A new achievement for the 2017 edition of the Campo dei Fiori Trail: ITRA POINTS are awarded to the Trail runner's CV.
Let us take this opportunity to clarify for those who do not yet know them or who have doubts

Remembermo that REGISTRATION FOR THE FIORI TRAIL is already open. Info on page REGISTRATION 

What are the famous UTMB and ITRA points? For many trailers, an obsession to reach a goal, participation in what many say is the true world championship of trail running, or at least the most famous race in the world, a 171-kilometre-long dream around one of the most fascinating mountains in the world (Mont Blanc) and called Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc.

For those who are reading this and who have never heard of these points, in the specific case of the UTMB (Ultra Trail du Mont Blanc) event, they are points which are acquired by participating in long-distance trails, which are then used as a curriculum when applying for pre-registration for the UTMB or other races such as the LUT (Lavaredo Ultra Trail) and which have the main purpose of making a selection and guaranteeing to the organisers that those who will take part in the event have adequate preparation.

But the original name of these points is ITRA Points. THE ITRA, International Trail Running Association, ITRA is an international association which oversees the rules of Trail Running and which, in recent years, has played a very important role in giving guidelines on the definition of Trail Running, involving organisers and expert trailers from all over the world. One of the difficulties and needs that many organisers and trailers have had, has always been that of defining the difficulty of a route and this problem has found an answer in the method that ITRA has drawn up, giving its own guidelines.

The formula ITRA uses to calculate points is as follows:

Kilometres + (Positive Difference in Height / 100), corrected by coefficients according to the number and frequency of refreshments, the way the race is run whether in-line, loop with one lap or several laps or single stage/run. This formula is used to determine the score “Endurance“ used by the UTMB and other ultra races that require points in the regulations. Depending on the value obtained, points are awarded as indicated in the following table in the New Scale column (parameter from 1 to 6 points):

To give some useful examples to understand the meaning of this whole method of calculation and judgement, a trail of 126km / 6291m D+, as in the case of the LAVAREDO ULTRA TRAIL, gives 5 ITRA points and a trail of 118.5km / 7260m D+, such as the long trial of the ULTRA TRAIL DEL LAGO D'ORTA, gives 6 points. It goes without saying that shorter races with a higher altitude profile can give more points (it is not only the length that matters).

These are the scores assigned to our races. In particular, the ENDURANCE column shows the scores for UTMB.

All races taking place between 01/01/2016 and 31/12/2017 and registered in the list of qualifying races of the UTMB® (which includes the Campo dei Fiori Trail 2017) are valid for registration with the following rules:
- To register for the’UTMB®, a minimum of 15 points in a maximum of 3 races is required
- To register for the CCC®, a minimum of 8 points is required, acquired through 1 or 2 races
- To register for the TDS®, a minimum of 8 points is required, acquired through 1 or 2 races
- To register for the OCC, a minimum of 4 points are required, acquired through 1 or 2 races

And here we finish describing the ‘famous’ UTMB/ITRA points, but ITRA has also introduced the two new criteria “Mountain” e “Finisher” , to better identify the objective difficulties of a trail and to provide Ultratrailers with useful parameters for a “conscious” assessment of their own chances towards a given event.

The criterion of “Mountain” level is based on objective parameters such as the percentage of ascent, the longest continuous ascent and the average altitude of the route. The parameter is indicated as a number assigned on a scale of 1 to 12.

Finally, the criterion “Finisher”, most interesting for aspiring finishers and those approaching their first ultra and wanting to assess their chances, is the performance index required to be able to finish the race within the time limit. Simply compare your ITRA Performance Index (if you don't know it yet, you can find it on the ITRA website here) with the “Finisher” value assigned to a given race and thus assess one's ability to finish the race within the time limit. Below are the scores assigned to our competitive races.

To have the opportunity to conquer these precious points with a race in Italy and positioned in a period close to the registration for the UTMB and other Ultra races that require these points is a reason why we have certified the Campo dei Fiori Trail 2017 as a qualifying race. It is now up to you to conquer them...

We would like to remind you that REGISTRATION FOR THE FIORI TRAIL is open at reduced rates. Info on page REGISTRATION