CONDITIONS OF PARTICIPATION IN THE RACE

The following posted instructions and conditions for participations by people interested in the 2012 Spartathlon race are part of the constant effort to improve and upgrade the race by the International SPARTAHLON association.

You are kindly requested to read these instructions closely, because for the “online registration form” to be enabled, you will have to “accept”

1. Conditions of participation

Every runner/athlete meeting one of the following conditions, has the right to participate in the race “SPARTATHLON 2012”

a. Having concluded an at least 100kl race in less than 10.30 hours time.
b. Having participated in “SPARTATHLON” before and having passed NESTANI (172kl) in time less than 24.30 hours.
c. Having finished the “SPARTATHON” race
d. Having participated and finished, regardless of time, in an over 200kl race without setup.
e. Having finished in time the race NEMEA-OLYMPIA within 28 hours.

The above conditions are valid, if what is required has taken place within the three (3) last years, including the year of the “SPARTATHLON” race in which the athlete wishes to participate.

DOCUMENTS OF PROOF

-For condition (a) a document is required, by the organizer of the race or by the athletic association to which the athlete belongs, in which the finishing time of the 100kl race will be recorded.

-For condition (b) the year of participation in the “SPARTAHLON” race is required
-For condition (c) the year of participation in the “SPARTATHLON” race is required.
- For conditions (d) and (e) everything stated in condition (a) is valid.

NOTE: The above can also be checked through the offices of “SPARTATHLON” abroad and after found adequate, they can be sent in group name listings (only first name, last name, age, documents of proof of the athletes-runners) to the Head-office of “SPARTATHLON” in Greece.

Any overdue document will not be accepted and will exclude the participation of the athlete-runner in the “SPARTATHLON” race

2. Contributions

The registration fee is 400E for full hotel services and 200 E for those not wishing hotel accommodation. In both cases the fee must be paid no later than June 10th 2012, payable to the “Inernational SPARTATHLON association”, after the “acceptance of participation”, with a deposit in the ALPHA BANK account: IBAN: GR56 0140 1200 1200 0200 2010 931.

3. Condition of resignation

By signing the present application form I accept and will behave, during the “SPARTATHLON” race, according to its rules. I also take full responsibility in case of personal injury or damage to myself or my property, due to my participation in the race.

4. Submission deadline

Applications will be accepted until May 31st 2012 or until the completion of 350 places.

The acceptance of the applications will be held in absolute priority of document receipt date and will be confirmed until July 15th 2012.

Applications which will not be financially updated until June 10th 2012, will be considered as null and void, unless there will be a written acceptance by the department of the Association responsible, and in any case no later than July 30th 2012.

5. Cancellations

In case of cancellation of the participation of the applicant, money paid is NOT refundable or credited, regardless of reason and cause.

Individual application forms by Runners/Athletes from Japan and Germany will NOT be accepted. Athletes interested are kindly requested to contact the local offices of “SPARTATHLON” (addresses are given in the menu “Contact” of our website.)

For further questions you can read the FAQ.

Race Rules

Clause 1
The application forms for participation in the race must reach the Spartathlon association by the 3lst may each year. The official language of the race is Greek. An athlete can compete only if accepted by the organising committee of Spartathlon.

Clause 2
The runners are obliged to provide a doctor’s certificate confirming that they are in good physical condition and able to take part in the spartathlon. This certificate, in either Greek or English, must be issued no earlier than 30 days before the event.

Clause 3
The runners take part in the race totally on their own responsibility and must be aware that medical assistance is not available at all times and not at all points of the race.

Clause 4
The runners who have been accepted to participate must present themselves for registration 24 to 48 hours before the race at the time and place stipulated by the race committee.

Clause 5
The runners are obliged to declare the details of their supporters and supporting vehicles during registration.

Clause 6
The runners and their accredited supporters are obliged to be present at the information meeting held on Thursday before the race at a time and place stipulated by the race committee.

Clause 7
It is prohibited for the supporters' vehicles to carry posters or stickers or illuminated signs advertising either ideals or products. They are, however, allowed to show company names and/or trademarks if these are a permanent feature of the vehicle.

Clause 8
All drivers, supporters, journalists, television crews, medical teams, representatives of media, embassies, diplomatic delegations and other persons or teams who have any connection with the race must register before the start of the race and collect their individual signs and stickers and their personal permits so that there will be no problem of identity during the race. All those listed above who do not confirm with this clause will consequently be excluded from following the race.

Clause 9
All interested parties in the race, (runners, supporters, etc.) ,are obliged to advise the office of the association their exact connection with the race because the spartathlon association takes no responsibility for any incorrect information, which μαυ lead to said parties’ exclusion from the race.

Clause 10
The runners must present themselves at the starting point of the race - the acropolis - at least thirty (30) minutes before the race begins. Non - punctual arrival will result in the runner's exclusion from the race.

Clause 11
Runners will be eliminated from the race:

α) For violation of any clause in the rules

β) For exceeding the allowed time limit of the race for arriving/leaving the check/supply points.

c) On the advice of the race’s medical team.

Clause 12
Runners and their supporters are obliged to know the rules of the race. The accredited vehicles of the supporters must bear the distinguishing signs supplied to them by the organising committee. They must also clearly show which athlete they are supporting.

