Mandatory Gear

Mandatory gear lists for UTA100, UTA50, UTA22 & UTA11

The mandatory gear list contains what we believe is the absolute minimum to keep you safe during the event and in the Blue Mountain’s unpredictable weather systems. If you would normally take something extra on a run of this duration, you should still take it.

MANDATORY GEAR LISTS

The course passes through remote trails, where protection from the elements and medical/support services could be some time/distance from athletes needing assistance. It is therefore imperative that the mandatory gear is carried at all times.

In order to reduce waste, we are a cupless event. Athletes are strongly advised to carry their own drinking cup, bottle or hydration vest that they can use at aid stations for the selection of drinks. We recommend you also carry water between aid stations.

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Item	UTA100	UTA50	UTA22	UTA11
1 x long sleeve thermal top (polypropylene, wool) read description	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x long leg thermal pants (polypropylene, wool) read description	✔	✖	✖	✖
1 x waterproof and breathable jacket read description	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x beanie balaclava or head sock (Buff)	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x full-fingered lightweight thermal gloves (polypropylene, wool)	✔	✖	✖	✖
1 x high visibility safety vest read description	✔	✔	✖	✖
1 x headlamp	✔	✔	✖	✖
1 x small backup light	✔	✖	✖	✖
1 x mobile phone read description	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x compass	✔	✔	✖	✖
1 x whistle	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x emergency space blanket (light bivvy sack or equivalent)	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x compression bandage read description	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x lightweight dry sack	✔	✔	✖	✖
Water bottles or bladders with a capacity to carry 2 litres of water	✔	✔	✔	✔
2 x food bars / food portions	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x ziplock bag for your personal rubbish	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x race number (provided in race pack) read description	✔	✔	✔	✔
1 x timing tag for backpack (provided in race pack)	✔	✔	✖	✖
1 x long leg waterproof pants*	✔	✖	✖	✖
1 x 100-weight (minimum) long sleeve synthetic fleece top*	✔	✖	✖	✖

All runners in UTA100 need to have their mandatory gear checked before they can collect their race pack at race check-In. There are two options for getting your gear checked:

Gear Check Store - Perform an early gear check at one of the gear check stores in NSW, ACT, VIC, QLD, SA, WA or TAS. This is the best option to save you time and effort during race weekend.
Gear Check at race check-In - Have your gear checked at Race Check-In immediately prior to collecting your race pack. This is the least preferable option as it can make your Race Check-In take much longer.

If you fail the gear check at race check-in, you will need to find a replacement item before you can collect your race number.

If you completed an early gear check but forget to bring your certificate to race check-in our team will be able to look you up in the database and issue you with a new certificate.

Athletes must carry the mandatory gear at all times during the race. No mandatory gear = no start! All athletes should be prepared for random spot checks, and if you are missing any item you will not be allowed to continue until the item can be replaced. You will also receive a time penalty.

Official Gear Check Stores

MANDATORY GEAR DESCRIPTIONS

Suitable garments:

The mandatory thermal items must be made of either a high performance synthetic material that is made up of fibres which are hydrophobic (ie they do not hold water) or they can be made of lightweight wool (wool does absorb water but it remains warm to wear when wet due to warm air being trapped in lots of tiny air pockets). Garments made of synthetic materials such as polypropylene, polyester and chlorofibre (PVC) are perfect as the fibres do not hold moisture. Garments made from these materials can feel slightly damp in wet conditions but that is because moisture is held in the tiny spaces between the fibres. As the fibres do not get wet these garments will actually dry out from your body heat while you are wearing them and there is no evaporative cooling effect as the moisture evaporates from the spaces between the fibres. Modern thermal materials may use a small amount of spandex, elastane or Lycra to provide greater shape retention, tighter fit and therefore greater warmth. Garments made of a material that is 94% polyester and 6% spandex are perfect.

Not suitable:

Garments made mostly of synthetic materials such as lycra (a polyester-polyurethane copolymer) and coolmax (which is polyester with fibres amended so they do absorb moisture) are not suitable for this event as they hold moisture against your skin and they also wick moisture away very well thus causing substantial evaporative cooling. All compression garments are made of mostly lycra so they are not suitable as your mandatory thermals in this event. Cotton is also unsuitable as it absorbs water and holds the moisture against the wearer's skin. Unlike wool, cotton has no bulk to trap warm air so the wearer remains cold. In search and rescue circles cotton is called "The Fatal Fabric" and "Killer Cotton" for good reason - people die every year when caught out in the elements wearing cotton garments. Other people also caught out in the same conditions who are wearing synthetic and/or wool survive – it’s a very clear cut issue.

Mandatory Gear

MANDATORY GEAR LISTS

MANDATORY GEAR DESCRIPTIONS

Thermal garments

Waterproof & breathable jacket

High visibility safety vest

Mobile phone

Compression bandage

Race number