ALTERNATIVE ROUTE ACTIVATED - TDL
FOR SAFETY REASONS, THE RACE DIRECTION HAS DECIDED TO ACTIVATE THE ALTERNATIVE TRAIL OF THE TDL RACE
The safety of runners, volunteers, and teams is our top priority. For this reason, an alternative route has been designed to allow participants to fully enjoy the race in complete safety, while preserving the spirit of the TDL.
IMPORTANT:
- Cut-off times have been modified and adjusted to the new race conditions. Please check the updated schedule before starting the race.
Although the alternative route may present slight variations in distance or elevation gain, it still meets the criteria for its assigned UTMB® distance category. Therefore, all finishers will receive their corresponding Running Stones, as established in the official UTMB® World Series regulations.
Thank you for your understanding.
A trail of freedom, memory, and mountains.
75K | +5,100 m | From Bossòst to Vielha
HOKA Val d’Aran by UTMB® presents TDL – Termières dera Libertat (Borders of Freedom), a new and thrilling 75-kilometer race with 5,100 meters of elevation gain, inviting runners to discover the wildest and most moving essence of the Val d’Aran.
Inspired by the hidden paths that, for decades, served as escape routes for those fleeing war, persecution, and repression, the TDL pays tribute to all who crossed these mountains in search of freedom. A course that bridges history and the epic nature of trail running, crossing border passes that once bore silent witness to movements of resistance and hope.
This race traces a technical, varied, and spectacular route to Vielha, largely following the reverse course of the legendary VDA up to Bassa d’Oles. From there, it ventures into stunning alpine terrain, passing through iconic locations such as Montcorbison, Pomaròla, Val de Horno, Sarrahera, Cauva, and Santet-Escunhau.
A journey of contrasts: fast sections, technical trails, high mountain ridges, and breathtaking views.
Athletes must wear the mandatory equipment at all times during the race and be prepared for random checks along the course. Any missing items will result in a time penalty or disqualification.
- Closed shoes suitable for trail running. Barefoot running is not allowed.
- Pack (or similar) destined to transport mandatory equipment throughout the race.
- Mobile phone (smartphone MANDATORY): the runner must be reachable at any time before, during and after the race:
- mobile phone with international roaming allowing for its use in Spain and France (load into its memory the organization's security numbers, don't mask your number, and don't forget to start the race with the battery fully charged).
- keep the phone on, airplane mode is prohibited and can be penalized.
- Livetrail application installed and activated.
- An external battery is highly recommended.
- Personal beaker 15 cl minimum (bottles or flasks with lids are not accepted).
- Minimum 1.5l water reserve. At the departure of some aid stations, it will be mandatory to leave with 1.5l of drink, depending on the section to be covered or the weather conditions.
- 2 torches in good working order with spare cells/batteries for each torch. Recommendation: 200 lumens or more for the main torch.
- Survival bag or emergency bivvy bag. This must have minimum dimensions of 2.0m x 0.9m. It is recommended this is a thermal bag which retains body heat. A survival blanket or foil blanket is not acceptable.
- Whistle.
- Food reserve. Recommendation: 800kcal (2 gels + 2 energizing bars of 65g each).
- Jacket with hood which will withstand bad weather in the mountains and made of a waterproof* and breathable** membrane with a minimum 10 000 mm water column (recommended RET less than 13). The jacket must have an integrated hood attached by the original system designed for that purpose by the manufacturer. The seams must be heat-sealed. The jacket must not have any parts made of non-waterproof fabric, only the vents provided by the manufacturer (under the arms, on the back) and as long as they do not obviously alter the waterproofing, are accepted. It is the runner’s responsibility to judge, according to these criteria, whether their jacket complies with the regulations and is suitable for bad weather in the mountains. At the checkpoints, the on-site assessment of the checkpoint official or race marshal will take precedence.
- A long-sleeve thermal layer (cotton excluded) with a minimum weight of 180 g (in the runner’s size)
- Long-legged trousers or race leggings OR a combination of legging and socks which cover the legs completely.
- Waterproof trouser cover.
- Cap or bandana or Buff®.
- Warm and water-proof gloves.
All clothing items must fit the runner - in terms of size - and they must not be altered in any way after leaving the factory. Dress properly. The mandatory equipment must be carried in a running pack for the duration of the whole race and is not interchangeable during the race. All equipment will be properly packed to prevent it from getting wet inside the backpack in rainy conditions.
Other recommended equipment (list non exhaustive):
- Spare warm clothing, indispensable in the case of cold or wet weather or in the case of injury.
- Poles in the case of rain or snow for your security on slippery ground.
- Water purification tablets or drums with filter.
- Plates and cutlery to eat. At the aid stations, no material is provided to be able to eat.
- Vaseline or anti-heat cream.
- Sun protection.
- GPS watch.
- Adhesive elastic band that allows bandaging or strapping (min. 100 cm x 6 cm).
If you choose to take poles, it is for the duration of the race. It is forbidden to start without poles and recuperate them during the course of the race. The use of poles may be prohibited in certain areas of the route for safety or environmental reasons. In such cases it will be indicated by specific signs along the route. No poles are authorized in the drop bags.
Music: Listening to music using earphones only, is tolerated, so long as it is safe to do so. Any earphones MUST be removed when crossing any roads, as well as on approach to, and whist at, any checkpoints and when approaching and passing any Safety Team members.
At the race-pack collection, each participant receives a 30-liter bag. After filling it with the items of their choice and closing it, they can drop it in a place close to the starting line. The bags are then returned to Vielha.
How to get your bags in Vielha: 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. After that time, the runner must come, in person, to retrieve their bag at the organization headquarters in Vielha.
The organization will take to Vielha the bags of runners who drop out, on condition that their withdrawal is registered. Because of logistical factors, the organization cannot guarantee that all bags are brought to Vielha 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 Vielha.
For logistics reasons, UTMB® World series events only accept the UTMB® World series spare bags that are distributed during the check-In. Those bags are reusable, so we ask the runners who already have received one of those bags to reuse it each time they take part in a UTMB® World Series event.
Assistance is NOT allowed in the race, at any point of the course.
Pacers are not allowed to set the pace in the race.
