TERMS & CONDITIONS

Article 1. Background

1.1 Silk Road Racing is a company that is specialised in international Extreme-Endurance events, mainly long-distance stage races. Silk Road Racing is located in Tajikistan.
The events will be held at unique places around Tajikistan. The selection of the courses comes along with the support of the local culture, a best possible ecological environment and the support of the local citizenship.
1.2 The races are designed for all type of runners, whether they are first-time starters, frequent starters or running professionals. Starters from all countries, religion, culture, sex and age (18+) are welcome.
1.3 All individuals are starting each stage together. During the race they have to pass several checkpoints. Each runner has to carry the mandatory equipment during the race (see equipment checklist). Competitors will need to carry water from the beginning of each stage. Competitors must be equipped with water filtration or treatment in order to prepare water from sources on the course. Cut-off times will be announced prior to each stage depending on weather and organisational conditions. An official ranking will be published after each stage. All runners as well as the organising and medical team will stay the nights together in the same camp. The whole event will be supported by highly professional volunteers, medical staff, organisers and local capacities.

Article 2. General

2.1. By registering for an event, you confirm that you have read and understood these Rules & Regulations and that you agree with them, without limitation.
2.2 These Rules and Regulations represent a legally binding agreement between you and Silk Road Racing.
2.3 Before entering a race organised by Silk Road Racing, every competitor has to sign all mandatory forms (see under Registration) including these Rules & Regulations.
2.4 Silk Road Racing reserves the right to change these Rules & Regulations at any time. The valid Rules & Regulations are available at Silk Road Racing website at any time.
Article 3. Admission Requirements
3.1 It is the sole decision of Silk Road Racing to allocate a place in the race, decline an application or withdraw a participant from participation at any time.
3.2 You must be at least 18 years of age or older at the start of the event to compete in an event.
3.3 You are fully aware and accept that the races may meet a wide range of terrain and weather conditions. The course will be mainly on off-road tracks.
3.4 By registering and competing in the race you are aware and accept that the race is both mentally and physically demanding. You state that you are well prepared and meet all medical requirements to take part in such an event. You are aware that taking part in the race you accept to take higher risks then in your regular life. You agree by competing in the race that it is always on your own risk and Silk Road Racing will not be liable or claimed against any personal or material damage.
3.5 By applying for a place in the race every competitor has to fill the mandatory files, that are the Registration Form, the Medical File, the Declaration of Agreement and accept these Rules and Regulations.

Article 4. Declaration of Agreement

4.1 By participating in the race you agree in the following:
– You agree that you read and understood the official Rules & Regulations of this race.
– You agree in full with the content of the Rules & Regulations.
– You guarantee that you have filled and signed all mandatory documents truthfully.
– You agree that you join in the event entirely on your own risk and that you do not make Silk Road Racing liable for any damage or loss to you, your body or your belongings which may occur directly or indirectly before, during or after the event.
– You agree that the content of the Medical File was truthfully filled by a qualified doctor and its actual content conforms with the runner’s current health status at the beginning of the race.
– You agree that personal travel arrangements are in any case on your own risk.
– You authorize the medical team of the event to undertake all necessary decisions to protect your health.
– You guarantee that you join the race in a well prepared condition.

Article 5. Environmental Protection

5.1 It is strictly forbidden to leave any litter on the whole course, checkpoints or camps, except specially provided litter bins.
5.2 You are strictly requested to leave the host country and nature in the same condition you have found it. You are strictly requested not to damage any kind of plants, flowers or vegetation. Do not remove or damage any geological realities.
5.3 Meet the local community with respect, decency and treat them with reserve. Be an ambassador of your country, of the organiser of the race and of fairness.
5.4 You are advised to use the toilet facilities while in the camp. On the course you are requested to bury any kind of human waste and paper.

Article 6. Registration and Payment

6.1 To compete in an event organised by Silk Road Racing, each participant has to:
a) apply to the event online by filling the Registration Form
b) Silk Road Racing will allocate you a place in the race at its sole discretion.
c) transfer the entry fee in the advised way. Your participation is only effective if the full entry fee is cleared.
d) fill and submit all Mandatory Forms (see Registration & Entry Details)
e) The Medical File has to be brought to the check-in prior to the start.
6.2 It is your own responsibility to check and obtain all passport, visa and immigration requirements before entering the host country of the event.
Silk Road Racing does not take any responsibility for a rejection of a participant by local Immigration Authorities.

Article 7. Cancellation

7.1 Competitors may withdraw from the Event at any time.
7.2 If you withdraw more than 90 days before the start date of an Event,
you will receive a full refund of the entry fee for the relevant Event. Less the deposit.
7.3 If you withdraw from an Event less than 90 days and 30 days  before the start date , Silk Road Racing will refund 50% of the entry fee.  
7.4. If you withdraw from the event less than 30 days before the start date, Silk Road Racing will refund 20% of the entry fee.
7.5. Silk Road Racing will consider crediting a part of the not refunded payment for future events but does not have the obligation to do so.
7.6 The entry to an event is allocated on a personal basis. The allocated place is non-transferable without the expressed written consent of Silk Road Racing.
7.7 Silk Road Racing reserves the right to withdraw the offer of a place in the Event to you for any reason and at any time. In case Silk Road Racing withdraws you from the event before inception, a full refund will be paid.
7.8 Silk Road Racing reserves the right to modify the race schedule and/or race course due to events outside their control or for safety reasons.
7.9 Silk Road Racing reserves the right to cancel the race due to events outside their control, for safety reasons or organisational reasons. If we cancel the Event without rescheduling the event we will fully refund the entry fee only.

