The 21st MARATHON DES SABLES is organized by ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION
Internationale and will take place from 07 to 17 April 2006
in southern Morocco. This 21st annual event will take place
under the aegis of the MOROCCAN MINISTRY OF TOURISM and will
bring together around 700 French and foreign participants.
ART.
2 : DEFINITION OF THE COMPETITION.
The 21st MARATHON DES SABLES is a foot race, with several heats, free style,
and with food self sufficiency over a distance of about 230 Km. Each participant
must carry his/her own backpack containing food, sleeping gear and other material.
ART.
3 : GENERAL CONDITIONS
The 21st MARATHON DES SABLES will be administered according to the general race
regulations and their amendments, to which all participants agree when they register.
ART.
4 : CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION
FOR PARTICIPANTS
Anyone meeting the following conditions will be
accepted : over 18, any citizenship. Competitors must hold a medical certificate
issued by the organization
stating their ability to participate and an ECG report. The medical certificate
and ECG must be dated no more than 30 days before the start of the race. Teenagers
over 16 may participate in the 21st MARATHON DES SABLES with written permission
from a parent or guardian. They will have to meet the same requirements as adults.
ART.
5 : CATEGORIES OF PARTICIPANTS Category A : INDIVIDUAL
Category B : TEAM PARTICIPANT.
Category A : Every entrant will be ranked. In addition to the general ranking,
there will be placing for females, veteran M1 (aged 40 - 49), veteran M2 (aged
50 – 59), veteran M3 (aged 60 - 69), veteran M4 (aged 70 - 79), veteran
F1 (aged 40 to 49), veteran F2 (aged 50 to 59), veteran F3 (aged 60 to 69), veteran
F4 (aged 70 to 79).
Category B : 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.
ART.
6 : PROGRAM OF THE RACE
07 April : Departure to Morocco*, arrival, transfer bivouac
08 April : Administrative and technical formalities
09 to 15 April : The race with food self sufficiency
16 April : Free day. Prize giving ceremony
17 April : Return to France*
*Competitors not using the Paris flight may have to arrive a day earlier and
return a day later depending on flight connections.
ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale reserves the right to modify :
- the regulations of the 21st 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
ATTENTION
!
During the race, none of the items in your rucksack will be
looked after by the organization.
ART.
7 : TECHNICAL AND
ADMINISTRATIVE VERIFICATIONS
These will take place on 08 April 2006. Participants
must present themselves to the race administrators. Participants must meet
the administrative and
technical requirements (see ART. 24, 25, 27 and 28). At the control point,
an exact list of each participant’s equipment must be established
(i.e., compulsory items, food, personal belongings...).
The administrators are authorized 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 been thrown away, lost or stolen, the participant will be penalized.
Each competitor is responsible for his/her own equipment (see ART. 27 and
28).
ATTENTION
!!! 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 your advertising and publicity on your tee-shirts and backpacks.
ART.
8 : IDENTIFICATION MARKS RESERVED
BY THE ORGANIZATION
During the administrative and technical registration, the organization will provide
each participant with :
- two breast plates bearing a number, one for the back and one for the chest
(approx. 20 cm x 24 cm).
- a pointing card
These must be worn by the participants throughout the race and may be checked
at any time by the administrators. It is prohibited to cover the ID markings.
Each participant must ensure his/her ID marking is clear, visible, in good condition
and in the proper place. The organization will make spare ID markings available
in the event of loss or damage. Each participant agrees to adhere strictly to
this rule, subject to serious penalty in the case of violation. (see ART. 27
and 28).
ART.
9 : SPACE RESERVED FOR INDIVIDUAL SPONSORS
In addition to official ID markings, participants may use other available clothing
space for individual sponsors e.g. T-shirts (apart from the chest) shorts, socks,
backpacks, etc. However, the organization reserves the right to prohibit a particular
sponsorship considered to be oversized or in direct competition with the organization’s
partners or for any reason the organization does not have to justify it's decision.
ART.
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 organization.
ART.
11 : LIAISON STAGE
This leg must be completed in 10 hours or less. The marathon stage takes place
within a maximum authorized time of 12 hours. During the marathon, check-point
N°3 (approx. at km 30) will close 9 hours after the start of the leg. Anyone
not having crossed this point before the 9-hour deadline will be disqualified
(see ART. 27 and 28).
ART.
12 : NON-STOP STAGE
Approx. 80-km stage to be held partly during the night and within a maximum authorized
time of 34 hours. During this stage, check-point N°4 (approx. at km 45) will
close 16 hours after the start of the leg. Anyone not having crossed check-point
N°4 within 16 hours will be disqualified. (see ART. 27 and 28). From check-point
N°4, each competitor is free to chose his bivouac place, but must stay within
the axis of the route.