Clause 13
Runners may approach any spartathlon official who is wearing the association's insignia and address him on any subject pertaining to the race.

Clause 14
The runners, on their own responsibility, may use their personal items during the race. These items will be handed in on the eve of the race between 14.00 hours and 18.00 hours. The runners must place their items in a box clearly marked with the number of the check/supply point where it is required. Only the association undertakes the transport of the boxes to the corresponding check/supply points.

Clause 15
The runner’s may wear their national flags on their running clothes. All types of advertising of products or ideas or any slogans are prohibited except those indicated by the organising committee.

Clause 16
The runners must carry their race participation number clearly visible both on the back and front of their vests. They must also carry their identification card with their photograph that is issued by the organising committee. They must show this if asked to do so.

Clause 17
The race is run against the oncoming traffic for safety reasons. The organising committee can reverse this, if it deems necessary, at certain point on the route.

Clause 18
Runners wishing to retire from the race must hand their number to α spartathlon official and sign the appropriate declaration form at the nearest check/supply point.

Clause 19
The runner’s may receive help at any point on the route from race officials and from the medical team, if they decide it necessary. Only physical help may be given. Any medical or pharmaceutical treatment given to a runner will exclude him from the race.

Clause 20
The runner’s may receive help from their supporters only at the following check/supply, information points:

Clause 21
The mαin check, supply, information points, race steward’s stations and points where medical help is available are listed below together with their distances from the start of the race.

Clause 22
Runner’s may report any violation incurred by another runner or runner's supporter. The allegation must be made in writing or verbally to α race steward at one of the main check points or, verbally only, at the nearest check/supply point.

Clause 23
The runner’s may not enter any vehicle. The transportation or pacing of any runner by his supporters, supporters' vehicle or any third party is strictly forbidden. Any violation of this will entail the immediate disqualification of the runner.

Clause 24
Runners who use illegal substances, (doping), are eliminated from the race.

Clause 25
Runners must use the predetermined route. If, for any reason, they deviate from the route they must return to the previous check point before continuing the race. They cannot re-join the race ατ the point where they left the route. Transportation can only be affected by a race official.

Clause 26
The race takes place in the spirit of "compete well". In order to keep the standard and the spirit of the race, the runners must at all times show impeccable behaviour, sportsmanship and observe the Olympic spirit.

Clause 27
For the safety and protection of the runners, the supporting vehicles must be driven with special caution and at a slow speed on the race route, especially on dirt roads.

Clause 28
Supporting vehicles must be parked in areas as directed by the organisers/race stewards.

Clause 29
Any help given by the supporters to the runners must be outside the supporting vehicle except in extenuating circumstances, such as injury or adverse weather conditions, and then only with the permission of α race official.

Clause 30
Vehicles carrying television crews, reporters, cameramen and journalists must follow the race keeping a reasonable distance from the runners so that they do not hinder them or appear to be assisting them. Any infringement will result in the removal of the vehicle from the race and the revoking of the passengers' permits.

Clause 31
The breaking of the rules of the race on the part of the supporters carries the penalty of the elimination of the runner whom they are supporting.

Clause 32
The runners are forbidden to carry radios, cassette players or radio cassette players.

Clause 33
The runners are obliged to leave the check/supply points within the time limits specified; otherwise they are considered over the time limit and will be disqualified from the race. Violation of this rule, (clause), excludes the runner from participating in the next spartathlon race.

Clause 34
In extenuating circumstances, (road works, danger to the runners, adverse weather conditions etc.), any check/supply point can be moved to α new location before the original position without previous notice.

Clause 35
The spartathlon association has no obligation or responsibility to a runner who continues the race when he has exceeded the time limit. If the athlete then continues running it is completely on his own responsibility.

Clause 36
During the race the association will provide all specified light snacks, liquid refreshments and electrolytes plus torches (flashlights) for the night time hours of the race. Because athletes from many countries with different dietary customs and requirements are competing it can be agreed with the leaders of each country's delegation, and at their responsibility, that special food is made available

Clause 37
Runners, supporters, crews and others, participating in the race must abide by the above rules and clauses and any additional instruction given βυ the co-ordinator of the race and/or the organising committee.

Clause 38
Runners abandoning the race are not allowed to stay in the race and will be transported by an official race vehicle to Sparta where they will stay at the hotel designated by the organisers. In the event of being transported in their own supporting vehicle they must declare this on the withdrawal form. If the runners violate this regulation they will be barred from future spartathlon races.

Clause 39
The finishing point of the race is the statue of king Leonidas at the entrance to the stadium in Sparta. Runners are considered to have finished the race when they touch the base of the statue within the time allowed.

Clause 40
Any points or irregularities which are not covered by the rules will be dealt with on the spot by a qualified race official. E.g. race co-ordinator.

Clause 41
Written objections on the violation of any clause of the rules must be submitted to the adjudicating committee at the headquarters in Sparta by 19.30 hours on the day of the finish of the race.

Clause 42
All runners who finish the race are obliged to attend the prize giving ceremonies both in Sparta and in Athens. They must wear either their national costume or a suit and tie. If a special uniform (e.g. track suit etc.) is provided by spartathlon, this will be worn at the ceremonies. If it is impossible for a runner to attend the ceremonies they must previously notify the committee to that effect.

Copyright  Spartathlon Association