Safety Well prepared for alpine terrain & our measures for your safety

For Zell am See-Kaprun as the organiser and SALTY Trailrunning as the co-organiser, the safety of all Grossglockner Ultra-Trail participants is our top priority. Please read all the important safety information on this page.

An extraordinary race

GGUT is neither a marathon nor an ordinary trail run! GGUT takes place mostly above 2,000 m, with many passages above 2,500 m. Even the best runners can have an accident in the middle of the night, in cold weather, snow or rain in the mountains. Adverse conditions can mean that you have to wait for help longer than expected. Your personal safety can therefore depend on the quality of the equipment you carry with you.

Equipment

Therefore: mandatory equipment is minimum equipment! Each participant must adapt the minimum equipment to their own needs. It is important not to choose equipment based on weight (as light as possible to carry a few grams less), but to take clothing that provides the best protection against cold, wind and snow in the mountains and thus offers the greatest safety.

Weather and environmental conditions

Adverse weather and sudden changes in weather conditions must be expected at any time. Please note that the organiser has limited options for responding to such situations due to the terrain. The organiser will make all decisions after reviewing the facts and careful consideration, but in case of doubt, the safety of the participants will be prioritised.

Please note in particular:

Prevention against extreme cold and extreme heat (sun protection!)
Never stop at a high altitude
Do not wait until you are shivering before putting on more clothing
Do not change clothes in strong winds: change beforehand or go to a sheltered spot

Markings

Stay on the trails. If you can no longer see any markings, turn back until you find one again.

Poles

Be careful what you do with your poles (especially in the first part of the race when participants are still crowded together). Do not put your hands in the loops when running downhill, as this will prevent you from breaking your fall with your hands.

Do not overestimate yourself

All competitions are demanding and require careful preparation. GGUT in particular places puts the highest demands on fitness, willpower, and alpine experience.
If you are unsure about registering or starting, we recommend that you choose a shorter route or refrain from participating.
Make sure you always run below your personal performance limit – especially in the first section – so that you have enough energy to react safely in unexpected or difficult situations, such as a sudden change in weather.

Drink and food

Drink, food and energy intake must be adapted to the weather conditions and supplemented regularly with salt. Make sure that the ratio between slow and fast sugar intake remains the same.

Fatigue

There are rest areas at the supply stations in Kals and at Rudolfhütte where you can rest or sleep for a while. Never sleep alone anywhere along the route; it is dangerous. Fatigue and lack of alertness can lead to accidents.

Emergency call - SOS

GGUT emergency number: +43 680 215 22 63 (the emergency number must be stored in your mobile phone).
Alpine emergency call (if no network is available): remove the SIM card and dial 140.
A mobile phone is part of the mandatory equipment: with international calling capability and with good batteries (make sure they do not discharge too quickly).

IMPORTANT: A runner in difficulty must never be left on their own!