Trail racing in France just got a whole lot easier. At least the paperwork part. In the past, anyone taking part in a trail race in France was required to visit a doctor, who would conduct a simple medical exam and then give you a stamped medical certificate that was required to start the race. Somehow, getting a doctor’s appointment and the certificate seemed as if it could take just as much effort as running the race itself!

That’s no longer necessary and the process is much less stressful.

Now, participants in any trail race in France will need to go through a simple online tutorial that takes less than 10 minutes, and will receive a certificate of completion. The program is administered by the FFA, the Fédération Française d’Athlétisme, France’s national athletic association, and is called the Parcours de Prévention Santé, or PPS, which translates as the Health Protection Program. The PPS is designed to raise awareness of the risks, precautions and recommendations relating to runners’ health.

You’ll painlessly watch a few very short videos, confirm that you understand the issues and risks, and get a downloadable PDF certificate that is valid for three months. To finalize your race registration, you’ll need either to provide the PPS number that is on the certificate or the printed certificate in accordance with the specific race organizer’s regulations.

Of course, we still advocate getting an annual medical check-up, or asking for a specific check-in with your physician if you have any health concerns about taking part in an Alps trail race. We’re just relieved that official stamp, signature, and certificate language requirements are no longer part of the process. 

*For info on obtaining the necessary certificates for racing in other countries in Europe read Run the Alps Explainer: I Need a Health Certificate to Trail Race in Europe?

How to get Your Health Prevention Course PPS certificate:

1. Go to: https://pps.athle.fr/ 
2. Enter your personal information and the date of your trail race.
   • You’ll see the option to create an account and log in, but that’s not necessary to get the certificate. 

3. Step through the process, watching each video and then certifying that you understand 
   • The videos are in French with English subtitles.
   • After each video, you’ll see a summary of the topic and will have to certify that you have read and understand the material. 

4. At the end of the process, you’ll need to certify that you have read and understand all the information provided.
5. Now, you’ll receive your PPS certificate number. You can download it from the site, and it will also be emailed to you. The certificate number needs to be added to your race entry. If you are taking part in a Run the Alps trip as part of your race, we’ll be in touch with a request for this number and other information we’ll need, which varies from race to race. 
6. Download and print your certificate. Bring a copy to your race, and if you are coming on a Run the Alps trip, please remember to bring it with you on your trip. 

Now that you’re certified, you can focus on the race ahead. Allez! Allez!