This special edition of SAHARA NEWS is important.
It underlines several of the key points of the regulations
and reminds you of the terms of registration.
As with the race rules, you’re recommanded to
read this carefully, even and especially if you have
already run MDS, as there are some small changes to
the race this year.
You will see for example that for the 21st MARATHON
DES SABLES, the minimum weight of the backpack has
been slightly increased and that, according to the
way the stage is configured penalties will be levied
if you fail to follow the organisation’s markings.
You will also notice that the positioning of your race
number will directly affects your choice of back pack.
In addition, every year many files are sent to us incomplete
and cannot therefore be registered. To avoid this we
strongly advise you to check you have all the necessary
documents to make up the reservation file before sending
it to AOI.
The MARATHON DES SABLES is a rather unusual race requiring
special infrastructure which allows us to deal with
the unexpected. Everything is thought through and calculated
ahead of time with margins of security way above average.
In order to maintain this level of security and considering
how remote some of the regions are, the number of participants
cannot be endlessly increased (as is the case with
some courses). That’s why ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION
Internationale strongly recommends you don’t
wait until the last moment before enrolling.
Enjoy your summer holidays and we’ll
be in touch soon
AOI
ENROLMENTS (Art. 25)
(Art. 25)
Competitors should enrol in their own country if AOI has a representative
in this country. The enrolment fee varies in these countries depending
on what services are offered by our official representative. You
can enroll by sending your reservation file before 31 October 2005,
subject to available places. In this case, a deposit of 750 Euros
is required and the balance must be paid before 28 February 2006.
You can also enroll directly, that’s to say pay the full amount
of registration fees in one go. This option is available from now
and until 28 February 2006, subject to available places.
In both case, the administrative file must be
complete.
VERY IMPORTANT ! (Art. 8 and 9)
Race stewards will be very firm regarding the positioning and visibility
of race numbers. You should start thinking straight away about chosing
your back pack, since the breastplate (20 cm wide, 24cm long) must
be worn on the chest and not on the stomach or lower abdomen. Some
back packs with chest pockets are not adapted to this course and
are not compatible with the race regulations. Race numbers must not
be folded or covered by straps.
Warning! failure to respect the positioning
of race numbers can lead to disqualification. (Art. 27 and 28).
Start thinking about where to position your sponsors and logos.
You can use the neck, stomach, sleeves, cap, shorts, back-pack
etc.
WEIGHT OF BACK PACK (Art.
24)
We want to treat participants equally and given that barely 10 competitors have
backpacks with the minimum 6kgs, AOI has decided to increase the minimum weight
of the back pack. It will now be 6.5kg. This will allow the most spartan of you
to bring a bit more food or to sleep a bit more comfortably.
CHECKPOINTS (Art. 13)
All competitors must go through all checkpoints, failing which penalties will
be levied (see Art. 27 and 28). Checkpoints (CPs) are found at the start of each
day’s stage (at water distribution point) on the race route (from 1 to
6 CPs depending on the stage) and at the end of the stage (at water distribution
point).
FAILURE TO FOLLOW THE MARKINGS
(Art. 22)
Participants must follow the organisation’s markings. Avoiding obstacles
or using underhand strategies is not allowed. All taking of shortcuts will be
severaly penalised. Depending on the way the route is configured, the penalty
may extend to several hours.
CALORIES (Art. 24)
The race rules require 2000 Kcal per day of racing. There are only 6 stages but
the course lasts seven days. As food self-sufficiency begins from breakfast on
Stage 1, you must therefore be able to show a minimum of 14 000 Kcal at the technical
checks.
MEDICAL CERTIFICATE AND ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
(Art. 25)
They must be carried out and dated between 06 March and 06 April 2006.
The medical certificate to be validated by the doctor (signature and stamp) is
the one provided by the organisation. You will find it in the registration file
sent by AOI. You MUST bring these documents with you to Morroco on the 8th April.
Failure to show them may mean you cannot start the race.
PARTY TIME !
AOI’s been going for 20 years now and is counting on celebrating its birthday
with style. No question of revealing what form this will take but be prepared
for a few surprises on the race route as well as on the bivouac.
CANCELLATION INSURANCE
This is optional and it’s up to each of you to decide but it’s worth
remembering that once again this year several competitors enrolled then had to
withdraw less than a month before the race. Considering the financial impact
of pulling out at the last minute, it works out cheaper to think ahead (see Art.
26 of race regulations).
ATLANTIDE ORGANISATION Internationale
BP 98 - 10003 TROYES Cedex - FRANCE
Tél. : (33) 03 25 76 57 77 / Fax : (33) 03 25 76 87 75
E-Mail : aoi@darbaroud.com -
WEB : http://www.darbaroud.com
Sahara News SPECIAL realized by CIMBALY International - Pépé and Marie
Next edition
07 to 17 april 2006
If the organisation is not represented in your country,
you should enrol directly in France :
- A reservation deposit
of
750 euros
- 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
