Marathon du Grand Ballon

Course and time limits

Don't forget to wear the right shoes, you'll need a minimum of grip!

For the exact location of the aid stations, elevation profiles and courses we refer to our event on Trace de Trail.

Marathon du Grand Ballon 16km - 850m+
- Start: Hotel Wolf, Le Markstein.
- Finish: Grand Ballon.
- 1 aid station during te race (after 8,6km) + final aid station for every participant.
- Cut-off: 21h00.
- No UTMB® points.
- There are NO plastic cups at the aid stations. Each runner has to carry his/her own cup or drinking system.
Course
GPX available 1week before the event.
Marathon du Grand Ballon 26km - 1350m+
- Start: Hotel Wolf, Le Markstein.
- Finish: Grand Ballon.
- 2 aid stations during te race (after 9km and 19km) + final aid station for every participant.
- Cut-off: 21h00.
- 1 ITRA® point.
- There are NO plastic cups at the aid stations. Each runner has to carry his/her own cup or drinking system.
Course
GPX available 1week before the event.

UTMB®
Marathon du Grand Ballon 42km - 1950m+
- Start: Hotel Wolf, Le Markstein.
- Finish: Grand Ballon.
- 3 aid stations (after na 15km, 25km and 35km) + final aid station.
- Cut-off: 21h00.
- There are NO plastic cups at the aid stations. Each runner has to carry his/her own cup or drinking system.
Course
GPX available 1week before the event.

UTMB®
Marathon du Grand Ballon 80km - 3380m+
- Start: Hotel Wolf, Le Markstein.
- Finish: Grand Ballon.
- 4 aid stations (20km, 40km, 63km et 73km) + final aid station.
- 1 aid station with only water after 28km.
- Cut-off: 21h00 (16h race)
- There are NO plastic cups at the aid stations. Each runner has to carry his/her own cup or drinking system.
Course
GPX available 1week before the event.

UTMB®

Time limit per aid station

Distance	16km	26km	42km	80km
Start	10.00	09.00	08.00	05.00
Aid station - Firstmiss	-	-	-	After 20km
Distance to next aid station	-	-	-	8km
Distance to the finish	-	-	-	60km
Time limit	-	-	-	09.00
Aid station - Gashney (Waterpost)	-	-	-	After 28km
Distance to next aid station	-	-	-	12km
Distance to the finish	-	-	-	52km
Time limit	-	-	-	10.30
Aid station - Mittlach	x	x	x	After 40km
Distance to next aid station	x	x	x	23km
Distance to the finish	x	x	x	40km
Time limit	x	x	x	13.00
Aid station - Col du Herrenberg	x	x	After 15km	x
Distance to next aid station	x	x	10km	x
Distance to the finish	x	x	27km	x
Time limit	x	x	12.00	x
Aid station - Auberge du Steinlebach	x	After 9km	After 25km	After 63km
Distance to next aid station	x	10km	10km	10km
Distance to the finish	x	17km	17km	17km
Time limit	x	17.30	17.30	17.30
Aid station - Geishouse	After 9km	After 19km	After 35km	After 73km
Distance to next aid station	7km	7km	7km	7km
Distance to the finish	7km	7km	7km	7km
Time limit	19.00	19.00	19.00	19.00

FINISH	16km	26km	42km	80km
Time limit	21.00	21.00	21.00	21.00

Courses On Google Maps + Locations Of The Aid Stations
This tab will be updated very soon.
Gear
The following equipment can be checked during the race or when picking up your starting number.
The absence of the required equipment results in a time penalty or disqualification.
X = Compulsory equipment
A = recommended material

80km 42km 26km 16km
Survival blanker X X X X
Whistle X X X X
Water supply, min. 1l X A A A
Waterproof (running) jacket
A A A A
Telephone X X X X
GPX
A A A A
Gels, bars, .. A A A A
Head lamp A - - -
Protection mask X X X X
...

Practical information

Address - How To Get There - Parking

Start at hotel Wolf (Route des Crêtes, Le Markstein.)
Finish at La Vue des Alpes, Grand Ballon.
There is a large parking lot close to the start.
Don't park your car next to the finish please, this place needs to stay free
for the start of the races.

There is a shuttle from the finish to the start.
Don't forget to book the shuttle.
Last departure of the shuttle from the Grand Ballon to the Markstein
is at 21h00.

Google maps start
Program
Friday 22.07.2022
18.00 – 20.00: Race office is open + pick up bib number all distances.

