Race Regulations

Registering for a Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB® race means accepting these regulations in full. The mandatory equipment list and the race pages (for distances, start times, time limits and cut-off times) are part of these regulations. If the FAQ or any other page, document or promotional material conflicts with them, these regulations prevail.

To take part, each runner must:

• be fully aware of the length and difficulty of their race and be properly prepared for it;
• have acquired, before the race, real personal autonomy in the mountains, and in particular the ability to:
• • cope, without outside help, with changing weather that can be very difficult at altitude (night, wind, cold, fog, rain or snow);
• • manage, including when alone, physical or mental problems caused by severe fatigue, digestive problems, muscle or joint pain, minor injuries, etc.;
• understand that it is not the organisation's role to help runners manage these problems, and that safety in the mountains depends on each runner's ability to adapt to the problems they meet or foresee;
• make sure their supporters respect nature, other people and these regulations.

Runners must be self-sufficient between aid stations. They carry their own drinks, food and equipment, including bad-weather clothing, and must be able to deal with difficult or changing conditions within the course safety guidelines. In practice:

Equipment. Runners must carry all their mandatory equipment for the whole race (see 3. Equipment). Race stewards/marshals may check a runner's pack and its contents at any time, and runners must comply.

Aid stations. Food and drink at aid stations are for consumption on site. The organisation provides only still water and sports/electrolyte drink for filling bottles or hydration bladders. Runners must leave each aid station with enough food and drink to reach the next one.

Crew assistance. Crew assistance is allowed only in the Ultra Rocks, Four Summits, Lady's Rocks and Rocky.

A runner may be helped by one person only, at the assistance points listed on each race page and presented here, as well: Slatioara, Transrarau, Rusca, Valea Putnei

Help may only be given inside the assistance zone and at the discretion of the aid station team leader. The crew member:

• may bring no equipment other than one bag of 30 litres maximum, and may hand the runner food, drink, clothing and equipment from it;
• may give minor care, such as a massage or blister treatment, provided the runner stays seated on a chair and does not lie down;
• may not give any other medical care. Runners who need medical care must go to the organisation's medical staff.

The rest of the aid station is reserved for runners. No personal assistance is allowed in the Radical, Rumble Rock or RUNC Challenge.

Accompaniment. No one who is not registered for the race may accompany a runner on any part of the course, except within the tolerance zones marked on the ground near aid stations. A runner who accepts being accompanied outside a tolerance zone breaks the self-sufficiency rule and may be penalised on the spot by race stewards/marshals or team leaders (see 16. Penalties).

Definitions used in these regulations:

• Assistance zone: the area reserved for crews at an assistance point.
• Tolerance zone: a marked stretch of course near an aid station where a non-registered person may run alongside a runner.

Animals. Runners may not take part with a dog or any other animal, including service animals.

The mandatory equipment list published on the event website is part of these regulations. For each race it sets out the basic kit and the hot-weather and cold-weather kits. If the organisation activates either additional kit, runners are told before race-pack collection opens.

Each runner must carry every item required for their race throughout the race, even if they do not use it. Organised and random equipment checks take place during the race. A runner who does not have all their mandatory equipment is penalised, up to and including disqualification (see 16. Penalties).

Minimum water supply. For equipment checks, "minimum water supply" means water containers (bottles, flasks or bladder) with at least the capacity required for the runner's race. This includes the higher capacity required when the hot-weather kit is activated.

Running pack. In the races where the equipment list requires a running pack (Ultra Rocks, Four Summits, Lady's Rocks and Rocky), all mandatory equipment must be carried in that pack. It is tagged at race-pack collection and may not be changed during the race. Radical, Rumble Rock runners may carry their mandatory items as they choose, running pack or belt. For RUNC Challenge - as they choose.

Clothing. The list is a minimum. Runners should not choose the lightest possible clothing. They should choose clothing that gives real protection against bad mountain weather (cold, wind, heavy rain, snow) and pack it so it stays dry, for example in waterproof bags. All clothing must be the runner's size and must not have been altered after leaving the factory.

Utensils. To reduce plastic waste, no disposable cups, cutlery or bowls are provided at any aid station or checkpoint. Runners must carry the reusable cup required by the equipment list and are encouraged to bring their own utensils (BYOU) for hot meals.

