Dear MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN Racers and Friends,

The time has come for the Northernmost swimrun race in the world, the first ever in Lapland. We are very excited and we guess that you might be, too.

We have arrived in Äkäslompolo. Our core team is here now and we are getting ready to welcome you all. Upon arrival, expect a special, beautiful calmness and intense expectation. That landed our minds instantly while getting here. We have a special setup waiting for you. Not the least, swimrunning in Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park.

Here are a few notes and important info for you to read through while you finalize your race preparation.

We have bib vests waiting for you.

Water temperature in Äkäslompolo last night was 16C. We’ll check it again and keep you posted on FB if any changes occur.

The weather forecast for the race night has been going back and forth between sunny, cloudy and chances of rain. There have been very beautiful nights over the past week. Temperatures during the night are likely to fall between 10 and 18 degrees C. We keep our fingers crossed for you to get weather suited for maximal enjoyment. For weather, foreca.fi and yr.no are good sources.

We have 15 teams signed up, 14 teams on the start line. Six nationalities represented. You are a very special group of people, the ones conquering the courses for the first time. One of the teams is going to do the long course double.

Make sure you have shoes with good grip. When moist or wet, the fell rocks on the long course can get slippery. The plank wood ways on both courses will need grip too. More safety details in the mandatory race briefing on Saturday at 5 PM at Lodge 67, street address Äkäsentie 6, Äkäslompolo. Bring your mandatory equipment for a check there.

We have energy stations with water, Dexal sports drink and Dexal gels. Some have bananas and some other extras. For some of you, that will be sufficient for the race. Some extra fluid and energy is however always recommended. See the race tables and maps for details.

Note that a major part of the course is in the national park and in a nature reserve. You must stay on the marked course. Littering is strictly prohibited, so carry your gel wrappers to the finish line. Our future permits depend on you.

Take mosquito repellent with you for use outside the race. Or buy it here, you will find some. Should you be allergic, antihistamin may help.

We are looking forward to get out there and mark the courses for you. The scenery is simply so enjoyable.

We have decided to freeze the race numbers of the winners, if you wish so. There are special prizes for Top 3 in each category. The two Polar V800 sports computers will be given a draw between all finisher teams.

For social media, we use #midnightsunswimrun2016 and hope to see a lot of posts of yours there too. We look forward to welcoming you in person and sharing your experience!

Welcome to Äkäslompolo!

Race directors

Anu Uhotoinen & Janne Räsänen

Race Info 2016-06-29

This document collects useful information about the race, travel to the area as well as specific terms and conditions. It is a living document to be updated with more comprehensive info as

the race day approaches.

MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN

Race Details

Long Course Total distance: 30.4 km Run sections: 10 Swim sections: 9 Swims total 4600 m Total elevation gain: ~600 m Estimated race time (fast): 4h00-4h30

Short Course Total distance: 19.8 km Run sections: 10 Swim sections: 9 Swims total 4100 m Total elevation gain: ~250 m Estimated race time (fast): ~2h30

The map below presents the race venue, both the courses and aid stations. The red parts are on the long course solely. The detailed racer maps are in appendix.

MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN

Schedule

Race Day and Post-race Day 2016-07-02 Race day, preliminary schedule:

12:00 to 18:00 Registration, Lodge 67ºN 17:00 Race briefing, Lodge 67ºN, Äkäsentie 6, Äkäslompolo 20:00 Start of the race, Sannanrannatie 3, Äkäslompolo 22:30- First teams finish the short course 24:00- First teams finish the long course 00:00 Midnight Sun 22:00-04:00 Sauna and finish line dinner and party

2016-07-03 Post-race Sunday

11:00 Race Banquet and Prize Ceremony at Restaurant Rouhe, Lompolontie 3, Äkäslompolo

Return from Race Banquet by 14:30 Final hugs and tears

What is Included in the Experience? Our aim is to deliver you a memorable swimrun experience with a Lapland twist. As name of the race suggests, Midnight Sun is part of our plan, as far as forces of weather allow. Our plan is to include the following:

An unforgettable, very special, probably even spectacular swimrun race, both on the short and the long course.

Race briefing Marked route Safety boats and kayaks, First Aid staff Energy stations with drink and energy Race bib vest Race swimming caps Food at Finish line Sauna with a view Race banquet with food and prize ceremony

(Note: insurance not included, participants shall have their own insurance coverage)

We will also get some race photos and video online.

Important information Course will be marked with marking tape, road markings and signs When signs show forward along a path, keep going until signs instruct otherwise Note that there will be a couple of crossroads where short and long course go different

ways

MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN

Safety cautions o Some of the Kellostapulinkuru causeway wood planks are in a poor condition.

