead to discovering this territory shaped by the passage of glaciers. Chile is one of the only countries with fjords, and even more, the thousands and thousands of kilometers of these that have accumulated are still preserved, making it perhaps one of the country’s best-kept secrets. If you wish to see them, you can observe them through a map of Chile’s extreme southwestern end, and find them hidden under the names of “channel,” “strait,” or others that hide the true origin of these giants, which are actually Fjords in origin!

The event will be held in the Province of Ultima Esperanza (Last Hope), Magellan and Chilean Antarctica Region. The region’s capital is Punta Arenas; however, the closest town and logistics center to the course is Puerto Natales.

The race format is going to be a non-stop, semi-autonomous race. This means that each runner must be independent between aid stations, which will roughly be located every 10 kilometers. Thus, in order to endure any possible weather or physical conditions that may arise, each runner must carry mandatory equipment at all times (see equipment list in Race Rules). Similarly, the runner must carry a sufficient amount of nutrition and hydration to last each leg of the race. Ultra Fiord adheres to the values of sportsmanship, loyalty, solidarity, and environmental respect.

Ultra Fiord’s route will pass through a wide variety of terrain and scenery. Thus, all of the following will be passed along the course: ranch farms, forests, grasslands, mountains, bordering lakes, and other natural environments. For the course’s terrain, runners will move on animal tracks, trails, back-roads for vehicles, etc.

The race route will be clearly indicated by various markings, depending on time and runner location, which will include stakes, flags, flares, etc.

The event will offer eight race distances:

*These race distances could be slightly modified when the route details are finalized.

The runners from each race distance will be classified according to the following table of categories, which is based on the runner’s age as of the date for his/her race distance:

NOTE: The categories have been chosen in recognition to the course’s natural environment, being assigned a name that corresponds to the wildlife inhabiting the area.

• All runners that cross the finish line within the established time limits will receive a finisher medal.
• For the ULTRA FIORD® 21K, 42K, 50K, 60K and 80K, in addition to the finisher medal, the first three finishers of each category, which are determined by age and gender, will be awarded an additional medal (1st, 2nd, or 3rd). This additional medal will be awarded the moment the corresponding runner crosses the finish line. In addition, for each distance, the three best overall times will be awarded as well for both the men and women.
• For the ULTRA FIORD® 95K, 115K and 136K, in addition to the medals awarded in the previous article, the ten overall best times for both the men and women will be awarded. This overall award ceremony for the 95K, 115K and 136K will take place on Saturday, 25 April, in the same sector as the Finish Line.

Yes, for security and logistical reasons, cut-off times will be set at intermediate points. Please see Article 10 of the Rules and Regulations.

It is prohibited for runners to be accompanied throughout the race; however, there will be aid stations where the assistance from friends, family, or team members is permitted. Some of these stations are accessible by land, while others are only accessible by sea due to the fjord. The event organizers will arrange discounts and special conditions for support groups, but it will be your responsibility to make use of these external services.

The runners will receive a Race Passport after their Mandatory Gear Check in Puerto Natales. In this passport, it is mandatory for each runner to register him/herself at every Aid Station (PAS), Control Point (PC), the Starting Line, and the Finish Line.

The organization also reserves the right to check the mandatory equipment, which will be noted in the race passport.

It is the runner´s responsibility to check him/herself in at each PAS / PC listed in the Race Passport. If a runner is missing a check-in from one or more PC / PAS, the organization reserves the right to disqualify the runner and/or not include his/her time in the finals results.

For all of the races during ULTRA FIORD® 2020, runners can send a bag with personal items (Drop Bag) to the Finish Line. These Drop Bags must be entered directly at each respective Starting Line. This Drop Bag may only be used for nutrition and/or clothing. It may NOT, however, be used to carry electronic equipment, fragile items, or anything of value. For each race distance, the organization will provide personalized stickers to be placed on each bag.

For the 80K race distance, the organization will provide personalized bags, which will include the runner’s name and number, for the intermediate Drop Bag located at PAS Hotel del Paine. It will be a runner’s exclusive responsibility to adequately store each of his/her belongings in his/her respective bag, which may only include what can be included in the following capacity: 55cm x 35cm. Any bag that is not properly closed or has items not properly placed within the bag will not be accepted.

In Patagonia’s Extreme South, weather conditions are both highly variable and unpredictable in all four seasons. However, in April, it will be middle of autumn in this area, which usually consists of a reduction to the strong winds of summer and winter, although exceptions may exist. Overall, average temperatures range from 4 to 12ºC, being even close to 0ºC in the high mountain areas.

