The Marathon Des Sables

In aid of Facing Africa / NOMA

Rules

These rules apply to the 26th MdS (2011)

Note NEW items added since 2010.

Rules and Conditions - Contents

  1. Organisation
  2. Definition of the Competition
  3. General Conditions
  4. Conditions of Admission
  5. Categories of Participants
  6. Race Itinerary
  7. Technical and Administrative
  8. Identification Marks
  9. Space Reserved for Individual Sponsors
  10. Starting Order
  11. Liaison Stage
  12. Non Stop Race
  13. Check Points
  14. Race Stage Finish
  15. Order of Arrival
  16. Water Supply & Camping
  17. Medical Assistance
  18. Dropping Out
  19. Ground Assistance
  20. Insurance
  21. Weather and Terrain Conditions
  22. Markings
  23. Road Book
  24. Compulsory Equipment for Participants
  25. Registration commitment, Fees and Administrative
  26. Cancellation
  27. Faults and Penalties
  28. List of Penalties
  29. Photo Coverage
  30. List of Prizes

1. Organisation

The "Marathon des Sables" is organised by Atlantide Organisation Internationale (AOI - the organisers). Their sole and official representative in Great Britain is The Best of Morocco Ltd, 38 Market Place, Chippenham. Wiltshire. SN15 3HT. It wil take place in southern morocco under the aegis of the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism and is expected to have around 900 entrants.

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2. Definition of the Competition

The Marathon des Sables is a foot race, with several heats, free style (walking or running), and with food self-sufficiency over a distance of about 230 Km (140 miles). Each participant must carry his/her own backpack containing food, sleeping gear and other material.

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3. General conditions

The Marathon des Sables will be administered according to the general race regulations and their amendments, to which all participants agree when they register.

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4. Conditions of admission for contestants

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.The medical certificate and ECG must be dated not more than 30 days prior to the start of the race.. Teenagers (over 16) may participate with written consent of a Parent or Guardian. They will have to meet the same requirements as adults.

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5. Categories of Participants

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6. Race Itinerary

Updated itinerary

A detailed itinerary will be sent to competitors prior to departure. Flights are provided by The Best of Morocco, either on a flight chartered by ourselves, or a scheduled flight. Scheduled flight itineraries may vary slightly from the above.

ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale reserves the right to modify: the regulations of the Marathon Des Sables, the aspect of the course (see ART. 21), the place and destination in case of forces beyond our control: weather, cataclysm, armed conflict, invasion in any form, lock-out, etc

NEW: ATTENTION: During the race, none of the items in your rucksack will be looked after by the organization.

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7. Technical And Administrative verifications

This takes place on the day before the race start. Participants must present themselves to the race administrators. The participants must meet the administrative and technical requirements (see Arts. 24, 25, 27 & 28). At the control point, an exact list of each participants equipment must be established (i.e. compulsory items, food and personal belongings). 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. In the case of a missing item whether it has being thrown away, lost or stolen, the participant will be penalised. They must therefore inform the organisation of any missing item, failing which penalities could be levied. Each competitor is responsible for his/her own equipment (See art. 27 and 28.)

NEW: NOTE! 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, make sure right now that you think carefully where to position youradvertising and publicity on your tee-shirts and backpacks.

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8. Identification Marks

During the administrative and technical registration AOI will provide each participant with two breast plates bearing a number, one for the back (to be attached to the backpack) and one for the upper part of the chest (size: approx 18 X 16 cm) and a pointing card (used to record the competitors attendance at each checkpoint). 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 is obliged to ensure that his/her ID marking is clear, entirely visible and in good condition and in the proper place. The organisation will make spare ID markings available in case of loss or damage. Each participant agrees to adhere strictly to this rule, subject to serious penalty in case of violation (See arts. 9, 27 & 28).

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9. Space Reserved For Individual Sponsors

In addition to the official ID markings, the participants may use other body/clothing space for the use by individual sponsors (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 oversize or in direct competition with the organisation's partners, or for any other reasons and which the organisation does not have to justify.

NEW: Before the start of each stage, the water distribution point is a compulsory check-point. AOI will distribute the 1.5l of water needed to reach check-point 1 (see ART. 13 and 16)

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10. Starting Order

Departures for each stage will be grouped, except for the non-stop stage in which the top competitors from each list will leave around 3 hours after the first group. For the last stage, the last on the list will be the first to leave. Participants must start at the time indicated by the organisation.

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11. Liasion Stage

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, control point no. 3 (approximately at 30km) 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).