ART.
13 : CHECK POINTS
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.
ART.
14 : AT EACH ARRIVAL POST
An official time-keeper will take down the daily order of arrival for each competitor.
ART.
15 : RANKING
Each competitor’s time is indicated in hours, minutes
and seconds. CATEGORY A : Individual ranking
The daily race ranking is calculated by adding the time taken
to run that stage of the race plus penalties, if applicable.
General ranking is calculated by adding together times for
each stage of the race. CATEGORY B : Team ranking
For teams, the daily race ranking is calculated by adding
the times for each member of the team plus penalties, if
applicable. The average of the team's times (plus
penalties for withdrawal if applicable) indicates the ranking
of that team.
General ranking is calculated by adding the times
obtained by the team at each stage.
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)
ART.
16 : WATER SUPPLY
The organization takes charge of supplying water to each competitor.
Water is typically distributed as follows.
Liaison stage :
9 litres per person per day
- 1.5 litres before the start each morning
- 2 or 3 x 1.5 litres during the race, at check points
- 4.5 litres at arrival post
Marathon stage :
10.5 litres per person per day
- 1.5 litre before the start in the morning
- 3 x 1.5 litres during the race
- 4.5 litres at arrival post
Non-stop stage :
22,5 litres per person over 2 days
- 1.5 litres before the start of the race in the morning
- 1.5 litres at check-points 1, 3, 5, 6
- 1.5 or 3 litres at check-points 2, 4
- 4.5 litres at arrival post
- 4,5 litres at the bivouac
The water allocated each morning will be
distributed before the start of the race at the competitors’ bivouac according
to the time stated in the road-book (see Art. 13, 27 and 28).
Each participant must see to his/her water needs according to when water is distributed
and cannot obtain any other supply at any time. Bivouac :
The bivouacs will be pitched each day on previously chosen sites transformed
into camping grounds for the competitors; numbered tents sleep 8. Competitors
may use their free time to prepare for the night and get medical care, if necessary.
Never leave without
water.
Should you get lost
in the desert, water reserves could be vital.
ART.
17 : MEDICAL ASSISTANCE
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)
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).
ART.
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 organization and signing
an official discharge provided by AOI.
In the event of a competitor dropping out of the race, he/she must inform the
organization and return the ID plates to a race official. A participant who does
not comply with this rule will be penalized (see ART. 27). If one member of a
3-person team abandons the race, the team will receive a one-hour penalty (see
Art. 27 and 28).
Competitors dropping out will lose their security deposit (see Art. 27 and 28).
Several options are available to participants who wish to withdraw from the race
:
- In the case of a serious physical condition, repatriation may be arranged immediately
- A participant who is in an adequate physical condition but wishes to withdraw
may elect to:
- Be driven to the final finish line, having signed an
official discharge issued by AOI, depending on the feasibility (lodging and meals
being at his /her own expense)
- Be driven by the organization every morning from the starting point to the
evening’s bivouac.
Competitors who abandon and who remain on the bivouac are automatically taken
charge of by the organization. Competitors must hand over their food to the organization.
ART.
19 : GROUND ASSISTANCE
The organization reminds all participants that
the 21st MARATHON DES SABLES is a race through
the Sahara 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 penalized. If a competitor goes
far off the race route, necessitating a lengthy search, he/she will lose the
security deposit. (see ART. 27 and 28)
ART.
20 : INSURANCE
An insurance policy covering medical evacuation is arranged by the organization
for all entrants throughout the race.
The policy covers the following: real costs (France and Europe)
- evacuation on medical grounds: (France and Europe)
- corpse repatriation in the event of death: real costs (France and Europe)
- necesary fees required for transport in case of death: 1525 Euros
- payment of medical expenses abroad: 4575 Euros.
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 organization is not responsible for any collapse or accident.
ART.
21 : WEATHER AND TERRAIN CONDITIONS Average temperature in March/April :
daytime: 30°C, night time: 14°C.
The 230-km route 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 organizers 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.
ART.
22 : MARKINGS
The participants in the 21st MARATHON DES SABLES must follow the route as marked
by the organizers, failing which penalities 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 which will serve as additional points
of reference. In the non-stop heat, illuminated markers will be in position for
the night stage.
Special NON-STOP
stage and MARATHON :
light beacons from CP3 to the finish line.
ART.
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 on 07 April. It will include
various items of interest on the stages, support, etc.
You will be penalized if you do not have your road-book 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.
ART.
