GTLC EVENTS bears full legal and operational responsibility for organizing the GTLC Backyard.

The organizer will purchase liability insurance covering the entire event for the duration of the competition. Participants are reminded that it may be in their best interest to purchase personal insurance covering bodily injury that may result from participating in the sport.

The race is organized under the supervision of a race director, who ensures compliance with these rules and the smooth running of the event.

Participation in the GTLC Backyard event implies express and unconditional acceptance of these rules, the event’s code of conduct, and any guidelines or instructions provided by the organizer to participants.

Each participant agrees to abide by the race rules, respect other runners, volunteers, and organizers, and take care of the natural environment in which the event takes place.

Any conduct that violates the spirit of sportsmanship or disrupts the smooth running of the event may result in disqualification at the discretion of race officials.

The GTLC Backyard is an event featuring several race formats held on a single loop of approximately 6.706 km, with a start every hour from the base camp located at La Baraque de Fraiture.

The races follow the "Backyard" format: participants must complete the loop within an hour in order to start the next one.

Three formats are available:

GT24H Solo:

Individual race in Backyard format.

Runners start a new lap every hour, for up to 24 hours.

The ranking is determined based on the number of laps completed.

GT24H Relay:

Team race with 2 to 4 riders.

Only one team member starts each lap.

Each member must complete at least one lap.

 Elimination rule

If a team member:

• does not complete the loop within the allotted time (60 minutes)
• or fails to show up at the starting line on time

the entire team is immediately eliminated.

Organization of the relay stations

• The order of appearance is flexible
• Only one runner per lap

The handoff takes place in the designated area (base camp)

The ranking is determined based on the number of laps completed by the team.

GT4H Starter:

Trial version limited to 4 hours.

Participants start a loop every hour, following the same format as the other events.

The organizer reserves the right to change the maximum number of participants at any time.

The course is measured using a GPS system and may be adjusted by the organizer at any time for safety reasons, due to weather conditions, or based on access permits.

Competitors must attend the pre-race briefing.

The GTLC Backyard races are open to anyone—men or women, licensed or unlicensed—who meets the following age requirements:

GT24H Solo: Registration open to participants 18 and older.
GT24H Relay: Registration open to participants 18 and older.
GT4H Starter: Registration open to participants 16 and older.

For participants aged 16 to 18, parental consent may be required.

Registration is available exclusively online through the event’s official website. You must agree to the terms and conditions when registering.

A participant will receive a race number only after their registration has been fully confirmed and payment has been received, subject to availability.

Each participant must pick up their race bib in person, bringing a valid form of identification.

Athletes found guilty of doping will not be admitted. The organizer also reserves the right to refuse or cancel a participant’s registration for any reason deemed valid by race management.
A participant’s registration is not definitively confirmed until the required payment is received before the official registration deadline.

Registration is available exclusively online via the official website:
www.grandtrail.be

All registrations and participant data management are handled by the timing service SQM Time / Passionforsports

By registering for the GTLC Backyard, each participant automatically agrees to these rules.

Registration is strictly limited to the registered participant. Transferring a race number to another person is prohibited.

The registration fee must be paid online via a secure payment system.

Registration period

Registration is open from April 5 to September 4.

The organizer reserves the right to close registration before this date if the maximum number of participants is reached.

No on-site registration will be available on the day of the event.

The registration fee includes

• a personalized race bib with a timing chip
• access to supplies at base camp
• access to the base camp facilities
• a participation gift
• a medal for the finishers
• medical care throughout the duration of the event
• Official timing, including results and rankings.

The registration fee does not include

• bank fees associated with online payments
• personal expenses for lodging and meals
• personal snacks and drinks brought by the participants.

Find all the answers to your questions at the link below:
Help Center

The GT24H Solo, GT24H Relay, and GT4H Starter events are held under the Backyard format.

The route consists of a loop of approximately 6.706 km, starting and ending at base camp.

There is a departure every hour.

Each participant must report to the starting area when the official signal is given in order to begin the next lap.

Participants must complete the loop within one hour in order to start the next loop.

Any participant who:

• does not complete the loop within the allotted time
• is not present in the starting area at the time of the next start

is considered eliminated and may no longer continue the race.

The time between the end of one lap and the start of the next is the participant's rest period.

Time limit

For the GTLC Backyard, the maximum race duration is set at:

• 24 hours for the GT24H Solo and GT24H Relay categories
• 4 hours for the GT4H Starter class

At the end of this maximum time limit, the rankings are determined based on the number of laps completed by each participant or team.

Present at the start

To remain in the race, each participant must report to the starting area before the official signal for each new lap.

