Rules for the conduct of the “Olympian Race”

NEMEA – OLYMPIA

Rule 1

The organisation of the “Olympian Race” (Ancient Nemea – Olympia) is conducted by the “AETHLIOS” International Long-distance Running Association. The “Olympian Race” between Nemea and Olympia is a trail-race for individual athletes over a distance of 180 kilometres of 28 hours duration.

Rule 2

Applications for participation by athletes must be received in the offices of the Association not later than 15 th april of the year in which the race will be conducted. As the number of participants is restricted, selection of the eventual participants will be at the discretion of the Organizing Committee, based on the athlete’s best performances required for his/her selection and according to the date subscriptions are received in the offices of the Association. The selection made by the Organizing Committee is irrevocable.

Rule 3

The participants must present a certificate which will declare that their physical condition allows them to run the distance of the race, 180 kilometres. This certificate must be in the Hellenic or English language and have been issued not more than 30 days prior to the start of the race.

Rule 4

Athletes participate in the race on their own personal responsibility and must understand that the medical facilities offered CANNOT be available at all points of the course OR at all times during the race.

Rule 5

Athletes participating in the race must present themselves for confirmation of entry 24 hours prior to the race at a place to be designated by the Organising Committee.

Rule 6

Athletes are obliged to present themselves at the Starting Point of the race 30(thirty) minutes prior to the Starting Time designated by the Organising Committee to ensure recording of the participants. Late arrival may result in exclusion.

Rule 7

The Finishing Line of the race is before the Ancient Stadium of Olympia where the finishing time of each athlete is recorded and must be within the time limit of 28 hours. Athletes reaching C.P.17 ( 158 km) before the closing time of the point will be given an allowance of 30 (thirty) minutes to finish the race.

Rule 8

Athletes may be eliminated from the race for the following reasons:

• not observing the Rules of the race.
• not passing an Elimination Point within the time specified.
• if considered by the Medical Team to be incapable of completing the course.

Rule 9

Athletes may use personal materials and articles during the race on their own responsibility. These articles, marked with the athlete’s race number and the C.P., must be deposited at the briefing on the eve of the race and will be placed in numbered cartons for distribution to the relevant C.P.’s along the route. Responsibility for this lies with the Organising Committee.

Rule 10

Athletes must display plainly on the chest and on the back the race number allocated to them, together with their name and nationality. These will be provided by the Organising Committee.

Rule 11

For safety and security reason, athletes will run on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic. If considered necessary by the race authority, the route may be changed to the right.

Rule 12

If found necessary, athletes may receive medical attention at any point along the route and assistance from the race authority. Only doctors can decide if the athlete may continue the race.

Rule13

Athletes are strictly forbidden to board any vehicle along the route for any reason whatsoever upon penalty of disqualification. The only exception to this rule is described in Rule 15.

Rule 14

ATHLETES USING FORBIDDEN SUBSTANCES (DOPING) WILL BE FORBIDDEN TO PARTICIPATE.

Rule 15

Athletes must follow the designated route of the race. If, for any reason whatsoever, the athlete leaves the designated route, he/she is obliged to return to the last C.P. passed to continue the right to participate in the race. ONLY in this circumstance will a race official transport the athlete.

Rule 16

Athletes are obliged to display respectful conduct and observance of the Olympic spirit at all times.

Rule 17

For reasons of safety and awareness, athletes are NOT allowed to carry portable radios or similar devices.

Rule 18

For the 4(four) sections of the course where the C.P.’s are more than 15(fifteen) kilometres apart, the athletes are required to carry with them at least 500ml of water.

Rule 19

Athletes must pass the Elimination Points before the closing times specified. Failure in this results in elimination. If necessary, athletes may be allowed to reach the next C.P. provided they can arrive before its closing time.