24 : COMPULSORY EQUIPMENT
FOR PARTICIPANTS Food :
Each entrant must provide his/her own food between 09 to 15 April
inclusive. He/she must select the type of food best suited to his/her
personal needs, health,
weather conditions, weight and back-pack 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 2000 k/calories per day, otherwise he/she will be penalized (see
ART. 27 and 28).
Gas stoves are strictly forbidden.
Survival gear :
- backpack or equivalent
(best suited to each participant),
- sleeping bag,
- torch with spare batteries,
- 10 safety pins,
- compass,
- lighter,
- knife,
- tropical disinfectant,
- anti-venom pump,
- a whistle,
- a signalling mirror,
- one aluminium survival sheet.
Survival Kit :
It is supplied by the organization and will include the following:
- a distress flare,
- salt tablets,
- luminous signal stick (non-stop stage).
The kit will be supplied in Morocco after technical and administrative
formalities. The distress flare must be handed back to the organization
at the end of the event. The compulsory equipment and the personal
belongings of each participant (food, survival kit...) should weigh
between 6,5-15 Kgs. 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
ART. 27 and 28).
Calories (Kcal.)
Reminder of the minimum calories to be presented during
the technical controls in Morocco 08th April 2006
DAY
EVENING
at finish line of each stage
DAY
EVENING
at finish line of each stage
Technical controls
1st day
2nd day
3rd day
14 000
12 000
10 000
08 000
4th day
5th day
6th day
7th day
06 000
04 000
02 000
00 000
ART.
25 : REGISTRATION, COMMITMENT FEES
AND ADMINISTRATIVE OBLIGATIONS
Competitors should enrol in their own country if
ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION
Internationale has a representative in this country. The enrolment
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. CATEGORY A: Individual entrant
The total cost of enrolment is 2530 Euros, departure from Paris
(France).
This includes:
- flight
- bus transfers in Morocco
- general ground assistance
- bivouac
- hotel (2 days)
- water for the duration of the race
- repatriation insurance France and Europe
- technical support
- medical assistance
- air and ground support
- survival kit
- medal
- tee-shirt
- the official film of the event (sent approx. 3 months after
the race). TWO WAYS TO ENROL: 1 – Enrolment with reservation before
31 October 2005 (subject to available places) :
- by sending a reservation deposit of 750 euros along with
a complete administrative file
- balance of entry fees to be paid before 28 February 2006
After 31 October 2005, please contact AOI for more information 2 – Direct enrolment up to 28 February
2006 (subject to available places) :
by sending full payment of entry fees along with complete administrative
file
Since the total number of participants is limited, the organization
will definitively enrol only those whose administrative dossiers
are complete.
All payments must be made by cheque to the order of ATLANTIDE
ORGANISATION Internationale . ADMINISTRATIVE FILE
Compulsory documents:
- entry form, completed, dated and signed
- additional information form, dated and signed,
- photocopy of valid passport (including issue date),
- 3 identity-sized photos (with competitor’s name on
the back),
- a deposit cheque of 185 Euros (will only be cashed in the
event of penalties or withdrawal). FORM FOR THE PRESS
The information form for the press must be sent as soon as
possible before 31 december 2005. MEDICAL FILE
The organisation’s medical certificate (attached) is
to be stamped by a doctor (preferably one specialising in sport).
This medical certificate plus an electrocardiogram must both
be dated no more than 30 days
before the start of the race and are to be presented during
the administrative and technical checks on
08 April 2006. Only the original documents will
be accepted (photocopies not valid). Failure to present these
documents will incur penalties (see ART.27 et 28). CATEGORY B: Team registration
The entry fee for participants wishing to register as members
of an official team and have team ranking is 2600 Euros. This
fee covers the same provisions and obligations as in Category
A. It also includes :
- listing of the name of the team in the official press pack
- official team ranking official
- individual ranking for each team member.
Additional charge: Category A and B
Beyond the date of 28 February 2006, an additional charge of
150 Euros will be applied to any enrolment made or any outstanding
payment of entry fees. Precision : The organization reserves the right to
refuse enrolment to anyone without giving any
justification or reason.
The organisation's
medical certificate plus an electrocardiogram, both dated less
than 30 days before the race begins, must be presented in Morocco
during the administrative and technical checks on
8th April
2006.
ART.
26 : FORFEITURE CANCELLATIONS
Enrolment cancellations and requests for refunds must be made in writing by registered
post in order to avoid any misunderstanding.
Cancellation refunds will be made on the following basis :
- 40 Euros will be retained for processing dossiers in the event of cancellation
before 31/07/05.
- 10% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organization in the event
of cancellation before 31/10/05.
- 20% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organization in the event
of cancellation between 01/11/05 and 31/12/05.
- 30% of the full enrolment fee will be retained by the organization in the event
of cancellation between 01/01/06 and 28/02/06.