Poles. Runners who choose to use hiking poles must carry them from the start and for the whole race. They may not start without poles and collect them later, and poles are not allowed in any spare bag or drop bag. Poles may be banned on some sections, marked by signs on the course, for safety or environmental reasons. Near other people, pole tips must be protected or pointed at the ground.

Music. Listening to music through earphones not recommended, but permitted with tolerated conditions:

• where it is safe to do so
• headphones off on singletrack
• off on public roads
• off at checkpoints and aid stations
• volume low enough to stay aware of surroundings
• must permit hearing a whistle, a shouted warning, and an approaching runner at all times.

For any question about equipment, please contact the organisation.

Race bibs are handed in-person over on presentation of a valid photo ID inside the scheduled timeframe

The bib must be worn on the front of the torso, over all clothing, and be fully visible throughout the race. It must not be worn on a leg or on the pack. The runner's name and partners' logos must not be altered or hidden.

The bib is the runner's pass for organisation transport, aid stations, medical points, rest areas, showers, meals and bag drop-off and collection.

If a runner withdraws, misses a cut-off or is stopped by the organisation, their bib is cut to show that they are out of the race. The runner keeps the cut bib, which remains valid as a pass for transport, meals, medical care and bag collection.

The race direction may withdraw the bib of a runner who is disqualified or who refuses to follow its instructions.

Spare bag (all races). At race-pack collection, each runner receives a UTMB World Series spare bag of at least 30 litres. Once filled and closed, it can be left at the bag drop in the event area and collected at the finish. For logistical reasons, only official UTMB World Series spare bags are accepted. The bags are reusable: runners who already have one from a previous UTMB World Series event are asked to bring it (remember to include this in communication 1 week before the event)

Drop bag (Ultra Rocks & Four Summits only). Ultra Rocks runners receive a 30-litre drop bag. Once filled and sealed, it is handed in at bib pick-up and taken to the Rusca aid station. It is brought back to Câmpulung Moldovenesc after the Rusca checkpoint closes.

Rules for all bags:

• Only bags supplied by the organisation are transported. Poles are not allowed in any bag.
• Bags are not checked, and the organisation is not responsible for their contents. Do not put valuables in them. Toiletries and anything you will not need during or immediately after the race should stay at your accommodation.
• Bags are returned only on presentation of the runner's bib, to the runner or to a relative or friend.
• Bags must be collected no later than 2 hours after the time limit of the runner's race.
• If a runner withdraws, their drop bag is brought back to the finish area, provided the withdrawal has been recorded by the organisation. For logistical reasons, the organisation cannot guarantee that bags arrive before the end of the race.

By registering, runners agree to respect the environment and the natural areas they pass through. In particular:

• Litter. Littering is strictly forbidden (gel wrappers, paper, food waste, plastic, etc.). Runners must keep all their rubbish until they can put it in the bins at an aid station, and should carry a bag or pouch for it. Race stewards check the whole course.
• Toilets. Toilets are available in the start/finish area and at: Start/Finish, Rarau, Slatioara, Transrarau, Zugreni, Rusca, Adam si Eva, Giumalau

Aid stations offer food and drink to be consumed on site. The organisation provides still water and sports/electrolyte drink for filling bottles, hydration bladders and cups. Runners must leave each aid station with enough food and drink to reach the next one.

Runners must wear their bib to enter an aid station. The race guide and the Aid Stations page of the website list the aid stations and what each one offers.

Each runner's passage is recorded on arrival at every aid station and at some security points. Additional, unannounced checkpoints may be set up along the course.

Way-markers are made of reflective material that catches the light of a headtorch, so they are easy to see at night. No paint is used on the trails.

If you can no longer see any way-markers, turn back until you find the last one.

Medical stations are set up along the course, in direct contact with the command centre. Medical staff are at the command centre or on the course throughout the event. A runner who needs help, or who is injured, must ask for it:

• at a medical station or aid station;
• by calling the command centre. The number is given in the race guide and must be saved in the runner's phone before the start;
• It will be on the BIB number together with the Medical number (other than Emergency)
• by asking another runner to call for help;
• by using the SOS function of the LiveTrail Official App

Every runner must help any person in danger and alert the command centre. If a runner cannot reach the command centre and it is an absolute emergency, they may call 112, the emergency number in Romania. In some areas, only emergency calls are possible.

