FAQ

What accommodation options are available?

We offer accommodation + registration packages available from March 2 (subject to accommodation availability).

Otherwise, we recommend that you contact the Sierre www.sierretourisme.ch or Anniviers www.valdanniviers.ch tourist offices.

Where and when can I collect my race bib?

Race bibs are distributed at the town hall in the center of Sierre on Friday from 1:30 pm to 8 pm and on Saturday from 3 am. We strongly recommend that you collect your bib number the day before the race. Please note that the bib collection point is 4 km from the start area (free shuttles or access by car possible). Juniors can collect their race bibs in Sierre the day before the race or in Chandolin the morning of the race.

 

Can a third party collect my race bib for me?

Yes, a third party can collect a friend's or family member's race bib. He or she must have proof of registration from the person concerned.

 

How do I transfer my race bib?

You can transfer your race bib before July 31 at a cost of CHF 15. It must be requested by the person giving up the race, giving details of the person taking over the bib number. This transfer can be made by filling in a race bib exchange form available at: https://www.sierre-zinal.com/en/exchanges-333.html

Which category to choose?

"Tourist" Category Start

• The participant registered in this category does more than 4h30
• It will be given an official time but will not be classified
• It result will not be taken into account for the calculation of scores (ITRA or UTMB or Betrail)
• Early start (around 5am)
• Wider time barriers
• At the start, you can choose to climb via Niouc or via St-Antoine

"Runner" category Start

• Age : from 20 years old
• The participant registered in this category does less than 4h30
• His/her result can be taken into account for the calculation of scores (ITRA or UTMB or Betrail)
• Late start (around 11am)
• More demanding time barriers
• At the start climb only by Niouc

 

Junior:

• Age: from 10 to 19 years old
• From Chandolin to Zinal (19 km)
• Children under 12 may be accompanied along the course. Older children must run unaccompanied. The accompanying person does not have a race number and does not have access to the refreshment area.

Children :

• Age: from 4 to 9 years old
• Course in the center of Sierre (number of laps according to age)

Ages are calculated according to the current calendar year.

 

Can I change category or starting block?

Unfortunately, it is not possible to change category or starting block. Furthermore, it is not permitted to run with tourists with a runner's number and vice versa. The starting block is communicated one week before the start by e-mail. It is allocated by our timekeeper on the basis of the estimated time given at registration and any latest results from Sierre-Zinal.

What equipment is required?

No mandatory equipment is required for the Course Sierre-Zinal. However, as this is a mountain race at over 2,000m, participants in the Sierre-Zinal Race must adapt their equipment to the weather conditions at their own risk.

Participants in the Sierre-Zinal Race undertake to come to the event in excellent health and properly trained, while being fully aware of the length and specific nature of the event. The Sierre-Zinal Race is long and hard.

For the "Tourists" category, where the start is given at night, a lamp may be useful. Participants can hand in their lamps to their loved ones as soon as it gets light. The Organizer does not provide for the deposit or return of lamps.

It is forbidden to carry sticks on any part of the Sierre-Zinal Race course, under penalty of disqualification (cf. Art. 45 Disqualification).

It is forbidden to be accompanied or followed on the course of the Course Sierre-Zinal, in particular by relatives, other runners who are not registered for the Course Sierre-Zinal, or a dog, on pain of disqualification (cf. Art. 45 Disqualification).

No material may be deposited by participants at the aid stations.

What parking facilities are available in Sierre and Zinal?

In Sierre, you can park at:

• Espace gravière Zwissig SA (500m. from the start)
• Iles Falcon (750m. from the start)
• Parking de la gare (downtown)
• Parking de l'Europe (downtown)
• Parking de Beaulieu (downtown)
• Parking le Forum (downtown)

In Zinal, you can park :

• There are several free spectator parking lots downstream from Zinal, near Mottec; from these parking lots, Zinal and the finish area can easily be reached either on foot or by shuttle bus (also free; non-stop from 05:00 to 23:30).
• Few parking spaces are available for spectators above the village of Zinal.
• As soon as these few spaces are occupied, access to the village will be filtered; only those entitled (residents, accredited persons, members of the organization) and public transport (and the Mottec - Zinal shuttle bus) will be able to access the center of Zinal by road.

 Where can I park my van or camper van?

The organizer declines all responsibility for unauthorized parking.

When do registrations open for the Sierre-Zinal Race?

Official registration opens on April 2 at 12 noon.

Package registrations (accommodation or training camp) open on March 2 at 00:01.

 

How does registration work?

The number of participants is limited. First come, first served. No selection is made for participation in Sierre-Zinal.

 

Do I need a medical certificate to take part in the race?

No, no medical certificate is required. However, participants in the Sierre-Zinal Race undertake to present themselves at the event in excellent health and properly trained, while being fully aware of the length and specificity of the event.

Are orders sent abroad?

No orders will be sent abroad, but orders can be collected from the SZ shop on the race weekend.

Will there be shuttles from Sierre to the start of the race?

The Organizers provide free shuttles from Sierre "restaurant le Bourgeois" in the city center of Sierre (north of the train station of Sierre) to the start of the adult course on the morning of the race. There is no shuttle bus for the junior race Chandolin-Zinal.

For participants in the "Tourist" category, the free shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes from [3:30 am] to [4:30 am] for blocks 1-2-3 and from [5:05 am] to [5:45 am] for blocks 4-5-6.

For participants in the "Runner" category, the free shuttle bus runs every 10 minutes from [9:30 am] to [10:45 am].

 

Is there a shuttle service from the Val d'Anniviers to the start of the race?

The departure times and locations of the special buses on the morning of the Sierre-Zinal Adult Race from the Val d'Anniviers are as follows:

- Departure from Zinal Gondola Lift (via Ayer, then Vissoie) :

• At [3 am] (majority of buses), then at [4:15 am] (smaller number of seats) for the "Tourist" category;
• At [9:15 am] for the "Runner" category.

- Departure from Grimentz Gondola Lift (via St-Jean, then Mayoux and finally Vissoie):

• At [3 am] (majority of buses), then at [4:15 am] (smaller number of seats) for the "Tourist" category;
• At [9:15 am] for the "Runner" category.

- Departure from Chandolin Post Office (going through St-Luc, then Vissoie) :

• At [3 am] for the " Tourist " category;
• At [8:51 am] (regular post bus) for the "Runner" category.

The number of buses from the Val d'Anniviers is limited. A fee of CHF 7.00 will be asked from each participant wishing to use this means of transport. No discount will be given for general season tickets (AG), half-fare cards or other discounts.

The arrival in Sierre is expected to be approximately 1 hour after the departure time of each bus.

 

Is there a shuttle service from Zinal after the race?

Yes, on presentation of your race number, the shuttle will be free of charge.

 

Will the Val d'Anniviers road be closed to traffic on race day?

Yes, the road will be temporarily closed at Sierre in both directions from 04:40 to 05:15, 05:45 to 06:20 and from 10:55 to 11:25.

We recommend that you pass through Vercorin, which will remain open to traffic at all times.