Any participant who fails to show up at the start of a lap will be considered to have withdrawn or been disqualified and will not be allowed to resume the race.

Special case – Relay format

In the GT24H Relay format, only one team member may start each lap.

Each team member must complete at least one lap during the race.

Race Director's Decision

The race directors are the sole authority responsible for assessing any unusual situations and making the decisions necessary to ensure the smooth running of the event.

The base camp is the central hub of the GTLC Backyard. It serves as the starting and finishing point for each loop.

Between starts, participants can stay in this area to rest, refuel, and prepare for the next lap.

Participants are permitted to set up a personal space in the designated area (chair, table, recycled materials, personal supplies, etc.), in accordance with the instructions provided by the organizers.

Support

Outside assistance is permitted only within the base camp area.

No assistance is permitted on the course.

Support staff must stay within the areas designated by the organizers and must not, under any circumstances, interfere with the smooth running of the race.

Respect for the site

Participants and their companions agree to keep their area clean and to respect the natural surroundings of Baraque de Fraiture.

Discarding waste outside the designated areas may result in a penalty or disqualification.

Safety and Traffic

For safety reasons, the organizers reserve the right to restrict or adjust access to certain areas of the base camp.

Participants must follow the instructions given by volunteers and members of the organization.

No pacing

No pacers are allowed on the course.

It is strictly prohibited for anyone not participating in the race to accompany a runner, whether:

• along part or all of the loop
• on foot, running, or by bike

Any violation of this rule will result in:

❌ Immediate disqualification of the rider or team in question

To participate in the GTLC Backyard, each participant must be aware of the physical and mental demands of this type of event and agree to be properly prepared.

By confirming their registration, the participant acknowledges, in particular:

• be fully aware of the potential duration of the ordeal and its specific characteristics;
• be in good enough physical condition to run on trails;
• be able to pace oneself independently throughout the entire race.

The participant also acknowledges that they are capable of handling, without outside assistance along the course, any conditions that may be encountered during the event, including:

• changing weather conditions (wind, rain, cold, fog, night);
• physical and mental fatigue;
• muscle or joint pain;
• minor physical issues that may arise during exercise.

Each participant fully understands that the organization’s role is to ensure the overall safety of the event, not to address individual issues encountered by runners.

A participant's safety depends largely on their ability to adapt to the situations they encounter during the event.

Participants also agree to:

• respect other runners, volunteers, and the organizers;
• respect nature and the environment you pass through;
• inform their companions and those around them about compliance with the rules and guidelines set by the organization;
• run with the mandatory equipment specified by the organizer.

The organization strongly recommends that participants undergo a medical evaluation tailored to endurance sports, including a stress test and appropriate medical follow-up.

The GTLC Backyard races are organized on the principle of relative autonomy between two laps.

Each participant must be able to manage their own energy levels and personal needs between starts, particularly with regard to:

• power supply
• hydration
• equipment
• recovery.

The base camp is the only refreshment station along the course.

Refreshments and food are provided by the organizers in this area. Participants may also bring their own snacks and drinks.

Between starts, participants can return to their personal area to refuel, rest, or adjust their equipment.

Support

Outside assistance is permitted only within the base camp area.

No assistance is permitted on the course.

Support staff must remain in the areas designated by the organizers and must not interfere with the smooth running of the race.

Support along the way

It is strictly prohibited to accompany or be accompanied on the course by anyone who is not registered for the event.

Any violation of this rule may result in a penalty or disqualification at the discretion of race officials.

To ensure the safety of participants and the smooth running of the event, each participant must have the mandatory equipment specified by the organizers at their base camp.

Materials:

• Mobile phone in working condition
• Personal cup (minimum 15 cl)
• Headlamp in good working order (required during nighttime hours)
• Emergency blanket (minimum 1.40 m x 2.00 m)
• Clothing suitable for the weather conditions
• Identity card or passport
• Cell phone

Any participant who refuses to undergo a check or does not have the required equipment may be penalized or disqualified.

The anti-doping rules ofthe International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), the Ligue Belge Francophone d’Athlétisme (LBFA),the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), andthe National Anti-Doping Organization (ONAD) are fully applicable during the GTLC Backyard.

These rules are available on the official websites of the relevant organizations. Participants are required to familiarize themselves with these regulations as well as with the procedures for monitoring, sanctions, and appeals.

Any participant may be subject to a doping test before, during, or after the event.

If a participant refuses to undergo a doping test, they will be sanctioned in the same manner as if they had been found guilty of doping.

I had an accident during an event. What should I do?
Please read the section referenced below carefully:

Help Center

By participating in the GTLC Backyard, runners agree to respect the environment and the natural areas they pass through during the race.

