Source: http://www.marathondessables.com/archives/29mds/en/2014-edition/regulation.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-20 01:05:49+00:00

Document:
The 29th MARATHON DES SABLES is organised by ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale and will take place from 04 to 14 April 2014 in southern Morocco. This 29th annual event will take place under the aegis of the MOROCCAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM and will bring together around 1 200 French and foreign participants.
The 29th MARATHON DES SABLES is a foot race, open to runners and walkers, with several stages, free style, and with food self-sufficiency over a distance of about 240 Km. Each participant must carry his/her own backpack containing food, sleeping gear and other material.
The 29th MARATHON DES SABLES will be administered according to the general race regulations and their amendments (road book,...), to which all participants agree when they register.
Anyone meeting the following conditions will be accepted: over 18, any citizenship. Competitors must hold a medical certificate issued by the organisation stating their ability to participate and a resting ECG report.
Teenagers over 16 may participate in the 29th MARATHON DES SABLES subject to prior consent from ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION International and written permission from a parent or guardian. They will have to meet the same requirements as adults.
• veteran F4 (aged 70 to 79).
Veteran classification is based on year of birth.
A team is made up of at least three runners. To remain in the race, all three members of the team must complete the race. However each member is recorded as an individual in the general ranking.
04 April: Departure for Morocco*, arrival, transfer bivouac.
05 April: Technical, administrative and medical formalities.
06 to 11 April: Timed stages with food self-sufficiency.
*Competitors not using the Paris flight may have to arrive a day earlier and return a day later depending on flight connections.
These will take place on 05 April 2014.
Participants must present themselves to the race administrators and medical team responsible for carrying out these verifications. He or she must imperatively have fulfilled his or her technical, administrative and medical obligations (see ART. 24, 25, 27 & 28) before departure. At the control point, an exact list of each participant's equipment must be established (i.e., compulsory items, food, personal belongings, etc.). The administrators are authorised at any time to check and supervise the participants' backpacks.Each element referring to the participant equipment list is strictly personal. Cases of missing items, whether thrown away, lost or stolen, shall be penalised. They must therefore inform the organisation of any missing item, failing which penalities could be levied (see ART. 27 and 28). Any found objects that remain unclaimed after 24 hours shall be disposed of, except for telephones, cameras and batteries. Each competitor is responsible for his/her own equipment.
During the race, none of the items in your backpack will be looked after by the organization.
These ID marks must be worn by the participants throughout the race and positioned according to the organisation's indications, failing which penalties will be issued. The race stewards may carry out checks at any time. It is formally forbidden to cover the organisation's race numbers with any other lettering. Each participant must ensure his/her ID marking is clear, entirely visible, in good condition and in the proper place, under pain of penalty (see ART. 27 and 28). The organisation will make spare breast plates and check-in cards available in the event of loss or damage. The electronic transponder must be handed in at the end of the race. The definitive loss of this apparatus will incur a fine of 70 euro (see ART. 27 and 28).
Each participant agrees to adhere strictly to this rule, subject to serious penalty in the case of violation (see ART. 27 and 28).
In addition to official ID markings, participants may use other available clothing space for individual sponsors e.g. T-shirts (apart from the chest area exclusively reserved for race number) shorts, socks, caps, backpacks, etc. However, the organisation reserves the right to prohibit sponsorship considered to be oversized or in direct competition with the organisation's partners or for any other reasons and which the organisation does not have to justify.
The upper part of the chest area is reserved exclusively by the organisation for positioning your race number. The race organizers will be very strict about where your ID is placed. Therefore, think carefully about where to position your advertising and publicity on your tee-shirts and backpacks.
Stage starts are grouped, except for the non-stop stage, where the leaders of the general and women's classifications will start around 3 hours after the 1st start. For the last stage, the last on the list will be the first to leave. Each compeitor must attend a briefing session with the race Director before the stage starts. Participants must imperatively start at the time indicated by the organisation, subject to penalties (see ART. 28).
Before the start of each stage, the water distribution point is a compulsory check-point. (see ART. 13 and 16).
This stage must be completed in 10 hours or less. The marathon stage takes place within a maximum authorised time of 12 hours. During the marathon, check-point N°3 (approx. at km 31) will close 9 hours after the start of the stage. Anyone not having crossed this point before the 9-hour deadline will be disqualified (see ART. 27 and 28).
Approx. 80 km stage to be held partly during the night and within a maximum authorised time of 34 hours. On this stage, CP3 and CP4 (around km 38 & 50) will close respectively 11hours 30 mins and 16 hours after the start. During this stage, check-point N°4 (approx. at km 45) will close 16 hours after the start. Anyone not having crossed check-point N°4 within 16 hours will be disqualified. (see ART. 27 and 28). From CP4 onwards, competitors may set up bivouac where they like as long as they are on the route axis and clearly visible. Headlamp turned on from 7 p.m.
