Race Structure

The rationale of the Trans 333 is not self-sufficiency. Instead, race organisation is there to assist runners to complete what is already a very tough course. Shelter and bedding (tents, mattresses and blankets) are provided in the checkpoints. Water is provided there too, but for instance there is nothing to stop a runner taking water given to them along the route by the race staff. Boiling water and limited food is also provided in the checkpoints, but you should not depend on this for your race food.

There is a system of ‘drop-bags’ through which you can arrange for anything that you know you will need – food, iso powders, spare socks, spare clothes, batteries for your torch, film for your camera, tapes for the walkman etc, etc – to be delivered to you on the course. You leave the equipment with the organisers at the start of the race in numbered bags and these are then brought to the relevant checkpoints.

There is a short list of mandatory equipment, but you can usually race carrying as little as 3 kg (2kg of which should be water as you leave each PC).

There is a certain philosophy about the Trans 333. The organiser, Frenchman Alain Gestin, has undertaken many long treks and runs himself and he feels that runners should not be molly-coddled. The checkpoints have been known to be as far as 23 or 24 kilometres from one to the next. He expects runners simply to take it in their stride.