Autumn is the time when the trees change color from green to yellow, orange, and various shades of red.

NOTE: In reference to weather conditions, the mandatory equipment seeks to improve the race experience, while also serving as an important part of your safety and comfort during the event. Selecting and evaluating each item is the runner’s responsibility.

The Race takes place far away from urban centers and places, so runners will only have access to bathrooms and facilities at the Starting Line and Finish Line at Hotel Río Serrano, the Starting Line at Patagonia Camp, and at both PAS Hotel del Paine and Hostería Balmaceda. Therefore, if necessary, runners must be at least 60 meters away from any water source and utilize the technique “cathole.” Runners must try to avoid roads and animal tracks as well.

When entering Chile from outside the country, one must first arrive in Santiago, Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, code SCL (Aeropuerto Internacional Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez). From this airport, there are frequent flights to Punta Arenas, President Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Airport (Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo), which is the closest airport to Puerto Natales and the Ultra Fiord race zone. The airport code is PUQ. The capital of the Magellan and Chilean Antarctica Region. From Punta Arenas, there are regular bus services to Puerto Natales (250km). From Puterto Natales there will be special bus services to travel to the race’s starting points.

Official bus transfer is provided in the cost of registration from Puerto Natales to ALL Starting Lines.

Before a runner is able to pick up his/her runner´s kit, he/she MUST complete an equipment check, which is mandatory for ALL race distances. Should a runner fail this equipment check, he/she will have a second opportunity to find the piece(s) of missing equipment and return to complete the revision. The equipment revision will be based on the following schedule:

Upon equipment approval, a runner will be given his/her race passport, which must then be shown at kit pick up in Espacio Ñandú as verification for completing the equipment revision, based on the following schedule:

• Route Design, exploration, clearing, cleaning, and marking.
• Support Staff and Medical Team during the Race
• First Aid, Search, Rescue, and Evacuation Teams
• Ground or sea transportation in case of evacuations or race withdrawals.
• Hydration and food stations along the course route and at the Finish Line.
• Control points in strategic areas
• Official Runners Shirt ULTRA FIORD® 2020
• Official Elastic Cylindrical Headband ULTRA FIORD® 2020
• Official Race Number and Race Passport
• Official bags for Drop Bag 80K
• Final Drop Bag Sticker for Finish Line (all distances)
• Finisher’s medal upon crossing the Finish Line
• Medal for Category/Overall Winners (Please see General Rules for distance-specific awards
• PDF Documents: Rules and Regulations, Runner’s Guide, Race Map, Elevation Profile with aid stations and control points

During the event, the runners can be followed along the course by tracking their progression through the various checkpoints. These points will have satellite connection, providing specific information regarding a runner’s location during the event. A runner’s friends and family will be able to access this information through the Internet.

Registration opens on on July 30, 2019 and will close on March 17, 2020, or when the maximum space available, according to race distance, for the sixth edition has been reached. The registration period is the following:

Registration payment includes:

• Route Design, exploration, clearing, cleaning, and marking.
• Support Staff and Medical Team during the Race
• First Aid, Search, Rescue, and Evacuation Teams
• Ground or sea transportation in case of evacuations or race withdrawals.
• Hydration and food stations along the course route and at the Finish Line.
• Control points in strategic areas
• Official Runners Shirt ULTRA FIORD® 2020
• Official Elastic Cylindrical Headband ULTRA FIORD® 2020
• Official Race Number and Race Passport
• Official bags for Drop Bag 80K
• Final Drop Bag Sticker for Finish Line (all distances)
• Finisher’s medal upon crossing the Finish Line
• Medal for Category/Overall Winners (Please see General Rules for distance-specific awards
• PDF Documents: Rules and Regulations, Runner’s Guide, Race Map, Elevation Profile with aid stations and control points

Registration payment DOES NOT include:

• Transfer to/from Punta Arenas
• Any form of transportation not previously mentioned as being included in registration
• Accommodation
• Unspecified Services

Registration can be made by completing the registration process. Upon registration, participant will pay a non-refundable deposit of $15.000 CLP (USD $25.00) to secure his/her spot in the race. The runner´s application will be reviewed by the organization to access if he/she has met the requirements of his/her selected race distance. This will take 1-5 working days. Once your application has been approved, you will receive a unique confirmation link from the race organizer in order to complete the registration process by making full payment online for the remaining entry fee within 10 consecutive days of notification. Should the participant not complete the process within the time limit, his/her spot could be given to another runner, but should his/her spot in the race still be available and the registration period has changed, the link will be invalid and therefore updated to reflect the updated registration fee.