Planks are slippery when wet. Take special care. o Allow sportsmanlike overtaking on the narrow wooden paths. Respect one

another. o The fell rocks can be slippery and loose. o Trekkers and hikers may be on the move in the park with you. Respect them. o Aid stations have a small first aid kit and a phone available for emergency calls. o Volunteers and first aid staff are there to help you. o Take special care while crossing a road. Traffic has not been stopped.

The water temperature on June 28th in Äkäslompolo was 16⁰C. Note the swim heavy start on the short course. Warm up well!

Enjoy the ascents, distribute your energy wisely. On the long course, a very special scenery awaits on top.

If you run into distress

Your primary safety comes from your team partner. Take care of each other. Stay together.

In emergency, call 112. Locate yourself on the map. o Aid stations have phones. o First aid staff phone number is printed on the map.

In the water o Raise your hand, blow your whistle o Team mate shall help first o Kaupinjärvi will have a kayak and one staff. Äkäslompolo and Kesänkijärvi will

have boats with staff. In the fell

o Report your situation to the next aid station (team number as reference; you can use other teams for passing the message). Use your whistle as needed.

All racers are responsible for helping others in case of injury or health threatening situations. We will credit you the time.

Should you choose to quit the race

Report your decision to the next aid station. Report yourself at the finish line.

Start, Finish and after Start and Finish will be at Jounin Kauppa.

The post-race sauna will be mixed and you can have your swimsuit on if you wish. In case the mixed sauna is not your preference, there will be an option for shower elsewhere. Bring a bag with your sauna gear and clothes to the start line between 6 PM and 7:30 PM.

You will get a warm meal and a place to sit down and enjoy the night and each other.

The race banquet and prize ceremony will be held the following day at 11 AM at Restaurant Rouhe, street address Lompolontie 3. You will have a brunch and there will be prizes.

Remember to enjoy the Lapland magic!

MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN

Beyond Midnight Sun Swimrun Experience? In Äkäslompolo and Ylläs-Levi-Pallas-Hetta area, there are plentiful opportunities for other outdoor activities at your disposal.

Äkäslompolo is surrounded by seven fells. Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park is at your footsteps, with popular hiking routes. There is a new 44 km mountain bike trail between Levi and Ylläs, the two major fells and skiing destinations in the region. Fatbikes and kayaks can be rented locally. A week after Midnight Sun Swimrun, on July 9th, Ylläs hosts a mini-sprint triathlon event, Tunturi Triathlon (Fell Triathlon, 300m-10k-5k, see www.tunturitriathlon.fi)

And further, we have locals in our team, so bring your thoughts and questions forward. They might have guidance in store for you.

You will also find a lot of info on the area at www.ylläs.fi/en.

Where to Stay? We have partnered with the following accommodation providers (links direct to their websites):

Lodge 67ºN Ylläksen yöpuu Ylläksen Ykkös Caravan

These are all extremely well situated near the race venue.

Lodge 67ºN offers a special 10% discount for rooms reserved by December 17th. The discount also applies for stays longer than just the race weekend.

We will update with more info on further nearby places available. Meanwhile, www.ylläs.fi/en offers more info.

How to get There?

An Up-to-date collection of connection information on Ylläs web pages here.

Flights Kittilä (KTT, 55km) and Rovaniemi (RVN, 170km), are the closest airports to fly to, Kiruna (KRN, 250km) on Swedish side of the border and Kemi-Tornio (KEM 250km) next. Both KTT and RVN have bus connections. All have good availability of car rentals. From Kittilä the bus connection is directly at the airport. From Rovaniemi and others a rental car is a convenient option.

Train Night trains from Helsinki take you to Kolari where a bus connects every train to Äkäslompolo for the last 35km. Timetables are available on VR website www.vr.fi. As of writing, VR has not opened summer 2016 yet.

Bus or Car There are bus connections from Helsinki that cross the entire country. Timetables and ticketing from www.matkahuolto.fi and www.eskelisen.fi. Driving your own or a rental car is also an option if you wish to take your own routes and see more. The roads are generally in a decent condition.

MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN

Specific Terms and Release from Liability While entering Midnight Sun Swimrun both of the team members are aware of and agree to the following:

1. I am aware of the risks and hazards associated with or related to participating the competition. Participation is at the participant’s own risk.

2. I will be made aware of the swim water temperature at the race briefing. It is possible this will be below the normal permitted range in typical triathlon rules. It is solely my decision on whether to undertake each of the swim sections and I will not hold the organizers or their agents responsible in any way for any claims that may arise.