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12. Non-Stop Race

Appox 80Kms (50 miles) stage to be held partly during the night and within a maximum authorised time of 34 hours. During this stage check-point No 4 (approx. at 45km) will close 16 hours after the start. Anyone not having crossed check-point no. 4 within 16 hours will be disqualified. (see Art.'s 27 & 28). From checkpoint 4, each competitor is free to choose a bivouac place, but must stay within the axis of the route.

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13. Check Points

The water distribution points at both the start and the finish of each days stage are compulsory checkpoints. Other checkpoints are located throughout the course of each stage of the race. There are 2 to 6 check points depending on the length of each stage and each competitor must go through them, otherwise penalties will be applied (see art. 27 and 28). This allows the race officials to record times and distribute water supplies (see 16). Medical assistance will be available at each checkpoint

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14. At each arrival post

An official time-keeper will take down the daily order of arrival for each competitor. Water is distributed and pointing card must be punched.

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15. Ranking

Each competitors time is indicated in hours, minutes and seconds. NEW: Each competitor is given an electronic transponder which they must wear throughout the competition and give back at the race finish. Loss of this device will entail automatic loss of the deposit cheque (see Art 27 and 28).

All complaints must be made in writing to the organisation (see 27.

NEW: Never leave without water. Should you get lost in the desert, water reserves could be vital.

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16. Water Supply

The Organisation is responsible for the supply of water for each competitor. Water is typically distributed as follows:-

Water will be distributed on the competitors' bivouac each morning before the start of the race. Distribution times will be posted up on the bivouac the night before.

Each participant must manage his/her daily water intake as and when water is distributed and cannot obtain further water supplies at any other time.

Bivouac

The bivouacs will be pitched each day on previously chosen sites transformed into camping grounds for the competitors; NEW: Numbered, 8-man tents attributed by registration office. Failure to adhere to these numbers will incur a penalty (see Art. 13, 27 and 28).

Competitors may use their free time to prepare for the night and get medical care, if necessary.

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17. Medical Assistance

A specially-chosen medical team, specialising in sports and tropical medicine will be in attendance 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.

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18. Dropping Out

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.

In the event a competitor drops out of the race: he/she must infor the organisation and return the ID plates to a race official. A participant who does not comply with this rule will be penalised (see Art.'s 27 & 28).

If one member of a team (with 3 or or members remaining) abandons the race, the team will receive a one-hour penalty.

Competitors who drop out lose their security deposit.

Several options are available to participants who wish to withdraw from the race.

Competitors who abandon and who stay at the bivouac will automatically be taken charge of by the organisation. Competitors must hand over their food to the organisation.

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19. Ground Assistance

The Organisation reminds all participants that the Marathon des Sables is a race through the Sahara Desert where climatic and ground conditions can be extreme.

Any outside assistance is strictly prohibited. If a participant is supplied by persons during the race, he/she will be heavily penalised . If a competitor goes far off the race route, necessitating a lengthy search, he/she will lose the security deposit (see Art.'s 27 & 28).

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20. Insurance

An insurance policy covering medical evacuation (repatriation) is arranged by the organisation for all entrants throughout the race. The policy covers the following:-

All competitors take part in the full knowledge of the risks that may be incurred during this type of competition. Since competitors participate of their own free will, the organisation is not responsible for any collapse or accident.

In accordance with the 1984 law on sport, the organiser is obliged to advise participants to take out their own accident and death insurance.

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21. Weather and Terrain Conditions

Average temperatures in March / April

The 230 km (approx) course covers a wide variety of terrain (sand dunes, rocky desert, stony ground etc).

In case of sand storms lowering visibility to zero, the competitors must stop in their tracks and wait for instructions by the Organisers.

The organisers reserve the right to modify the route and the length of the various stages as a result of unfavourable weather conditions or regulations in certain areas.

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22. Markings

The participants of the Marathon des Sables must follow the course as marked by the organisers failing which penalties may be applied according to the particular stage. . For liaison stages, the course will be marked approximately every 500 meters. There are several natural landmarks which will also serve as additional points of reference. In the non-stop stage, illuminated markers will be in position at night. NEW: Special NON-STOP stage and MARATHON : light beacons from CP3 to the finish line.

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23. Road-Book

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 during the administration day. It will include various items of interest on the stages, support, map etc. You will be penalised if you do not have your road-book during the race. (see Art. 28).

Each morning a briefing will be given relating to that days stage by the Organisers in French and in English.