Saturday 23.07.2022
04.30 – 05.00: Race office is open + pick up bib number all distances.
05.00 : Start Marathon du Grand Ballon 80km
06.30 – 10.00: Race office is open + pick up bib number all distances.
08.00 : Start Marathon du Grand Ballon 42km
09.00 : Start Marathon du Grand Ballon 26km
10.00 : Start Marathon du Grand Ballon 16km
21.00 : End
Pick up bib number and T-shirt

Bib numbers are not sent in advance and can only be collected from the race secretary on the day of the race. You will receive your bib number by email a few days before the event and you can also view it on the list of participants that comes online at the same time as the mailing.

You will receive all extras you ordered (such as a T-shirt or eco-cup) together with your bib number. It is possible to pick up the numbers of your family and/or friends. You must report all last minute changes in distance to the secretariat.
Change name, distance and / or cancel

Changing your distance, buying a T-shirt, adapting your data and even canceling it can ONLY be done through your SQM Time account. So you do this all by yourself!
After you have logged in, search for the relevant order and change the details. If your new data results in a lower cost price, your account will be credited and you can use that amount for another registration. If your new information leads to a higher registration price, you still have to pay that amount to complete the change.

If you wish to cancel, your account will be credited in accordance with our cancellation conditions. You can then spend this amount on another registration later.
Attention: Please check the conditions of the organizer to find out until when you can cancel and how much your account will be credited !
Showers - Dressing rooms - Bags drop-off
There are no changing rooms and no showers.

You can hand in your sports bag at the 'storage of sports bags' stand.
Make sure you bring a well-closing bag because loose pieces or open bags are not accepted.
Your bag will receive a number, which will also be noted on your chest number. You will not get your bag back without a bib number!
Insurance physical accidents
By default you are NOT insured through the organization for physical injuries during the race. You can choose to take an insurance through the organizer when you register. This is an additional paying option.
Photoservice
A selection of photos can be found a few days after the event on our Facebook page. This can be viewed by anyone, including those who do NOT have a Facebook account.
During the event, the Sportograf team will be present to take the most beautiful photos of you in action. You can find your personal photos via the link below or by clicking on the icon behind your name in the results list.

Facebook Sportograf
Organisation
Sportevents, bvba
This event is part of the Runners' Lab Trailrun Series.
Where to stay?
Looking for a nice place to stay?

1. Hotel Wolf, Le Markstein.
At 50m of the start.
For booking, contact them by
- e-mail: hotelwolf@aol.com
- telephone: +33 3 89 82 64 3
2. Auberge du Steinlebach
1km from the start and this place is one of the aid stations!
For booking, contact them by
- telephone: +33 3 89 82 61 87
Live GPS tracker - Legends Tracker
With our GPS trackers your exact position can be tracked live during the race. This is not only exciting for the supporters, but is also important for your safety. We know where you are at all times and in case of an emergency, you can use the SOS button to initiate a rescue operation. The GPS trackers weigh 65gram and record your position every 15 seconds to 10 minutes (depending on the event). On the day of the race a link will appear on our website where you can follow the tracking.
How does it work?
- Usually the organization will have already turned the trackers on. If you have to turn your tracker on for some reason, press the button on top of the tracker for 2-3 seconds (not the big SOS button on the front) when the light starts to blink you can release the button. The tracker is active when a green light blinks slowly.
- Put your tracker in a plastic bag (provided by the organization) and stick it with tape (provided by the organization) on the outside of your trail backpack, best on your shoulder. Do not put the tracker in your backpack or under your clothes.
- After the event, don't forget to return your tracker.
- Use the SOS button (button on the front of the tracker) only in case of emergency. Always try to contact us by phone via the emergency number on your bib number before using the SOS button. Use SOS button = evacuation = end of race.
Powered by Legends Tracking.

Race information

Start

There is a mass start under the starting arch for each distance. Your time starts to run when you cross the starting line. To prevent congestion on the course, you will start in small batches via a narrow starting lane ("rolling start").
Your time starts running as soon as you cross the starting line.