It is strictly prohibited to leave trash on the course (gel tubes, packaging, paper, organic waste, etc.).

Trash cans will be provided at base camp and in areas designated by the organizers. Participants must keep their trash with them until they can dispose of it in the designated containers.

Members of the organization may conduct inspections. Any participant who fails to comply with these rules may be penalized or disqualified.

Participants must follow the marked trail at all times and must not cut across the trails.

To reduce plastic waste, the organizers will not provide any disposable tableware (cups, plates, cutlery). Each participant must bring their own reusable cup.

By participating in the GTLC Backyard, each competitor expressly authorizes the organizers to use any still or moving images (photographs, videos, audiovisual recordings) taken during the event in which they may appear.

These images may be used by the organization and its partners for any communications related to the event, including on the following platforms:

• website
• social media
• press
• promotional materials
• event promotional videos

This authorization is granted for an indefinite period and without financial compensation.

Any communication or use of images or videos of the event by third parties must use the event’s official name and be carried out with the prior consent of the organizers.

The organization reserves the right to grant media accreditation for the production and broadcast of images or videos during the event.

By registering, the participant accepts that personal data may be collected and passed on to third parties for the purposes of timekeeping, ranking and results as well as for the publication of the respective lists on the Internet.

Information is collected as part of a registration for one of the GTLC races, for the needs of the organization and in particular to identify each competitor in order to communicate information relating to his or her participation before, during or after the event.

The participant agrees that his or her first name, surname, country, date of birth, race number and results (ranking, time) may be published in all print and electronic media relevant to the event.

Runner data is kept in the database for 10 years. This period is renewable with each registration, and corresponds to the legal retention period for the medical certificate of non-contraindication to the practice of athletics or competitive running, or to the sports card. After 10 years, and unless the runner authorizes the organization to keep his/her data, all data will be deleted, with the exception of the runner's surname, first name, date of birth, gender and nationality, in order to maintain the ranking.

According to the General Data Protection Regulation (EU RGPD 2016/679 and 2018/1807), every competitor has the right to access and modify all information concerning him or her. This can be done via the event page via email. Any changes to data can be made by the competitors themselves.

Each race number is distributed individually to each runner on presentation of:

• ID card or passport (photo ID),
• Your race pack and all compulsory equipment.

The race number must be worn on the chest or stomach and be permanently and completely visible throughout the race. It must always be worn on all clothing and may not be placed on a leg or bag. The partner's name and logos must not be altered or obscured. The race number is the pass required for access to refreshments, the infirmary, rest areas, showers, bag drop-off points, etc. Except in the event of refusal to comply with a decision taken by a race official, the race number is never taken away. Only in the event of retirement is the number deactivated.

A central refreshment station is set up at base camp, which serves as the starting and finishing point for each loop.

The organization provides participants with refreshments, including:

• beverages (water, energy drinks, etc.)
• solid food
• Hot food and drinks during the event (soup and other foods suitable for physical exertion)
• traditional food products.

Refreshments are intended to be consumed in the designated area.

Participants may also use their own personal supplies stored in their designated area at base camp.

It is each participant’s responsibility to ensure, before starting a new loop, that they have the necessary energy and hydration to complete the next loop.

Only runners wearing a visible, verified race number are allowed access to the aid station.

The organization also ensures that security and medical assistance are available throughout the event.

The GTLC Backyard trail is fully marked.

The signage consists of directional arrows, barrier tape, and reflective elements to ensure good visibility, especially at night.

Some markers are equipped with reflective material so they can be seen in the light of headlamps.

Participants must follow the marked course and must not stray from it.

Any deliberate deviation from the course or attempt to take a shortcut may result in a penalty or disqualification, as determined by race officials.

Out of concern for the environment, no paint will be used on the trails to mark the course.

Safety and medical assistance will be available throughout the entire duration of the GTLC Backyard event.

A first-aid station is set up at the base camp located at La Baraque de Fraiture and remains open throughout the event.

If you encounter any difficulties

Any runner who is in distress or seriously injured must immediately ask for help:

• on the way to the first-aid station at base camp
• by asking another participant to notify the organizers.

If necessary, you can also contact emergency services directly by dialing 112.

Peer support

Every participant must assist anyone in distress and notify security.

Medical authority

Medical staff, first responders, and any person designated by the organization are authorized to:

• withdraw a runner from the race if their health warrants it
• require the use of certain safety equipment
• organize the evacuation of a participant in danger
• refer a runner to an appropriate medical facility.

Any participant who consults with medical staff submits to their authority and accepts their decisions.

Medical treatment

Any participant receiving intravenous treatment is automatically disqualified from the race.

