Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon

~~ English Speaking Participants ~ Rules

• The South African Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon will be organized by Augrabies Extreme Marathons cc. 
• The route is changed each year.

• The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon is a self-sufficiency foot race covering a distance of approximately 250km, held in 6 stages over 7 days. 
• Each participant must carry his/her supplies for the duration of the race. 
• The route will be clearly marked with marking tape and boards to indicate the route.  Each participant will be given a handbook with maps.
• There are checkpoints at approximately 8 - 10km intervals. 
• Participants must carry their daily time card which MUST be filled in by the time keeper at every check point.
• One day/night stage will be included.  This stage is approximately 80km.
• Water will be supplied during the event and at the finish camp each day. 
• Cover for overnight stops are provided at the finish camps.
• The route each day is over a set distance, with a timed start and finish. 
• Competitors must plan what equipment and supplies they will carry with them.
• All equipment that you start with must be carried for the duration of the race, and only food, food packaging, socks and underwear may be discarded at the check points or overnight camps.
• Equipment or discarded food may not be used by another competitor. 
• Participants will be required to run with their race numbers, un-obscured, on the front. 
• All other areas can be used for personal advertising on condition that it is not in conflict with any of our sponsors.
• No competitor is permitted to leave the overnight camp areas.
• Augrabies Extreme Marathon cc reserves the right to modify any part of the competition as a result of circumstances beyond its control

• The competition is open to persons 21 years and over. 
• Juniors 18 - 21 years must have written permission from a parent or guardian.
• Competitors’ medical examination must be done after 01 August and must be faxed or emailed to us by 7 September.  If this is not received by this date you will be regarded as a non-starter.

• Each finisher receives a trophy which is a unique hand-blown glass leopard made by Ngwenya Glass.
• Winners Trophies are awarded for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd man and for 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd lady.
• The first man and lady finisher is entitled to a free entry which must be used within the following three (3) years.  This entry is not transferable to another competitor.

• The Kalahari Augrabies Extreme Marathon will be run over an ecologically sensitive area. 
•  Anyone littering or deliberately damaging any flora or fauna will be disqualified. 

• Registration will take place at 10:00 on the Saturday before the start of the first stage on Sunday. 
• Anyone not present for registration will we regarded as a non-starter.
• Competitors will be required to produce their relevant medical certification, compulsory equipment, and self-sufficient provisions for the duration of the race. 
• Anyone without the relevant documentation and compulsory items will be regarded as a non-starter.
• ANY medication is to be declared to the medical doctor. 

• Participants must reach the finish before sunset at 19:00 as the route is not set for the dark. 
• This does not apply for the night stage.
• Participants can be disqualified from the competition if instructed by the Race Director, or on advice of the medical team, if it is obvious that they are not coping with the extreme conditions that an event such as this demands. 

• Participants must carry enough food to sustain themselves during the event.
• A minimum of 2000 Calories per day is recommended. (See notes on food.)
• It is at the discretion of the event doctor at inspection to ascertain if you are carrying sufficient food.
• During the event, should you dehydrate or if the medical team feels you are undernourished and are endangering yourself, you will be re-hydrated orally or intravenously.  Should you require two (2) intravenous drips or regular oral re-hydration, you will be disqualified.

• Check points during the event are approx. 8 – 10 km apart – 1 x 1.5 litres of water at each check point
• Finish of each day - 5 litres of water.
• The 5 litre bottle of water includes filling the participants’ water bottles for the following day.
• This is the only water that will be supplied to the participants.
• Additional water supplies may be issued if the conditions demand it. 

• The terrain varies from flat plains, fertile valleys, rocky mountainous outcrops and sandy desert. 
• Areas covered will include a wildlife sanctuary, private farmlands and cultivated vineyards. 
• Day temperatures in the area during October average between 33 – 45 degrees Celsius (in the shade), dropping to 5 degrees Celsius at night. 
• Rain is uncommon in this area at this time of the year.

• No assistance may accepted from any person or facility not connected to the event or crew. 
• No participant may carry equipment or supplies for another participant. 
• Only water and medical assistance may be accepted from crew at check points and the finish. 
• The organisers reserve the right to make allowances for any participants with a disability.

• A full medical team will be in attendance throughout the duration of the event.
• Any self-medication taken during the event MUST be declared and approved by the race doctor at registration. 
• Any medication taken during the event that has not been approved by the doctor will result in disqualification. 
• The medical team is there for the participants’ well being, and not to dress blisters related to normal wear and tear on an extreme event. 
• Participants must carry their own blister treatment kit and look after their blisters. (See notes on foot care.)   
• The medical team will attend to feet at their discretion, should an infection be starting.
• Strapping to prevent chafing must be carried by the participant. 
• No strapping will be done for chafing.  If this becomes necessary as a result of infection or raw skin, this strapping will be charged for. 
• This does not include strapping for injuries such as sprains, pulled muscles, etc.

• Should a participant retire or be disqualified from the event, accommodation will be reserved on his/her behalf and all costs incurred (ie. accommodation, meals, etc) must be paid directly to the hotel by the participant. 
• It is essential that if any participant retires from the competition, that he/she notifies an official.

• Backpack (30 litre is suggested)                       
• Sleeping bag
• Overnight & warm clothing
• Head cover (Cap)
• Insect net to cover face or a Buff
• Eye Protection / Sunglasses
• Mirror
• Whistle
• Torch and spare batteries
• Knife                                           
• 2 x 750ml water containers or bladder, minimum size 1.5 litres
• Antiseptic cream
• Blister treatment kit
• Strapping or anti-chafe cream for chafing
• Sun block lotion
• Toilet paper or tissues
• Cooking Pot and spoon

• Space blanket  
• Safety pins
• Race Number

• Sleeping mat
• Additional 300ml Water bottle
• Spare cotton shorts and t-shirt
• Socks - 7 pairs 
• Small Towel
• Soap
• Sandals
• Face cloth
• Underwear
• Big Plastic Bag (in case of rain)
• Gaiters
• Foot plasters
• Head ache tablets
• Insect Repellent
• Toothpaste
• Toothbrush
• Various container bags - e.g. ziplock bags
• Wind Breaker
• Sewing kit

• The handbook will include the complete event details, with stage distances, and route maps. 
• This will only be disclosed to participants on the Saturday at registration. 
• The handbook must be kept on the competitor’s person at all times during the competition stage of the event. 
• The daily distances will be sent to the participants closer to the time for planning purposes.

• Other than food, food containers, socks and underwear, no items may be discarded at any stage during the competition. 
• These items may be discarded only at the checkpoints or overnight camps.
• A competitor’s compulsory items may be checked by a race official at any stage during the competition.
• No competitor may interfere with another competitor.
• Abuse directed at ANY other competitor or crew member will not be tolerated and will result in immediate disqualification.
• Should a participant see anything during the event that they are unhappy about, please discuss this with the Race Directors or another crew member at the time.  Do not leave this until the finish of the event.
• The Race Director’s decision regarding any dispute or disqualification is final.
• NO SMOKING IS ALLOWED DURING THE EVENT