Help may take longer to arrive than expected, particularly in bad weather. A runner's safety then depends on the quality of the equipment in their pack.

Medical, paramedical, first aid and guide staff, and anyone appointed by the race direction, may:

• stop any runner they judge unfit to continue;
• require any runner to use any item of mandatory equipment;
• evacuate any runner they judge to be in danger;
• refer runners to the most appropriate care facility.

A runner treated by a doctor or reached by search and rescue staff accepts their authority and their decisions. A runner whose condition requires an intravenous drip must withdraw from the race. There is a medical centre at the finish area for runners with serious medical problems. Comfort care is given at the medical staff's discretion, within the limits of what is available.

Runners must stay on the marked course at all times, including when stopping to rest. A runner who deliberately leaves the marked course is no longer under the organisation's responsibility.

The time limit of each race and the cut-off times for leaving the main aid stations are published on each race page and in the race guide. Any change (see 19. Exceptional Conditions) is announced by SMS.

When a race starts in waves, its time limit and cut-off times are calculated from the start time of the last wave.

Cut-off times are set so that runners can reach the finish within the time limit. To continue, a runner must leave each checkpoint before its cut-off time, whatever time they arrived.

Runners who withdraw, are stopped by the organisation or are behind a cut-off may not continue the race. Their bib is cut (see 4. Race Bibs), and they return as described in 12. Drop Out and Repatriation.

Serving a time penalty does not extend any cut-off time (see 16. Penalties).

Withdrawing. Except in case of injury, runners may only withdraw at a checkpoint. A runner who decides to stop between two checkpoints must go to the nearest checkpoint to withdraw.

To withdraw, the runner tells the checkpoint manager, who records the withdrawal. If no member of staff is present, the runner must record the withdrawal in the LiveTrail app [Q10] or, failing that, by calling the command centre. A runner who withdraws keeps their bib (see 4. Race Bibs).

Repatriation. Organisation vehicles take runners who have withdrawn at the repatriation points listed in the schedule below back to the finish area, at the times shown. A vehicle only leaves if at least one runner is waiting, so runners must be at the repatriation point before the scheduled time.

Runners who withdraw at any other checkpoint and do not need evacuation must make their own way to the nearest repatriation point as quickly as possible.

When an aid station or security point that is accessible by car or 4x4 closes, the organisation will repatriate any runners who have withdrawn there and are still waiting. If more runners are waiting than there are seats, the vehicle returns for the remaining runners. If bad weather justifies stopping all or part of a race, the organisation will bring all runners back as soon as possible.

CHECKPOINT AND REPATRIATION SCHEDULE:

In case there are no athelets that DNF in a checkpoint, the vehicles in charge for repatriation will not depart!

Rest areas with camp beds and blankets are available at Rusca Aid Station Runners who have finished their race and wish to stay on must arrange their own accommodation.

All the post-race services are listed on the event website.

1. The Ultra Rocks, Four Summits, Lady's Rocks, Rocky, Radical and Rumble Rock each have an overall ranking and age-category rankings, for men and for women.
2. The RUNC Challenge has an overall ranking only.
3. For Triple Crown Challenge there is an overall ranking.

In each race and Triple Crown Challenge, the first five men and the first five women overall receive a trophy, as do the first man and the first woman in each age category. Trophies are cumulative: a runner in 1st position overall also receives an age-category trophy.

Trophies are only given out at the prize-giving ceremony, and runners must be present to receive them. Results for all participants are available at www.utmb.world and on the results page of www.bucovina.utmb.world.

In these regulations, "the race direction" means the race director(s) and anyone they appoint. Race directors, race stewards/marshals and aid station or security point team leaders may apply the penalties below on the spot.

• Column A applies to the Ultra Rocks and Four Summits (UTMB categories 100M and 100K).
• Column B applies to the Lady's Rocks, Rocky, Radical and Rumble Rock (UTMB categories 50K and 20K) and to the RUNC Challenge.

