Frequently Asked Questions

The accommodation info is all on the race site but if you missed it, we provide tents which are set up before you arrive at stage finish and your bag is placed outside the tent. Some bring hammocks, up to you, you have a tent anyway as some finishes are in areas where hanging a hammock isn't possible. I think if you scroll down these question/answers you will find most things are covered. Paul.   ( From Hi Stuart, )

Hi Fred, There are many problems with using a bladder for multi stage races. They put all the weight of water (1kg a litre) on your back and if you have to fill it up at check points you have to remove your sack and then fiddle about to get it out to refill, this takes time and also disturbs your pack set up. It is also harder to manage your liquid intake as you can't tell how much or how little you have available, this can lead to over drinking and running out or vice versa. If you add any flavoured electrolyte tablets or even worse, powder as well as taking time it also means the bladder will need very careful cleaning otherwise the additives will cause a build up of 'gunge'. The advantages of having 2 x 750ml bottles on the front are, you can carry the minimum 1.5litres and judge it so you can quickly refill and move on between CP's, you know how much fluid you have at a glance, the bottles can be cleaned easily and if you use eletewater (a cap full per bottle) your electrolyte intake is tasteless but correct and you can choose to add flavour or not, or pour any surplus over your cap/head, shoulders without turning lime or orange coloured. The big secret is to make sure the bottles are secure and stable, fortunately the Raidlight Olmo5 or the Salomon Xlab skin pack are excellent and also there are one or two companies that make front bottle pouches which can be added/removed if you already have a small ultra running pack.   ( From Paul TrailRunSpain. )

Al Andalus Ultimate Trail qualifies for 3 points towards the UTMB.   ( From Team Axarsport )

There will be a time limit on each stage in 2012 based on a 6km/h minimum average speed requirement per stage. The checkpoint closing times will be posted on the Stage description of each day. If a particular competitor is struggling during a stage, the Race Doctor and Race Director will be called on to make the decision if the runner can stay in or get pulled out. (This is safer for the runner due to the high temperatures and exposure). if a runner does not reach a CP by the CP closing time, he/she will be picked up and driven to the stage finish.The Race Doctor and Race Director's decision is based on the personal safety of the runner and support team and their word is final. We'd like everyone to experience some of each stage, even if they cannot finish each one. A pulled runner may continue on a later day, with the doctors approval, but would no longer be classified for the overall race.   ( From Team Axarsport )

Hi Timo, we have just tested the form to be sure it works. Any field with an asterisk to the left should have something in it. Even if you don't have a second address line, you can put an X in the field. You select your payment method. Then be sure that when you scroll down, you tick the box that says you've read the Rules & Regulations. If you continue to get errors, please email the required info in an email to admin@alandalus-ut.com and we'll fill it in for you. Looking forward to having you!   ( From Team Axarsport )

The results of each days stage are posted daily on the website in the news section. Subscribers to our newsfeed will also be notified by email that new results are posted. Our Facebook group will also have photos and comments.   ( From Team Axarsport )

We have electricity and multi socket points at each camp. Don't forget a 2-pin adapter.   ( From Team Axarsport )

Eletewater will be provided for the entire race in your gift bag. We will have more on sale in the race shop along with Teko and Injinji socks, Mountain King poles, Bars and Gels. Don't forget to pre order dehydrated meals if you prefer to collect on arrival rather than bring with you. Order info on the race site under NEWS.   ( From Team Axarsport )

The 2012 edition of AAUT is officially open for entries. Please go to the Entry page and fill out the form. There are special fields and rates for Team Entry. Looking forward to seeing you!   ( From Team Axarsport )

Multi-stage trail races don’t easily fit the certified marathon distances which apply more appropriately to road running. Stages 2, 3, and 4 are all well over 42.2km. Stages 1 and 5 are not quite 40km, but they are much harder than road marathons.   ( From Team Axarsport )

We suggest a lightweight sleeping bag or sheet and silk long underwear (or similar). With the contrast between high daily temps and cooler eve it can still feel cold, especially around 2 -3 am. Better to be able to ventilate a bag or sleep on top of it than to wake up cold.   ( From Team Axarsport )

A new and improved Race Kit Bag will be provided at registration. It is about 55 litres in size and supports <10kg of weight. The rest of your luggage will be stored in a secure room at the hotel.   ( From Team Axarsport )