3. I attest that I am physically fit and able to complete the competition. 4. I will comply with the rules of Midnight Sun Swimrun. 5. I confirm that all my race equipment is in good working order and accept that the Race

Directors can remove me from the race if the equipment is suspected to be sub-standard.

6. In the event of race cancellation due to a storm, other “Act of God” or Force Majeure, my entry fee will be non-refundable.

7. The organizer retains the right to change the course at any time. 8. The participant indemnifies the Midnight Sun Swimrun race organization against any

claims that may possibly result from participation in the event. The participant also indemnifies Midnight Sun Swimrun for any and all consequences which may ensue as a result of this participation.

Cancellation Policy If you need to cancel your participation in the race, please email the Midnight Sun Swimrun team (swimrun.team@gmail.com). Until 1st of May 2016, participation will be transferable to the following year with an administration fee of 50€. After 1st of May 2016 until 1st of June, transfer to the following year is possible only due to health or injury reasons (with doctor’s certificates). After 1st of June, you can change one of the original team members only.

The entry can not be resold or transferred to another team. Anyone who starts using the registration of another person will be taken out of the race.

These cancellation rules are in place to protect the event from economic loss. Thanks for your trust and understanding.

MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN

Finnish Translation of the Terms / suomeksi

Erityiset ehdot ja vapautus vastuusta Ilmoittautuessaan Midnight Sun Swimruniin, molemmat joukkueen jäsenet ovat tietoisia ja sitoutuvat seuraaviin ehtoihin:

1. Ymmärrän kilpailuun liittyvät vaarat ja riskit. Osallistun tapahtumaan omalla vastuullani.

2. Veden lämpötilasta kerrotaan kisainfossa. On mahdollista että veden lämpötila on alle tavanomaisten triathlonkilpailuissa käytettävien rajojen. On oma päätökseni lähteä kullekin uintiosuudelle, enkä pidä kisajärjestäjiä tästä vastuullisena.

3. Vakuutan olevani riittävässä fyysisessä kunnossa ja omaavani kilpailun läpäisemisen vaatimat taidot.

4. Noudatan Midnight Sun Swimrunin sääntöjä. 5. Vahvistan että kisavarusteeni ovat asianmukaisessa kunnossa, ja hyväksyn että

kilpailunjohtajat voivat poistaa minut kisasta, jos varusteiden kuntoa on syytä epäillä. 6. Kisan peruuntuessa myrskyn tai jonkun muun pakottavan, ylivoimaisen esteen vuoksi

(“Act of God”, Force Majeure) osallistumismaksuja ei palauteta. 7. Järjestäjä varaa oikeuden muuttaa rataa tarvittaessa. 8. Osallistuja vastaa osallistumisestaan aiheutuvista Midnight Sun Swimruniin

kohdistuvista korvausvaatimuksista ja aiheuttamistaan vahingoista.

Peruutukset Jos ilmenee tarve perua osallistumisenne, lähettäkää sähköpostia Midnight Sun Swimrun –tiimille (swimrun.team@gmail.com). 1.5.2016 asti osallistuminen voidaan siirtää seuraavaan vuoteen 50€ siirtomaksulla. 1.5.2016 – 1.6.2016, siirto on sallittu vain terveys- tai loukkaantumissyistä (lääkärintodistuksin). 1.6.2016 jälkeen on vielä mahdollista vaihtaa toinen joukkueen alkuperäisistä jäsenistä.

Osallistumista ei voi myydä eteenpäin tai siirtää toiselle joukkueelle. Jos joku starttaa toisen henkilön paikalla, hänet poistetaan kilpailusta.

Peruutusehtojen tarkoitus on ainoastaan suojata tapahtumajärjestäjää taloudelliselta tappiolta. Kiitämme ymmärryksestänne ja luottamuksestanne.

In an emergency, call 112. Locate the injured on the map and tell what happened. Aid stations have phones. Send your help request to the next aid station. Alert the Local Race First Aid crew: call +358 50 361 6696

Kaupinjärvi

Kesänkijärvi

3

4

2

1

Long Course 30.4 km 1 km

MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN- ÄKÄSLOMPOLO 2.7.2016 -

www.midnightsunswimrun.com

In an emergency, call 112. Locate the injured on the map and tell what happened. Aid stations have phones. Send your help request to the next aid station. Alert the Local Race First Aid crew: call +358 50 361 6696

Short Course 19.8 km

1 km

4

3

2

Kesänkijärvi

MIDNIGHT SUN SWIMRUN- ÄKÄSLOMPOLO 2.7.2016 -

www.midnightsunswimrun.com