Charity bib registration opens for DACIA UTMB Mont-Blanc with 260 bibs available in support of 14 charitable associations
260 charity bibs available for runners who wish to take part in the UTMB World Series Finals — the UTMB, CCC and OCC races of the DACIA UTMB Mont-Blanc.
Through the UTMB Cares endowment fund, runners with charity bibs can support the charity of their choice and become an ambassador for their cause. For the supported charities, it's a chance to benefit from donations that will enable them to carry out projects in a wide variety of fields.
The DACIA UTMB Mont-Blanc, its organizers and the association Les Amis de l'UTMB Mont-Blanc are driven by the mountain spirit and the desire to help everyone achieve their own personal victories. Since 2003, a strong spirit of solidarity has been at the heart of the event. Last year €356,000 was raised for select charities through the charity bibs.
This year's associations
For 2024, 14 associations have been selected by the solidarity committee of the association Les Amis de l’UTMB Mont-Blanc. These associations operate in the fields of solidarity, health, inclusion and the environment.
Sylvie Barquant, President of the solidarity committee of the association Les Amis de l’UTMB Mont-Blanc, said: "Selecting these associations is a meticulous team effort of which we are proud, because we are so keen to highlight these extraordinary organizations, each in their own field. We know the people who work for them well and we're very keen to give them the funding and visibility they deserve through the charity bibs."
A Swiss association, Kaïcedra supports projects and initiatives in rural communities in the north of Burkina Faso to meet their most urgent needs in education, health, food security and women's mobility.
A publicly recognized foundation that works to ensure that all disadvantaged people have access to decent housing and a dignified life.
LES AMIS DE L’UTMB MONT-BLANC ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
This committee organizes and finances actions to preserve our environmental heritage, in particular improving the trails around Mont-Blanc in conjunction with the municipalities involved in the event.
An association based in Chamonix that provides medical equipment for hospitals in developing countries in Africa, the Middle East, Eastern Europe and South-East Asia, with a view to sustainability.
An association of volunteers for the integration of migrants arriving in the Mont-Blanc and Arve Valley region, providing accommodation, French lessons or tutoring, material, food, health and administrative assistance.
SEBIO SOLIDARITY MOUNTAIN RESCUE This association helps the families of mountain rescue professionals who have suffered an accident during rescue operations or who have fallen ill, with a particular focus on orphans. It also provides support for mountain rescue professionals.
A pioneer in the recognition of the value of play in hospital, Le Rire Medecin provides trained professional clowns to work alongside caregivers to minimize the impact of illness and hospitalization on children, bring them play, imagination and fantasy, and make them laugh.
A Swiss non-profit organization working to provide access to drinking water for all in the rural region of Bulape, in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
ASSOCIATION FRANCAISE DES HEMOPHILES
Recognized as a public utility, the AFH informs, helps and defends the rights of people with haemophilia, Willebrand's disease and constitutional haemorrhagic disorders. It campaigns for constant improvements in knowledge, treatment and care for these disorders.
An association, based in Les Houches in the Chamonix valley, which aims to make the mountains more accessible to people with disabilities.
LA CHAINE DE L’ÉSPOIR An international NGO dedicated to improving access to surgical care for vulnerable people, particularly children and women, in situations of fragility or prolonged crisis. It helps to strengthen healthcare systems by providing expertize in surgery and hospital engineering, with the aim of making local teams self-sufficient.
LA FORET DES HOUCHES An association set up by UTMB Group and the Centre National de la Propriété Forestière, to work alongside foresters in the Chamonix valley whose forests in the Vaudagne area of Les Houches are facing difficulties linked to climate change. New trees will be planted to create a more resilient mixed forest. These will include species that are already present but whose numbers will be increased, such as larches, firs, maples, wild cherries and oaks.
An association based in Chamonix that helps young people and adults facing difficult life situations (social difficulties, disability, illness, dropping out of school, etc.) to gain access to the mountains in order to find motivation to surpass themselves and make a new start.
An endowment fund which works to protect athletes from the risks and serious illnesses associated with ultra-endurance events (the risk of accidents in ultra-sports is seven times higher than in traditional sports).
Patrick Basset, President of the Ultra-Sports Science endowment fund, said: "The charity bibs — thanks to which we raised €38,000 in 2023 — enable us to fund several important research programmes linked to the health of ultra-endurance runners, in particular self-medication, sleep and the impact of these sports on women. This will enable us to give the best possible advice to help runners look after their health, before, during and after a long event".
UTMB for the Planet — A regenerative economy for the environment and people
In line with our regeneration inititiave, UTMB For the Planet, each of the associations supported through the charity bibs are united under its main pillars: enviroment, territory and people.
Environment: to support projects focusing on nature and research to help restore and regenerate biodiversity and build resilient ecosystems, such as the project to regenerate the Les Houches forest and strengthen it in the face of the uncertainty of climate change.
Region: to support the development of local communities and associations around the UTMB World Series host destinations. These associations often have a strong emotive link with the region, such as the 30 educational trips and inclusive projects in the mountains organized each year by the EN PASSANT PAR LA MONTAGNE association, bringing the values of diversity, equality and sharing to the summits.
People: to promote inclusion and support athletes from different backgrounds to take part in UTMB World Series events, such as the project managed in partnership with the ARVE REFUGIES association to support a team of young athletes for six months in preparation for a DACIA UTMB Mont-Blanc race.
The UTMB for the Planet roadmap is based on these three pillars. It aims to unite trail running communities to contribute to the well-being of people and the regeneration of the planet, through actions and policies such as the adaptive athlete policy or pregnancy policy.
These are among the 40 key initiatives that UTMB Group has committed to implementing at all UTMB World Series events.
To find out more, read the UTMB for the Planet report here.
Isabelle Viseux-Poletti, Director of the DACIA UTMB Mont-Blanc, said: "The DACIA UTMB Mont-Blanc has had strong community commitments since its creation. Throughout the year, and for each new edition, we are committed to supporting and highlighting concrete actions for the region hosting the event, as well as far beyond".
"Throughout the world, sport and the voluntary sector are two activities that complement each other and have much to do together. These commitments are as much a source of pride for the UTMB Group team as they are for the runners, who get an extra boost of energy when they run for a cause that is dear to them".
IN PRACTICE
How much does a charity bib cost?
A charity bib costs €2,200. This can be paid directly or through the GivenGain fundraising platform. GivenGain allows you to create a fundraising page and invite your network to contribute towards the cost of charity bib, helping to support your chosen cause.
What are the conditions for obtaining a charity bib?
You must have at least 1 Running Stone and a valid UTMB Index in the category of race you wish to register for (UTMB 100M, CCC 100K, OCC 50K).
How do I register ?
You will need to have a MyUTMB account to access registration. Once on the registration page, you can choose the association you wish to support and make the donation. A confirmation email is then automatically sent.
Is there a deadline for registering?
Registration for the charity bibs will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Registrations will be open until all available places have been filled. There will be no waiting list.
Are donations tax deductible?
UTMB Cares is registered in France. As a result, only taxpayers in France can benefit from a tax reduction. A receipt will be sent to eligible runners.
I don’t have a valid Running Stone and/or UTMB Index, is it possible to receive an extension for entry?
No extensions or deferrals will be granted. Runners must meet the registration conditions at the time of making the donation.
Will all my Running Stones be utilized or just one, when I buy the charity bib?
All the Running Stones will be used up once registration has been finalized.