How penalties work:

• Time penalties are served on the spot: the runner must stop ("stand down") for the whole penalty, and the race clock keeps running.
• Serving a penalty does not extend any cut-off time. A runner who, after serving a penalty, can no longer leave the checkpoint before its cut-off is stopped there like any other runner behind a time barrier. This does not count as leaving after the cut-off (rows 20 and 21).
• If a breach is discovered after the race, the race direction may add a time penalty to the runner's finish time.
• Any breach of these regulations that is not listed above is subject to a penalty decided by the race direction.
• A disqualified runner is not entitled to any refund of the entry fee.
• Penalties and disqualifications may be contested as set out in 18. Complaints and Protests.

By registering to UTMB’s events, all athletes agree to be bound by the UTMB’s Anti-Doping Rules and acknowledge the jurisdiction of UTMB in enforcing these rules. Athletes understand that adherence to the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules is essential to maintaining the integrity, fairness, and spirit of competition in the sport of trail running.

Athletes further acknowledge and agree to:

• (a) be bound by and comply with all of the provisions of the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules (as amended from time to time), the World Anti-Doping Code and the International Standards issued by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA)
• (b) be subject to the authority of UTMB to enforce, to manage results under, and to impose sanctions in accordance with, the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules
• (c) be subject to in-competition and out-of-competition doping control testing if selected by UTMB or relevant anti-doping authorities
• (d) provide accurate and up-to-date whereabouts information and make themselves available for testing if so required
• (e) refrain from using banned substances or engaging in prohibited methods as outlined in the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules and the WADA Prohibited List
• (f) be personally responsible for understanding what constitutes a violation of the Anti-Doping Rules. Athletes also commit to monitor and ensure their own compliance with the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules, noting that certain medications, supplements, common beverages, and other legally available products may contain prohibited substances
• (g) consent to the collection, analysis and storage of urine, blood or other samples for anti-doping purposes, and acknowledge that the results thereof may be disclosed to relevant parties and the public in accordance with the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules
• (h) cooperate fully with UTMB and anti-doping authorities in any investigations or proceedings related to anti-doping rule violations
• (i) acknowledge the processing of their personal data by UTMB and its delegated third parties (including the International Testing Agency) in accordance with UTMB privacy notice
• (j) be subject to the jurisdiction of the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules, agreeing that any dispute arising out of a decision made pursuant to the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules, after exhaustion of the process expressly provided for in the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules, may be appealed exclusively as provided in Article 13 of the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules to an appellate body for final and binding arbitration
• (k) accept the consequences and sanctions imposed by UTMB or relevant anti-doping authorities in the event of an anti-doping rule violation, including disqualification from UTMB events and potential suspension from future participation
• (l) refrain from participating in any capacity in any UTMB Event during a period of Ineligibility or Provisional Suspension

By completing the registration process, athletes confirm their understanding and agreement to be bound by the UTMB Anti-Doping Rules.

Rankings, penalties and disqualifications. Any complaint about the rankings, and any challenge to a penalty or a disqualification, must be made to an organisation representative at the finish area as soon as possible after the runner's arrival (or after they were told of the penalty). It must then be confirmed by email to bucovina@service.utmb.world, within 2 days of the end of the event. It is decided by a jury, whose decision is final.

Other complaints. All other complaints must be sent by email to bucovina@service.utmb.world within 10 days of the end of the event.

Claims about registration are dealt with under chapter 25. Claims.

If necessary, the organisation may change the courses, start times, cut-off times, the location of aid stations and medical stations, or any other aspect of the event at any time.

In case of force majeure, bad weather or any other circumstance that endangers runners' safety, the organisation may:

• postpone the start of a race;
• change the start date;
• change the cut-off times;
• change the course;
• stop a race temporarily;
• stop a race in progress;
• cancel a race.

Consequences:

In the event of a course modification, the organization may make any necessary adjustments to the sporting system. In particular, the race category, the number of Running Stones awarded, and the performance score may be adjusted to accurately reflect the characteristics of the event actually completed by the participants.

