Rules and Regulations

Welcome to the Marine Drive Ultra! This rigorous event pushes your limits across a challenging course. Your safety and well-being are our top priorities, so please carefully review these rules and regulations.

General:

• Eligibility: Participation is open to individuals who meet the age and qualifying requirements based on chosen distance.
• Medical Clearance: Obtain a doctor's approval for participation, informing them of any pre-existing medical conditions.
• Equipment: Use appropriate footwear, clothing, and gear for the distance, weather, and terrain. Carry mandatory items like whistles, reflective gear, and emergency rations.
• Course Markings: Follow designated routes and stay on marked trails. Do not shortcut or create your own path.
• Traffic Laws: Obey all traffic regulations while running on public roads.
• Respect: Be courteous to other runners, volunteers, and spectators. Respect the environment and leave no trace.
• Disqualification: Violations of any rule or regulation may result in disqualification.

Safety:

• Self-Awareness: Monitor your physical and mental state throughout the run. Don't push beyond your limits, and prioritize your safety.
• Aid Stations: Utilize aid stations for hydration, nutrition, and medical assistance.
• Drop Out: Stop at any point if you feel unwell or unsafe. Inform medical personnel or volunteers at the nearest aid station or checkpoint.
• Emergency Protocol: Use your whistle loudly and repeatedly to signal for help in case of an emergency.
• Accidents: Report any accidents immediately to race officials or medical personnel.
• Weather: Be prepared for changing weather conditions and dress accordingly.

Specifics:

Paved Road & National Highway Sections:

• Maintain single-file running on narrow sections.
• Be vigilant of traffic and use designated shoulders or sidewalks when available.
• Follow specific directions from marshals or traffic police.

Ultra-Distances:

• Carry mandatory equipment as listed on the event website.
• Be aware of cut-off times at checkpoints and ensure you maintain sufficient pace.
• Utilize sleep stations responsibly and adhere to designated rest periods.
• Pace yourself and monitor your energy levels to avoid exhaustion.

Prohibited:

• Drug Use: Any performance-enhancing drug or unauthorized medication is strictly forbidden.
• Littering: Throwing trash on the course or surrounding areas is prohibited.
• Unsportsmanlike Conduct: Behaviour deemed disrespectful, aggressive, or dangerous towards other runners, volunteers, or spectators will not be tolerated.
• A Note on Attire: To minimize potential conflicts or disruptions, we kindly request that you avoid wearing attire adorned with the names or logos of clubs, groups, organizations, or events—whether historical or upcoming—during your time in the event area, from reporting to departure. We appreciate your cooperation in fostering a respectful and inclusive atmosphere for all participants and onlookers.
• Headphones or Earbuds: Using headphones or earbuds is not permitted due to safety concerns.
• Outside Assistance: Receiving outside assistance beyond designated aid stations and designated people is prohibited.

Additional Information:

• Review the detailed event guide and course map for further instructions and specific regulations.
• Attend the pre-race briefing for important information and updates.
• Familiarize yourself with the medical support plan and emergency procedures.

Race Format:

• The race is continuous, with specific time limits for each distance category.

Bibs & Timing:

• Wear visible bibs at all times; removal indicates withdrawal.
• Bibs are non-transferable; unauthorized transfers result in disqualification.
• If a bib is transferred to someone else, we will give a DNF to the runner and ban the registered participant from Marine Drive Ultra forever.

Cut-Offs & Checkpoints:

• Be aware of and adhere to checkpoint cut-off times. Please note the checkpoint cut-off times and follow them strictly. If you fail to reach a checkpoint or a cut-off, you will not be considered a finisher, even if you complete the race within the final cut-off time. The cut-off times for each category are: 4 hours for 25 km (50 km category), 8 hours for 50 km (100 km category), and 19 hours for 100 km (161 km category). All cut-off times will be based on clock time (and not the chip time) for individual runners.

Finish, Did-Not-Finish, Did-Not-Start and Pulling Out:

• Follow specified criteria to be deemed a Finisher like
• • Started the Race, wearing an Official Bib
  • Entered all the Rest Areas on the Course
  • Met all the Intermediate Cut-Off times published for their registered category
  • Met the Final Cut-Off time published in their registered category
  • Did not travel in an ambulance or any other vehicle during the race for any duration
  • Wore their Bib so that it was visible from the front at all times
• Non-compliance results in a Did-Not-Finish (DNF). A runner who did not meet any of the requirements for a Finish listed above will be considered a Did-Not-Finish (DNF).
• A registered participant who did not start the race will be awarded a DNS (Did-Not-Start).
• Pull out / Withdraw only at Rest Areas or Aid Stations. A runner can decide to withdraw from the race, but they have to do it at a Rest Area or an Aid Station. They have to wait there until a Race Vehicle comes for them. Also, a Medical Team member or a Race Official may tell a runner to withdraw.

Crews, Pacers, External Assistance:

• No personal crews or pacers allowed. Only the event staff at the aid stations or along the course can help the runners. The runners cannot get any help from their friends or family. If they do, they will be disqualified from the race.

Medical Assistance:

• Medical assistance is available at the race venue or at designated aid stations along the route. While a runner waits for medical assistance, they should rely on their race pack to provide comfort until assistance arrives. This means that the water, fuel, bandage, rain jacket, etc. will provide that comfort to a runner stuck between aid stations until help arrives. Any expense that a participant incurs resulting from a medical emergency or an evacuation is payable by the person being rescued. We strongly recommend that each participant should consider procuring medical insurance that could cover the emergency cost in case of any eventualities.

Headlights:

• Mandatory for runners in the dark; no substitutes allowed. Individual headlights (or suitable hand-held flashlights) are mandatory for runners running in the dark (this applies to the 50km, 100km and 161km runners). Runners are requested to ensure that they have enough batteries for their headlights. Runners can use the drop bags provided to plan for headlights, batteries, etc. A runner who is not wearing a headlight / reflective vest in the dark will be withdrawn from the race and given a DNF. Mobile phones will not be accepted as a substitute for a headlight or a flashlight, and a group of runners will not be allowed to share lights.

Dress Code:

• All runners must wear suitable shorts, singlets, T-shirts etc. Nudity or partial nudity could offend the sensibilities of other runners and could lead to disqualification. To prevent any possible conflicts or disturbances, we respectfully ask you to refrain from wearing any clothing that features the names or logos of any clubs, groups (online or offline), organizations, or events —past or future—while you are in the event area, from collecting your bib to joining the post run celebration. We thank you for your collaboration in creating a respectful and inclusive environment for all participants and spectators.

Health Checks & Medical Assistance:

• Comply with medical checks if required, medical assistance available at designated points. A member of our medical team may ask a runner to undergo a medical check at any time during the run. Depending on the medical staff’s assessment, a runner may continue or withdraw from the run.

Drugs, Liquor, Substance Abuse:

• Use of banned substances leads to disqualification. Liquor is not permitted on the course.

Non-Bangladeshi Citizens:

• Provide passport photocopies before starting the run.

Registration and Fees:

• Non-transferable and non-refundable; no exceptions.

Qualifying Criteria:

• Provide proof of qualification by the specified date.

Race Official Decisions:

Decisions by Run Managers and the Race Director are final; respect their authority. By participating, you acknowledge and accept these rules. We wish you a safe and rewarding experience at the Marine Drive Ultra!