Rule 20

Athletes wishing to retire from the race must surrender their race number to a race official and sign a Declaration of Retirement at the nearest C.P. for retirement

Rule 21

Any athlete that retires from the race must not remain on the course but must be conveyed in transport provided to the hotel in Olympia designated for the athletes. If the transport is that of a supporter, this must be indicated on the Declaration of Retirement.

Rule 22

The race organisers bear no responsibility for athletes continuing outside the elimination time or having been eliminated or retired. In this case the athlete continues on his/her own responsibility after having surrendered his/her race number and signing a Declaration of Retirement.

Rule 23

Athletes completing the course are obliged to be present at all and any of the celebrations and public events following termination of the race. If this is not possible, the Organising Committee must be advised beforehand.

Rule 24

Athletes must declare the names of their supporters, if any, and vehicle details when registering. The vehicle must carry the official signs provided, showing the athlete’s race number.

Rule 25

All athletes and their supporters already registered must attend the briefing for the C.P. crews at a time and place to be designated by the Organising Committee.

Rule 26

All athletes and their supporters must have full knowledge of the Race Rules. The athletes and their supporters and all other individuals taking part in the event are obliged to ask for clarification of any points in doubt from any of the race officials. The Organising Committee bears no responsibility for any misinterpretations or misunderstandings that arise from lack of proper explanation which result in elimination of an athlete from the race.

Rule 27

Athletes and their supporters must protect the environment from any form of pollution.

Rule 28

All drivers, supporters, journalists, T.V. crews, medical teams, members of the Diplomatic Corps and all other individuals, vehicles and teams having any association with the race must be declared beforehand and have the necessary signs and documentation by which they will be identifiable during the conduct of the race. In the event of any of the aforementioned not complying with this requirement, they will not be allowed to follow the race.

Rule 29

Athletes are allowed to receive assistance from their supporters ONLY AT A C.P.. DURING THE RACE. NO ASSISTANCE CAN BE OFFERED ELSEWHERE ON THE ROUTE. Violation of this rule by a supporter results in disqualification of the athlete by a decision of the Organising Committee at the C.P. nearest to the site of the violation.

Rule 30

For the whole of the length of sections of the route on asphalt roads, for reasons of safety and security, movement of support vehicles must be slow and careful, whilst on non-made-up paths and tracks, passage of vehicles is forbidden and such vehicles must take designated diversions. A document giving such details will be provided to each driver at the briefing prior to the race.

Rule 31

Support vehicles, runners and walkers must not move at the speed of the athlete. This will be considered as improper assistance.

Rule 32

Violation of the race rules by supporters of athletes results in disqualification of the athlete(s) concerned.

Rule 33

Vehicles carrying T.V. crews, journalists, press or other photographers must maintain a discrete distance from the athletes to avoid interference and the suspicion of assistance which is forbidden. Violation of this rule may incur removal of the vehicle’s signs and the permission for following the race by the passengers.

Rule 34

The C.P.’s may be relocated without prior announcement if unforeseen circumstances make this necessary, such as roadworks, accident, poor weather conditions, etc..

Rule 35

For the duration of the race, the Organising Committee will set-up tables at the C.P.’s for necessary food items, mainly electrolytic fluids. Athletes have the right to have personal items at such C.P.’s along the route.

Rule 36

In the event of circumstances not being covered by these rules, disputes or other objections will be settled on the spot by officials of the Organising Committee.

Rule 37

Objections must be made in writing and submitted to the Organising Committee before 21.30 hours on Saturday at the Finishing Line in Olympia. Consideration of the objection(s) and the decisions thereof are the exclusive responsibility of the Organising Committee.

Rule 38

The fees of participation cover the expenses of the athletes’ participation in the race, accommodation and meals on Thursday evening, breakfast and lunch on Friday, dinner and accommodation on Saturday evening, breakfast and lunch on Sunday. The Organisers will provide transportation for athletes from Athens to Nemea and from Olympia to Athens. Athletes’ supporters can be accommodated at the same hotels with the athletes and offered the same services and meals. In this case, they will have to pay a fee of euros 200 per person.