Beyond 28/02/06 midnight no request for reimbursement will be honoured. Precision : We therefore advise all competitors to take out insurance covering
cancellation with a company of your choice.
ART.
27 : ERRORS AND PENALTIES Technical and administrative checks :
If a participant is more than 30 minutes late for these checks
on 08 April he/she will be penalized 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.
Each administrative document missing from the registration file
will result in a penalty as will failure to respect the minimum
or maximum weight of competitors’ equipment. (see ART.
28). Medical file :
Competitors unable to provide a medical certificate and/or ECG
dating back to the month preceding the start of the race during
the medical checks of 08 April, will be penalized. They will
lose their security deposit cheque and will have to undergo these
examinations on site in order to begin the race, subject to the
doctors' approval. (see ART.28). Listing 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 item will be
severely penalized (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 during the race will receive
a 2 hour penalty (see ART.28). ID markings :
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.28). Tampering with ID markings will result in the immediate
elimination of the participant as well as the loss of the security
deposit (see ART. 28). Start of race :
Competitors who fail to be present at the starting line when
each stage begins will be penalized 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). Check-points :
There are check-points before the start of each stage, during
the stage and at each arrival post. Competitors must register
at all of them. 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). Maximum authorized time :
Competitors who exceed the maximum time authorized for each stage
will be disqualified and must return their ID to the steward.
Competitors exceeding the authorized time for passing check point
3 during the "marathon" and check point 4 "non-stop" stages
will be disqualified (see ART. 28). Distress flares :
Any abuse of distress flares without valid reason will result
in a one hour penalty ( ART. 28). Withdrawal :
Any participant withdrawing from the race must
notify an organization 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 ART. 28). 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 (see ART.28). Ground assistance :
It is specified that any outside assistance is strictly
prohibited. Fraudulently receiving outside assistance with food
or water will result in a 3 hour penalty the first time, and
elimination from the race on the second
occasion. Vital medical assistance (perfusion, etc.) will result
in a one 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, leaking bottle or loss of water), and with the
agreement of the race stewards, will result in a one hour penalty
the first time, three hours the second time and elimination from
the race on the third occasion. Water and environment :
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 penalized (see ART.
28).
ART.
28 : RECAP OF PENALITIES
Reason for
penality
HORS COURSE
PENALITE
DE TEMPS
PERTE DE CAUTION
More than 30 minutes delay at admin/tech check in
Equal to lateness
Document missing
Blood type
30 minutes
Non submission of AOI medical certificate and ecg
X
if resused on medical grounds
1 hour
X
No backpack or equivalent
X
X
No sleeping bag, compass
3 hours
No survival kit (Distress flare, stick
lighter, road-book,
salt tablet), 2000 calories/day, aluminium survival sheet
Lateness of more than 30 minutes
at departure of heat
X
X
Exceeding maximum allowed time
X
X
Out of time CP 3 "marathon" stage
X
X
Out of time CP 4 "non-stop" stage
X
X
No check in at check point
3rd / X
1st/ 1 hour
2nd / 2 hours
3rd / X
Failure to follow the markings
30 minutes
Out of time departure check point
4 hours minimum
Unjustified use of flares
1 hour
Withdrawal
X
X
Abandon of team member
more than 3 member team
1 hour
Abandon of team member
leaving team short (less than 3)
disqualification
of team
Doping/use of transportation
X
X
Ground assistance
2nd /X
1st / 3 hours
2nd / X
Receiving of
extra water
3rd / X
1st/ 1 hour
2nd / 3 hours
3rd / X
Vital medical assistance
2nd / X
1er / 1 hour
2nd / X
Wandering far off course
X
Water and environment
3rd / X
1st / 30 minutes
2nd/ 1 hour
3rd / X
ART.
29 : COUVERTURE IMAGE
ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale reserves
all exclusive rights for photo coverage of the
21st MARATHON DES SABLES.
Participants must agree that ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale may have exclusive
use of their individual or collective names and pictures for anything related
directly or indirectly to their participation in the MARATHON DES SABLES. Any
still camera, video or movie coverage done during the MARATHON DES SABLES cannot
be used by participants, their entourage or trainers for any use other than personal,
unless by prior authorization from ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale.
If
you’re not motivated by the chronometer, you will no doubt have
time to give our cameramen a little interview, in which case, please
make sure that sponsors’ logos are clean and legible.
Trophy, cheque for 700 Euros*
Trophy,
Trophy,
Trophy.
Daily race challenge : men and women categories from 1st to 6th stages : a credit
of 400 Euros per leg for the next enrolment in 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.
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(800
Ko)
ART.
1 : ORGANISATION.
