MONTE ROSA SKYMARATHON – 4554m – Teams of two
Distance 35 km. Vertical climb 7,000m +/-

The course retraces the original route first completed in 1993 from Alagna Valsesia, 1,192m, via the Bocchetta delle Pisse, 2,396m, to the Indren cable car station at 3,260m. It continues towards the Gnifetti Hut, 3,647m, Colle del Lys, 4,250m, to summit at the Margherita Hut, 4,554m returning by the same course to Alagna.
The route ascends and descends along paths, ski runs and across glaciers in a loop for a total distance of 35 km and 3,490m vertical climb.

The course is on mountain trails with demanding uphill and downhill sections, over snow fields, glaciers with crevasses, exposed areas, steep pastures and scree, possibly subject to severe environmental and weather conditions, summiting at 4,554m. Apart from the Alagna Ski area in the Piedmont Region, from Indren, the course crosses into Gressoney-La-Trinité in the Aosta Valley until Colle del Lys. From here, it’s on Swiss territory up to the summit and the Margherita Hut in Italy.
A high level of physical preparation is required, high altitude mountaineering experience, knowledge of the risks of the terrain and the ability to manage eventual sudden changes such as strong winds and below zero temperatures.
The respect of the environment and solidarity towards other competitors are among the principal requirements of this high altitude race.
Throwing trash outside the aid stations is subject to a penalty of 3’ to 20’ or disqualification in more serious cases.
Assistance from outsiders is allowed only within an area of +/- 100m of the aid stations.
The route is marked with flags and tape and/or coloured posts. Other signage may be communicated at the briefing and/or on race day. The signage must be followed on sight before the snow fields and on the exact course in the snow and on the glacier, subject disqualification.

Athletes aged between 18 and 70 are admitted. They must be in possession of a medical certificate attesting to their racing ability. They must demonstrate mountaineering and/or ski mountaineering experience and/or their skyrunning CV which must include at least one SkyMarathon in the Alps.
Each single athlete’s CV determines the assessment or exclusion of the team. Entry requests without a CV will not be accepted.
Each athlete will receive a bib which must be visible at all times.
A timing chip is provided together with the bib which will be checked at the start together with the mandatory equipment.
It is mandatory for the team to rope up at the Indren cable car station with harnesses and micro crampons (see equipment list). The use of a helmet will be specified in the briefing.
Marshals at the cut-off check points have the faculty to decide if an athlete is not fit to continue the race in which case, to collect the bib and determine the return to the finish line.
It is NOT permitted to continue the race without the bib. In case of dropping out, the athlete must advise a marshal at the nearest CP, keeping the bib for access to the cable car.

Each athlete is directly responsible for their equipment during the race.
At the race start in Alagna, the following kit is required: trail running shoes with snow gaiter, thermal socks, long tights, long sleeved technical top, windproof jacket with hood, sun glasses, gloves and head gear. Athletes must also carry an ARVA (or ARTVA)
The use of a helmet will be specified during the briefing.
It may be necessary to carry and use micro crampons from Alagna depending on the snow conditions.*
Head lamp is required.

Check the equipment details

From the Indren cable car station, teams must be roped with: UIAA 105 approved harness, UIAA 101 approved 8 mm diameter dynamic rope 10m long, UIAA 128 approved rope with two carabiners, micro metal crampons must be worn and ski or cross country poles must be carried.

The back pack must contain: windproof over pants, long sleeved jacket and thermal blanket, 1 lt hydration pack or bottle.
Poles must be used for the entire race.
Equipment will be checked at the race start, at the Indren cable car station and at the finish. Race staff may check the equipment at any time during the race.
Improper use of the equipment, ropes, micro crampons or whatever action that may prejudice the safety of the team or other race participants will mean immediate disqualification of the team.
Any claims must be presented to the Organising Committee within 15’ after finishing in writing and accompanied by a €20 deposit. The decision of the Jury is final.

UIAA Safety Standards

* It will not be possible to collect the backpack at Indren, nor to receive it from external aid.

The prize money will be announce as soon as available.

Monte Rosa SkyMarathon received the Certified Course Label by the International Skyrunning Federation and is listed among the 2024 Certified Courses.

This SkyMarathon is one of the most technical certified by the ISF, reaching technical level 3+.

Parameters take into account for the technical evaluation are:

• Average incline
• Altitude
• Distance
• Terrain
• Vertical climb
• Technical features and/or use of specific equipment