The closing time of check point 6 will be indicated in the road book.
The water distribution points at both the start and the finish line of each day's stage are compulsory check-points. Check-points are located throughout the course of each stage of the race. There are two to six check points depending on the length of the race and each competitor must go through them, if not penalties will be applied (see Art 27 and 28). This allows the race officials to record times and distribute water (see ART.16).
Medical assistance will be available at each check-point.
An official time-keeper will take down the daily order of arrival for each competitor. Check-point: water is distributed and check-in card must be punched. The bivouacs will be pitched each day on previously chosen sites transformed into camping grounds for the competitors; Numbered, 8-man tents attributed by registration office. Failure to adhere to these numbers will incur a penalty (see Art. 27 and 28) Competitors may use their free time to prepare for the night and get medical care, if necessary.
The daily race ranking is calculated by adding the time taken to run that stage of the race plus penalties, if applicable..
Each team's time will correspond to the average time taken by its members, including penalties.
General ranking is calculated by adding together times for each stage of the race. Any claims must be made in writing (see Art. 27).
The organisation takes charge of supplying water to each competitor.
Water is typically distributed as follows.
• 4.5 litres at arrival post.
• 4.5 litres at the bivouac.
Water will be distributed on the competitor's bivouac each morning before the start of the race. Distribution times will be posted up on the bivouac the night before (see Art. 13, 27 and 28). Stamping of the water card is obligatory and the competitor's sole responsibility. Each participant must manage his/her daily water intake as and when water is distributed and cannot obtain further supplies at any other time.
Penalties will be given to competitors who abandon empty water containers along the route. Facilities for handing in empty containers will be available at check points (see ART. 27 and 28). Never leave without water. Should you get lost in the desert, water reserves could be vital.
A specially chosen medical team, specializing in sports and tropical medicine will be present throughout the race with the use of assistance vehicles. It will be posted at check points and at the finish line each day and will ensure that any participants who are suffering from physical or mental exhaustion are brought back to the base camp. The medical team is allowed to remove ID plates and to eliminate any participant they feel physically unfit to continue the race and/or having received vital medical care. (See ART.27 and 28).
In no circumstances (and at the risk of having to pay the search costs involved) must any competitor leave the race without informing the organisation and signing an official discharge provided by AOI. If a competitor abandons the race, he/she must notify the organisation as soon as possible and give his/her identification marks to one of the course stewards.
A competitor who drops out or is disqualified will have €100 deducted from their deposit in case of out of time (CP or finish stage).
For any other reason, the €200 deposit will be withheld.
A team which has more than 3 members and where one member drops out or is disqualified will also result in the team receiving a one-hour penalty (see Articles 27 and 28).
In the case of a serious physical condition, repatriation may be arranged immediately.
If the competitor's physical condition is satisfactory, he or she shall be taken to Ouarzazate within 48 hours maximum, after signing an official disclaimer supplied by AOI. While awaiting transferral to Ouarzazate, the competitor shall automatically be taken care of and must hand over his or her food to the organisation.
In Ouarzazate, the organisation will give the competitor his or her personal bag and provide assistance to reserve a hotel if necessary. Accomodation and food shall be paid for by the competitor.
The organisation reminds all participants that the 29th MARATHON DES SABLES is a race through the Sahara where climatic and ground conditions can be extreme. Any outside assistance is strictly prohibited. Replenishment during the race shall incur a minimum penalty of 3 hours and possibly exclusionIf a competitor goes far off the race route, necessitating a lengthy search, he/she shall lose their deposit. (see ART. 27 and 28).
An insurance policy covering medical evacuation is arranged by the organisation for all entrants.
real costs for all competitors to return to Morocco, mainland France, European Union member countries and Switzerland.
Competitors residing in countries not included in the aforementioned list will bear the full costs of returning to home countries from the place of repatriation. They are therefore strongly advised to take out personal insurance.
• payment of medical expenses in Morocco for non-residents only: 5,600 euro.
All competitors take part in the full knowledge of the risks that may be incurred in this kind of competition. Since competitors participate of their own free will, the organisation is not responsible for any incident or accident.
In accordance with the 1984 law on sport, the organizer is obliged to advise participants to take out their own accident and death insurance.
• night time 14° C.
The route (approx. 240 kms) covers a wide variety of terrain. In the event of sand storm lowering visibility to zero, competitors must stop in their tracks and wait for instructions by the organizers.
The participants in the 29th MARATHON DES SABLES must follow the route as marked by the organizers, failing which penalties may be applied according to the particular stage. For liaison stages, the course will be marked approximately every 500 metres. There are several natural landmarks that will serve as additional points of reference.
