Frequently asked questions

The STARRY Traverse is the most demanding of the CRYO Races; only hardened runners can take part. The darkness and changing weather conditions on the lake make this a challenging race. Running 37 km is a realistic challenge for many, but the important thing is to take into account the winter factor and the darkness. Indeed, running 37 km in the dark in winter conditions is an entirely different challenge from a summer road race!

Runners need to be used to running long distances, but also to making a major cardiovascular effort in the cold, and to be ready for a major psychological challenge, as the race is very different from their usual ones, and involves a loss of reference points. Several runners used to doing ultras told us that the CRYO Races were the most difficult race they’d ever done…

This event is open to athletes who meet one of the following criteria:

● Have completed a trail ultra (+42.2km) in the last 2 years
● OR to have completed a marathon in under 3h30
● OR have completed the Micro-CRYO in under 1h40
● Important asset : Winter racing experience (Micro-CRYO, polar trail, etc…)

In all, a maximum of 40 people will have the chance to take on this major challenge next February. Once this number has been reached, a committee of experts will evaluate the candidacy of those who have registered for the STARRY Traverse. Consequently, proof may be required, and some people may be redirected to the SUNNY Traverse. These decisions are final and cannot be appealed.

Time calculations are very different from a normal race. We invite you to analyze the results of past years.

If the 37 km starlight challenge seems too big, don’t hesitate to start with the SUNNY Traverse (37 km) this year to better understand what the STARRY Traverse challenge can represent and prepare well for the next edition.

For the Crossing and the Micro-Cryo, it is a flat and linear course where the technical difficulty lies in the snowy surface. For several days before the event, the surface is mechanically maintained to offer you the best possible conditions. That said, the cold, the sun and the accumulations of snow in the hours preceding the start signal can make the challenge increase a notch!

As the CRYO Races represent an important physical challenge, it is more than relevant to start training several weeks in advance in order to « be on top of your game » to complete the challenge. To support you in this training, we invite you to download the training programs prepared by Le coaching du coureur.

Racing snowshoes are not compulsory, but strongly recommended. Indeed, everything depends on the weather and the order of passage of the runners. Depending on the weather during the event, it is possible that the circuit is very hard and that the snowshoes are only useful for the last few runners. On the other hand, it is also possible that the circuit is difficult for all and that even the leading runners have to use them.

The average temperature for February in Lac Saint-Jean is -8.6°C during the day and -19.3°C at night, with light winds from the northwest. The worst temperatures recorded, however, are chilling: winds of up to 80 km/h and lows of up to -39°C, not to mention the wind factor. Be prepared for all conditions. Race routes run from north to south. Theoretically, the wind will be predominantly from the back (right rear) throughout the race. Whichever route you take, be sure to wear eye protection.

The events will be canceled only if the weather is considered to constitute a danger to the participants. In the event of difficult weather conditions, the course on the lake may be modified.

Your safety is one of our priorities. Snowmobile support teams will be responsible for closing the course, and patrollers will be on the trail throughout the event. Medical teams will be positioned at various points along the course. Evacuation sleds are part of our arsenal. A communication system allows us to know the position of the runners at regular intervals. Heated refreshment stations are located every 6 to 8 km along the route. Please note: it is vitally important that athletes comply with the mandatory equipment list. Participants will receive further information in the participant’s guide.

The SUNNY Traverse, the STARRY Traverse, Micro-CRYO and Ski-Lo! are timed races.

Prizes will be awarded to the first three finishers in the following categories:

SUNNY Traverse / Men
SUNNY Traverse / Women
STARRY Traverse / Men
STARRY Traverse / Women
Micro-CRYO / Men
Micro-CRYO / Women
Ski-Lo ! / Men
Ski-Lo ! / Women

Donations can be handled in three ways : In cash, by cheque or by credit card. In any case, tax receipts may be issued for donations of $20 or more.

For donations in cash or by cheque

First of all, ask the donor if he wants a tax receipt. If so, write down all the necessary information (complete name, address, postal code, phone number and email).

Then, send us the money using one of this method :

1. Send cheques and informations by mail and make a postal voucher with the money (fees possible)
2. Make a deposit in a financial institution using the foundations’ banking information (send us an email at info@pointedespieds.com to get them).
3. Make an interac transfer at info@pointedespieds.com using the answer DONS at a password. If a donor wants a tax receipt, send us his information at info@pointedespieds.com.

For donations by credit card

Invite donors to make their donation online, on your profile.

To start the race, it is essential to have completed your fundraising campaign. Here are some tips to get there!

• Update your profile on the CRYO Racing Events’ website : add a photo and explain why you are participating;
• Be your first donor;
• Regularly share your profile on your different social networks;
• Make yourself an email signature that invites people to cheer you on in your On the Tip of the Toes campaign;
• Do some reading about the On the Tip of the toes foundation. To obtain donations, you must know how to explain the cause;
• Invite your employer to double the donations collected at work;
• For your birthday or Christmas, encourage people to give you money for the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation instead of giving you a present;
• Get people to talk about you: Take pictures during training and share them; Draw attention to your actions to collect donations, be colorful, be creative and share your photos; Create a short video of yoursefld that explains why you participate in CRYO Racing Events.

Up to the day before the event, in the event of force majeure (weather conditions preventing the event from taking place or the impossibility of holding an event due to health restrictions) forcing the CRYO Races organization to cancel the event, 50% of the registration fee may be refunded on request within a maximum of 30 days of the original event date. No reimbursement of entry fees will be authorized in the event of course modification or cancellation on the day of the event. In all cases, donations made on behalf of the On the Tip of the Toes Foundation will not be reimbursed.

During the races, in the event of weather conditions posing a risk to participants, the CRYO Races organization may stop or modify the race route. In such cases, runners arriving at a refreshment or control point must follow the instructions given by the volunteers and are obliged to respect them. No refund can be claimed.

Click here to read our complete cancellation policy.

Please contact CRYO@pointedespieds.com for all your concerns regarding registration. It will be our pleasure to guide you.