RULES & REGULATIONS

The following rules and regulations shall apply to the WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS. Every participant accepts these rules and confirms that he/she has read, understood and accepted the terms and conditions of participation by registering for, paying for and participating in the race.

1. Nature of the Event
The WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS are trail runs in partly inaccessible terrain. This specifically means for the participants:

	each participant has to have an appropriate level of running experience.

	each participant has to be sure-footed and have the ability to move safely on mountain trails, across what would seem to be trail-less terrain and in steep terrain with exposure.

	each participant has to be experienced in hiking difficult trails passages.

	each participant has to possess a good sense of direction in mountain terrain, even when weather and visibility turn for the worse.

	each participant has to be familiar with emergency procedures in mountain terrain.

2.RANKING

The WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS consists of three races on three days. The races will start as follows (subject to change, please see latest race-info!):

	Friday, Nov 05, 2010 ca. 15.00 short distance

	Saturday, Nov 06, 2010 12.00 long distance

	Sunday, Nov 07, 2010 11.00 medium distance

3. RANKING CATEGORIES
It's possible to start in the following categories: MEN, MASTER-MEN (age 50 and older, deadline Nov 05, 2010), WOMEN and MASTER-WOMEN (age 50 and older, deadline Nov 05, 2010).

4. CLOTHING/EQUIPMENT
The race organizer MAY make the following equipment mandatory during the entire competition:

	foul-weather gear for protection from the elements (as a minimum water-proof top and bottom shells).

	warm clothing as insulating layers underneath the rain gear.

	gloves and a warm hat.

	emergency gear (i.e. first aid kit, rescue blanket).

	a backpack (e.g. runner’s pack) or appropriately-sized fanny pack.

The race organizers will perform random checks prior to the race start and at various checkpoints on whether the aforementioned mandatory equipment / clothing is indeed being carried along. If mandatory equipment were to be missing, the participant might face disqualification from the race.

5. START NUMBER, RACE PASS, LEADER JERSEY & FINISHER-SHIRT
Start numbers must be worn and remain visible at all times during the race. Start numbers are assigned to each individual racer and as such are not conferrable to others. Advertisement by race sponsors on the start number tags must remain visible during the race. The transponder chip, which is integrated in the start number tag, will be scanned at the start, at every checkpoint and at the finish line. On the way to the finish line the start number must be worn on the front of the shirt.
The overall leaders in each category are obliged to wear their respective leader jerseys.
The Finisher-Shirt will be given to those participants who finish all three races from start to finish and as such have completed every step of the course.

6. TIMING
The time a participant needs to cover each race will be determined using an electronic transponder chip system, which records the times for an individual participant. This transponder has to be returned immediately at the end of the race at the officially-designated race offices (doesn't apply if we should use disposable chips). In case a transponder were to get lost or were to be damaged, the participant will receive a replacement for payment.
Attention: 50,- € pledge for the transponder have to be deposited at the accreditation!! Immediately after the last race it will be payed back to you.

7. BRIEFING/START
A thorough briefing on the race weekend and the first race will be provided by the responsible race-course director on Friday. On Friday night a detailed course-briefing on the next race will be held in the context of the Pasta-Party. In that briefing the specific features of the following race will be brought to the attention of the participants. Participants can position themselves within the starting grid 30 minutes prior to the officially announced race start. An updated, daily briefing will be given by the responsible race-course director approximately 15 minutes before the start to ensure that all participants can be in attendance. All briefings will be given by the authorized race and course director.
The start venue is officially open until 5 minutes after the official start before being dismantled. Any participant starting later than 5 minutes after official time-taking commences, will not be considered for time-taking and thus the race results.
On Friday the position of a participant within the starting grid is established by their start number, from the second race on the participant's starting sector will be determined by their standing in the Worldmaster ranking.

8. NEUTRALISIZED START
Where necessary, a neutralized start (where a prescribed pace is set by a pilot vehicle) will be announced always during the briefing by the responsible race and course director. During a neutralized start it is not allowed to pass the pilot vehicle / motorcycle.