Sticking to the course

Participants must stay on the marked course at all times.

Any participant who voluntarily leaves the course is no longer the responsibility of the organizers.

Hot showers are available for participants at the Baraque de Fraiture site.

Changing rooms are also available so that runners can get ready before the race and change clothes after the event.

Access to the showers and changing rooms is strictly reserved for event participants.

Participants are asked to respect the facilities and keep the premises clean.

A ranking is compiled for each race:

• GT24H Solo
• GT24H Relay
• GT4H Starter

For the GT24H Solo and GT4H Starter categories, an overall ranking for men and women is determined based on the number of laps completed. In the event of a tie, the time recorded on the last completed lap may be used to break the tie.

For the GT24H Relay race, an overall team standings is determined based on the number of laps completed.

Awards

For each race:

• The winner of the overall standings receives a trophy
• Second and third place winners are also recognized.

Runners must be present at the awards ceremony. Trophies will only be awarded during the official ceremony.

The official results will be posted on the website:
www.grandtrail.be

Medal

A finisher's medal is awarded to every participant who completes their race.

Medals cannot be purchased under any circumstances.

Any participant wishing to withdraw must notify the organizers at base camp.

The runner must report to a member of the organizing committee or the Race Control Center to officially withdraw from the race.

A participant who does not show up at the start of a new lap is considered to have withdrawn or been disqualified.

Runners should keep their race bibs, which grant them access to the services provided for participants (refreshments, medical assistance, etc.).

Assistance and Repatriation

In the event of an injury or medical issue along the course, the organizers have set up a safety and medical assistance team.

Injured or ill participants will be given priority by the emergency response teams.

If necessary, the organization can arrange for a participant to be evacuated to the base camp medical station or to an appropriate medical facility.

In the event that the race is stopped or suspended for safety reasons, the organizers will take the necessary steps to ensure the participants are properly cared for.

Race officials, members of the organizing committee, and base camp staff are authorized to enforce these rules and to impose immediate penalties in the event of a violation.

Penalties may take the form of a time penalty or disqualification.

Violations and Penalties

Intentionally shortening the course: immediate disqualification

Failure to have the required equipment: immediate disqualification

Refusal to submit to a mandatory equipment inspection: disqualification

Phone turned off or in airplane mode: 15-minute penalty

Littering along the course: one-hour penalty

Disrespect toward other participants, volunteers, or members of the organization: one-hour penalty

Inappropriate behavior by escorts or supporters: penalty may include disqualification of the runner

Failure to assist a person in distress: disqualification

Outside assistance outside the base camp area: one-hour penalty

Accompaniment along the course by an unregistered person: one-hour penalty

Fraud (e.g., use of transportation, sharing or exchanging race bibs): immediate disqualification

Failure to display a visible bib: 15-minute penalty

Failure to comply with instructions from race officials, event staff, or medical personnel: disqualification

Refusal to undergo a doping test: penalty equivalent to a positive test result

Wearing a bib with another person’s name: disqualification

Threats or aggressive behavior toward the organization: permanent exclusion from the event.

Imposition of penalties

Time penalties must be applied immediately within the area designated by the organizing body.

Any other violation of the rules may result in a penalty determined by race officials.

Complaints must be officially lodged by the competitor with the Race Jury in writing and within 2 hours of the arrival of the participant concerned, together with a deposit of €100. If the Race Jury's decision is positive, the deposit will be returned to the competitor. If not, it will be retained by the organizer.

The Race Jury is composed of the following officials:

• Race Director
• Members of the organizing committee

The Race Jury is authorized to preside over all cases of misconduct or similar events, if any. No objection may be lodged against the decision of the Race Jury.

If circumstances require, the organization reserves the right, at any time, to modify certain aspects of the event, including:

• the course
• departure times
• deadlines
• the location of refueling or safety zones
• any other items necessary for the smooth running of the event.

Force majeure

In the event of force majeure, adverse weather conditions, or any other situation that could jeopardize the safety of participants, the organizers reserve the right to:

• postpone the start of the race
• change schedules or deadlines
• change the route
• neutralize the test
• stop the race in progress
• cancel the event.

Event Cancellation

If the event is canceled for reasons beyond the organizer’s control, a partial refund of the registration fee may be issued.

The reimbursement amount will be determined in such a way as to enable the organization to cover the costs already incurred at the time of cancellation.

If the cancellation occurs less than one week before the start, or if the race is interrupted after it has begun, no refunds will be issued.

Event Update

If the organizers are forced to change the race format, the schedule, or the location of the start or finish line within one month of the event for reasons beyond their control, no refunds will be issued.

The organizer reserves the right to make short-term changes, which will be announced in due course.