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24. Compulsory Equipment for Participants

The compulsory equipment and the personal belongings of each participant (food, survival kit etc) should weigh between 6.5 - 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 controls in Morocco (see 27 & 28).

Food

Each entrant must provide his/her own food throughout the race. He/she must select the type of food best suited to that individuals personal needs, health, weather conditions, weight and back-pack conditions. We remind you that airlines strictly forbid the carrying of gas and other fuels (for cooking), either as hand-luggage or otherwise, and any competitor doing so will not be allowed on the flight.

Each competitor must have 14,000 k/calories, that is to say a minimum of 2000 k/calories per day (this includes the final short-stage day), otherwise he/she will be penalised (see 27 and 28).

Gas stoves are strictly forbidden (waste is incinerated).

Survival gear

A survival kit will be supplied by the organisation and will include the following:-

The kit will be supplied during the technical and administrative checks in Morocco, the distress flare must be handed back to the organisation at the end of the event.

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25. Registration Commitment, Entry Fees and Administrative obligations.

Obligations

The total cost of entry (as individual or team) is variable, depending on where you enrol, and the MdS for which you enrol.

Competitors should enrol in their own country if ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale has a representative in that country. The entry fee varies in these countries depending on what services are offered by our official representative. If the organisation is not represented in your country, you should enrol directly in France.

To complete entry to the Marathon Des Sables the applicant must submit the following documents with complete details within any deadlines given.

The items listed above (with the exception of the medical certificate and ECG which must be presented to AOI on the day prior to race start) must reach The Best of Morocco Ltd within any deadlines specified. All payments (cheques/postal orders etc) must be made payable to The Best Of Morocco Ltd. Failure to meet the deadlines will result in the cancellation of your place with payments forfeited according to the cancellation policy.

AOI and/or The Best of Morocco reserve the right to refuse entry to anyone without justification or reason.

NEW: The organisation's medical certificate and the resting electrocardiogram (ECG) report plus graph dated less than 30 days before the race begins, must be presented in Morocco during the administrative and technical checks.

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26. Cancellation

Cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing in order to avoid any misunderstanding. Cancellation refunds will be made on the following basis (dates refer to the 12 months preceeding the race)

We advise all competitors to take out insurance covering cancellation

In the event of cancellation of the race, AOI undertakes to reimburse payments already received.

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27. Errors and Penalties

Technical and administrative checks
If a participant is more than 30 minutes late for these checks on the administration day, 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 compulsory equipment, he/she will be disqualified. Each administrative document missing from the registration file will result in a penalty (see Art. 28). Failure to present one of these documents at the administrative checks in Morocco will result in disqualification from the race. Non compliance with min/max weight of equipment will be penalised.
Medical file
Competitors unable to provide a medical certificate and/or resting ECG report plus graph signed and no older than 30 days prior to the start of the race during the medical checks prior to the race start will be penalised and possibly disqualified from the race. In order to participate, and subject to the doctors approval, such competitors may undergo the necessary medical examinations on site for a fee of 200 euros. Without the doctors approval, the competitor will be disqualified. (See Art 28).
List of personal belongings
Competitors abandoning one or several elements of his personal equipment should inform the bivouac official. Competitors who cannot justify at any check point the absence of any personal belonging will be severely penalised (see Art. 28).
Food - 14,000 compulsory k/calories
When spot checks are made, any competitor unable to present the minimum 2000 k/calories per day (including the final day) during the race will receive a 2 hour penalty (see Art. 28).
ID Markings
In the event of loss or damage to ID markings , it is essential to advise race officials immediately, or a penalty will be applied. Competitors failing to wear their ID markings may risk elimination from the race. Tampering with ID markings will result in the competitors immediate disqualification as well as loss of security deposit (see Art. 28).
Start of race
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).
Checkpoints
There ate checkpoints at the start of each stage, during the stage and at the end of the stage. Competitors must register at all of them. Arrival upto 30 minutes late at the stage start results in a 30 minute penalty, after 30 minutes it will be considered a failure to register, and the competitor will be penalised for failure to check-in. First infraction will be subject to 60 minutes penalty, second infraction will result in 120 minutes penalty and the third time elimination from the race (see Art. 28).
Maximum authorised time
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" and check point 4 "non-stop" stages will be disqualified
Distress flares
Any abuse of distress flares without valid reason will be subject to a one hour penalty (see Art. 28).
Withdrawal from the race
Any participant withdrawing from the race must notify an organisation official as soon as possible. The participant loses his/her security 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 28).
Drugs / Doping
Any use of illicit drugs by a participant noted by the medical team will result in the elimination of that person from the race.
Ground assistance
Any outside assistance is strictly prohibited. Fraudulently receiving outside assistance with food or water will result in a 3 hour penalty the 1st time and elimination from the race on the 2nd occasion. Vital medical assistance (perfusion, plaster cast, etc) will result in a 2 hour penalty the first time, and disqualification on the second occasion. The use of any transportation, either 2 or 4 wheels will result in elimination from the race. Any competitor who mistakenly wanders far off course, necessitating a lengthy search, will lose the security deposit. The receiving of extra water in particular circumstances (due to lack, loss or leaking bottle), and with the agreement of the stewards, or on the advice of the medical team will result in 30 minutes penalty the first time, 1 hour the second time, anddisqualification on the third occasion.
Water and the environment
Any water container found on the course will result in 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.
NEW: Behaviour
Any inappropriate or harmful behaviour may incur serious penalties (see ART. 28).
NEW: Bivouac
Tents are numbered and attributed by 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 cheque (see ART. 28).
NEW: Transpondeur
An electronic device (30 g) issued to each competitor to establish the classification. Loss of this device will entail automatic loss of the deposit cheque the first time around and disqualification from the race the second time around (see ART. 28).
NEW: Water containers
Penalties will be given to competitors who abandon empty water containers along the route. Facilities forhanding in empty containers will be available at check points (see ART. 27 and 28).
Complaints
All complaints from competitors must be addressed to the Race Director in writing and handed over :
  • to the head of the competitors' bivouac during the race. Replies issued within 48 hours.
  • On the day after the event at Ouarzazate, at the competitors information point (see road-book)
  • Within the 12 following days, to: AOI, BP 20098 - 10002, TROYES Cedex, FRANCE.
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28. Official list of penalties