Special NON-STOP stage and MARATHON:light beacons from CP3 to the finish line.
A road book will be compiled from the survey reconnaissance missions. The exact course will remain secret and will only be revealed at the time of distributing the road books on 04 April. It will include various items of interest on the stages, support, etc. Competitors shall be penalised they you do not have their roadbook during the race. (see ART. 28).
Each morning a briefing will be held relating to that day's stage by the organizers in French and in English.
All of the obligatory equipment and personal belongings for each competitor (food, survival equipment and Marathon kit, waist pouch...) should weigh between 6.5kg and 15 kg. This minimum/maximum weight does not include your daily water supply. Each participant will have to fulfil the above obligations during the administrative and technical checks in Morocco (see ART. 27 and 28).
Each entrant must provide his/her own food from 06 au 12 April inclusive.
He/she must select the type of food best suited to his/her personal needs, health, weather conditions, weight and backpack conditions. We remind you that airlines strictly forbid the carrying of gas (for cooking) on board either as hand luggage or otherwise. Each competitor must have 14 000 k/calories, that is to say a minimum of 2,000 k/calories per day, otherwise he/she will be penalised (see ART. 27 and 28).
Gas stoves are strictly forbidden.
• 200 euros or equivalent in foreign currency.
This Marathon kit will be issued during the technical and administrative checks in Morocco.
A luminous stick will be issued at CP3 of the non-stop stage. The distress flare must be given back to the organization at the finish line.
Reminder of the minimum calories to be presented during the technical controls in Morocco.
Competitors who wish to set up an official team to be part of the team ranking system must pay the registration fee plus 100 euro.
• official ranking of each member of the team.
The name of the team and its members must be given at the time of registering.
Given that the total number of participants is limited, the organisation will only accept applications when paper work is in good order and depending on places available.
1,000 euro minimum by bankcard and/or bank transfer.
Any late payments will incur an increase of 150 euro.
All payments should be made to ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale.
Information: The organisation reserves the right to refuse applications without obligation to give a reason.
• all information regarding the competitor's identity, contact details, etc.
• Information for the press.
The organization's medical certificate, the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) report plus graph, dated less than 30 days before the start of the race, i.e. after 04 March 2014, are to be presented during the administrative, technical and medical checks on 05 April 2014. Only the original documents, dated and signed, will be accepted (photocopies not valid). Failure to present these documents will incur penalties (see ART.27 et 28).
Enrolment cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing by registered post in order to avoid any misunderstanding.
• 70 euro will be retained for processing dossiers in the event of cancellation before 30/06/13.
• 10% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organisation in the event of cancellation between 01/07/13 and 30/09/13.
• 20% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organisation in the event of cancellation between 01/10/13 and 30/11/13.
• 30% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organisation in the event of cancellation between 01/12/13 and 31/01/14.
Beyond 31/01/14 midnight no request for reimbursement will be honoured.
Important.: AOI strongly recommends that each competitor take out personal cancellation insurance. This is the competitor's choice. In the event that the competition is cancelled before the start, AOI undertakes to reimburse amounts received by bank transfer.
If a participant is more than 30 minutes late for these checks on 05 April he/she will be penalised by the length of time of his/her lateness.
If a participant does not submit proof of having all his/her mandatory equipment, he/she will be disqualified. Any competitor whose information is incomplete in the online applications process on 31/01/2014 and who does not provide the missing information at the administrative controls in Morocco shall be excluded from the race (see Art. 28).
Failure to respect the minimum or maximum weight of equipment will also result in a penalty (see ART. 28).
At the medical check-ups in Morocco on 5 April 2014, competitors must present the organization's medical certificate and his or her resting electrocardiogram with tracing. These 2 documents must be signed and dated at least 30 days before the start of the race, i.e. after 4 March 2014. Competitors who do not fulfil this obligation shall not be able to start the race. However, such competitors shall be able to participate after an examination by the organization's doctors and subject to their approval. Each of these documents can be produced in the bivouac for a fixed fine of 200 euro to be paid in cash on the spot. A penalty of one hour per missing document shall be applied (see ART. 28).
Competitors abandoning one or several elements of his or her personal equipmentshould inform the bivouac official.
Competitors who cannot justify at any check point the absence of any personal item will be severely penalised (see ART. 28).
14 000 compulsory k/calories. When spot-checks are made, any competitor unable to present the minimum 2000 k/calories per day during the race will receive a 2 hour penalty (see ART. 28).
In the event of loss or damage to ID markings, race officials must be informed immediately, or a penalty will be applied.
Competitors failing to wear their ID marking may risk disqualification from the race (see ART. 8, 9 and 28).
The definitive loss of the transponder will incur a fine of 70 euro (see ART. 28).
Tampering with ID markings will result in the participant's immediate disqualification as well as the loss of the security deposit (see ART. 28).