Article 8. Insurance

8.1 It is in the sole responsibility of each competitor to take out any kind of insurance policy that is covering personal, medical and material damage.
8.2 Each competitor is fully aware of the risks which the course, the environment and the local conditions of this competition may cause him and releases Silk Road Racing from any responsibility in the case of accident or physical problems.
8.3 Silk Road Racing strongly recommends that participants take out Cancellation Insurance.

Article 9. The Course

9.1 Silk Road Racing and Tajik Mountain Traverse reserves the right to modify, cancel parts or change the course at any time.
9.2 The competitors must follow the marked route. Any other route or short-cut of the course will result in a penalty.
9.3  The course will visibly marked by flags, signs, lights or other devices. The marking or the natural given track will result in a logical progress of  the route.
9.4 It is strictly forbidden to remove, change or damage markings.
9.5 Several checkpoints are arranged on the course. Every competitor has to cross each checkpoint in its announced order. Missing a checkpoint will result in a time-penalty or possible disqualification.
9.6 Competitors are strictly advised to fill their personal water-reservoir at all checkpoints.

Article 10. Camps & Lodging

10.1 All competitors, organisers and medical staff will stay each night together in the same camp. It is not allowed to leave the camp without giving the organisers notice of departure. The camps can be tents, huts, boats or other facilities, depending of the environment and weather conditions.
10.2 Toilet facilities will be provided. You are strictly advised to use these facilities.

Article 11. Equipment

11.1 You must at all times carry the equipment on the Mandatory Equipment List. It is your responsibility to add optional equipment (see Optional Equipment List).
11.2 The personal equipment has to be carried by the competitor him-/herself. No other competitor may carry any of your equipment.
11.3 The event organiser will check your mandatory equipment prior to the start of the race. Additional checks can be taken at any time of the race. Missing mandatory equipment will result in a time penalty or disqualification.

Article 12. Bibs

12.1 Every competitor will receive 2 bibs. At any time of the race both bibs have to be visible and unchanged. They must be worn with one on the front and one at the back of the runner.

Article 13. Drinking Water

13.1 At each checkpoint drinking water will be provided to all competitors. This water will be for drinking only. Additionally, hot water for cooking purposes will be provided at all campsites.

Article 14. Ranking and Timing

14.1 The time will start jointly for all competitors at the time of the start of each stage and will stopped for each individual seperatly when crossing the finish line of each stage.
14.2 The first individual to cover all stages in the shortest accumulated time is the winner. Separate rankings for male and females will be awarded.
14.3 All other competitors will be ranked according to their finishing time.
14.4 Age rankings can be established and will be announced prior to the race depending on the number of competitors. The age is based on the competitor’s age at the start of the event.
14.5 For each stage cut-off times will be established at each checkpoint and at the finish of each stage. If a competitor will not reach the checkpoint or finish-line within the given cut-off time, he/she will be taken out of the race. Whether he/she is allowed to continue the race on the next stage is the sole decision of the race director.

Article 15. Penalties

15.1 Penalties can be given for all cases of disregard to the official Rules and Regulation and unfair behaviour. This penalties will mainly be time-penalties, that will be added to the overall time of the individual. Serious misconduct may also lead to a disqualification.
Penalties are at the sole discretion of the race director.

Article 16. Dropping out

16.1 Under no circumstances may any competitor leave the race without informing the organisation. If a competitor leaves the race, he/she must inform the organisation as soon as possible.
16.2. The organisers will take care off the dropped out competitor and will make every effort to bring back the competitor to the next camp as soon as the circumstances allow it.

Article 17. Medical Assistance

17.1 A specially-chosen medical team, specialized in sports medicine will be present throughout the race and will have special assistance vehicles. They will be positioned daily at selected check-points and at the finish line. They will ensure that any participant suffering from physical or mental exhaustion will be brought back to the base camp. The medical team is allowed to disqualify any participant they feel physically unfit to continue the race or for receiving vital medical care.

Article 18. Protests & Trouble

18.1 A protest and trouble desk or board will be installed in each camp. A designated person from the organising team will examine your concern and if necessary forward it to the Event Director.
18.2 Protests have to be expressed at the day of the stage.
18.3 The decision on the protest is at the sole discretion of the Event Director and all decisions of the Event Director shall be final and binding. 

Article 19. Awards

19.1 Each competitor who has finished all stages within the given time limits will receive a medal and a finisher shirt.
19.2 Each winner of the individual categories will receive an extra trophy.
19.3 A memory award donated by the local government will be presented to the competitor of the week. This person will be selected by the oranising and medical team after the race has finished for her/his outstanding behaviour, performance and/or fairness.

Article  20. Image Rights

20.1 Silk Road Racing reserves all exclusive rights for photo or film coverage of the race. Participants must agree that Silk Road Racing has exclusive use their individual or collective images for anything related directly or indirectly to their participation in the race. Any photo and film coverage done during the race cannot used by participants for any use other than personal, unless prior authorization or accreditation by GlobalLimit.

Article 21. Final Statement

21.1 All competitors have to agree in these rules and regulations to ensure a safe, fair, eco-friendly and smooth progress of the event.
21.2. Every infringement to these rules & regulations may result in a time penalty or disqualification. This decision  is in the sole discretion of the Event Director.