However, the rankings will be based on the actual finish time and NOT on the net times.
If you decide on the day to run a different distance, you must inform the secretariat beforehand.
Cut-off times
All aid stations have official opening hours / opening times

Consult the tab Course --> Time Limit Per Aid Station
Podium / Prize allocation
The prizes will be awarded during an award ceremony near the finish area.
The exact hour will be decided on the day itself and communicated by the speaker or the race director. The ceremonies are held approximately 15 minutes after the arrival of the 3rd finisher.
There are no age group podia, only overall for men and women.
Aid stations / No plastic cups / Personal drop bag

AID STATIONS
There are multiple aid stations during the race. The exact locations are indicated on the course map (see the "course" tab). The supplies have standard water, salty snacks, cake, candy, ... Attention! There are no plastic cups at the aid stations, so you have to bring your own drinking cup or bottle.

PERSONAL DROP BAG (Participants of the 80km)
There will be a personal drop bag. You can get your bag at the race office.
Please depose your bag before the start in "La Bulle" next to the start.
Your bag will be ready at km63 during the race. The organization will bring your bag to the finish.
Attention: you'll need to show your bibnumber to get your bag back.
No bibnumber = no personal dropbag.

NO PLASTIC CUPS!
Because we respect the environment we do not provide disposable plastic cups. So you have to bring a drinking cup or bottle yourself. This applies to the aid stations along the way as well as at the finish. We have handy eco-cups, which are reusable drinking cups that you can fold, to be purchased with your online registration and/or to be purchased at the race office for 3 euros.

Media

Marathon (Trail) du Grand Ballon 2021
To view the photos in a larger format, we refer to the album on Facebook (also available for those who do not have a Facebook account) and / or the Sportograf event page. You can also view / purchase your personal photos on the event page of Sportograf.
FB album Sportograf
Marathon (Trail) du Grand Ballon 2019
To view the photos in a larger format, we refer to the album on Facebook (also available for those who do not have a Facebook account) and / or the Sportograf event page. You can also view / purchase your personal photos on the event page of Sportograf.
FB album Sportograf

Results Marathon du Grand Ballon

2021
Click here for the results of 2021.
2020
The 2020 edition has been cancelled due to Covid-19.
2019
Click here for the results of 2019.

Marathon (Trail) Du Grand Ballon F.A.Q. 's

Are dogs and/or poles allowed?
Dogs are not allowed.

Poles are allowed.
Is a (PETZL) head lamp mandatory?
If you're participating at a nighttrail or a semi-nighttrail, the head torche is mandatory.
Due to circumstances I cannot participate. What should I do?

Changing your distance, buying a T-shirt, adapting your data and even canceling it can ONLY be done through your SQM Time account. So you do this all by yourself!
After you have logged in, search for the relevant order and change the details. If your new data results in a lower cost price, your account will be credited and you can use that amount for another registration. If your new information leads to a higher registration price, you still have to pay that amount to complete the change.

If you wish to cancel, your account will be credited in accordance with our cancellation conditions. You can then spend this amount on another registration later.
Attention: Please check the conditions of the organizer to find out until when you can cancel and how much your account will be credited !

FLEXI | make your registration flexible

TEMPORARY OFFER - Activate FLEXI for this registration, making it highly flexible, and the FLEXI will be automatically activated free of charge for one year on all your future registrations on Passion For Sports (choice from more than 70 events) - Offer valid only for Account Holders

Activate the FLEXI option and enjoy all the flexible benefits:

	WITHOUT FLEXI	WITH FLEXI
Refund if you cancel your own registration	0 - 50%	100%
Customise your registration ( options and/or distance )
Transfer or sell your registration(s) to someone else
If you cancel, use your acquired credits on ALL Passion For Sports events (70+) instead of just the cancelled event
Priority registration period for ALL Passion For Sports events ( 48h )
Free participation in ALL Passion For Sports Challenges
Big discounts on lots of holiday stays in the Belgian Ardennes (up to 200 euro)

* The max refund amount per registration is 75€.
* cancellation later than 3 weeks before event, only possible with ACTI+

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UPSELL PRODUCTS

	Early Bird	Basic price	Last Minute
16km	€20,00	€25,00	€28,00
26km	€28,00	€35,00	€39,00
42km	€44,00	€55,00	€66,00
80km	€85,00	€95,00	€105,00

	80km	42km	26km	16km
Survival blanker	X	X	X	X
Whistle	X	X	X	X
Water supply, min. 1l	X	A	A	A
Waterproof (running) jacket	A	A	A	A
Telephone	X	X	X	X
GPX	A	A	A	A
Gels, bars, ..	A	A	A	A
Head lamp	A	-	-	-
Protection mask	X	X	X	X
...

- 16KM - 26km - 42KM - 80KM -

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Course and time limits