Competitors who fail to be present at the starting line when each stage begins will be penalised by the time equivalent to the delay.
Exceeding 30 minutes, the competitor will be disqualified and his/her ID markings will be handed over to the steward (see ART. 28).
At the non-stop stage, if the start order is not respected, a three-hour penalty will be given.
At each stage start line, finish line, and on the route, time-checking is obligatory at the check posts and is the responsibility of the competitor.
If a competitor arrives up to 30 minutes late at the check-point before the start he/she will receive a 30 minute penalty. If more than 30 minutes late, the competitor will no longer be registered and will be penalised for failure to check-in. The first infraction will result in a one hour penalty, the second infraction a two hour penalty and the third time elimination from the race (see ART. 28).
Competitors who exceed the maximum time authorised for each stage will be disqualified and must return their ID to the steward.
Competitors exceeding the authorised time for passing check point 3 during the "marathon" or check point 3, 4 and 6 "nonstop" stages will be disqualified (see ART. 28).
• lack of luminous signal sticks after 7 pm.
• number bibs not visible.
Any participant withdrawing from the race must notify an organisation official as soon as possible.
Competitors who withdraw or are eliminated from the race for exceeding the time deadline shall lose 100 euro from their deposit.
Withdrawal by one team member in a team of more than 3 members will result in a one hour penalty for that team, provided of course that at least 3 people remain in the race (see ART. 28).
Any use of illicit drugs by a participant noted by the medical team will result in the elimination of that person from the race (see ART. 28).
Any form of outside assistance is strictly forbidden. Fraudulent outside assistance supplying food or drink to a competitor shall incur a penalty ranging from three hours to expulsion from the race. Vital medical assistance (i.v. rehydration, plaster cast etc.) will result in a two hour penalty the first time, and elimination from the race on the second occasion. The use of transportation, either with 2 or 4 wheels will result in elimination from the race. Any competitor who mistakenly wanders far off course, necessitating a lengthy search effort, will lose his/her security deposit (see ART. 28). The receiving of extra water in particular instances (due to lack, loss or leaking bottle), and with the agreement of the race stewards or on the advice of the medical team, will result in a 30 minute penalty the first time, one hour the second time and disqualification from the race on the third occasion.
Any inappropriate or harmful behaviour may incur serious penalties (see ART. 28).
Mobile phones must not be used in the bivouac or at the CPs (see ART. 28).
Any water container found on the race route will incur a penalty (see ART. 28).
The throwing away of any food packaging or other items on the race route is strictly forbidden and will be penalised (see ART. 28).
Tents are numbered and attributed by the registration office.
Competitors must, without fail, stay in the tents reserved for them. Failure to adhere to the numbers attributed will incur a penalty and loss of the deposit (see ART. 28).
All complaints from competitors must be addressed to the Race Director in writing.
It should be handed over to the head of the competitors' bivouac. Replies issued within 48 hours.
after 14 april and until 31 april, to AOI - BP 20098 - 10002 TROYES Cedex - FRANCE.
ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale reserves all exclusive rights for photo coverage of the 28th SULTAN MARATHON DES SABLES. Participants must agree that ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale may have exclusive use their identity and individual or collective pictures for anything related directly or indirectly to their participation in the SULTAN MARATHON DES SABLES. Any still camera, video or movie coverage done during the SULTAN MARATHON DES SABLES cannot be used by participants, their entourage or trainers for any use other than personal, unless by prior authorization or accreditation from ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale. As a result, any book or film (short, feature) project must obtain ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale's prior authorization.
4th to 10th prize : Trophy / cheque for 5000 Euros.
Trophy / cheque for 3000 Euros.
Trophy / cheque for 1500 Euros.
Trophy, credit of 500 euros for the next enrolment..
3rd team : Trophy / cheque for 4000 Euros.
Trophy / cheque for 2000 Euros.
3rd prize : Trophy / cheque for 5000 Euros.
1st veteran M4 : Trophy / cheque for 1000 Euros*.
Trophy / cheque for 500 Euros*.
1st veteran W4 : Trophy / cheque for 1000 Euros*.
Daily race challenge: male and female categories : a credit of 400 euros per stage for the next enrolment in SULTAN MARATHON DES SABLES. These reductions can be accumulated to a maximum of one complete entry fee.
*May not be added to prize-money won in individual and women's rankings.

References: ART. 24
 ART. 27
 ART. 27
 ART. 27
 ART. 27
 ART. 28
 ART. 13
 ART. 27
 ART. 27
 Art 27
 ART.16
 Art. 27
 Art. 27
 Art. 13
 ART. 27
 ART.27
 ART. 27
 ART. 28
 ART. 27
 ART. 27
 ART.27
 Art. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 8
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28
 ART. 28