9. CHECK POINTS
On each stage there are between one and six check points where runners have to check in. Participants that miss one of the checkpoints but still arrive at the finish (i.e. because they lost the way or took a shortcut) will receive a time penalty of 60 minutes for each checkpoint they missed The jury reserves the right to impose a lower or a higher time penalty depending on the specific circumstances..
The participants' transponders will be scanned at the checkpoints in the order of their arrival.

10. RACE SCHEDULE
The race- and course director will announce the daily race schedule during each daily briefing. Within this schedule specific time limits may be defined by which participants have to have passed a predefined point on the trail (i.e. checkpoint 3 by 3 pm). Such time limits are mentioned in the trailbook to provide some level of guidance. Changing weather or trail conditions may command the race- and course director to change the cut-off times accordingly. Participants that do not make the cut-off time will officially be taken out of the race by the race director or the trail patrol and, for their own safety, have to forfeit finishing the specific race. They are allowed to start again the next day but will fall out of the Worldmaster ranking and will not be given Finisher-Shirts.

11. FINISH
At the finish the participants have to check in for their individual times to be taken.
Participants that arrive late, that is after the official closing of the finish area, due to exhaustion, injury, etc., - in addition to the maximum racing time (that is the period between official start and official race close) - will receive a 60 min. penalty, but will be allowed to start again the following day. Participants that have been taken out of the race by the race director or who, due to injury (evidence necessary), arrive at the finish not under their own power but some means of transportation (i.e. vehicle or being carried), shall receive the maximum racing time plus 120 minutes and may also be allowed to start again the next day, however, they can not be considered in the Worldmaster ranking.

12. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE RACE
Participants that decide to withdraw from the race for whatever reason (i.e. exhaustion, injury) must inform the race organizers on-site immediately (start, check points, or finish) or call +49/151/55010146. Participants that do not inform the race organizers of their decision to withdraw will be considered “gone missing” and a full-blown search and rescue operation (including official mountain rescue teams and the use of helicopters) will be initiated at the expense of the participant(s) in question.. Participants who want to withdraw from the WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS have also to cancel with the Race Office, return the Transponder-Chip, and cancel any reservations for accommodation.

13. TIME PENALTIES AND DISQUALIFICATIONS

The race organizers and race jury reserves the right to disqualify participants or bestow time penalties between 5 and 60 minutes (or some cases more) if one or more of the following violations apply:

	Noncompliance with / violation of regulations of the WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS

	Disregard of the directives by the race- and course director, police, fire department personnel, officially designated trail patrol or authorized race personnel at check points

	Disdain of traffic regulations

	Environmental pollution or littering

	Unfair behavior or misconduct towards other competitors

	Health problems of a participant

	Doping

	Deliberately taking shortcuts

	Intentionally lining up in the wrong sector of the starting grid

	Tampering with start number tags

	Other offences or breaches of the rules

Participants that are disqualified from the race cannot claim reimbursement from the race organizers or management.

14. DOPING
The organizers reserve the right to perform unannounced drug tests. Each case of doping will results in the immediate disqualification of the participant in question without recourse.

15. EXTERNAL SUPPORT
Participants are not allowed to accept help from a third person (spectators, supporters, other participants) during the race, except in emergency situations, injuries or bad falls. It is acceptable though to receive food, beverages, clothing and gear in need of replacement from assistants along the trailside. It is also permissible to accept medical attention and treatment from the rescue team.
If a participant requires or enlists third-party services, in particular search and rescue services, the race organizers are indemnified from payment for such services. The participant further authorizes the race organizers to collect any incurred charges.

16. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Since the WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS traverses some of the most delicate nature reserves of the Ruhrgebiet appropriate environmental etiquette will be under rigorous scrutiny at all times. Littering outside of the designated food stops and check points or deliberate damages to the environment will carry severe time penalties or even lead to disqualification from the event.

17. WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS RULES

	The WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS will make use of public roads, special-permit forestry roads, hiking trails, paths, and tracks.

	Participants have to obey the traffic laws. Participants also have to comply with directives issued by police officers, the responsible race- and course director and any authorized trail patrol.