AAUT2012 will be from 9th to 13th July with registration on the 7th and 8th.   ( From Team Axarsport )

The race hotel Manzanil is directly across the street from a large supermarket. Stage 1 is in walking distance of Alhama where a few bars are preparing assorted meals and tapas and you can shop. Stage 2 ends in in Jatar where the two bars prepare a menu for anyone on the race to order. You can also shop here. Stage 3 camp is too far from Jayena, but the village comes to the race and prepares paella, salad etc. for pre-purchase at registration. Stage 4 is still under development, but will either have meals prepared or be in walking distance to Alhama. Stage 5 ends back at the hotel. If you allow about 10-15 Euro's per eve, you should have enough for everything. Although the food isn't free, it is good and abundant. The bars open about 19.30, so we ask that everyone bring dehydrated meals to eat as soon as possible after a stage finish. There will be boiling water on from arrival until 22.00. We will post dehydrated food order details on the site two months before the race so you can preorder for collection on arrival. We also suggest a dehydrated breakfast although you could buy cereals, milk, jam, and cheese and have it transported along with other kit (as long as your Race Kit Bag is under 10kgs). We will also have assorted fruit and snacks available at stage finish recovery tables and some folk selling local produce.   ( From Team Axarsport )

Each year we try to make slight changes to the route. Stage 1 will remain the same, 2 has a new 3km loop, 3 and 4 I may alter slightly and 5 is a new route apart from the final 6km. We will update and post the final route information with the Garmin once we’ve received approval from the new campsite/village locations.   ( From Team Axarsport )

There is an Al Andalus Group on Facebook where you can chat. We also just added a Twitter link. Hope this helps, and any specific questions just ask here and we can answer for anyone else's benefit.   ( From Team Axarsport )

The CP's distances vary between 10 and 13km. Much depends on best position for each stage. You are issued with 1.5 litres of water at each CP and you also get Eletewater in the pocket bottle to give yourself enough electrolyte per stage. If you are happy with Accelerade then prepare enough 'doses' for 1.5litres at start and for each CP per stage. If you want to experiment with Eletewater, you may find the pocket bottle, which makes enough for 10litres and is about the size and weight of a Power Bar, is the most efficient product. You will also be supplied with a larger bottle so you just re fill the pocket one each evening to ready for next stage.   ( From Team Axarsport )

With a background of single-day marathons, you should have a good basic fitness level and your body will be accustomed to running for 3 – 5 hours. Running for 5 consecutive days in high temperatures will just require a few tweaks to your usual training, one or two back to back runs, mix in some speed walking and wear an extra layer on warm days just to gain some heat acclimatization. Heat training requires only 2 weeks prior to the race so, although the UK isn't likely to have 2 weeks of warm weather in early July, wearing an extra layer will help. Very few competitors in multi-stage races can run every stage, walking is a big part of ultra running but needs to be built into your preparation as you use different muscles. I am pretty sure you will have no problems coping with the 5 days and if you require further training or kit advice just ask us.   ( From Team Axarsport )

Average age is about 35 yrs old.   ( From Team Axarsport )

We get one or two that haven't competed in high temperature races but they usually cope and acclimatize during the race. It takes about 2 weeks to acclimatize but for the majority coming from UK and northern Europe it isn't possible to arrive so early. If at all possible you would find an earlier season Desert Runner Training Camp through Trail-Run-Spain worth attending in order to find out how you personally adapt. There is an article in the Article Archive section that should also help.   ( From Team Axarsport )

As you have been used to training in the past and were averaging a reasonable amount of km's a week I am sure you will be able to complete this race - and be competitive. One advantage this race has over many multi stagers is that you don't need to carry your kit. It also means it is an ideal event for those looking at moving on to full self sufficiency races as you can talk to the many experienced entrants each day and pick up lots of ideas.   ( From Team Axarsport )

All 3 members of a team count for the category. It is the total time of the 3 members added together that gives the final overall position. If only 2 complete every stage then they still count in the overall standings as individuals. Basically, you could win overall without other members of your team completing every stage.   ( From Team Axarsport )

Sock choice is a personal thing but we recommend Injinji toe socks, used as a liner, with normal sock over top. This would depend on your shoe and how tight it was but if you can only wear one sock then go for the Injinji toe socks.   ( From Team Axarsport )