By taking part, runners expressly waive any right over images of themselves taken during the event, and any claim against the organisers and their partners for the use of their image. Only the organisation may transfer image rights to media, through an accreditation or an appropriate licence.

Bucovina Ultra Rocks® and UTMB® are registered trademarks. All communication about the event, and any use of images from it, must respect the event's name and its registered trademarks and requires official approval from the organisation.

Sponsored runners, or runners using third-party branding for promotional purposes, may display that branding only on their clothing and equipment & only nationality country flags accepted during the race. No other items, including banners and posters, may be used, carried or worn on the course, including at the finish line. Breaches may be penalised at the race direction's discretion.

Any proclamation, display or exhibition of political or religious messages or images during the event is prohibited.

Civil liability. The organisation takes out third-party liability insurance for the duration of the event. It covers the financial consequences of the liability of the organisation, its staff and the participants.

Individual accident insurance. Every participant must hold insurance covering search, rescue and evacuation costs in Romania. It may be taken out with any insurer of the runner's choice.

As an option, UTMB Group offers, with a private insurer, a policy costing €49 per year. It covers rescue, repatriation and medical expenses worldwide, including helicopter rescue, for trail running in training, competition and reconnaissance outings. It also covers hiking, trekking, cycling and mountain biking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and applies to professional athletes. General conditions: https://utmb.assurinco.com/

Evacuation costs. Helicopter evacuation is paid for by the runner, unless their insurance covers it. The organisation, the search and rescue services and the medical staff choose the evacuation method and the hospital, putting the runner's safety first. The costs of any exceptional rescue or evacuation, and of the runner's return from the place they were taken to, are paid by the runner. The runner is responsible for submitting any claim to their insurer within its deadlines.

No prize money is awarded at Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB®. Within the UTMB World Series, prize money is awarded only at the Finals and Majors.

Claims arising from a runner's registration must be sent by email to bucovina@service.utmb.world or by post to UTMB Group, 31 rue du Lyret, 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, France.

If a claim has not been resolved within two months of being sent in writing (by email or by registered letter), it may be referred to UTMB Group's ombudsman: **MCP Médiation, 12 square Desnouettes, 75015 Paris, France (http://mcpmediation.org). **

The following are not grounds for a claim under this section: disputes about registration decisions (for example, a registration refused because a race was full), and disputes about sporting management and the application of these regulations (for example, a penalty, a disqualification or a withdrawal). Sporting disputes are dealt with under 18. Complaints and Protests.

In accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (General Data Protection Regulation) and Romanian Law No. 190/2018 implementing it, every runner has the right to access and correct the personal data held about them.

Data is collected when a runner registers for a Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB® race, for the needs of the organisation. In particular, it is used to identify each runner and to send them information about their participation before, during and after the event.

Runners' data is kept for 10 years from their most recent registration. After that, unless the runner agrees to it being kept, all data is deleted except surname, first name, date of birth, gender and nationality, which are kept to maintain the rankings.

Runners can view their personal data in their MyUTMB account. Requests to access or correct data must be sent to UTMB Group's Data Protection Officer:

• by post: DPO UTMB, UTMB Group, 31 rue du Lyret, 74400 Chamonix, France;
• by email: dpo@utmb.world.

Requests are dealt with as soon as possible, and within one month of receipt.

Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB® is organised by ACS Ultra Life with the support of the municipality of Câmpulung Moldovenesc.

Bucovina Ultra Rocks by UTMB® is an event made up of several races in open country, on the hiking trails of the Rarău–Giumalău massif in Bucovina, northern Romania. Each race is run in a single stage, at each runner's own pace, within a time limit.

• The UTMB category is the UTMB World Series classification used for Running Stones and the UTMB Index. It is not the race distance: the Ultra Rocks is 114 km but belongs to the 100M category.
• Exact distances, elevation gain, start times, time limits and cut-off times are published on each race page and in the race guide.
• All times in these regulations and in the race guide are local time in Romania (UTC+3 in July).

TRIPLE CROWN CHALLENGE

HOW DOES THE SPORT SYSTEM WORK?

• Ranking place – lowest SUM in all 3 events (first 3 men, 3 women)
• If EQUAL best place in longest race of Triple Crown Challenge