UTMB World Series Anti-Doping Policy
Anti-doping policy
The sport of trail running has grown rapidly in recent years. More events, participants, exposure, and inspiration. All around the world runners are choosing to accept the challenge, and enjoy the benefits, of participating in long races on dirt in beautiful, natural terrain.
This growth has been largely organic. Consequently, there has not been a clear articulation around policies supporting fair competition, an even playing field, and a discussion around the unique health risks associated with the misuse of certain substances in these long and challenging races.
UTMB World Series is a global leader in long distance running events. We have worked hand in hand with ITA to develop this anti-doping policy both to protect the integrity of UTMB World Series races and to educate around fair play and the potential misuse of certain substances.
This policy is targeted at several vital constituents in the trail ecosystem:
Athletes
Want to know the rules & expectations of fair play, that there is an even playing field for all runners, and that they do not need to or want to jeopardize their health to compete successfully.
Coaches
Want to know that the guidance and support they provide falls within the rules of fair and healthy behavior. They want to know what is expected of their athletes, their competitors, and members of the trail community.
Fans, media & partners
Want the sport they love to be clean and fair, not be tainted by cheating and perceived to be harmful to the health and wellbeing of the participants.
The UTMB Anti-doping policy provides the most important information runners, coaches, family and crew members need to know:
- Principles and values associated with clean sport
- Athletes’, Athlete Support Personnel’s and other groups’ rights and responsibilities under the Code
- The Principle of Strict Liability
- Consequences of doping, for example, physical and mental health, social and economic effects, and sanctions
- Anti-doping rule violations
- Substances and Methods on the Prohibited List
- Risks of supplement use
- Use of medications and Therapeutic Use Exemptions
- Testing procedures, including urine, blood and the Athlete Biological Passport
- Requirements of the Registered Testing Pool, including Whereabouts and the use of the Anti-Doping Administrative & Management System (ADAMS)
- Speaking up to share concerns about doping
Click here to read the full UTMB Anti-doping policy.
As an entrant to UTMB events, you are subject to both In and Out of Competition testing, and are responsible for understanding and complying with the World Anti-Doping Code and associated International Standards, as issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency (e.g., the International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions, the List of Prohibited Substances and Prohibited Methods, and the International Standard for Testing and Investigations) and applicable anti-doping rules adopted by Organizer.
TESTING:
- All athletes are subject to testing, which includes both blood and urine.
- You are solely responsible for anything you use, attempt to use or is found in your system, regardless of how it got there and whether it was your intention to cheat.
- Never been tested? Check out the video which illustrates the Doping Control Process.
PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND METHODS:
- Before taking, you should check the status of all medications, substances, supplements and treatment methods against the wada prohibited list.
- Or use the Global Drug Reference Online to look up any product.
- Use the resources of your National Anti-Doping Agency- use their online tools and speak to their staff when questions arise.
- Confirm Therapeutic Use Requirements (TUE) if using or intending to use a prohibited substance or prohibited method.
SUPPLEMENTS: All athletes need to be informed consumers when it comes to decisions related to supplements and sports nutrition products. Choosing supplements that have been screened for prohibited substances by an independent laboratory can significantly lower the risk of a positive test or an adverse health effect. WADA does not certify, approve, endorse, or guarantee any supplement. Some products on the market imply, or state directly, that they are WADA certified or approved, but they are not.
Before you take a supplement:
- Assess the need: seek advice from a medical professional or nutritionist on your need to use supplement products.
- Assess the risk: Thoroughly research any product you consider taking. Look for products that have been screened for prohibited substances by an independent laboratory.
- It is important to know if a supplement is high-quality and free from prohibited substances BEFORE use. A thorough third-party certification program that tests for performance enhancing drugs is an important risk-reduction step.
- Being told by a supplement company that its products are "safe" and have been screened is not sufficient.
- Unless a supplement has been independently certified by one of the organizations listed below, it should be considered high-risk.