Successful applicants will be required to send in the following documents (which will be sent to the applicants via email) at least one month before the event:

• Medical certificate that clearly indicates a runner’s ability to complete this sort of activity, specifically including the completion of the specified distance.
• A signed copy of the event’s disclaimer form.

All runners should have previous Trail Running experience, and all additional experience included in mountain-type events will be an additional benefit. In order for an applicant to participate in ULTRA FIORD, he or she should complete the following pre-requisites:

• ULTRA FIORD® 21K: Have completed at least 2 trail-running events of distances greater than or equal to 10K.
• ULTRA FIORD® 42K: Have completed at least 3 trail-running events of distances greater than or equal to 30K.
• ULTRA FIORD® 50K: Have completed at least 3 trail-running events of distances greater than or equal to 42K.
• ULTRA FIORD® 60K: Have completed at least 3 trail-running events of distances greater than or equal to 50K.
• ULTRA FIORD® 80K: Have completed at least 3 trail-running events of distances greater than or equal to 60K.
• ULTRA FIORD® 95K (in two stages): Have completed at least 3 trail-running events of distances greater than or equal to 50K.
• ULTRA FIORD® 115K (in two stages): Have completed at least 3 trail-running events of distances greater than or equal to 60K.
• ULTRA FIORD® 195K (in two stages): Have completed at least 3 trail-running events of distances greater than or equal to 60K.

In order to be eligible for the event, the runners must meet the required experience. All applications will be evaluated, and only runners that have proven the minimum necessary requirements will be accepted. These requirements are requested to ensure a good level of event security during the race, as well as ensuring a good experience for all participants.

Please note that physical and physiological demands for the event are high, and a schedule of cut-off times will be included in the race, which could cut some unprepared runners out of the race.

For international runners, payment must be made in USD through an international credit card. For runners residing in Chile, payment must be made in CLP through either a credit card, debit card, bank transfer, or WebPay.

Once accepted and payment has been completed, the ULTRA FIORD runner will receive a confirmation email, as long as all the following has been completed:

• The registration form has been completed and accepted by WELCU.
• Received application confirmation (Within 1-5 days of completing registration).
• Paid the registration cost

First, ensure that you have not received the confirmation email in your spam folder by checking the junk folder in your email. If there is still no email, please send us an email at info@ultrafiord.com explaining your situation, with an attachment of your payment confirmation. It is noteworthy to mention each registered runner is always sent a welcome email, so if you have not received a confirmation email, it usually means there has been a problem with completing your registration.

Yes, you can make any necessary change until March 17, 2020 by writing us an email at info@ultrafiord.com.

Any change to your registration can be completed at any time until March 17, 2020. However, we please ask that you first send us an email at info@ultrafiord.com. As long as you meet all the additional requirements for that race distance, and if there are still additional spots remaining, we will make the requested change.

If for whatever reason or circumstance, a registered and accepted runner decides not to particiate in ULTRA FIORD® 2020 before the start of the event, the following is the event’s official refund policy:

• 31 July, 2019 – 12 March, 2020: 25% refund of the total paid amount. (Refund will not include the percentage paid as commission to the Welcu system or the pre-registration deposit). These refunds can only be given to a Chilean bank account or to a PayPal account. No refunds will be given to international bank accounts, credit cards, or any other form of international account.
• After 12 March: No money will be refunded. In both cases, the runner can chose to save 50% of his/her registration fee as a deposit for the 2021 edition for this or any other event organized by the Organization, as long as he/she meets the minimum eligibility requirements to participate in each event. If the registration fee is less than that of the original payment deposited, no additional refund will be granted to equalize the difference; however, should the price be higher, a runner must pay the difference in order to register. In order to take advantage of this option, a Runner must advise the Organization before the day of Event by writing an email to info@ultrafiord.com. If a Runner does not attend or express his or her intention to postpone registration, it will be deemed as lost.

Note: Refunds in USD can only be done through PayPal. Please email info@ultrafiord.com for more details.

Yes, you can transfer your registration, as long as you have advised us of the change by March 17, 2020. We will complete the final change once we have approved the request and reviewed the certification for the specific distance in ULTRA FIORD. In addition to the change, you should inform us of the new runner’s name that will take your place in ULTRA FIORD. In order for the change to be accepted, you must pay 5,000 CLP or $10.00 USD for administrative costs.

Similar to any registered runner, as soon as the change has been made, the new runner will receive a welcome email.