	The WINDSTOPPER® TRAILRUN WORLDMASTERS takes place on public roads, special-permit forestry roads, hiking trails, paths, and tracks. Veering off the official routing may entail a high risk of falling with potentially fatal consequences. Participants are strongly advised against taking any shortcuts or detours of their own choosing.

	Each participant is obliged to exercise caution with due diligence at confusing or dangerous trail / road passages. The race organizer reserves the right to designate high-risk sections where the specific directives apply, such that participants may not pass each other or that a reduction in speed and appropriate caution is appropriate. The organizers may place warning signs at such sections and may provide additional safety measures (such as fixed ropes to be used as handrails).

	Participants take part in the event at their own risk.

	The race organizer reserves the right to change the course of the race prior to the start of the event. These rights extend to extenuating circumstances during the event when changing weather conditions, etc., may necessitate alterations of the race routing in parts or as a whole at short notice and, in the worst case, may even require the cancellation of a whole race.

	Disposal of garbage, such as food wrapping, bottles and beverage containers, is prohibited anywhere along the trail except at the designated food stops and checkpoints where appropriate containers will be specifically provided for.

	Escort vehicles are not allowed to affect the race in any way and accepting or providing support from moving escort vehicles is strictly prohibited. The jury will penalize any participant whose support crew causes interference with the race or any adverse effects on other racers. In the case that a support vehicle was to use closed-off roads the team for which support was rendered or which was to receive support will be disqualified immediately. Additionally drastic fines from authorities might be imposed.

	It is expected that racers act in accordance with the principles of courtesy, sportsmanship and fair play at all times of the race.

18. APPEALS & JURY
Each participant has an opportunity to raise an objection in case of a perceived breach of rules by other participants or to enter a caveat against decisions of the race - and course director up to one hour after finish time limit. Such objections have to be made in person in the race office and require the naming of (a) witness(es). A jury of three adjudicators (race organizer, course director and the head of time keeping) will consult on the issue of appeal and pass a decision prior to the start of the following stage. An appeals fee of EUR 50.- will be due and will not be reimbursed if the appeal fails. The aforementioned contraventions, which may be reprimanded with time penalties or disqualification, provide only an incomplete rundown of other possible offenses that may be penalized.

19. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY
With the antecedent accreditation, the participant submits a self-willed and binding registration for an event of his / her choosing by the PLAN B event company GmbH and asserts, without requiring further proof by the event organizer, possession of the skills and experiences that are mentioned and required by all participants under Heading 1 of this document.
Compensation claims brought forward by the participant against the event organizer, for whatever legal reason, are excluded. This does not apply, if the organizer, his legal representatives or his agents have acted with intent or with gross negligence in the execution of his duties or if the organizer is duly liable due to accountable damages resulting from injuries to the life, the body or the health of a person or the breach of constitutive contractual obligations. The participant consents to be subject to tests and inspections on his / her person and personal equipment that are ordered by authorized race personnel.
The participant is familiar with and understands the rules and regulations of the event and will abide by them. The participant agrees to the publication of photographic and other audiovisual materials obtained (also from each participant) during the event. With the release of an E-mail address, the participant knowingly permits that PLAN B event company GmbH to use this email address to send additional event information.
The participant certifies with his / her signature that their participation in this event will be at their own risk and that adequate insurance coverage exists in case of accident or injury.
The participant further certifies to have read and to be willing to accept the rules and regulations of this event.
Furthermore, by starting the event the participant solemnly affirms to be unaware of any health concerns that would undermine his/her participation in the race and that his/her physical level of performance meets the requirements that such an alpine endurance race places on the body and mind over the course of three races.

20. STATUTE OF LIMITATION / PLACE OF JURISDICTION
Any claims by the participant towards PLAN B event company GmbH, irrespective of its legal ground, are subject to the statute of limitation of one year after the contractually specified end of the race event. The legal place of jurisdiction for any settlement of dispute(s) is Munich, Germany. The legal and contractual relationship between the participant and PLAN B event company GmbH shall be entirely subject to German law.