Reason for penalty Elimination from MdS Penalty imposed Loss of deposit (Security Check)
More than 30 mins delay at admin/tech.check-in Equivalent to time delay
Document missing 30 mins
Non-submission of medical certificate and/or ECG report at rest X if refused on medical grounds 1 Hour X
No backpack or equivalent X X
No sleeping bag or compass with suitable precision 3 hours
No survival kit or 2000 k/cal per day or survival sheet 2 hours
No safety pins, knife, whistle, antiseptic, mirror, venom pump, lighter, torch & batteries, pointing card 1 hour
Incorrect weight of bag 1 hour
Personal equipment item missing 30 mins
No breast plates (id markings) 2nd offence 1st time/warning 2nd offence
Misplacement of ID markings 3rd offence 1st time/warning
2nd time/ 30 mins		 3rd offence
Tampering of ID markings X X
Less than 30 mins late at start of a day's stage Mins late
More than 30 mins late for start of a day's stage X X
Exceeding maximum time allowed X X
Out of time CP 3 Marathon stage X X
Out of time CP 4 non-stop stage X X
Non check-in at check point 3rd offence 1st time - 1 hour
2nd time - 2 hours		 3rd offence
Out of time departure checkpoint (water distribution point) 30 minutes
Failure to follow the markings 4 hours minimum
Unjustified use of flares 1 hour
Withdrawal X X
Abandon of a team member (leaving 3 or more members) 1 hour
Abandon of team member (leeaving less than 3 members) Disqualification of team
Doping or use of transportation X X
Ground assistance 2nd offence 1st time - 3 hours 2nd offence
Receiving of extra water 3rd offence 1st time - 30 minutes
2nd time - 1 hour		 3rd offence
Vital medical assistance 2nd time 1st time - 2 hours 2nd time
Wandering far off course X
Abuse of water bottles or the environment (discarded waste) 3rd offence 1st time - 30 mins
2nd time - 1 hour		 3rd offence
NEW: Failure to respect tents reserved by AOI 1st time - 30 mins
2nd time - 1 hour
NEW: Loss of electronic transpondeur 2nd offence + fixed fine 1st offence / fixed fine 2nd offence
NEW: Inappropriate or harmful behaviour 2nd offence 1st time - 1 hour 2nd offence
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29. Photo coverage

The Organisation reserves all exclusive rights for photo coverage of the MdS. Participants must agree that the Organisation may have exclusive use their identity and individual or collective pictures for anything related directly or indirectly to their participation in the Marathon. Any still camera, video or movie coverage done during the MdS cannot be used by participants, their entourage or trainers for any use other than personal without prior authorisation or accrediation from the Organisation. As a result, any book or film (short, feature) project must obtain ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale's prior authorization.

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30. List of Prizes

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